A two and half year old post parturient West African Dwarf ewe, weighing 22 kgs and with black anterior and white posterior body coat was presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, with complaints of abdominal distension, sudden laboured breathing and anorexia. The animal was said to have lambed 7 days earlier and was fed with cassava peels and grasses. On clinical examination, the eye ball appeared bulged and starry; the stomach was hard on palpation with frothy buccal exudate and persistent grinding of teeth. The heart rate was 68/minute, respiratory rate was 15/minute and rectal temperature was 39.8℃. Bloat was clinically diagnosed. With the patient properly restrained, an improvised stomach tube was rinsed in vegetable oil and slowly inserted through the oesophagus into the rumen and the gas eructated. Liquid paraffin (15 mls) was subsequently introduced into the rumen via the tube. On removing the stomach tube, a long strand of fresh undigested pasture came out with the tube from the gastrointestinal tract. The hard stomach was thereafter relieved within 5 minutes of the procedure. Long acting Oxytetracycline hydrochloride (2 mls) and 1ml Diclofenac were administered (intramuscularly) simultaneously at different injection sites. Plenty of water was advised to be given orally after 30minutes. Complication resolved and complete recovery of the ewe was achieved after 5 consecutive days of treatment.
Pigs have a high potential to contribute greatly to economic gain in that, among other reasons, they have high fecundity and high feed conversion efficiency rate. The effect of season on reproductive performance of male and female mixed breeds of pigs was investigated in this study. Eighteen sexually healthy sows that were equally grouped into two based on season were used in this study. Group A: (rainy season) and Group B: (dry season). The gestation length, litter size, sex ratio, birth weight and neonatal mortality were determined and correlated with parity of the sows. Gestation length of Sows for Groups A and B were not significantly different (p>0.05) from each other. The mean litter size for Groups A and B were approximately 6.44 ± 0.973 and 6.00 ± 0.782, respectively. However, there was no variation in the dispersion of the male offspring in Groups A and B but there was non-significant increase (p>0.05) in the mean value of female offspring in Group A as compared to Group B. Conversely, the mean value of sex ratio in Group A was nonsignificantly reduced (p>0.05) as compared to Group B. The mean birth weights of the male and female piglets in Group B were non-significantly elevated (p>0.05) as compared to Group A. The mean value of neonatal mortality observed in Group A was non-significantly elevated (p>0.05) as compared to Group B. The litter size of piglets in the third parity was non-significantly elevated (p>0.05) as compared to the second parity moreover, the birth weight of the piglets in the third parity was increased non-significantly (p>0.05) than the second parity. In conclusion, season could have significant effect on the reproductive performance of mixed breed pigs under the intensive system of management.Keywords: Pigs, Season, Reproductive performance
Unhygienic practices, handling and transportation; pooling of milk from unscreened mastitic cows and indiscriminate prophylactic, therapeutic and growth promotion use of antibiotics in Nigerian cattle production could result in dissemination of resistant bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus and leading to food poisoning. This work aims to determine the prevalence of Methicllin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in bovine milk from local herds. A total of 165 fresh bulk milk samples were collected from local herds at Ibarapa, Oyo and Oke-Ogun in Oyo State for isolation of Staphylococcus aureus. Standard bacteriological methods were used to determine the bacterial load, isolate and characterize Staphylococcus aureus in fresh bovine bulk milk from dairy herds in Oyo State. Antibiotics sensitivity of the isolates was determined using disc diffusion method. Bacteriological assay revealed high total mean bacterial counts ranging from 1.5+0.069 to 6.1+23.19 log cfu/ml, with the highest contamination in 13.9% of milk from Oke-Ogun, followed by 4.2% from Oyo and Ibarapa respectively. There was a prevalence of 31.5% coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus with 7.9% isolates indentified as MSRA. The isolates showed very high resistance to several antibiotics with the highest resistance to augmentin (88.5%) and the highest sensitivity to ofloxacin (96.1%). This study established the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in milk from local herds with a prevalence of 33.1%. This signified the high risk of mastitis in the dairy cows from the study area. The high prevalence of MRSA is of food safety concern and could have resulted from indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Enforcement of milk hygiene practices, constant screening and treatment of mastitic cow as well as effective milk pasteurization are hereby suggested to ensure food safety.Keywords: Animal, Antimicrobial agents, Bulk milk, Staphylococcus aureus
Diarrhoea in young pre-weaned calves is one of the most important causes of calf morbidity and mortality. Information on this multi-aetiological condition is scanty in Nigeria. Therefore, we studied the prevalent bacteria and antibacteria susceptibility to various bacterial isolates from faecal samples of suspected cases of calf scours in Oyo and Ogun States of South-western Nigeria. One hundred and twenty calf faecal samples (120) from various breeds of cattle showing clinical manifestation of scours were screened for bacterial agents in two farms in Oyo and five farms in Ogun States. Isolation and identification were done using standard procedures, while antibiotic sensitivity was done using Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. were identified. Out of all the calves, 19 calves (15.8%) were positive for bacteria agents, E. coli was isolated from 12 calves (10%), Salmonella spp. was isolated in 10 calves (8.3%) and Campylobacter spp. was isolated in 1 calf (0.8%). Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that the most sensitive antibiotics were Meropenem (91.3%) and Amikacin (82.6%) while the least sensitive was Ampicillin (21.7%). Therefore Meropenem is the most sensitive antibiotic and recorded the highest percentage sensitivity in all the three bacteria pathogens isolated, while Ampicillin appeared to be the least sensitive antibiotic to virtually all the pathogens isolated. Meropenem is therefore recommended as the drug of choice for the management of bacteria calf scours. The isolation of highly pathogenic E.coli 0157 from calf scour cases reaffirmed cattle as a reservoirs host which may enter the food chain and poses a faeco-oral potential public health hazards.Keywords: Antibiotics, Calves, Scouring, Sensitivity
Increased demand for fish due to the health benefits and relative affordability has resulted in surge of aquaculture farming with the use of veterinary drugs to enhance productivity and control diseases. Residues in edible fish portions resulting from drug misuse constitute a major health concern for the consumers. Residues of amoxicillin, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, sulphamethoxazole, tetracycline and ivermectin, an endectocide were assayed in catfish obtained from 26 aquaculture farms in southwest, Nigeria. The drugs were extracted from pooled fish feed and muscle samples using the multi-residue extraction protocol. The residue levels were determined using the HPLC method. The results obtained were compared to the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) recommended by the European Union (EU) for the drugs in fish muscle. Detectable drug residues of gentamicin (57.7% and 80.8%), enrofloxacin (46.2% and 76.9%) and tetracycline hydrochloride (33.3% and 46.2%) were obtained in fish feed and muscle, respectively. Tetracycline residues were above recommended MRL in fish muscle. None of the sampled fish contained detectable levels of amoxicillin and sulphamethoxazole residues. Ivermectin (7.7% and 11.5%) had the least frequency of occurrence, but the highest residue levels with mean residue concentrations of 556.10±18.27μg/kg and 540.26±2.18μg/kg in fish feed and muscle, respectively. In conclusion, samples from thirteen farms (50%) contained at least one drug residue above MRL implying that fish muscle from these farms is considered unwholesome and unfit for human or animal consumption.Keywords: Antibiotics, Endectocide, Fish feed, Fish muscle
The modulatory effect of pre-treatment with ascorbic acid and a-tocopherol on short distance transportation was investigated in the domestic chicken. Thirty-two, adult (20 week old), female Nera black chicken were divided into four groups (A-D) consisting of eight birds per group. Groups A and B were not given any antioxidant while groups C and D were given 650mg/kg and 270mg/kg ascorbic acid and a-tocopherol, respectively in their feed for two weeks. The birds in groups B, C and D were transported over a distance of 200km. Total plasma protein, H2O2 generation, lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels were evaluated in all the birds after transportation. There were no significant differences in the total protein, H2O2 generation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in those birds transported without antioxidant compared with the control. The ascorbic acid group had higher H2O2 and malondialdehyde levels but lower plasma protein and glutathione than the control. However, the a-tocopherol group had higher H2O2 and glutathione levels but lower protein than the control. It is concluded that short distance transportation may not increase oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the chicken. Prolonged use of vitamin C and E as antioxidants may however lead to oxidative stress. Vitamin E also appears to improve glutathione level more than Vitamin C.Keywords: Ascorbic acid, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stress, Transportation, atocopherol
Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases which lead to urgent need to investigate new, safe and effective source of antioxidant agents. This research proposed to investigate in-vitro and phytochemical constituent of the plant Andrographis paniculata using phytochemical analysis, GC/MS, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and NO. Phytochemical analysis of Andrographis paniculata revealed the presence of tannins, total flavonoids, total phenol, total flavonols, and total proanthocyanidins. GC/MS analysis of essential oil of AP identified one major compound name benzenepropanoic acid elucited at 3.296 retention time and 0.74 area percentage. The ferric reducing potential of the extracts was concentration dependent and significantly different from that of rutin and vitamin E. The % inhibition of ABTS by the ethanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata was concentration dependent and compared favourably well with the rutin and vitamin E. In DPPH scavenging assays, the IC50 value of the ethanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata was < 0.025 mg/ml, while IC50 of rutin and Vitamin E were < 0.025 mg/ml and 0.08mg/ml. Nitric oxide IC50 for extract is 1.05mg/ml, Vitamin E is 1.2 mg/ml, and rutin is < 0.025 mg/ml. The present study showed high level of radical scavenging activity by ethanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata with higher antioxidant activities than Vitamin E but less than that of rutin. This show that Andrographis paniculata has antioxidant properties and the plant could be used in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, Antioxidants, Oxidative stress
The optimum breeding age of West African dwarf (WAD) bucks was investigated using biometrical correlates. The study involved 450 semi-intensively raised WAD bucks of 1-15 months old and divided into 15 equal groups. Six bucks were randomly selected per group and were electro-ejaculated to evaluate spermatozoa motility and livability, using standard methods. Testicular volume was determined ultrasonographically using Prilate ellipsoid formula (PEF), Prolate Spheroid Formula (PSF) and Lambert Formula (LF). These were contrasted with testicular volume obtained by the conventional Water Displacement Method (WDM) using testes harvested from the bucks in each group. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and ANOVA at P<0.05. The body weight (r=0.9) and scrotal circumference (r=0.8) correlated significantly with age. The body weights significantly increased from 3.4±0.1 kg at one month to 13.6±0.1 kg at 15 months. The scrotal circumference significantly increased from 7.9±0.1 cm at one month to 17.6±0.2cm at 15 months. Azoospermia, first appearance of spermatozoa and best quality semen were observed in the bucks’ ejaculate at 1-5, 6 and 8-15 months, respectively. Spermiogram showed that normal spermatozoa motility and livability increased significantly from 85+4.0% and 88+3.7% at 6 months to 93+5.0% and 93+4.6%, respectively at 8 months. The PEF, PSF, LF and WDM significantly increased from 16.1+0.1, 23.6+1.7, 22.0+0.1 and 16.2+0.1 cm 3 , respectively at one month to 28.3+0.2, 40.0+0.3, 38.6+0.3 and 28.5+0.3cm 3 , respectively at eight months. Comparison of testicular volume procedures showed that PEF did not significantly differ from WDM. An optimum breeding age of 8 months in semi-intensively raised West African Dwarf bucks was established. Ultrasonographic evaluation of testicular volume using the PEF with an average value of 28.3+0.2cm 3 is a valuable non-invasive method for the determination of optimum breeding age in West African dwarf bucks. Keywords: Biometrical correlates, Optimum breeding age, Testicular ultrasonography West African dwarf bucks
Cryptosporidium infection is an emerging zoonosis worldwide, with several reports in humans, livestock and wildlife. However, there is the paucity of information on its occurrence in rabbits. This study reviewed available information on Cryptosporidiosis in rabbits and conducted a preliminary investigation on the occurrence of the infection in rabbits in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Samples were randomly collected from 311 asymptomatic rabbits housed in 92 cages from two farms in Ibadan and were investigated for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts using a modified acid-fast staining technique. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in rabbits housed in 78 (25%) of the cages. There was no significant association (p>0.05) with age, sex, breed and location of farms. The findings of this preliminary study provide evidence that rabbits farmed in studied area are exposed to Cryptosporidium oocysts and also suggest that non-diarrhoeic rabbits could serve as reservoirs. This study, which to the best of our understanding is the first to report the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Nigerian rabbits, recommends further nationwide surveillance of Cryptosporidium species in rabbits and molecular characterization of circulating genotypes and subtypes.
Gross anatomical investigations of the female reproductive organs of the African sideneck turtle (Pelusios castaneus) was carried out with a view to providing information needed in post-mortem clinical examination as well as in the comparative anatomy of the female reproductive tract of turtles. A total of ten adult female African sideneck turtles picked up at river banks in Ibadan, Nigeria, during the months of September and October, 2014, were used for the study. The female reproductive tract of the turtle in antero-posterior order comprises the ovaries, oviduct and cloaca. The oviduct comprises five regions: infundibulum, uterine tube, isthmus, uterus, and vagina. With the exception of the vagina, all other components of the oviduct are paired, on each side of the median plane of the turtle. The vagina is the most muscular portion of the turtle oviduct and links to the cloaca which leads to the exterior. This report is the first to describe the gross anatomy of the female reproductive tract of the African sideneck turtle thus serving as baseline information on these aspects of the anatomy of the animal. The findings are also expected to be useful in post-mortem examination of carcass and in the comparative anatomy of female reproductive tracts of turtles.
Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an acute respiratory disease of chickens which often results in severe losses in the commercial poultry industry as well as backyard chicken flocks. It is also a latent viral infection of chickens worldwide and the causative virus can be shed through poultry droppings. To check if apparently healthy Nigerian commercial and backyard chickens shed the ILT virus, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to test for the presence of the virus Infected Cell Protein 4 (ICP4) gene in cloacal swabs from 45 commercial and 40 backyard chickens in Ibadan. Nested-PCR was used to probe the samples further for presence of the ICP4 gene. Moreover, two positive nested-PCR products from the backyard chicken samples were sequenced to characterize the virus. One (2.2%) of the 45 samples from commercial chickens and four (10%) of the 40 samples from backyard chickens were positive for the virus with the first round PCR. Six (13%) out of the 45 samples from commercial chickens and 12 (30%) out of the 40 from backyard chickens were positive with nested-PCR. Sequence analysis of the two nested-PCR products from the backyard chicken samples revealed that the Nigerian ILTV sequences had nonsynonymous mutations W1130K and S1135T. This study revealed that commercial and backyard chickens in Ibadan shed the virus with the possibility of spread of infection to other birds. The mutations and phylogenetic clustering of the Nigerian ILTV ICP4 partial sequences revealed that they are different from vaccine and reference field sequences from other countries.
Climate change is an additional factor affecting animal production that is naturally dynamicand facing many physical and biomedical challenges. Its impacts on several sectors havebeen given more emphasis with little attention on effects of climate change on animal healthand infectious processes. Hence, this review is a periscope to the relationship betweenclimate change and animal health, adaptation and mitigation approaches for sustainableglobal ecosystem. It shows that while the global livestock sector contributes a significantshare to anthropogenic Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, it can also partake significantlyin the mitigation efforts. Consequently, concerted and collective actions from animal carestakeholders are urgently required to ensure that existing and promising adaptation andmitigation approaches are encouraged.
A three and half year-old pregnant heifer, light brown colour, Ambala breed of Nigerian indigenous cattle calved normally at 6.45 a.m. on November 7th, 2017 in home-garden pen. The pen was cleaned with sawdust and plank pallets floor. The calf was active, robust and rose up to find the mother and the udder about 6 minutes after parturition. The dam licked off the mucous membrane on the nostrils and the eyes. The calf weighed 21.5 kg while the dam weighed 221kg after calving. The placenta dropped at about 20 minutes after calving but was followed by partial protrusion of the uterine mass from the vulva (post-parturient uterine prolapse-PUP). Calf to dam weight ratio of (1:10) was high. Size of calf was among major causes of PUP. Chilly water wash of the prolapsed uterus with gentle push back to the abdominal cavity using sterile hand-in-glove (washed in soapy Detol® solution) restored permanently the PUP. Prognosis of the early manual treatment and therapy of this PUP case are discussed.
Streptococcus species are opportunistic pathogens of dogs and cats that can alsoinfect a wide range of domesticated animals. Streptococcus canis (Lancefield group G) has been incriminated as a cause of infertility in bitches. However, there is dearth of information on its role in infertility in bitches in Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus species from the vagina of bitches in five (5) out of sixteen Local Government Areas of Lagos metropolis. Vaginal swab samples were collected from 72 fertile and 82 infertile bitches and subjected to culturing and biochemical tests. Thereafter, the isolates were identified using Lancefield serology method. Of the 154 bitches sampled, 14 Streptococcus isolates were obtained, giving a prevalence of 9.1%. Other bacteria isolated from the samples were Staphylococcus species 44 (28.6%), Proteus species 34 (22.1%), Escherichia coli 24 (15.8%), Klebsiella species 18 (11.7%), Bacillus species 9 (5.8%), Pseudomonas species 9 (5.8%), and Serratia veridan 2 (1.3%). All the Streptococcus isolates were resistant to oxacillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, trimethoprim, gentamicin, sulphonamide, cefotaxime, ampicillin and amoxicillin, but were all susceptible to ciprofloxacin, while (85.7%) of Streptococci isolates were resistant to colistin sulphate thus showing multidrug resistance. Prevalence of Streptococcus species was not significantly different between fertile and infertile bitches (p > 0.05). Eight (57.1%) of the 14 isolates belonged to Lancefield group G, while the other six belonged to group B (2), group C (1), group D (1) and dual groups (2). The prevalence of group G Streptococcus species (3.9%) in infertile bitches was significantly (p< 0.05) higher than in fertile bitches (1.3%). There was a significant association (p< 0.05) between the presence of Lancefield group G Streptococcus species and the fertility status of the bitches in the study. It was therefore concluded that Lancefield group G Streptococcus may be associated with infertility in bitches from Lagos metropolis.
Otitis is one of the most common infections in dogs. This has been associated with misuse of antibiotics thereby promoting the emergence of multi-resistant micro-organisms. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and the antibiotic resistance pattern of bacterial pathogens associated with otitis in dogs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria. Ear swab samples were obtained from 22 dogs diagnosed with otitis externa based on physical examination of the ear canal and otoscopic examination. Bacteriological examinations of swab samples from the affected ears were done using standard methods, followed by invitro antibiotic sensitivity test by agar disk diffusion method using the Oxoid® antibiotic discs of the commonly used antibiotics in Nigeria. Results were presented in percentages, pie chart and tables. A total of thirty-six bacterial isolates in five bacteria species namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus cereus were isolated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest occurrence. Most of the otitis cases were caused by polymicrobes than single bacterium. The resistance of all the bacterial isolates to the twelve commonly used antibiotics in human and veterinary professions in Nigeria was very high, though the fluoroquinolones still prove to be effective. The occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria in companion animals indicates a public health risk in terms of possibility of human contact with such pathogenic bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance directly reflects the misuse of various antimicrobial agents, hence there is an urgent need for public education and control of antimicrobial usage in Nigeria.
Many abattoirs in Nigeria still dispose their waste directly into streams or rivers and also use water from the same sources for carcass processing. A study was therefore conducted to evaluate the microbial load and heavy metal levels of water used for meat processing in four different slaughter slabs within Akure metropolis. Samples of water were collected from the water sources, the bowls used for water collection and the processing line. Microbial loads the samples were assessed using standard microbiological techniques, while the levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) was determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results of the microbial evaluation indicated that all the water samples collected had high microbial load ranging from 12.75±9.91 to 0.50±0.00×105CFU/ ml, which exceeded the WHO limits of 10cfu per 100ml of water and were heavily contaminated with pathogenic organisms such as; Salmonella spp, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis. The micro-organisms isolated showed varied levels of susceptibility with mean zones of inhibition ranging from (10.00 - 0.00 mm) to the different antibiotics tested for. The heavy metal analysis revealed that the levels of Cd was higher than WHO limits (0.005ppm) with the highest level observed in water samples from slaughter slab A (0.07 ± 0.035ppm) and the lowest in samples from slaughter slab C (0.04 ± 0.011ppm), while Pb levels observed was also above WHO limits of (0.015ppm) except in slaughter slab C (0.02±0.02ppm). This investigation showed that the use of contaminated water for meat processing portends a serious public health risk to consumers.
A rare case of embryonal rhabdomyo-sarcoma was diagnosed in a seven year old male Rottweiler presented with a soft sub-cutaneous swelling of about 20cm x 12 cm around the distal thoracic region on the left side. On aspiration the swelling yielded blood exudate. Sonographic examination of the swelling revealed a central anaechoic area with some reflectors surrounded by hypoechoic area with underlying hyperechoiec structure. Thoracic radiograph showed normal interstitial pulmonary pattern with no evidence of metastasis. In addition, there was no evidence of rib fractures, intra-thoracic exudate or wall damage. Result of complete blood count revealed moderate anaemia with slight neutrophilic leukocytosis. Exploration of the swelling revealed a firm pseudo-encapsulated deep seated mass in the muscle beneath the sub-cutaneous tissue. The mass containing spongy blood clots. Cytology of the spongy tissue revealed numerous pleomorphic cells with high nucleicytoplasmic ratio. The nuclei were round elongated and oblong in shape with 2-3 nucleoli. In addition, histopathology showed variably sized, markedly pleomorphic anaplastic cells with occasional strap cells which were well-differentiated rhabdomyoblasts. There was lack of distinct cross-striation with multifocal areas of necrosis, hemorrhage and high mitotic index. The dog was treated with oral Cyclophosphamide, Ciprofloxacin and Prednisolone for two weeks. In conclusion, this case represents a rare cause of tissue swelling and should be differentiated from common causes of swelling in dogs such as haematoma and abscess.
Hepatitis E (HE) is endemic and of public health importance in many developing countries where poor sanitation condition has been identified as its major predisposing factor. In Europe and America, direct contact with pigs is linked with the presence of HE virus (HEV) in humans. However, despite poor sanitary conditions in many Nigerian communities, and established contacts between occupationally exposed individuals and pigs, limited studies have been conducted on HEV in pigs in Nigeria with unknown associated public health impact. Thus, this preliminary study was designed to investigate serologic evidence of HEV activity in pigs slaughtered at Bodija municipal abattoir and those reared on six swine farms in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. The sera were screened for anti-HEV antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit that was developed based on a capsidderived recombinant antigen of genotype 3 HEV. Overall, 57.4% (101/176) of the sera reacted against genotype 3 HEV with 31.3% (55/176) and 26.1% (46/176) of abattoir and farm pigs, respectively being seropositive. No significant differences in HEV seropositivity were observed between sexes and breeds but a significantly higher seroprevalence was obtained for farm pigs compared to abattoir pigs in the 7-12 months age group. Women and young girls were observed to be majorly involved in pig slaughtering at the abattoir, thus constituting an occupationally exposed population that could be potentially infected and transmit the disease. These findings highlight the need for large-scale investigations of pigs and individuals that are occupationally at-risk individuals order to determine the actual burden of HEV infections in Nigeria.
A three years old light brown West African dwarf doe, weighing about 32 kg was presented with history of dystocia of about 36 hours was presented to the University of Ibadan Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ibadan. The animal was restless. Close observation showed a swollen vulva with protruding foetal head. There was abnormal slimy blood tinted discharges with foul odour in her vulva. Rectal temperature was 40 degree Celcius with relatively high respiratory rate. Dystocia was diagnosed. Using systematic and calculated tration and retropulsion, Schistosomus reflexus (co-joined twins) were subsequently delivered after about 20 minutes of intervention. Post-manipulation care was given by intramuscular injection of procaine penicillin and streptomycin combination at a dose of 1ml per 10kg body weight for 4 days consecutively; multivitamins injection was also given at 1ml per 10kg body weight for four days. Complete recovery of the doe was achieved.
Diagnosis of cardiac diseases is expensive and not available in many Veterinary clinics in Nigeria. Thoracic radiographs are useful in evaluating the heart in all animal species. The canine heart has considerable breed variation than any other organ. A survey of a government and few private clinics in Ibadan revealed lack of use of thoracic radiography in the diagnosis of cardiac problems in dogs. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Ibadan which utilizes thoracic radiographs in diagnosis uses only foreign references of exotic breeds of dogs as there is a dearth of baseline values for local dogs. Six south western Nigerian local dogs comprising two males and four females of about a year old and weighing 14±2.3kg were acquired and stabilised. Dorso-ventral radiographic views of the dogs were taken and their cardio-thoracic measurements were done using a ruler. Cardio-thoracic ratio (CTR) in the dog is usually measured by taking the sum of thehorizontal distances measured from the spine to the most rightward and most leftward cardiac borders taken as the cardiac diameter and divided by the horizontal width of thorax from inner surfaces of ribs measured at the diaphragmatic apices also known as the thoracic diameter on a dorso-ventral radiograph. The CTR was determined to be 0.47, and is significantly lower than the value of 0.60-0.65 determined for exotic dogs, probably due to the difference in size and management of dogs here in South Western Nigeria. The CTR value is a good indicator together with VHS of changes in cardiac size and is a cheap, noninvasive diagnostic tool.
