Histopathological evaluation of Oreochromis mossambicus gills and liver as biomarkers of earthen pond water pollution

Oreochromis mossambicus were sampled from a semi-intensively managed polyculture earthen pond in Bagauda, Nigeria for histopathological changes in the gills and liver as early warning signs of pond water pollution. Pond water was sourced from nearby Bagauda dam through a single 28 inches water pipe. The physicochemical parameters of the earthen pond water were within acceptable limits for the growth and survival of O. mossambicus. Although observed histopathological lesions were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the liver than in the gills of sampled fish, lesions were within the normal functioning of respective organs based on the degree of tissue change protocol. The observed lesions indicated low level pollution of the earthen pond water. The result of this preliminary work notwithstanding, there is a need for constant monitoring of the earthen pond water and its water source (Bagauda dam) for pollutants. This is to ensure the continuous well-being and increased productivity of stocked fish within the earthen pond because of the large catchment area being drained by the dam relative to increasing human anthropogenic activities within the area.Keywords: Earthen pond, Histopathology, Oreochromis mossambicus, Polyculture, Semi-intensive managemen

Pathological changes in an Alsatian dog following Amitraz and Sniper (dichlorvos) exposure

Amitraz and Sniper (dichlorvos) are known ectoparasiticides of dogs in Nigeria. Although reports of their toxicosis exist, information on the pathological presentations of their combined toxicosis is scanty hence the present case report. Two dogs both had Amitraz bath with simultaneous fumigation of their immediate environment with Sniper (diclorvos). Excessive salivation, staggering gait, and respiratory distress were observed shortly thereafter with the prompt administration of atropine sulphate which ameliorated it, but a particular dog progressively became weak, inactive and off feed. A vomitus, dark watery stool and blood spots were observed within its kennel before death. The post-mortem examination revealed emaciated, dehydrated and tick infested carcass with pale ocular and oral mucous membranes. There was also ileocolic intestinal intussusception characterized by anal intussusceptum protrusion, congested liver and pulmonary peribronchial haemorrhage with inter-alveoli cellular infiltration including haemorrhagic enteritis. Death might have been due to hypovolemic shock following the observed dehydration, pallor, haematochezia, peritoneal fluid exudation, hepatic congestion, pneumonia characterized by peribronchial haemorrhages, and haemorrhagic enteritis. The observed intussusception was a rare occurrence in a dog following Amitraz and Sniper poisoning in Abuja, Nigeria, which highlighted the need for their cautious and professional use

Clinicopathological Effects of Oral Administration of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Charcoal–Tree (Trema Orientalis Linn Blume) in Jamnapari Crossbred Goats

The present study was aimed at evaluating the clinicopathological changes due to oral administration of ethanol leaf extract of Trema orientalis (ELETO) in Jamnapari crossbred goats. The clinical manifestations, gross and histopathological changes in the major vital organs were used as indices of the toxicity. The severity of gross and microscopic changes were evaluated by scoring technique. Twenty goats weighing between 15-20kg were divided into four groups with five goats in each group in a completely randomized design. The test groups I, II, III were administered ELETO at the dosages of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0g/kg b.wt per os/day respectively, for 14 days while, group IV served as a control. Groups II and III showed decreased appetite whereas, group III showed bilateral congestion of ocular mucous membrane, lacrimation, rectal tenesmus and a significant decrease in body weight compared to control. The main gross and microscopic changes were mild to moderate and included; engorgement of the gall bladder, congestion and icteric liver, hepatocellular degeneration, vacuolation, necrosis and renal congestion observed mainly in group III goats. The results indicate that the ELETO was hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic at continued oral doses equal to or more than 2.0g/kg b.wt in goats but no significant toxicity when used at lowers doses. Therefore, special caution should be taken when keeping goats in areas with T. orientalis. Keywords: Ethanol extract, Trema orientalis, Clinicopathological changes, Goats

Evaluation of the Impacts of Taurine on Oxidative Stress Indices in Sera and Brain of Rats Exposed to Cypermethrin

Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide applied for pest control on animals and the environment. Taurine is a putative antioxidant and bioprotective amino acid. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the impacts of taurine on oxidative stress indices in the sera and brains of rats exposed to cypermethrin. Forty rats were assigned to five groups of eight rats each. Distilled water was given to the first group, while the second group received soya oil (2 ml/kg). Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) was administered to the third group. The Taurine50+Cypermethrin group received taurine (50 mg/kg) and cypermethrin, while the Taurine100+Cypermethrin group was administered with taurine (100 mg/kg) and Cypermethrin. The treatments were given once daily by oral gavage for 35 days. Sera were obtained from the blood samples of the rats after the completion of the study for the determination of the oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde concentration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes). Oxidative stress indices were analysed in the brains. Taurine significantly (P< 0.05) augmented the superoxide dismutase activity in the sera. However, other oxidative stress indices were not ameliorated by taurine in the sera and the brains. Cypermethrin (20 mg/kg) did not overtly evoke oxidative stress in the sera and the brains of the rats in this study, probably because it is a moderately toxic insecticide. This is the first study that has investigated the effects of taurine on cypermethrin toxicity. Further research is warranted to expound the mechanisms of action of taurine and  cypermethrin in biological systems. Keywords: Taurine, Cypermethrin, Serum, Brain, Oxidative Stre

Acute Ruminal Drinking in a 2-week old Male Friesian Crossbred Calf

Post-mortem examination was carried out on a 2-week old male Friesian crossbred calf to determine the cause of death. The body condition of the calf was fair with pale mucous membranes. There was petechial to ecchymotic epicardial haemorrhages with mild hydroperitoneum and hepatomegaly. The enlarged rumen contained a large amount of white offensive rancidsmelling curdled milk mixed with watery content while the abomasum contained some sand sediment. A diagnosis of acute ruminal drinking was made based on the calf's age, reportedly feeding entirely on milk ration, and the presence of a large amount of curdled milk in the rumen. Early diagnosis and the treatment of underlying pathological conditions, correction of predisposing management practices, and rumenostomy are some of the ante-mortem ways to combat and improve the prognosis of the condition in affected calves. Keywords: Ruminal drinking; Friesian calf; Post mortem; Diagnosi

Acute toxicity, oxidative stress response and clinicopathological changes in Wistar rats exposed to aqueous extract of Uvaria chamae leaves

Acute toxicity, oxidative stress damage and clinicopathological changes were investigated in Wistar rats exposed to the aqueous extract of Uvaria chamae leaves because of the widespread ethnomedicinal use of the plant in many parts of the world. The acclimatized rats were administration 10 mgkg−1, 100 mgkg−1 and 1000 mgkg−1 (Phase I) and 1600 mgkg−1, 2900 mgkg−1 and 5000 mgkg−1 of the extract (Phase II). We observed rats for signs of toxicity within the first 30 min, 1-h, 2-h, 3-h, 4-h, 12-h, 24-h and thereafter daily for 14 days. Body and organ weights of rats were also monitored and used as measures of toxicity. We evaluated the haematological, biochemical, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation as well as histopathological effects of the extract in experimental rats after day 14th of the exposure. Exposed rats showed no signs of toxicity. The median lethal dose of the extract was estimated to be above 5000 mgkg−1. We observed significant (p  0.05) differences in the haematological and biochemical profiles as well as in the antioxidant and lipid peroxidative activities of the extract in exposed rats. Similarly, no obvious histopathological changes were observed in exposed rats. Although the aqueous extract of U. Chamae leaves was apparently non-toxic to the exposed rats as demonstrated, there is still a need for further investigations of its prolonged use and at sub-chronic extract concentrations. Keywords: Uvaria chamae, Wistar rats, Toxicity, Oxidative stress, Clinicopatholog

Mesenteric rent, ileal volvulus and ileocolic intussusception in a 3-year-old large-white dry sow: A postmortem report

This report presents a post-mortem (PM) finding of Large-White dry sow which died from complications associated with mesenteric rent, volvulus and intussusception. Other lesions included hydrothorax, ascites, and engorged mesenteric blood vessels, pale and enlarged liver. Helminthological and protozoological examinations of the intestinal samples were negative. Diagnosis of mesenteric rent, ileal volvulus and intussusception was reached. The diagnosis was attributable to the risk factors which include fight, excessive amounts of dry whey concentrate coupled with poor hygiene in the feeding and management system. Familiarizing swine farmers with the symptoms of bowel obstruction and provision of diagnostic facilities in commercial piggery farms will help in facilitating diagnosis and prompt action to prevent mortality and minimize economic loss. Keywords: Intussusception, Mesenteric rent, Sow, Volvulus, Whe

A nine - year retrospective study of avian neoplastic diseases in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria

Avian neoplastic diseases have been identified as one of the leading causes of mortality and production losses in commercial chickens in Nigeria. Although available reports described the trend of Marek’s disease in Zaria, Kaduna state, they did not take cognizance of other neoplastic diseases of poultry hence the need for this study. The clinic records of the Avian Clinic of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, were examined for cases of all avian neoplastic diseases from 2002 to 2010. The overall prevalence of avian neoplastic diseases was 7.58% (234/3085). Marek’s disease (MD) and avian leukosis (AL) were the only avian neoplastic diseases of poultry reported during the period under review. Marek’s disease contributed 85.90% (201/234) of the total avian neoplastic diseases outbreaks while AL was responsible for only 14.10% (33/234) of the outbreaks. The overall prevalence of MD was 6.25% (201/3085) while that of AL was 1.07% (33/3085). Chicken (99.57%) and duck (0.43%) were the only species of birds affected by the diseases. The types of chickens that were affected include commercial layers (97.85%), exotic broilers (0.86%), exotic cockerels (0.86%) and Nigerian indigenous chicken (0.43%). The average age of poultry affected was 20.17 (SD=±2.6) weeks for MD and 41.43 (SD=±15.4) weeks for AL. Weight loss (55.98%), ruffled feathers (47.01%), diarrhea (39.79%) and leg paralysis (17.52%) were the most reported clinical signs. The most consistent gross lesions observed were hepatomegaly (76.50%), emaciated carcass (75.64%), renomegaly (52.56%) and splenomegaly (44.87%). Neoplastic growths were mostly observed on the liver (46.58%), kidney (28.2%) and heart (25.21%). The sciatic nerve (20.51%) and bursa of Fabricius (3.85%) were also affected. There is a remarkable increase in the cases of avian neoplastic diseases over the study period which underscores the importance of a National control program for these important diseases of poultry.Keywords: Avian neoplastic diseases, Avian leukosis, Clinico-pathological changes, Marek’s disease, Prevalenc