Effects of Allium cepa L. peels extract on gonadotropins, testosterone and sperm variables in Oba Marshal broiler cocks

Allium cepa (onion), a natural seasoning agent that contains significant amounts of potent antioxidants in its scaly leaves is used in folkloric medicine to manage several diseases globally. Antioxidants have an essential effect on sperm health parameters; however, there is limited information on the effects of Allium cepa scaly leaf extract on reproductive functions in Oba Marshal breeder cocks. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of Allium cepa scaly leaf on reproductive functions in sexually matured Oba Marshal breeder cocks. Allium cepa bulbs were obtained from a market in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Dry scaly leaves were peeled, pulverised, macerated in distilled water, filtered and concentrated. Twenty, 42 weeks old Oba Marshal breeder cocks (3.48 – 3.62 kg) were divided into 4 groups (n = 5) and treated daily for 2 weeks thus: CT (control, distilled water, 0.5 mL/kg), T2 (extract 200 mg/kg/bird), T4 (extract 400 mg/kg/bird), T8 (extract 800 mg/kg/bird). Sperm characteristics were assessed microscopically. Testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were analysed using ELISA. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. Treated birds had significantly (p < 0.05) higher sperm motility, morphology but non-significant changes in sperm viability and concentration compared with the controls. Also, serum FSH and LH significantly increased, while testosterone had no significant change in test groups compared to the control. Aqueous extract of Allium cepa scaly leaf improved testicular functions and morphology in the test cocks. The reproductive function enhancement of the extract may be due to its antioxidant effect. Keywords: Allium cepa, Breeding, Broiler cocks, Spermatogenesis, Testosteron

Acquired incisor malocclusion in an adult rabbit buck. A case report

A rare case of dental malocclusion in an adult white chinchilla rabbit buck is reported. A diagnosis of acquired incisor malocclusion was made based on the history, physical examination of the rabbit and postmortem examination of the skull. To the best of our knowledge, this appears to be the first reported case of this condition in Nigeria. It is suggested that the condition may be more common among rabbits in Nigeria and elsewhere than the paucity of reports on the incidence. Measures to be adopted in order to forestall dental malocclusion in rabbits are discussed. Keywords: Malocclusion, rabbit, incisor

Haematology and serum biochemical alteration in stress induced Equine Theileriosis. A case report

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Haematological and Biochemical Changes in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Dogs Treated with Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves

Moringa oleifera is a medicinal plant that has been used traditionally for the treatment of a number of ailments.  The haematological and biochemical changes following treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic dogs with aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves was investigated in this study. Fifteen dogs with mean weight of 10 ± 1.3 kg) were divided into three equal groups. Group A were neither induced nor treated. Group B were induced but, untreated. Groups C were induced and treated with Moringa extract 5.2% (300mg/kg) orally in water, once daily, for 42 days post induction. Blood was collected from all dogs pre-induction, post-induction and post-treatment for haematological and biochemical analysis. Values obtained were expressed as mean ± standard error of means and data were analysed by one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni's Multiple Comparison Test using Graph Pad. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) of group C decreased significantly (P < 0.05) post treatment compared to group B. The Packed Cell Volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration insignificantly (P < 0.05) decreased in diabetic groups post-induction and post-treatment, while white blood cells count increased. Platelet count increased post-induction and post-treatment. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in diabetic groups compared to non-diabetic group post-induction and then decreased in group C post-treatment with moringa extract. Albumin and total protein concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) post-induction in diabetic groups but, decreased in group C post-treatment. In conclusion, diabetes caused decrease in haematological parameters, and increased platelet count and some biochemical parameters, while moringa extract decreased biochemical parameters in dogs. Key words: Haematobiochemical changes, M. oleifera, Diabetes, dog

Characterization of biofilm formation in clinical urinary isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from five hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: Biofilm formation by pathogens is of great clinical importance as it mediates persistence and resistance to antibiotics, hence posing difficulty in treatment and management of diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biofilm forming potential of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from urine samples of females with urinary tract infection and to detect the presence of clumping factor (clfA) and intracellular adhesion (icaA) encoding genes.Methodology: A total of 50 S. aureus were obtained from urine samples of women in five hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria. Isolates were confirmed by standard biochemical and novobiocin susceptibility tests. The isolates were screened for biofilm formation using three methods; Congo-red agar (CRA), tube, and tissue culture plate (TCP) methods. Detection of clfA and icaA genes was done by PCR.Results: The Congo red agar method showed that 39 (78%) of the isolates were biofilm producers while 11 (22%) were non-biofilm producers. However, the tube method indicated that 12 (24%) were strong biofilm producers, 26 (52%) were moderate biofilm producers, and 12 (24%) were non-biofilm producers. The standard TCP assay showed that strong biofilm producers (OD > 0.240) were 13 (26%), moderate biofilm producers were 22 (44%), and weak or non-biofilm producers (OD < 0.120) were 15 (30%). The tube method showed a good correlation with the TCP method for strong biofilm production. Ten (20%) isolates possessed clfA gene and 31 (62%)possessed icaA gene.Conclusion: The ability of S. aureus to form biofilm is a key risk factor that can increase morbidity and mortality from infections they cause. Hence, rapid and sensitive phenotypic methods can be used in screening for biofilm formation thereby providing data that can guide therapy and control of the pathogen. Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, Biofilm, Clumping factor, Intracellular adhesio

Management of partial thickness burn of the dorsum skin in a 3-year-old male German shepherd

A 3-year-old, 25 kg male German shepherd dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta with the chief complaint of anorexia. History revealed that the dog had been off feed for about three days. Furthermore, there was a fire incidence in the residence of the dog in the absence of the owner five days prior to presentation. The fire burnt the skin of the dorsum. At presentation, general clinical examination revealed normal vital parameters, and normal mucous membrane. Physical examination revealed flame burns from the cervical region (the C-spine) to the caudal region (the sacral bone). This lesion was painful to touch. Anaesthesia was achieved using 6mg/kg Propofol® (Dongkook pharmaceutical, Korea) administered intravenously and 30ml of lignocaine HCL® (AzraZeneca,UK) infiltrated around the wound edge from the c-spine to the sacral bone. The hair around the burns area was clipped, the wound was debrided and cleansed using 10% solution of Chlorhexidine gluconate® (Saro LifeCare Ltd, Nigeria). Dermazin® cream was applied topically on the wound and the dog was given 4.5ml Enrofloxacine, intramuscularly (I.M), 4ml Multivitamin I.M and 4ml Vitamin B complex as supportives. On the second day of presentation, Dermazin® cream was replaced with pure honey® (FUNAAB Consult) for wound dressing. 5ml Vitamin C I.M. was included in the treatment regime on Day 4. All medications were given for 6 days except for wound dressing with pure honey® which continued until complete healing was achieved 88 days post presentation. Daily wound dressing with honey in this case re-vitalized the tissue, prevented re-infection and aided the lesion to proceed to the remodeling phase.Keywords: German shepherd dog, Partial thickness burn, Pure honey, Rehabilitation, Wound debridemen

Incidence, indication and prognosis of ovariohysterectomy in dogs in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Case records of dogs that underwent ovariohysterectomy at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) between January, 2010 and December, 2016 were reviewed to determine the prevalence, indication and prognosis of this surgical condition. Data recorded include breed and age of the dogs at presentation and reason for ovariohysterectomy. Information on type of anaesthetic techniques, outcome of the surgery and occurrence and severity of complications were also noted. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in nine out of two thousand, two hundred and eighty five dogs that were presented during this period. The nine dogs included seven breed types which were Rottweiler (2), Samoyed (2), Alsatian (1), Doberman (1), Boerboel (1), Lhasa apso (1) and Pug (1). Mean age of the dogs presented for ovariohysterectomy was 5.7 ± 2.9 years with the age ranging between 18 months and 10 years. Indications for ovariohysterectomy in the dogs were pyometra (4), ovarian adenocarcinoma (2), transmissible venereal tumour (1), intra-uterine foreign body (1) and elective request (1). Surgical outcome was good in seven of the dogs, while one dog died secondary to hypovolemia after surgery and another dog was euthanized a week after surgery due to poor renal function. Five of the dogs had moderate obesity about six months after surgery, while a dog had mammary adenocarcinoma two years after ovariohysterectomy. It was therefore concluded that elective ovariohysterectomy is not routinely performed in dogs at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, FUNAAB, while most cases are performed for management of reproductive tract diseases. Further data are required to authenticate or disprove the findings in this study.Keywords: Adenocarcinoma, Elective, Ovariohysterectomy, Prevalence, Pyometr

Occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in dogs presented with Otitis externa at the Veterinary Teaching hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

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

Retrospective Analysis of Babesiosis in Dogs presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, From 2007 - 2015

A 9-year retrospective analysis of clinical records of dogs presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), between 2007 and 2015 was done to determine the prevalence of babesiosis. A total of 2457 File cases were reviewed and dogs diagnosed with Babesia infection were analysed for the  following parameters: sex, age, medication, mortality and year of occurrence. Data generated were analyzed with One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), using Graph Pad Prism 7 software. Chi square was used to determine the difference between  sexes. Of the 2457 cases presented during the study period, 574 (23.4%) were diagnosed to be babesiosis. This comprised of 266 (46.3%) males and 308 (53.7%) females, with prevalence rates of 10.9% and 12.6% respectively. Relapse cases were 120 (20.9%) while mortality rate was 41 (7.1%). Diminazene aceturate, imidocarb and oxytetracycline were the drugs used in treating canine babesiosis during the period. Among these drugs, oxytetracycline was the most frequently used, but had the highest percentage of relapsed and mortality cases. It was concluded that the prevalence of canine babesiosis in VTH, FUNAAB is high and the highest percentage of relapsed and mortality cases was recorded with use of  oxytetracycline. Keywords: Babesiosis, dogs, Prevalence

Concurrent Hepatozoonosis and Transmissible Venereal Tumour in a 10-Year Old German Shepherd Dog In Abeokuta, Nigeria

In this study, a case of hepatozoonosis with concurrent TVT unresponsive to chemotherapy in a 10-year old female German shepherd dog treated with Vincristine for 10 weeks at the State Veterinary Clinic, Abeokuta, was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Adiagnosis of hepatozoonosis and TVTwere made based on clinical presentations including protruding mass from the vulva, parasitological technique and cytological evaluation of the tumour mass and bone marrow using optical fine needle aspirate. Pathological changes observed in various organs at post-mortem, following euthanasia were cachexia, pale and icteric ocular and oral mucous membranes, enlarged and oedematous lymph nodes. Histopatholgical lesions were round to oval neoplastic cells from the growth observed in the vagina. There were different developmental stages of the merogony of Hepatozoon canisin the bone marrow. We concluded that concurrent hepatozoonosis and TVT and, possibly, the geriatric state of the patient contributed largely to the problem of unresponsiveness to treatment. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of concurrent infection of canine hepatozoonosis and TVTin Nigeria Keywords: Dog, hepatozoonosis, TVT, unresponsive to chemotherap