Assessment of Farm management risk factors of contracting haemoparasitic infections in Pastoralist and Sedentary cattle in Soba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The major cattle management system observed in Soba Local Government Area was pastoral husbandry system. Under this system, cattle were extensively grazed on established forages of Kaduna State forests and were exposed to various arthropod vectors of haemoparasites. These haemoparasites are a serious threat to food security in Soba LGA due to their influence on cattle productivity. Questionnaires were used in assessing some farm management risk factors of contracting haemoparasitic infections in both pastoralist and sedentary herds in Soba LGA. A total of 24 herdsmen made up of 20 pastoralists and 4 sedentary herdsmen were interviewed. The study revealed, that some herd management practices were observed to have constituted risks to acquiring haemoparasitic infections in both pastoralist and sedentary herds in the study area. For instance, vectors of haemoparasites such as ticks and biting flies aside Glossina were present in both pastoralist and sedentary herds in the study area. Some farm management practices such as screening of herds for haemoparasites, treatment of it once in 12 months and quarantining of new stock before adding to the existing herds were found not to be carried. Thus, constituted risk factors in the herds. This preliminary study, provided evidence of the possible arthropod vectors (ticks and biting flies) that may be involved in the transmission of haemoparasites to cattle in Soba LGA of Kaduna State. It is envisaged that this survey will stimulate more studies to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle in Soba LGA of Kaduna State

A case of gastric ulcers and intussusception due to Ascariasis in a 4-months old American Hampshire boar in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

A Four months old American Hampshire boar weighing about 35kg from a back-yard piggery in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State was presented with the chief complains of restlessness, shivering and pasty perineum. There was no medical history. Physical examination revealed, pale ocular mucus membrane, restlessness, shivering and pasty perineum. The vital parameters were above normal ranges. Faecal sample from the rectum was taken to the helminthology laboratory of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for helminth egg detection and identification. Based on the tentative diagnosis of Ascariasis and enteritis, 35mg of a 17% piperazine adipate solution and 700mg of a 20% oxytetracyline long acting were administered orally and deep intramuscularly, respectively as single doses. The boar died 2 hours after therapy. Post-mortem examination revealed; distended ingesta-filled stomach, ulceration of the stomach mucosal wall with tarry (blackish) haemorrhages, Ascaris suum in the stomach and small intestine, intussusception of the small intestine and empty distal portion of the intussuscepted small intestine. The helminthology laboratory result indicated eggs of Ascaris suum. Based on the helminthology laboratory result and the post mortem examination findings, it was concluded that the boar died of gastric ulcer and small intestine intussusception due to Ascariasis. Routine deworming and deworming record keeping in order to know when the next deworming is due were advocated to the farmer