Rectal Prolapse in An Emu (Dromaius Novaehollandiae): A Case Report

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 249 - 25

Honey, an unexplored topical wound dressing agent in Nigerian veterinary practice

This paper presents an overview of honey as a wound dressing agent, its mechanism of action, selected cases of wounds managed with honey and a survey of veterinarians’ perception and usage of honey for wound management in Nigeria. Structured  questionnaires were administered to veterinary practitioners predominantly in  Southwest Nigeria to evaluate their awareness, usage and concerns about honey as a wound dressing agent. Case reports of animal patients’ wounds managed with honey are presented in a logical fashion to showcase honey efficacy in wound management. There was remarkable healing with honey in the cases managed. Many of the respondents did not consider honey as first choice in wound management and availability of pure honey is a major concern expressed with honey use. More veterinarians in Nigeria should use honey for its high efficacy and cost effectiveness in the management of animal wounds.Keywords: Awareness, Dressing agents, Efficacy, Honey, Woun

Enterologic and Gynaecologic Complications of Ovariohysterectomy in the Bitch

The enterologic and gynaecologic associated complications post ovariohysterectomy (OVH) in bitches were evaluated. Medical records of 53bitches with mean body weight of 15.2kg presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), University of Ibadan between 1990-2010 were reviewed. Enterologic complications after OVH were observed in 11 (20.7%) of the cases studied. These include: Chronic vomiting 9 (81.8%), weight loss 9 (81.8%), anorexia, 8 (72.7%), diarrhea, 6 (54.5%) and pyrexia,5(54.5%). Nine of the 11 dogs (81.8%) had extensive intestinal and uterine stump adhension. Gynaecologic complications 0bserve in 23 (43.3%) of the 53 bitches included vulva discharge 21(91.3%), incomplete extirpation of the ovaries 14(60.8%), recurrent estrus 9(39.1%), pseudopregnacy 8(34.7%), inflammation of the uterine cervical tissueand stump 4(17.4%) and non-resorbable ligature 3(13.0%).The study shows that enterologic and gynaecologic complications occur following OVH in bitches and strongly advice that bitches with  gastrointestinal symptoms following OVH should be suspected ofintestinal adhesions and incarcerations.Key words: enterologic, gynaecologic, complications, ovariohysterectomy, bitches

Prevalence and pattern of small animal orthopaedic conditions at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan

Small animal orthopaedic case records of a 20-year period were surveyed to obtain the prevalence and pattern of orthopaedic conditions presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), University of Ibadan, Nigeria, with the objective of  providing data for planning on small animal healthcare facilities, policy development and veterinary manpower training. Out of 618 small animal surgery cases managed within the period studied, 127 (19.6%) were orthopedic in nature across 22 canine breeds, consisting of dogs (45%), bitches (53%) and 2% unspecified sexes.  Orthopedic conditions were prevalent in Alsatian 34.65%, Rottweiler 19.69%, Mongrel 18.11%, Crossbreeds 4.72%, Boerboel 3.94%, Pomeranian 1.54%, Samoyed 1.54%, Caucasian 1.54%, Neapolitan mastiff 1.54%, Lhasa Apso 0.79%, Keeshond 0.79%, Chihuahua 0.79%, French mastiff 0.79%, Tosa 0.79%, Pit-bull 0.79%, Spitz 0.79%, Bull Mastiff 0.79%, Dachshund 0.79% and Doberman  pinscher 0.79%. Fracture cases were highest 61.42%, followed by hip dysplasia 14.17%, hip luxation 6.30%, lameness 2.36%, paralysis 1.57%, hock luxation 1.57%, sprain 1.57%, patella luxation 1.57%, abnormal gait 1.57%, arthritis  0.79%, osteosarcoma 0.79%, splayed limb 0.79%, congenital dysgenesis 0.79%, hypertrophic osteodystrophy 0.79%, stiffened stifle joint 0.79%, and unspecified 2.36%. fracture anatomic sites were: femur 57.69%, tibia and fibula 10.26%,  humerus 6.41%, radio-ulna 5.13%, mandible 5.13%, metacarpal 3.85%, tibia 3.85%, metatarsal 2.56%, radius 2.56%, rib 1.28% and tarsal 1.28%. The highest occurrence of orthopedic cases was in 2015 (11.02%), while 1998 (1.57%) and 2010 (1.57%) had the least. No case was recorded in 1995 and 1997 (0%). Young dogs (< 1year) were more involved (60.0%) than adult (> 1 year) (32.0%). More cases were recorded in the first quarter (27.56%)-(January-March) than second quarter (April-June (25.20%), than fourth quarter (October –December  (24.41%).The third quarter (July-September) had the least (22.83%). The implication of the data to orthopaedic patient management, and planning was discussed.Keywords: Dogs, Orthopaedic conditions, Prevalence, Small animal, Veterinary teaching hospital

Anaemia and Mortality in Calves Caused by the Short-Nosed Sucking Louse (Haematopinus eurysternus) (Nitzsch) in Ibadan

A cattle farm in Ibadan recorded the death of a young calf with heavy infestation of short-nosed sucking louse, Haematopinus eurysternus. The surviving calves and calves on a second farm had mean packed cell volumes (21.6±4.1 and 24.6±1.8 [%]), mean haemoglobin concentrations (7.2 ±1.4 and 8.3±0.6[g/dL]), and mean red blood cell 6 counts (6.3±0.7 and 6.9±0.1[x10 /L]) which were below the reference ranges and consistent with anaemia. The animals were also heavily infested with lice. No other causesof anaemia were identified. After treating the calves with 1% ivermectin sub-cutaneously, all the red blood cell indices became significantly higher (p= 0.05). It is therefore suggested that heavy infestations with H. eurysternusshould be considered when investigating the cause of anaemia in calves in Nigeria

The Incidence of Intestinal Obstructive Diseases in Selected Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals in South Western Nigeria

Intestinal obstructive diseases are medical and surgical emergencies which require precise diagnosis and rapid surgical intervention. They are characterized by severe hypovolemia and septic shock secondary to devitalization of the intestinal wall. The consequent surgical complicationssuch as ileus, adhesions and short bowel syndrome with resultant death of the patients also pose management challenges to the clinician.This study investigated the incidence of intestinal obstructive diseases in some animals presented at selected Veterinary Hospitals and Clinics in southwestern Nigeria between 1998 and 2008. Records of surgical cases were grouped into 11 categories and further grouping of intestinal obstructive conditions in small and large animals were presented using descriptive statistics. th Intestinal obstructive conditions ranked 8 among the 11 categorized surgical conditions, and 7.0 % of the surgicalcases which were presented between 1998 and 2008. Most of the intestinal conditions such as intussusception, volvulus and torsion were strangulating obstructive conditions and occurred more in small than large animals. Hernia ranked highest among the surgical conditions, followed byintussusception, volvulus and rectal prolapse in that order. The intestinal conditions were more prevalent in post mortem records and in small animals than in large animals. The findings in this study showed that intestinal surgical conditions are not uncommon in Veterinary hospital andclinics in the study area. It further showed that the management of intestinal surgical conditions is still a major challenge in some Veterinary hospital and clinics in Nigeria

'Managing a Necrotic Limb of African Dwarf Crocodile (OSTEOLAEMUS TETRASPIS) in Ibadan Zoological Garden: A Case Report’

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33 (1) 395-39

Assessment of the efficacies, potencies and bacteriological qualities of some of the antibiotics sold in Calabar, Nigeria

In this study, an assessment of the efficacies, potencies and qualities of 11 brands of 5 different antibiotics including 3 brands of ampiclox and 2 brands each of ciprofolxacin, gentamicin, rifampicin and tetracylcine sold in Calabar, South-South region of Nigeria was carried out using the agar diffusion technique (sensitivity testing). The efficacies, potencies and qualities of these antibiotics were tested against some clinical isolates which include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella  pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes in vitro. The overall mean zones of inhibition for the test organisms ranged from 33.0 – 34.7 mm, with 33 mm for E. coli, 20.9 mm for K. pneumoniae, 34.7 mm for P. aeruginosa, 31.4 mm for S. aureus and 17.6 mm for S. pyogenes. The result showed that 3 (60%) of the antibiotics (alaclox, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin) tested showed lower potency against the test organisms  compared with the standard controls. Alaclox produced  significantly (P < 0.05) lower zones of inhibition compared to the other brands of ampiclox (superclox and vitaclox) on S. aureus and S. pyogenes. However, significant differences (P = 0.007, P = 0.026, P = 0.050, P = 0.012) were observed between the zones of  inhibition of the test antibiotics and standard controls for the 3 brands of ampiclox tested on all the test organisms except for K. pneumoniae. There were also  significant differences (P = 0.038, P = 0.038, P = 0.049, P = 0.025, P = 0.032) between the zones of inhibition observed for ciprofloxacin and their standard  controls. Both brands of rifampicin (vitals and medifampi) produced significantly (P = 0.020, P = 0.038) lower zones of inhibition on E. coli and S.pyogenes   compared to their standard controls. Our result also showed there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the observed zones of inhibition and standard controls of the brands of gentamicin (richem) and tetracycline. These overall and mean potencies of the test antibiotics showed differences in their efficacies, potencies and qualities. This confirmed that some brands of ampiclox, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin antibiotics sold in Nigeria do not contain the acclaimed quantity of  active ingredients to exert bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic effect on common pathogens.Key words: Antibiotics, assessment, bacteriological quality, efficacy, potency, zones of inhibition

Life saving tail amputation in an African lioness (Panthera leo L) in captivity

This paper reports surgical management of self- tail mutilation in an African lioness triggered by an irritation of unknown aetiology. The lioness was reported to have eaten up to two-third of its tail. Lack of darting facilities delayed quick intervention until the animal was lured with food bait into a restraint cage that enabled chemical restraint and surgical intervention. Tail amputation was performed as described for domesticated canine species. Healing was uneventful with animal returning to normal activities. Tail amputation is an uncommon procedure in wild species. Its curative indication was warranted in this case. There is need for storage of darting facilities in every zoological garden to aid quick intervention and preservation of animals especially endangered species in captivity.Keywords: Amputation, Lion, Self-mutilation, Tail, Therapeuti