Effect of xylazine sedation on some clinico-physiological and haematological parameters in Sokoto red goats

Xylazine hydrochloride (Xylazin® injection, 2% solution contains xylazine hydrochloride 23.33 mg/kg, Indian immunological Ltd., India) is an 2-adrenergic agonist used in animals. It is a potent sedative/hypnotic agent (Hall and Clarke, 1983). Chemically, it is 2(2, 6-dimethylphenylamino) -4H-5, 6-dihydro-1, 3-thiamine hydrochloride (Adams, 2001). Xylazine is classified pharmacologically as an effective sedative, analgesic, muscle relaxant, immobilizing and hypnotic agent in domestic animals (Torre and Erausquine, 1988; Ewing, 1990; Adams, 2001). Xylazine is also known to significantly ameliorate the effects induced by stress stimuli (Ali et al., 2006). It does not possess the undesirable side-effects and deficiencies of the phenothiazine-derived tranquilizer (Mohammed and Yelwa, 1993), and xylazine infusion should not be used in horses during transition from isoflurane anaesthesia to recovery (Wagner et al., 2008). As a well-defined breed in Africa, Sokoto red goats are known for quality skin which is in high demand for leather product with a high retail value (Devendra and McLeroy, 1988). Sokoto State is estimated to have 2.46 million goats with Sokoto red goats found virtually in every household within the state (Anonymous, 1992).The objective of this research was to evaluate the sedative effect of xylazine in Sokoto red goats by way of ascertaining the onset of action, duration of action, effect on some clinico-physiological and haematological parameters

Prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis cysts in sheep slaughtered at Sokoto abattoir, Sokoto state, Nigeria

A prospective study was conducted based on the principle of post mortem examination on sheep slaughtered at Sokoto abattoir for the presence of Cysticercus tenuicollis cysts. A total of 261 sheep were examined with 34 (13.03%) infected. Prevalence of infection increased with the age of the  animals. Males had relatively higher prevalence than females. Infection was recorded in several visceral organs with omentum having the highest  prevalence (35.29%) and the lungs the least(11.76%). The results suggest that C. tenuicollis is common and may constitute a health problem in sheep and a source of economic loss in the meat industry, thus emphasizing the need for proper meat inspection and handling of offals in the study area

Microbial contaminants on some fish contact surfaces in Sokoto, Nigeria

Sokoto central market and two privately owned fish cold room and distribution outlets were visited between August and September, 2005 to collect surface swabs. The sampled surfaces included a concrete table and two basins from the market, weighing pans, floor and walls of cold rooms from the two distribution outlets. Five swabs each were taken from the contact surfaces. Out of 45 samples obtained from concrete table surface, basins, weighing pans, walls and floors of cold rooms, the table surface and the two basins from the market had the highest bacteria and fungi isolates of 43.9% and 48.6% respectively. The predominant bacterial and fungal isolates were Staphylococcus species (25.0%) and Rhizopus stolonifer (47.5%). In view of the importance of some of the microbial isolates obtained in this study as primary causes of food-borne illnesses, there is the need to improve on personal and environmental hygiene to reduce contamination of food contact surfaces that may serve as direct agents of transmission of diseases to susceptible population. Keywords: Fish; contact surfaces; bacteria; fungi; Nigeria Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 168-17

Sero-prevalence of Taenia saginata cysticercosis in cattle in Oyo state of Nigeria

No Abstract. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 52 (2) 2004: pp. 79-8

Cutaneous leishmaniosis: Some aspects of epidemiology and a case report

Cutaneous leishmaniosis presents as unsightly wound, begins as an erythematous papule at the site of a sandfly bite on the exposed parts of the human and some mammalian body. The papule increases in size and becomes a nodule which eventually ulcerates and crusts over. The ulcer is typically large but painless unless there is secondary bacterial or fungal infection. The disease condition is associated with rural areas and poverty. The sandflies are found around human habitations and breed in specific organic wastes such as faeces, manure, rodent burrows and termitaria. This paper reviews the epidemiology of the sandflies and leishmania species and also considered a human case of cutaneous leishmaniosis in Sokoto, Sokoto state, Nigeria

Prevalence of cryptosporidium in slaughter sheep and goats at Sokoto, Nigeria

Fecal samples were collected from 300 sheep and goats prior to slaughter at Sokoto abattoir between July and November, 2005 and impression smears of the cut surfaces of intestine, lungs and kidneys for each animal were made at post-mortem for the detection of cryptosporidium oocysts. Out of the 150 sheep examined, 22.7% were diarrheic, 1.3 % fecal samples and 0.7% impression smear from an intestine were positive for cryptosporidium oocysts. Likewise, 3.3% fecal samples and none of the impression smear from the 150 goats sampled were positive and 11.3% were diarrheic. Examination of 22 human fecal samples deposited around the abattoir premises revealed 2 (9.1%) contaminations with cryptosporidium oocysts. In view of these findings and the zoonotic implication of the infection, there is the need to reinstate and enforce ante-mortem inspection to detect and isolate sick and diarrheic animals. Likewise, personal and environmental hygiene should not be compromised to prevent contaminated meat and offal from reaching the consumers of abattoir products. Keywords: Cryptosporidiosis; sheep; goat; feces; abattoir; NigeriaAnimal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp 179-18

Short Communication: Prevalence of Intestinal Helminths of Dag (Canis familaris) in Some New Layouts of Sokoto Metropolis

Various classes of animals can be termed pets; these include mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes and even some invertebrates (Gruffra et al., 2000; Koler-Matznick, 2002; Zeder, 2008). But canines, especially dog is one of the longest known domesticated pet animal (Lassey et al., 2011). The reason for keeping dogs, their values and veterinary care varies according to the culture, status, social interest and economic activities of people (Oboegbulam, et al., 1989).In Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria, there is no prospect for keeping dogs as pet in the old city where religion and cultural practices frowns at such practice. However, in the new layout with increasing awareness on the use of dogs for security purposes, demand for dogs is on the increase and this is of public health significance in view of dogs’ involvement in the transmission of zoonotic parasites. A large number of the dogs’ are kept in confinement while some are kept semi intensively which promotes straying of dogs. There is high proportion of gastro-intestinal parasites in Nigerian dogs (Olufemi and Bobade, 1979; Fabiyi, 1983; Mafiana et al., 1993) and this is of great concerned.The progressive increase in dog population and the ultimate contamination of environment with dog faeces stimulated our interest in investigating the occurrence of gastro-intestinal helminths of dogs in the study area. It is believed that the result of this work will create awareness on the occurrence of the gastro-intestinal helminths of dogs in the study area and the need for functional veterinary care for the dogs.Keywords: Dogs, intestinal helminths, layouts, prevalence, Sokot

Prevalence of cryptosporidium oocyst in calves grazing along river Rima bank in Sokoto, Nigeria

The present study was conducted to investigate the point prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts infection in calves grazing along the bank of Rima River Sokoto in October 2011. The river bank is a converging zone for domestic animals reared in different quarters of the town and the  surrounding settlements. A total number of 2,959 cattle were enumerated out of which 147 (4.97%) were calves. Faecal samples were collected from 100 (68.02%) calves by convenient sampling technique. Formol-Ether sedimentation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques were used to identify the cryptosporidium oocysts in the faecal samples. Faecal consistency was also used to identify diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic calves. Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in 33 (33.0%) of the calves examined. The detection rate was higher among the male calves (38.46%) than females while the Rahaji breed had the highest prevalence of 62.5%. A total of 6 (18.18%) among the positive cases were diarrhoeic. The differences in prevalence based on sex, breeds and presence of diarrhoea were not statistically significant. Calves may become sources of Cryptosporidia infection to man and other animals in the study area through unrestricted movements and interactions with the environment.Keywords: Calves, Cryptosporidium, Diarrhoea, Rahaji, Rima River, Sokoto

Hematological and biochemical parameters of rabbits experimentally infested with Psoroptes cuniculi

Haematological and serum biochemical changes were monitored in 12 adult rabbits with average weight of 2.0kg. Eight of the rabbits were experimentally infested with Psoroptes cuniculi, while the other four served as control. The rabbits were monitored for 28 days. The observed clinical signs during the disease period were intense scratching of the ear and head, slight anorexia, emaciation, ear cancer, pale mucous membrane and excoriation. There was a decrease in the red blood cell count and the packed cell volume (PCV), with corresponding lower haemoglobin concentrations. There was a rise in the lymphocyte count, the neutrophils decreased and there was rise in the eosinophil count. The biochemical parameters affected were the bicarbonate and potassium ions, which increased at early stages of infestation but later decreased towards the end of the experiment below normal values. The serum globulin and albumin also increased during the course of the disease process but was not above normal values, while the serum urea value decreased below the normal values. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 161-16

Occurrence of African Animal Trypanosomosis in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Occurrence of African animal trypanosomosis among cattle, sheep and goats reared in some communities in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria was investigated. About 5 ml of blood sample was collected from the jugular vein of each animal into Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) bottles to prevent clotting. Wet, thin, thick films, animal inoculation, haematocrit centrifugation and buffy coat methods were used to detect trypanosomes in the blood samples. Anemic status of the animals was also determined by packed cell volume (PCV) method. Overall, 278 ruminants comprising 170 cattle, 88 goats and 20 sheep were examined. Of the 278 blood samples collected 41(14.75%) were positive for trypanosomes made up of 22(12.9%) cattle, 2(10.1%) sheep and 17(19.0%) goats. Trypanosoma vivax at 36(12.90%) occurrence constituted the highest number of trypanosoma species encountered, while 5(1.79%) was recorded for T. congolense. None of the animals examined harbored Trypanosoma brucei group. Other haemoparasites encountered included Babesia spp, Anaplasma spp and onchocerca microfilaria observed mainly in cattle. Mean PCV of infected cattle, goats and sheep were 20.33±3.31, 20.29±2.40 and 19.40±2.19 respectively. The detection of trypanosome species in this study is an indication that the disease is still endemic in the study area and could be of economic and public health importance