Evaluation of Post-vaccinal Antibody Response to Canine Distemper Virus Vaccine Following a Single Dose of Multivalent (DHLPPi) Vaccines to Nigerian Local Breeds of Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)

The current level of morbidity and mortality among dogs due to canine distemper virus infection raise concerns about the effectiveness of commercially available DHLPPi vaccines. The prevalence of the disease despite vaccination warranted the evaluation of the potency of vaccines that are used for routine vaccination in Nigeria. This study was conducted to investigate antibody responses to the three common brands of DHLPPi vaccines for dogs and to recommend the best immunogenic brand for routine vaccination in dogs in Nigeria. Twenty local breed of dogs, age 8 -14 weeks were purchased from dog breeders in Ibadan, Oyo-State, Nigeria. The dogs were screened for heamoparasites and endoparasites. Those that were positive were treated appropriately and they were acclimatized for three weeks in the University of Ibadan Veterinary Teaching Hospital kernels. They were divided into four groups tagged A, B, C and D. They were fed with rice and meat and formulated rations and served fresh clean water ad-libitum. Groups A, B and C were vaccinated while Group D was not vaccinated and served as the control. Blood samples were collected before vaccination (day 0) and weekly for four weeks and 90 days post-vaccination. The sera of collected blood samples were subjected to ELISA test. Mean values of ELISA antibody titers were calculated and the mean values obtained were compared for significant differences using ANOVA test and student t-test. The antibody titres of the three groups A, B and C were observed to increase within a week of vaccination, and the three vaccinated groups showed variable antibody responses on different days of samplings.characterised with rising and waning of antibodies. Group D was observed to be low titres of antibody throughout the study period. From these findings, all the vaccines were potent, however, comparatively vaccine C was the best, vaccine B was better than A. Vaccine C is therefore strongly recommended for use in dogs for routine vaccination and a booster dose should be administered 4-5 weeks after first dose for optimum humoral immunity against canine distemper virus infection. Seromonitoring is essential in planning vaccination regimen for dogs. Other factors that can affect the effectiveness of vaccine during storage, transportation and administration should be considered for a desirable resul

Congenital Corneal Opacity in a Nigerian Local Puppy (A case report)

A four-week old Nigerian local puppy was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan with a history of bilateral corneal opacity. This was observed as the eyes opened at the age of seven days. General examination did not reveal any other abnormality. There was a gradual clearing of the opacity and by the age of eighteen weeks, it was completely resolved. Keywords: keCongenital corneal opacity, local dog Sahel Journal of Veterinary Sciences Vol. 5 (1) 2006 pp. 1-

Sequential Hematological Study of Experimental Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Infection in Chickens, Turkeys and Ducks

Following experimental infectious bursal disease virus infections in four-weekold broiler chicks, turkey poults and ducklings, blood samples were chronologically collected and analyzed for postinfection (pi) changes. Although there was a net increase in packed cell volume values in chicks reaching a peak of 31% from 12 h to 144 h pi, there was, on the contrary, a general decline in the values in turkey poults and ducklings to minima of 26.5% at 12 h pi and 28.2% at 48 h pi, respectively. Leukocyte counts in chicks significantly increased (p < 0.05) to a peak of 66.83 x 103/μl at 120 h, while counts in poults decreased to a minimum of 26.75 x 103/μl at 96 h pi. Lymphocyte counts in chicks were reduced to a minimum of 5.9 x 103/μl at 48 h pi after an initial reduction between three and six hours postinfection. A similar decline occurred in poults with a minimum of 7.81 x 103/μl at 48 h pi. The trend of changes in heterophil counts for the three species was similar to those observed for leukocyte counts. While eosinophil counts in chicks initially increased to a peak of 1.93 x 103/μl at 6 h pi and subsequently declined, eosinophil values in poults declined to a minimum of 0.88 x 103/μl at 6 h pi, followed by an increase to a maximum of 5.7 x 103/μl at 72 h pi. However, all hematological values in ducklings remained relatively unchanged. These results showed that there was biphasic lymphopenia, eosinophilia and heterophilia in chicks, lymphopenia and delayed eosinophilia in poults, and relatively unchanged values in ducklings. This emphasizes the fact that different levels of susceptibility exist in the three poultry species studied

Target organ damage in canine and feline systemic hypertension: a review

Hypertension is a state of persistent elevation of arterial blood pressure and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Chronic exposure to blood pressure results in target organs damage (TOD). Hypertension may be primary or essential and symptoms may be subclinical, insidiously causing damages to the target organs. It is often diagnosed when condition relating to the organ dysfunction are presented to the clinic. On the other hand, hypertension can be secondary when it is caused by an underlying condition and it may eventually damage some other vital organs (Target organs) in the body of the affected animal. These target organs include the eyes, brain, kidneys and heart causing hypertensive retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and cardiomyopathy, respectively, in the organs. This review elucidates the occurrence and manifestation of hypertension and pathophysiology and clinical manifestation of target organ damage in small animals. There is therefore, the need for comprehensive cardiovascular examination and measurements of renal function, echocardiography and electrocardiography to diagnose hypertension and target organ damage early in order to promptly and properly manage the health abnormality. This will reduce the economic loss, organ damage and mortality caused by hypertension and its associated organ dysfunction