Comparative Haematology of Chickens and Turkeys Experimentally Infected with a Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus

This study compared the haematological findings in cockerels and turkeys infected with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus. One hundred and twenty day-old birds each of cockerels and turkeys, making a total of two hundred and forty were used for the study. The bird types were randomly divided into four groups each making a total of eight groups. Two groups in each species were vaccinated against NDV with La Sota vaccine at three weeks of age via drinking water. The vaccinated and unvaccinated cockerels and turkeys were inoculated with the velogenic NDV at six weeks of age while the control groups were not vaccinated and not inoculated. Blood samples were randomly collected from five birds in each group for haematological analyses at days 0, 3, 6, 10, 15 and 21 post inoculation (pi). The results showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total red blood cell count in unvaccinated infected turkeys, but showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in total white blood cell (WBC) and heterophil counts throughout the days of the experiment. The increase in the total white blood cell counts was observed three days pi in the cockerels. There was reduction of lymphocytes in unvaccinated but infected cockerels and turkeys three days pi. The erythrocyte and leukocyte values in unvaccinated but infected cockerels and turkeys were similar. The values were lower than those recorded in vaccinated and infected birds. Thus, vaccination against the disease can ameliorate the adverse effect of the virus on haematological parameters. Vaccination of the birds against velogenic Newcastle disease virus reduced morbidity and mortality.Keywords: Haematology, Velogenic NDV, Vaccination, Cockerels, Turkey

Ethics In Veterinary Practice In Nigeria: Challenges And The Way-Forward

Ethics is a code of conduct governing an individual or group of people. Veterinary ethics is a set of moral principles, drawn from professional and animal ethics, to enable Veterinarians fulfill their professional and moral obligations in their relationships with colleagues, patients, clients and the society at large. The hallmarks of veterinary ethics, as enshrined in the veterinary oath, is protection of animal health, relief of animal suffering, conservation of animal resources and promotion of public health. However, inadequate security in slaughterhouses and excessive quest for quick financial gains among stakeholders in agro-veterinary industry, are some of the major challenges bedeviling full enforcement of ethical standards in veterinary practice in Nigeria. Also, global rise in animal-human relationship/bonding, which may make recommendation of euthanasia in debilitating animals difficult, has emerged as a major ethical challenge to Veterinarians, especially those in pet practice. These challenges underscore the need for review of the existing veterinary code of ethics, to reflect the present-day challenges. Greater partnership between Veterinarians and law enforcement agencies, for provision of adequate security in slaughterhouses nationwide is imperative; to enable veterinarians fulfill their professional obligation of promoting public health through meat inspection. Prompt payment of compensation to owners of condemned carcasses and placement of more emphasis on the need for complete adherence to ethical standard during veterinary training programmes are indispensible to improve ethical standards in veterinary practice in Nigeria.Keywords: Veterinary ethics, veterinary practice, ethical responsibilities, ethical challenges, way-forward, Veterinaria

Comparison of blood biochemistry responses of cockerels and turkeys experimentally infected with a velogenic newcastle disease virus

This study compared the serum biochemical responses of cockerels and turkeys infected with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Two hundred and fourty birds of one hundred and twenty each were used for the study. The birds were obtained at day-old and were randomly divided into eight groups of four groups for each bird species. Two groups from both bird types were vaccinated against NDV with La Sota vaccine at three weeks of age. The vaccinated and unvaccinated cockerels and turkeys were subsequently inoculated with the velogenic NDV after six weeks while the control groups were not vaccinated and not inoculated. Blood samples were randomly collected from five birds in each group for serum biochemical analyses at days 0, 3, 6, 10, 15 and 21 post inoculation (pi). Parameters determined included serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, total serum proteins, albumin, globulin, blood glucose level, total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Data generated were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed decreased (p<0.05) total serum protein, albumin, globulin, plasma glucose and total cholesterol levels in unvaccinated infected cockerels, unvaccinated and vaccinated infected turkeys and subsequent increased (p<0.05) serum globulin. Hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoglobulinemia, hypoglycemia and hypocholesterolemia with subsequent hyperglobulinemia may be signs of velogenic NDV infection in turkeys. The absence of negative effects in some parameters in vaccinated infected turkeys further confirmed that vaccination not only prevents mortality due to velogenic NDV but also reduces pathologic effects in infected birds.Keywords: Blood biochemistry, Velogenic NDV, Cockerels, Turkey

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus species isolated from the vagina of bitches in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Streptococcus species are opportunistic pathogens of dogs and cats that can alsoinfect a wide range of domesticated animals. Streptococcus canis (Lancefield group G) has been incriminated as a cause of infertility in bitches. However, there is dearth of information on its role in infertility in bitches in Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus species from the vagina of bitches in five (5) out of sixteen Local Government Areas of Lagos metropolis. Vaginal swab samples were collected from 72 fertile and 82 infertile bitches and subjected to culturing and biochemical tests. Thereafter, the isolates were identified using Lancefield serology method. Of the 154 bitches sampled, 14 Streptococcus isolates were obtained, giving a prevalence of 9.1%. Other bacteria isolated from the samples were Staphylococcus species 44 (28.6%), Proteus species 34 (22.1%), Escherichia coli 24 (15.8%), Klebsiella species 18 (11.7%), Bacillus species 9 (5.8%), Pseudomonas species 9 (5.8%), and Serratia veridan 2 (1.3%). All the Streptococcus isolates were resistant to oxacillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, trimethoprim, gentamicin, sulphonamide, cefotaxime, ampicillin and amoxicillin, but were all susceptible to ciprofloxacin, while (85.7%) of Streptococci isolates were resistant to colistin sulphate thus showing multidrug resistance. Prevalence of Streptococcus species was not significantly different between fertile and infertile bitches (p > 0.05). Eight (57.1%) of the 14 isolates belonged to Lancefield group G, while the other six belonged to group B (2), group C (1), group D (1) and dual groups (2). The prevalence of group G Streptococcus species (3.9%) in infertile bitches was significantly (p< 0.05) higher than in fertile bitches (1.3%). There was a significant association (p< 0.05) between the presence of Lancefield group G Streptococcus species and the fertility status of the bitches in the study. It was therefore concluded that Lancefield group G Streptococcus may be associated with infertility in bitches from Lagos metropolis

Evaluation of cassava foliage as a protein supplement for sheep

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the potential of cassava (Manihot esculenta) foliage (leaves and petioles) as a protein supplement for sheep. In the first trial, nylon bag degradability of cassava foliage was studied. Proximate analysis of cassava foliage was conducted before and after the incubation. Rumen Ammonia Concentration (RAC) and pH were determined at 0, 4 and 8 hours after feeding cassava foliage diet (30%). Proximate composition of sundried cassava foliage was (%) DM 91.25, CP 18.55, NDF, 31.41, ADF, 29.2, EE, 6.6, Ash, 12.95. Nylon-bag dry matter disappearance (DMD) increased significantly (P0.05) in the live weight gains of rams on the control diet compared with those supplemented except for those supplemented with cassava foliage and groundnut haulms combined at 1% level where the weight gain was significantly higher (P0.05) affected by feeding either supplement. Supplementing digitaria hay with cassava foliage at both 0.5% and 1.0% BW did not significantly increase the nitrogen retention values, but groundnut haulms supplemented at 1.0% BW significantly (

Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci from healthy dogs in Nsukka, Nigeria

The occurrence, resistance phenotype and molecular mechanisms of resistance of methicillinresistant staphylococci from groin swabs of 109 clinically healthy dogs in Nsukka, Nigeria were investigated. The groin swab samples were cultured on mannitol salt agar supplemented with 10 g of cloxacillin. Sixteen methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCoNS), all harbouring the mecA gene were isolated from 14 (12.8%) of the 109 dogs studied. The MRCoNS isolated were: S. sciuri subspecies rodentium, S. lentus, S. haemolyticus, and S. simulans with S. sciuri subspecies rodentium (62.5%) being the predominant species. Thirteen (81.3%) of the MRCoNS were resistant to tetracycline while 12 (75%) and 10 (62.5%) were resistant to kanamycin and trimthoprim- sulphamethoxazole respectively. None of the isolates was resistant to fusidic acid, linezolid and vancomycin. Thirteen (81.3%) of the MRCoNS were multi-drug resistance (MDR). Other antimicrobial genes detected were: blaZ, tet(K), tet(M), tet(L), erm(B), lnu(A), aacA-aphD, aphA3, str, dfr(G), catpC221,and catpC223. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci are common colonizers of healthy dogs in Nigeria with a major species detected being S. sciuri subsp. rodentium. © 2014, Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia