Infection of dogs with Babesia canis in Gwagwalada metropolis of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Epidemiological investigation was carried out to determine the prevalence of infection with Babesia canis in dogs in Gwagwalada metropolis of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria, from November 2013 to January 2014. Blood samples were collected from 101 dogs and examined for the parasite. Data obtained were analyzed to determine the prevalence of Babesia canis and the correlation of infection with age, sex, breed, types of management and presence or absence of tick infestation on the animal. Dogs screened were those from randomly selected house holds within the area. Overall results show an infection rate of 9/101 (8.9%). The prevalence was higher (P <0.05) among adults than puppies and also higher (P<0.05) among dogs with tick infestation than those without.Keywords: Babesia, Canine, Epidemiology, Gwagwalada, Prevalenc

Gastrointestinal parasitism in local and exotic breeds of chickens reared in Gwagwalada Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria

The present study was carried out to establish the gastrointestinal parasites in local and exotic breeds of chickens reared in Gwagwalada, Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria. It was conducted between July and September, 2014. Two hundred and eighty (280) faecal samples from local and exotic breeds of chicken and 50 intact whole intestines were collected randomly from seven (7) major towns (Gwagwalada, Dobi, Gwako, Giri, Anagada, Tungan Maje and Zuba) in Gwagwalada Area council and examined for gastrointestinal parasites using flotation and sedimentation methods. Six (6) different gastrointestinal parasite eggs and oocytes were identified in 42.5% of the birds examined. Of these parasites, Ascaridia species was found to be the most prevalent (36.1%) among the chickens. Other parasites encountered include; Eimeria oocytes (34.5%), Heterakis species (12.6%), Rallietina species 10.1%; Capillaria species (4.2%) and Syngamus species (2.5%). There were mixed infection of 1.4% among the infected birds. Interestingly, none of the birds examined was infected with trematodes There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in prevalence rate of infection between the local and exotic breeds of chickens. Although males had a higher prevalence of infection than the females in both breeds, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of infection among sexes. However, there was significant difference (P<0.05) between the age groups, with highest infection occuring in growers (46.2%). 20 (40%) of the 50 intact whole intestines screened were positive for gastrointestinal parasites by gross examination of intestinal tract. Out of the 20 positive, 12 were nematodes, 3 cestodes and remaining 5 were mixed infections. Therefore, sustainable ways of controlling these parasites at a particular age and further studies on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in chicken need to be elucidated for improved intensive egg and poultry meat productionsKeywords: Chickens, Exotic, Gastrointestinal, Local, Parasites, Prevalenc

Anthelmintic Efficacy Trials using Fractionsof Ethanolic Crude Extract of Anogeissusschimperi Hoechst against Nippostrongylus braziliensis in Rats

No Abstract

Surgical Treatment of Mammary Gland Tumor in A 6 Year Old Pekingese Bitch in Gwagwalada, Abuja – A Case Report

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 243 - 24

Veterinary Profession: Potential Tool for the Realization of Nigerian Vision 20-20-20

As several countries make effort towards meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria are evolving policies and programme to address issues of sustainable development. The adoption of the framework of the MDGs, and its continents instrument: New Partnership forAfrica's Development (NEPAD) has provided a platform for the articulation in Nigeria of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), which laid emphasis on reforming government andinstitutions, growing the private sector, implementing a social character and value reorientation. It has wealth creation, poverty reduction and employment generation as cardinal areas of emphasis. However, the seven point agenda of the previous administration of Alhaji Umar Yaradua, who declared her intention to pursue the vision of placing Nigeria among the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020 and the current leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is committed to the attainment ofthis vision through its transformation agenda. This comprehensive frame-work focuses on sustainable growth in the real sector of theeconomy, which seeks to facilitate improvement in physical infrastructure, power and energy, transportation, agriculture, capital development,education, health, security, rule of law, combating corruption and tackling the Niger Delta problems. Therefore, it is imperative that veterinarians who are very important professionals are properly positioned and adequately prepared to live up to high expectations in the area of food security, control of livestock diseases, integrated disease surveillance and response. This paper seeks to highlight the role of veterinary profession in the attainment of MDGs, as well as challenges and prospective ways through which veterinarians could contribute to the achievement of Nigeriavision 2020.KEY WORDS: Nigerian, Veterinarians, Millennium Development Goals, Empowerment, Food security

In vitro effects of Spigelia anthelmia extracts on experimentally isolated guinea pig ileum

This experiment was undertaken to determine the in vitro effects of aqueous extracts of Spigelia anthelmia L (a local anthelmintic plant) on experimentally isolated guinea pig ileum, with a view to establishing its likely anthelmintic effect on nematodes. The extract induced concentrationdependent contractile responses similar to that produced by acetylcholine on isolated guinea pigileum. The contractions produced by the extract were antagonised by atropine but not by mepyramine. It was concluded that the anthelmintic mechanism of action of Spigelia anthelmia is most probably due to paralysis of the worms

Anthelmintic properties of Afzelia africana sw: an in-vitro egg hatch assay

The in vitro hatch assay was used to assess the anthelmintic properties of Afzelia Africana, commonly referred to as Mahogany, against Haemonchus contortus eggs using the crude ethanol extract (CEE) of the plant back. The extract was serially diluted at a range of 5 to 0.078mg/ml using a log interval. The fecal material was cultured in test tubes containing 5 ml of each of the serial dilutions of the plant extract. Fecal materials were also exposed to similar dilutions of albendazole, (positive control) and 5 ml of water (negative control). The plant extracts showed varying degree of inhibition of egg hatch, which was significantly higher (

The prevalence of the profile of clinical signs of mastitic goats in North-Western and Central parts of Nigeria

A total of one hundred and three (103) does had mastitis among the one thousand three hundred and twenty three (1323) goats estimated at villages in three states; Zamfara. Kebbi and Kaduna within two years. The prevalence of mastitis among the goats was 7.8%. The clinical manifestations of mastitis in goats and the factors which predisposed goats to mastitis were studied. The data obtained were subjected to analysis using SPSS. Of the total number of milk samples examined, 95 % were significantly of normal milk color (P<0.05) while blood tinged and greenish milk were the least statistically significant manifestation (P<0.05). Flock size, kidding season, halves of udder affected, kids per parturition, age of doe and parity significantly increased the occurrence of Caprine mastitis (P<0.05). Key words: Mastitis, Goats, Kidding, Parturition

Ethno-Veterinary Practices In Pond Disease Prevention And Control By Fish Farmers In Niger State, Nigeria

The status of ethno-veterinary practices among fish farmers in Minna and Shiroro Local Government Areas in Niger State was investigated in 2003. Twenty (20) fish farmers were randomly selected in each L.G.A. bringing the total sample size to 40 farmers. Data collection by interview schedule was conducted through a structured questionnaire. The generated information was analyzed by descriptive statistics of percentages and means. Results of the study showed that 52.5% of the respondents were in the economically active age group of 31 – 49 years with the mean age at 30.5 years. The mean household size was 9.7, while only 25% of the farmers acquired western education at primary school level. The mean of fish farming experience was 8.5 years and all respondents were males, practicing subsistence aquaculture with pond sizes less than 500m2. Polyculture of fish species at extensive feeding dominated. Eighty percent (80%) of the farmers had no knowledge of any ethno-veterinary practices (EVP) in fish health management. Common diseases of cultured fish in the study area included ectoparasite, fungal growth, and skin cancer/infection. About 75% of the respondents had no contact with extension agents on pond management or preventive/control methods of fish diseases. Major problems uncounted by farmers include high cost of pond construction (87.5%) water shortage at dry season (87.5%) and lack of technical know-how of fish disease treatment and control (85%). Felt needs of all the farmers include training on fish health management and provision of subsidized good quality feeds and drugs. Recommended measures in boosting aquaculture in the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole include good quality feeds and drugs. Recommended measures in boosting aquaculture in the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole include the training of extension agents on fish health management and their support for regular contact with farmers. Others are provision of nutrient rich feeds and subsidized drugs for fish farms; and the establishment of a medicinal plants research and development institute with national mandate on scientific packaging of herbal drugs that could serve as alternative medicine for human, animal and fish health matters. JORIND Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp. 19-2

Temperature and Weight Changes in Yankassa Sheep Experimentally Infected Trypanosoma Congolense

Temperature and weight changes in experimental Trypanosoma infected Yankassa sheep were studied over a period of 7 weeks. Ten clinically healthy Yankassa Sheep were divided into 2 groups of five control and five infected animals. Animals in the latter group were infected with Trypanosoma congolense and their rectal temperatures and body weights were recorded daily for 7 weeks post infection. The mean values of the rectal temperature and body weights of the control and infected groups were plotted on graphs to clearly illustrate the difference of 16.5 kg at the start of the experiment to 15.8 kg body weight at 7 weeks and temperature fluctuations of 39.73 to 37.35°C from the onset of parasitaemia to the end of the period. There was a statistically significant difference (p< 0.05) in the rectal temperature and body weights between the infected and control animals throughout the experimental period. Seven weeks post infection, the animals showed appreciable emaciation and an undulating wave of temperatures from the normal