Problems and prospects of rabbit production in Nigeria - a review

Population growth in the developed countries is stabilizing while that of developing countries including Nigeria is still increasing rapidly. This calls for increasing the production of livestock to meet the protein demand of the populace. Rabbits are characterized by small body size, short gestation period, high reproductive potential, rapid growth rate, genetic diversity, and their ability to utilize forages. Their by-products serve as major diet components and are devoid of fat thus making them suitable important source of protein. Rabbit meat is of high quality, being high in protein and low in fat content. Rabbit production can be integrated into small farming systems, with the rabbits being fed on crop residues, weeds, waste fruits, vegetables and poultry droppings. The manure can be used as fertilizer for crops and gardens. The housing systems and equipment examined were cages, feeders and other equipment for rabbits can be made using readily available materials such as split bamboo and raffia palm. Limitations to rabbit production in developing countries include the susceptibility of the animals to heat stress, and the degree of management skill necessary to raise rabbits successfully. This study further suggests areas of research needed on the nutritional value of tropical forages and by-products for rabbits. It is apparent that in many areas in developing countries, rabbit production could be an effective means of converting forages and by-products into high quality animal protein for human consumption. The study provides a benchmark for the understanding of prospects of rabbit production in Nigeria. Keywords: Rabbit, Production, Problems, Prospects, Animal protein

Effects of Xylazine and Propofol Treatments on Some Semen and Serum Biochemical Parameters of the Red Sokoto Buck

The effects of xylazine and propofol on semen parameters, serum testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone levels of the redSokoto buck were investigated. Twenty seven red Sokoto bucks, at the age of 2 years and weighing between 32 and 34 kg were used. Following an intramuscular administration of 0.22 mg/kg of 20 mg/ml of xylazine and an intravenous injection of 10 mg/ml of propofol at 6 mg/kg, semen and sera samples were collected at 1, 24, 72, and 192 hours post administration for analysis. The parameters studied were volume of semen, percentage motility, sperm concentration, semen glucose, serum testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone. These parameters were found to decrease significantly (

Prevalence of intestinal helminths of horses in Sokoto

Faecal samples collected from fifty-four stallions, in eleven randomly selected horse stables within Sokoto metropolis were analysed using the direct faecal smear, flotation method and modified McMaster techniques. The helminth ova identified were those of Ascaris sp, Strongylus sp, Strongyloide sp, Panaplocephala sp, Dictyocaulus sp, and Gastrodiscus sp. 84.4% of the samples examined were positive, out of which Strongylus sp. Ova had the highest (75.5%). Eggs of Oxyuris sp were not seen. This study of horses in Sokoto metropolis is aimed at having an insight into the most prevalent gastrointestinal helminthes and recommendations were made towards improving the health and management of horses. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 191-19

A Ten-year Retrospective Study on The Prevalence of Ruminant Diseases Encountered at the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory Veterinary Clinic Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria

This study was conducted at the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) Veterinary clinic, Gwagwalada, Abuja to document the diseases of ruminants that prevailed between January, 1999 and December, 2008. A total of 703 cases were recorded for the various animals during this period. The specie of ruminants and their percentages presented at the clinic includes Cattle (17.5%), Sheep (35.6%) and Goats (46.9%). The diseases diagnosed were Peste des Petit Ruminants (PPR) which was 40.1%, Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) 1.4%, Dermatophilosis 2%, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) 0.6%, Helminthosis 20.2%, Brucellosis 3.3% and  Trypanosomosis 5%. PPR was the most prevalent disease with an infection rate of 40.1% followed by helminthosis (20.2%); the least was FMD with a prevalent rate of 0.6%. It was recommended that livestock farmers in Gwagwalada should plan their disease control strategies by consulting the MFCT Veterinary clinic and the University of Abuja Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada for information on disease epidemiology to keep themselves abreast with management strategies of diseases in the locality