Retrospective study of equine cases at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria (2001-2015)

Knowledge of common diseases is important for effective disease control and management programme. This retrospective study was designed to identify the common equine diseases and clinical conditions observed at the Large Animal Clinics of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, using clinical case file records. Equine data were collected, analyzed on the basis of breed, sex, age and diagnosis. Out of the 1516 large animal cases reported during the study period (2001-2015) a total of 49 (3.2%) equine cases of 26 different diseases and/or clinical conditions were identified. Horses were the only equine spp reported with occurrence of the cases higher in the male (85.71%) and in the local breed (91.8%). Adult horses (> 4years) had the highest percentage (61.22%). Of the 26 diseases and/or clinical conditions identified, colic recorded highest percentage (18.37%) followed by strongyle infections (8.16%), lameness (8.16%), laceration/traumatic injury (6.12%), verminous pneumonia (6.12%) and equine influenza (6.12%). According to body systems affected, musculoskeletal recorded highest cases (32.65%) followed by gastrointestinal (28.57%), respiratory (14.29%) and cardiovascular being the least (2.04%). 17 (34.6%) of the total cases identified were associated with infectious causes while 32 (65.4%) were associated with non infectious causes. Based on infectious causes 10 (58.82%) were parasitic, 4 (23.53%) bacterial and 3 (17.65%) viral cases. Colic, lameness, laceration/traumatic injury, fracture and rectal prolapse were the important clinical conditions associated with non-infectious causes. In conclusion, this study provides an idea of prevailing equine clinical conditions in Sokoto as per cases handled in the veterinary teaching hospital.Keywords: Retrospective study, Equine cases, Veterinary hospital, Sokot

Incidence of anaplasmosis in sheep slaughtered in Sokoto Abattoir, northwestern Nigeria

Ovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne rickettsial disease associated with huge economic losses and is widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. This study was carried out to investigate the incidence of Anaplasma infection in sheep slaughtered at Sokoto Metropolitan abattoir, Sokoto. A total of 142 randomly selected sheep were sampled by collection of 10 ml of blood from each sheep, processed, stained with Giemsa and microscopically examined for Anaplasma organism. 26 sheep were infected with a prevalence rate of 18.3% and the occurrence were more in female (20.5%) than in the male (14.8%). Varying prevalence rates were observed across the age groups with highest infection (50.0%) in the age group of 2½-3 years and no infection was of observed in sheep older than 3½years of age. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) of Anaplasma infected sheep (24.8±8.77) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of non-infected sheep (32.7±5.01). Significant association was also observed between Anaplasma infection and presence of anaemia in sheep. In conclusion, this study showed high incidence of Anaplasma infection in slaughtered sheep at Sokoto Metropolitan Abattoir, hence strategic measures should be taken to control the vectors involve in their transmission so as to improve the production potentials of these animals and the economic well being of the owners.Keywords: Anaplasma, Incidence, Sheep, Sokoto abattoi

Pattern of ticks and lice infestation on small ruminants in Sokoto, Sokoto State

Sheep and goats are major sources of meat, skin and farm yard manure for more than 60% of indigenous population in Sokoto State, Nigeria. In addition, they are important for the high social economic value, as insurance against crop failure, and usage for cultural festivities and religious sacrifices. Among the factors which hamper the productivity of these small ruminants is ecto parasitism. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the pattern of tick and lice infestations on small ruminants  presented at the state Zonal Veterinary Clinic, Sokoto between March and August, 2015. Of the total 104 small ruminants presented for treatment  consisting of 73 sheep and 31 goats investigated, the prevalence of tick and lice infestations in this  study was observed to be 23.1% and 3.8% for sheep and goats, respectively. Thus, confirming the presence of these parasites in Sokoto. In sheep, Amblyomma variegatum (14.4%), Boophilus decoloratus (6.7%) and Linognathus ovilus (1.9%) were found, while Amblyomma variegatum (3.9%) was the only tick species found in goats. The pattern of ticks and lice infestations on small  ruminants based on age distribution showed that infestation was highest among the sheep above 3 years of age. It is also higher among the female animals than in males. The infestation was highest among Yankasa breed than other breeds encountered in the study, while infestation in goats was found only among Sokoto Red. A strategic control of these ectoparasites with appropriate acaricides during the period of high burden of ticks and lice based on epidemiology is recommended.Keywords: Lice infestations, Pattern, Small Ruminants, Sokoto, Tick

Pattern of tick infestation on one humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Sokoto, Nigeria

The pattern of tick infestation in one humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) was assessed in Sokoto metropolitan abattoir, Sokoto State, Nigeria where an average of 10 to 15 camels were slaughtered per day on an open concrete slaughter slab. A total of 200 randomly selected camels made up of 124 males and 76 females were aged by dentition determination technique and examined for tick infestations between February and September, 2015. All the camels examined in this study were infested with at least one species of ticks with some mixed infestations. Hyalomma species is the most common tick genus found on camels of both sexes; where it accounted for 73.4% and 71.1% of male and female camels respectively. In all, Hyalomma species accounted for 72.5% while Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus accounted for 20.0%, 14.0% and 19.0% respectively. Hyalomma species is also the most common genus found on camels of all age groups and accounted for 75.4% in 1 to 6 years age group, 70.9% in 7 to 12 age group and 71.4% in 13 to 18 age group. The species of Hyalomma identified in the study included Hyalomma dromedarii (50.7%), H. rufipes (17.0%), H. impeltatum (17.5%) and H. truncatum (14.8%). Prevalence of infestation was not seasonal, as ticks were found on the camels during the dry and wet seasons of the study period, with higher tick burden in the wet season. It was concluded that untreated tick-infested camel herds may pose a public health hazard to other animals and man in the environment; hence they should be factored into consideration during control programmes of ticks on other livestock animals.Keywords: Camels, Pattern, Sokoto, Tick infestatio