Incidence of parasites of the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris: Wagner, 1841) and its associated packed cell volume changes

Studies on the incidence of parasites of the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) and its associated packed cell volume (PCV) changes were conducted in Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria. A total of fifteen (15) Hedgehogs comprising of 7 males and 8 females were examined for ecto and endo-parasites and their PCV evaluated for any association with infection. An incidence of 4(26.7%) was obtained for endoparasites mainly of Capillaria ova, with 3(37.5%) for female and 1(14.3%) for male (p<0.05). Ticks were the only ectoparasites obtained with an incidence of 6(40.0%) comprising of male hedgehogs with 2(28.6%) and females with 4(50.0%) (p<0.05). Rhipicephalus species was the only tick identified. The mean ± SD PCV of hedgehogs indicated that of males as 31.36 ± 1.38 and females as 30.88 ± 3.09, however no significant difference (p>0.05) was obtained but both values were lower than the normal reference values.Keywords: Incidence, Ticks, Capillaria, Parasites, Packed Cell Volume, Hedgehog

Effect of intramuscular administration of oxytetracycline on serum kinetics of diminazene aceturate in healthy male Sahel goats

Serum kinetics of diminazene aceturate following intramuscular (IM) administration of diminazene aceturate alone at 3.5 mg/kg and its combination with oxytetracycline at 20 mg/kg were evaluated in 6 healthy male Sahel goats to ascertain the effect of oxytetracycline on serum concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters of diminazene aceturate. Two groups (A and B) of three goats each were used, and oxytetracycline was administered 30 minutes prior to diminazene aceturate administration. Blood samples were collected at various intervals (0.17 h – 72 h) post-drug administration, and diminazene serum concentrations were measured using the method of Klatt and Hadju. Kinetic determinants were calculated employing a two-compartment open model. Mean serum concentrations of diminazene aceturate of 2.43 ± 0.95 μg/ml and 1.73 ± 0.44 μg/ml at 0.17 h were measured in groups A and B, respectively. These serum concentrations were found to increase until a peak concentration of 6.91 ± 0.59 μg/ml and 7.55 ± 1.20 μg/ml were reached at 2.0 h in groups A and B, respectively. The peak concentrations subsequently decreased at 72 h post diminazene aceturate administration with serum concentrations of 0.00 ± 0.00 and 0.32 ± 0.28 μg/ml in groups A and B, respectively. Pharmacokinetics parameters like the volume of distribution (Vd), elimination half-life (T½β), concentration maximum (Cmax), absorption rate constant (α), and area under the curve from 0 to 72 h (AUC0 – 72) were significantly higher in goats treated with diminazene aceturate and oxytetracycline combination while total body clearance (Cl), and elimination rate constant (β), were significantly higher in goats treated with diminazene aceturate alone. The mean residence time (MRT) of diminazene aceturate increased from 19.70 ± 2.53 h in diminazene aceturate treatment to 25.11 ± 1.81 h in diminazene aceturate and oxytetracycline treatment. Oxytetracycline was therefore found to alter the elimination pattern of diminazene aceturate in oxytetracycline pre-treated goats

Prevalence of Strongyle

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major health problems affecting productivity of small ruminants worldwide. A dry season study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Strongyle ova in goats and their faecal egg counts, as well as to compare different faecal culture methods for larval counts and identification. Out of 200 faecal samples examined, 114 were from male and 86 from female goats. An overall prevalence of 42(21%) for Strongyle ova was observed with a mean EPG of 91.67 + 6.12. The prevalence was higher in the male 26(22.8%) than in female 16(18.6%) with mean EPG of 90.38 ± 7.35 and 93.75 ± 11.06 respectively (p > 0.05). It was also higher in adults 38(22.22%) compared with the young 4(13.79%). All positive goats were of the Sahelian breed. No significant difference (p > 0.05%) was observed between sexes and age but a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between breeds. The infection was higher from samples collected in the abattoir 36 (25.35%) compared with 6(18.75%) in Mairi Village and none was positive from the University of Maiduguri Farm. A significant difference (p<0.05) was thus observed between locations. Only Strongyle ova was seen throughout the study and on subjection of the positive samples to larval recovery, Oesophagostomum columbianum was the only larva recovered. The test tube method yielded the highest larval recovery with mean larval count of 9.14 + 0.72 (p<0.05), compared with bottle with no charcoal; bottle with charcoal and Baermann’s techniques.Keywords: Goats, Strongyle ova, Faecal Culture Techniques, Prevalenc

Incidence of organophosphate and carbamate poisoning in dogs within Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria

The persistent application of chemicals in pest control and agricultural processes possess a public health concern as their use are often associated with acute or chronic poisoning cases in both humans and animals. In veterinary medicine, pesticides such as organophosphates and carbamates are exclusively used in ectoparasitic control through pour on, tick bath and fumigation. The incidence of organophosphate or carbamate poisoning in dogs within Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria was assessed using three government approved and licensed veterinary centres. Data were obtained through the review of three years (2016-2018) retrospective cases of organophosphate/carbamate poisoning and administration of questionnaires to actively practising veterinarians. Investigation revealed that organophosphate/carbamate poisoning in dogs within Maiduguri metropolis constituted 37% of poisoning cases and was on the increase in recent years with 22.96% of the total cases reported in 2016, 34.08% in 2017 and 42.96% in 2018. The case was most prevalent at the peak of the rainy season around July and August. The common clinical signs observed include salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, severe weakness and paralysis. Management was usually supportive and symptomatic while antidotal therapy revolved on atropine sulphate only. The effect of ageing in organophosphate poisoning was neglected by most of the clinicians as more than 50% would administer atropine sulphate without considering the duration of the onset of poisoning. It was concluded that the incidence of organophosphate and carbamate poisoning in dogs in Maiduguri constituted 37% of all poisoning cases where 22.96% and 42.96% of it were reported in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Enlightenment programmes for the public and professionals are recommended on the increased cases of poisoning and proper use of antidote in the treatment of chemical toxicosis

Haematological changes and wound healing effects of sildenafil citrate in diabetic albino rats

This study presents baseline data on the effect of sildenafil citrate on some of the haematological and biochemical parameters in wistar rats with diabetes and wound formation. Forty two albino rats weighing between 139 and 225 g were separated at random into seven groups (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) of six rats per group. Type 1 diabetes mellitus was induced in groups A, B, C and D by a single intra-peritoneal injection of 130 mg/kg Alloxan. Rats in group A were treated with orally dose of 50 mg/kg sildenafil citrate for 21 days and rats in group B were administered 10 IU of insulin intramuscularly once and sildenafil citrate as in Group A. The rats in group C were treated with a single dose of 10 IU of insulin intramuscularly, and rats in group D with only distilled water. Groups E and F were normal rats with wounds similar to those of diabetic rats in the previous groups and each rat in group E was also treated with sildenafil citrate as in Group A and those in group F were treated with only distilled water. Group G were normal rats without wound treated with sildenafil citrate as in Group A. Blood samples were taken before (day 0) and after the administration of the sildenafil citrate on day 7, 14 and 21. The results of the study showed significant decreased in red blood cells count from 6.28 ± 0.46 × 106 to 2.81 ± 0.46 × 106 in diabetic rats during the 14 days of treatment with sildenafil citrate, however, there was an indication that continues treatment for up to 21 days reduced the blood glucose and increased the red blood cells count and this may be an indication that sildenafil citrate improves insulin mediated glucose pathways.Keywords: Diabetes, Haematological parameters, Rats, Red blood cells, Sildenafil citrat