Case report - LIVER CIRRHOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH A NON-RESPONSIVE ASCITES IN A 10 MONTH OLD ALSATIAN DOG

A ten month old Alsatian bitch presented with complaint of recurring ascites over a period of three months and had ‘been refractory to diuretic therapy. The condition was diagnosed as liver cirrhosis by serum chemistry, exploratory laparotorny and histopathology of the liver. Result of the serum chemistry showed a progressively decreasing serum albumin and liver, enzymes. Similarly the Albumin /Globulin (A:G) ratio was progressively decreasing. Haematological findings were that of anaemia of chornic disorder (mild normocytic, normochromic, non responsive). The PCV, HB and RBC also decreased progressively. Exploratory laparotomy findings were that of a slightly enlarged liver with diffuse miliary nodules on .both the parietal and visceral surfaces. Few larger nodules ‘were also present. ‘The liver was firmer in consistency and two separate masses of fibrinous tissue measuring about 5 cm in length and 2cm in thickness were seen floating in the abdominal transudate. The transudate which measured about 15 litres was colourless and slightly cloudy. The bitch was euthanised following laparotomy and on the owners request due to the non-responsiveness of the animal to diuretic and other supportive therapies

Case report - LIVER CIRRHOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH A NON-RESPONSIVE ASCITES IN A 10 MONTH OLD ALSATIAN DOG

A ten month old Alsatian bitch presented with complaint of recurring ascites over a period of three months and had ‘been refractory to diuretic therapy. The condition was diagnosed as liver cirrhosis by serum chemistry, exploratory laparotorny and histopathology of the liver. Result of the serum chemistry showed a progressively decreasing serum albumin and liver, enzymes. Similarly the Albumin /Globulin (A:G) ratio was progressively decreasing. Haematological findings were that of anaemia of chornic disorder (mild normocytic, normochromic, non responsive). The PCV, HB and RBC also decreased progressively. Exploratory laparotomy findings were that of a slightly enlarged liver with diffuse miliary nodules on .both the parietal and visceral surfaces. Few larger nodules ‘were also present. ‘The liver was firmer in consistency and two separate masses of fibrinous tissue measuring about 5 cm in length and 2cm in thickness were seen floating in the abdominal transudate. The transudate which measured about 15 litres was colourless and slightly cloudy. The bitch was euthanised following laparotomy and on the owners request due to the non-responsiveness of the animal to diuretic and other supportive therapies

In vitro

The in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo heavy metal abatement properties of aqueous extracts of Garcinia kola Heckel (bitter cola) were investigated using opportunistic pathogens and Wistar rats as experimental models. A marked inhibitory activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans was recorded at 100 mg/ml of the crude relative to ketoconozole and fluconazole drugs. Similarly, different concentrations (25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml) of the crude extracts of bitter cola inhibited species of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa almost as effectively as the control drug of streptomycine used. Chronic lead acetate poisoned wistar rats in groups B, C, D, E exposed to G. kola supplemented feed and water ad libitum showed variable decrease in the serum alkaline phosphatase level while aspartate and alanine aminotransferases level reduces in C and D groups compared to the negative control group. The kidney biomarkers; serum creatinine and urea concentrations were not significantly different at P â¤Â 0.05 for rat groups C, D, E when compared with the positive and negative control groups respectively. Mild infiltration and cell distortion were observed in the liver and kidney sections of the rats exposed to uncoated bitter cola supplemented feed while suggesting an overriding effect from the nut coats. The study reaffirms the medicinal potential of coated and uncoated bitter cola to act as abatement of lead toxicity and alternative antimicrobial. Furthermore, G. kola could be a double-edged drug for the spontaneous amelioration of lead toxicity and secondary infections due to lead poisoning. Keywords: Garcinia kola, Antimicrobial, Lead abatement, Histopathology, Opportunistic pathogen