Current Status of Canine Babesiosis and the Situation in Nigeria: A Review

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(2): 2011; 69 - 7

Effect of feeding graded levels of biscuit waste based diet on non-carcass components of Yankasa rams

Five experimental diets B0 (0%, control), B1 (25%), B2 (50%), B3 (75%) and B4 (100%) were formulated with combined biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala meals and fed to 20 Yankasa rams for 91 days to evaluate their effects on non-carcass components of the rams. The rams were slaughtered at the expiration of the experiment and non-carcass components were measured which included external and internal offals, blood, bones and diaphragm. The results revealed that there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the non-carcass components of all the rams fed different diets. It was further observed that diets B1 (25%) and B2 (50%) biscuit waste inclusion had the best (P < 0.05) effects on non-carcass components of the rams followed by diets B3 (75%) and B4 (100%) biscuit waste inclusion in that order compared with control diet B0 (0%) biscuit waste inclusion. It was therefore recommended that diets B1 and B2 be utilized for optimum results if non-carcass variables are desired in  Yankasa rams

Performance and carcass characteristics of Yankasa ram fed with variable levels of biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala based diets

A study was conducted to find out the performance and carcass characteristics of sheep fed diet in which biscuits waste (BWM) and Leucaena leucocephala leaf hay (L/h) mixture were used to replace maize and wheat offal mixture at zero (control), 25, 50, 70 and 100% replacement levels. In a completely randomize design, the experimental diet where designated B0, B1, B2, B3, B4, respectively. The 20 growing Yankasa rams aged between 9 to 11 months with an initial average life weight of 12.17 ± 0.33 kg were randomly assign to the 5 dietary treatment with four rams per treatment. Data were collected to estimate dry matter intake (g/d /W0.7 kg), daily mean life weight gain (g/d), feed efficiency and carcass indices. Dietary replacement of maize and wheat offal mixture with biscuit waste meal and L. leucocelphala leaf hay mixture significantly (P< 0.05) influenced the entire variable measured. However, animal on diet B1 and B2 in which biscuits waste and L. leucocephala leaf mixture replaced 25 and 50% maize and wheat offal mixture, were better when compared to the control (B0) and other test diet in terms of performance and carcass characteristics. This was evident by higher DMI (77.18 and 76.84 g/d /W0.75 kg), ADWG (134.40 and 129.52 g/d), feed efficiency (0.199 and 0.195), live shrunk weight (21.50 and 20.10 kg), dressing percentage (85.81 and 84.33%), chilled carcass weight (18.33 and 16.83 kg), wholesale cuts leg (9.18 and 8.73%), rack (3.11 and 2.78%), BSF (4.53 and 3.83%), neck added (2.51 and 1.78%) and rib eye area (6.06 and 8.29) which were obtained from the animal on these two diets. Broadly, the result in the present study indicated that 25 and 75% replacement level of maize and wheat offal mixture with biscuits waste and L. leucocephala leaf hay mixture are ideal for ruminant animal production because it improve both the performance and carcass characteristics of rams.Key words: Performance, carcass, biscuit waste, Yankasa ram

The Sensitivity of Ice Pack Preserved Trypanosoma Evansi to Different Parasitological Diagnostic Methods

The aim of this study is to determine the sensitivity of ice pack preservation of Trypanosomaevansi to some parasitological diagnostic techniques like wet blood film (WBF), haematocrit centrifugation test (HCT) and mice inoculation test (MIT). Three millilitres each of blood containing approximately 10 x 103 T. evansi/ml was placed in four different sample bottles and preserved in an insulated flask containing ice at 5 0C. WBF & HCT were used prior to ice preservation and at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 hrs post ice preservation to observe for the presence of motile trypanosomes. A total of 8 mice, two per sample were inoculated intraperitonealy with 0.2mls of the blood samples at each time interval of preservation. The level of parasitaemia was also estimated at each time of preservation by c ount ing the number of live trypanosomes in wet film preparation of the buffy coat materials of each sample under phase contrast microscopy. Decrease in the sensitivities of the tests were noticed as follows: from 100% at 0 – 8 hrs to 75% at 12 hrs and 50% at 36 hrs post preservation for WBF; from 100% at 0 – 12 hrs to 75% and 50% at 24 and 36 hrs post preservation respectively for HCT; and from 100% at 0 – 8 hrs to 63%, 38% and 25% at 12, 24 and 36 hrs post preservation for MIT. Increase in pre-patent periods from 3 days to 21 days in mice inoculated at 0 hr & 36 hrs post preservation respectively were observed Significant decrease (P < 0.001) in mean parasitemia of the preserved infected blood samples was noticed at 24 and 36 hours post preservation. The duration of preservation of the infected blood sample statistically correlated with parasitaemia in the preserved blood samples (r = - 0.95; P < 0.05) and with pre-patent period (r = 0.93; P < 0.05) in the inoculated mice.Keywords: Ice pack preservation, Trypanosoma evansi, viability, infectivityNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33 (2) 505-51

Effects of pre-rigor hot and cold curing methods on the quality of smoked cooked rabbits

Eight rabbits were used to study the effects of pre-rigor hot curing on the quality of smoked cooked rabbits. They were each slaughtered and divided into two symmetrical halves to give sixteen half carcasses. These were randomly assigned to one of four curing treatments prior to being smoked. The treatments were: (A) Post slaughter chilling at 2°C for 24 hrs followed by cold brining for 24hrs. (B) Pre-rigor curing in brine at 24 hrs. (C) Pre-rigor curing in brine at 45°C for 18 hrs. (D) Pre-rigor curing in brine at 45°C for 6hrs. All carcasses were injected to 110% of their green weight before immersion in brine of the same concentration at the given temperature. The cured products had satisfactory processing yields (100.82 -113.22%) but yields were relatively lower in hot cured rabbit carcasses. The mean nitrite level for all processing treatments was 250.94 ppm. Tenderness as measured by the shear force values and organoleptic testing did not differ significantly among treatments. Cooking loss and water holding capacity were similar in all treatments. There was also no discernible difference observed in the various organoleptic attributes. Results obtained indicate that it is possible to accelerate the curing process of rabbit through pre-rigor treatment with brine at a temperature of 45°C.  Key words: Hot curing, residual nitrite, water holding capacity, smokin

Carcass and primal cuts yield evaluation of African antelope (Antilope cervicapra) caught at Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state, Nigeria

Four African antelopes were purchased freshly killed from local hunters at Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria and were transported to the Meat Science Laboratory of the Department of Animal Production, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, Ayetoro, Ogun State, where the study wasconducted. The Antelopes were dressed conventionally, eviscerated, washed and weighed. They were dissected into two halves and chilled at 40C for 24 hours. One half carcass of each antelope was weighed after chilling and was fabricated into primal cuts namely; leg, shoulder, rib, loin and breast, shank + flank (BSF) and weighed. Weight of chilled half carcass and primal cut as well as the proportions of primal cuts relative to chilled half carcass weight percentage cook yield, cooking loss, lean meat, bone as well as meat to bone ratio were determined. The results showed that leg cut had highest percentage weight of 40.11, followed by shoulder cut (16.94%), while loin cut had the least (10.72%). Percentage cook yield was highest in leg cut (71.69%), followed by BSF (70.85%) and least in rib cut (66.39%). The percentage cooking loss was highest in shoulder cut(37.09%), followed by rib cut (33.61%), and while leg cut had the least (27.81%). The leg cut gave the highest lean meat weight of 436.25 g followed by the shoulder cut with 187.50 g, while loin cut gave the least (59.00 g). Similarly, the leg cut had highest bone of 103.75 g, followed byshoulder cut (42.75 g) and least in loin cut (19.50 g). The lean to bone ratio was highest in shoulder cut 4.39:1 closely followed by leg cut 4.20:1, while loin cut had the least 3.03:1 lean-tobone ratio. The results on yield of carcass and primal cuts of Antelope obtained from this study compared well with those of sheep and goats. It is therefore, suggested that domestication of Antelope be expedited in order to shore up the supply of animal protein for growing world population, especially in developing countries where animal protein consumption is low.Keywords: African antelope, carcass yield, primal cuts, meat, animal protei

Response of growing rabbits to graded levels of fermented and unfermented pineapple peel

Forty growing rabbits were allocated equally to five groups in a 2 x 3 factorial layout and caged individually for a 56-day trial period in hutches. They were used to compare the effects of two processing methods (unfermented and fermented) and three dietary replacement levels of Pineapple peel meal (PPM) at 0%, 12.5% and 25% of maize on weight for weight basis. Parameters evaluated during the trial period included: growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost. Results show that average daily weight gain (ADG) reduced (P<0.05) as dietary inclusion level of PPM increased, although rabbits fed PPM at 12.5% dietary inclusion level compared favourably (P>0.05) with those fed the control diet (0%). However, ADG of rabbits fed fermented PPM was statistically higher (P<0.05) than that recorded for rabbits fed unfermented PPM. No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in daily feed intake of rabbits as a result of dietary inclusion level or processing type of PPM. Better (P<0.05) feed efficiency was recorded in rabbits fed PPM at 12.5% dietary inclusion level than those fed at 25%. Fermentation enhanced the nutritional value of feedstuff and also improved feed efficiency. Total feed cost reduced (P<0.05) by 21.39% when PPM was included in the diet at 25%. However, production result was not comparable with the control. But feeding fermented PPM at 12.5% inclusion level resulted in the best (P<0.05) economy of production. Processing type or dietary inclusion level of PPM had no significant (P>0.05) effect on dressing-out percentage of experimental animals. There were neither significant (P>0.05) effects of processing type nor dietary inclusion level on retail cuts of the rabbits fed the different experimental diets. In all feeding rabbits with diets containing fermented PPMup to 12.5% replacement level for maize encouraged optimum performance. Keywords: Rabbit performance. Pineapple peel meal. Fermentation. Retail cuts. Economy of productio

Evaluation of the meat quality Yankasa rams fed graded levels of biscuit waste

Twenty Yankasa rams aged between 10 and 12 months with average weight of 12.15kg were used to evaluate the effect of different levels of biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala meal inclusion in diets on the quality of their meat samples. The rams were randomly assigned to five treatment diets of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% an d100% of combined biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala in replacement for combined maize and wheat offals or B , B , B , B and B diets with four rams per diet for 91 days. Data were collected 0 1 2 3 4 on physical, chemical and sensory variables of meat samples. The results showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the cooking loss, water holding capacity, crude protein and overall acceptability of meat samples from the rams. All the parameters measured were better in meat samples from rams fed treatment diets B (25%) and B (50%) 1 2 inclusion of biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala meal. The results revealed that feeding biscuit waste to Yankasa rams can improve the quality as well as the consumer acceptability of Yankasa rams meat (mutton). Keywords: Yankasa rams, physicochemical, sensory, biscuit waste, meat

Prevalence of Babesia canis and Hepatozoon canis in Zaria, Nigeria

The study was carried out to show the prevalence of Babesia canis and Hepatozoon canis in dogs within Zaria. Between the months of May and August 2010, blood samples collected from 150 dogs were processed using Giemsa stained thin blood smear and examined for the presence of B. canis and H. canis. Of the 150 dogs sampled, 84 (56%) were males and 66 (44%) were females. 106 (70.7%) were adults aged 1 year and above while 44 (29.3%) were dogs below the age of 1 year. Local breeds  numbered 111 dogs constituting (74%) of the total number sampled, while 20 (13.3%) and 19 (12.7%) were foreign and cross breed respectively. One hundred and five (70%) of all dogs sampled were unconfined while 45 (30%) were confined. B. canis and or H. canis occurred in 26(17.3%) dogs, of which 10(38.5%) and 12(46.2%) had single infection of the former and later respectively, while 4(15.4%) had mixed infections of both parasites. The occurrence of the haemoparasites was significantly higher (X2 = 12.20, p < 0.05, OR= 4.467) in younger dogs than in the adults, but there was no statistically significant association between the occurrence of the parasites and the breed (X2 = 0.3794, p > 0.05) or sex (X2 = 1.237, p > 0.05) of the sampled dogs. All the infected dogs were as well infested by the tick vector Rhipicephalus sanguineus with the non-confined dogs having significantly higher (X2 = 37.93, p < 0.05) tick infestation rates. The infestation rates in both confined and non-confined groups had no statistically significant association to the respective levels of haemo-parasitism.(X2 = 0.1410, p < 0.05, OR= 1.24).Keywords: Babesia canis, Dogs, Hepatozoon canis, Prevalence, Zaria

Gastrointestinal and haemo parasitism of sheep and goats at slaughter in Kano, northern-Nigeria

This study, aims at determining the prevalence of haemo and gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of small ruminants in Kano as well as the effect of the parasites on the packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma proteins (TPP) of the infected animals. Blood and faecal samples were collected randomly from 103 Yankassa sheep and 97 Kano brown goats. The faecal samples were examined by simple floatation technique for the presence of helminthes eggs and Coccidia oocysts while the blood samples were examined using the thin blood smear, wet mount, haematocrit centrifugation technique (HCT) and mice inoculation test for the presence of both intra and extracellular haemoparasites. The overall parasitic prevalence of 95.51% and 91.75% were observed in the sampled sheep and goats respectively. Also 74.76% of the sheep and 74.23% of the goats had only GI parasitic infection, while 18.45% of the sheep and 17.52% of the goats were concurrently infected with both GI and haemoparasites. However, only 1.94% of the sheep and no goat was habouring only haemoparasite. Strongyles, Coccidia and Moniezia were the GI parasites identified, with the highest prevalence observed with Coccidia and the least with Moniezia in both the sheep and goats. The haemoparasites recorded were Anaplasma ovis, Babesia ovis and Theileria ovis with A. ovis being the highest and B. ovis the least prevalent in both the sheep and goats. Significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean PCV values of all the categories of the infected animals was observed in both animal species. However, the difference in mean TPP values of the infected animals was not significant (P>0.05) to that of the uninfected animals.Keywords: Goat, parasites, prevalence and sheep