Testicular histo-morphometry and semen parameters of West African Dwarf bucks

This study evaluates the gross and histo-morphometry of the testes as well as the semen parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats bred and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Five apparently healthy WAD bucks were used for this study were electro-ejaculated once weekly for two weeks. Testicular weight, gonadosomatic index, seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelial height were measured using standard techniques. Semen parameters which included volume, colour, motility and concentration as well as scrotal circumference were also determined using standard procedures. All data were recorded as mean ± standard deviation, subjected to descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis at p < 0.05. Our findings revealed that the testicular gross morphometric values significantly correlate with the histometric values with normal testicular histo-architecture suggestive of typical spermatogenesis. Furthermore, the scrotal circumference showed positive relationship with both the gross and histometric parameters of the testis. However, there was no significant correlation between scrotal circumference and semen parameters. This information could improve understanding of reproduction in the WAD buck.Keywords: Semen evaluation, Spermatogenesis, Testicular morphometry, Reproduction, WAD goa

Effect of season on reproduction in west African Dwarf Bucks

This study was conducted to determine effects of season on some reproductive parameters of WAD bucks. Nine apparently healthy WAD bucks, aged between 18 and 24 months and weighing 8-15 Kg, were used to evaluate the effect of seasonal variations on Live-Weight (LW), Rectal Temperature (RT) and Scrotal Circumference (SC) between January and December, 2013. Semen was collected monthly by electro-ejaculation method and evaluated for spermiogram using standard techniques. Results were compared between and within groups using analysis of variance for repeated measures. Values are significant at p ˂ 0.05. Seasonal variation significantly (p ˂ 0.05) affected RT and SC except total sperm morphological abnormalities. Means for the total sperm morphological abnormalities were 7.42 ± 3.21% (late dry), 3.42 ± 0.36% (early rainy), 6.33 ± 0.33% (late rainy) and 7.25 ± 1.18% (early dry). The total morphologically abnormal spermatozoa reported for the seasonal study was 6.10%. It was thus concluded that seasons does not have significant effect on the spermiogram of WAD buck, however, they appeared to be most fertile during the early and late rainy seasons and least potentially fertile during early and late dry seasons.Keywords: Spermiogram, Season, Buck, Rectal temperature, Reproductio

Diagnosis and surgical management of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in a 5-month-old female Boerboel puppy

A five-month-old female Boerboel puppy presented with a rapidly expanding fibrous growth around the canine tooth of the right maxilla was diagnosed as having acanthomatous ameloblastoma based on findings from skull radiography, cytology of fine needle aspiration, biopsy and histopathology of resected growth. Lateral radiograph of the skull revealed moderate osteolysis of the maxilla with presence ofun-erupted maxillary canine teeth. Cytology of fine needle aspirate from the growth showed clusters of epithelial cells that were  hyperchromatic and showing palisade arrangement. The mass was surgically resected using diathermy instrument following general anaesthesia using combination of intramuscular injection of xylazine (0.5mg/kg), and intravenous injection of propofol (4mg/kg). Post-operative management included Ibuprofen suspension (100mg) administered for 3-days, intravenous vincristine (0.5mg/m2 ) once weekly and oral cyclophosphamide (50mg) was administered twice weekly for six weeks. Histopathology of the growth showed odontogenic epithelium embedded in pulp ectomesenchyme. Features of odontogenic epithelium include palisading epithelium with anti-basilar nuclei and centrally located cells having features of stellate reticulum. This is probably the first reported case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in a Boerboel puppy that was successfully managed. Keywords: Acanthomatous, Ameloblastoma, Boerboel-puppy, Chemotherapy, Odontoi

Cost-effectiveness of pin-in-fibreglass cast versus Kirschner-Ehmer type I external skeletal fixator in the management of transverse radius-ulna fractures in dogs

The cost of medical care is an important issue all over the world. With worsening global economy and the poverty inherent in low earning  economies in the third world countries, economic considerations have always remained a major determinant factor in the choice of treatment. In this study, the cost-effectiveness of pin-in-fibreglass cast fixator (PFCF) was comparatively evaluated against a commercially available fixator  (Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixator) (KESF) in the management of induced closed transverse mid-shaft radius-ulna fractures in dogs. Four adult (2 males and 2 females) dogs with closed transverse mid-shaft radius-ulna fractures were used for this study. These dogs were randomly assigned to two groups (A and B) with each group made up of two dogs. Radius-ulna fractures were created in all the dogs under injectable anaesthesia as follows: Group A; PFCF, and Group B; KESF. A cost analysis was performed using the duration of operative and post-operative procedures, duration of morbidity period, direct and indirect labour cost, and cost of dog-hour lost during the morbidity period as economic indices. The overall duration of the operative and the entire post-operative procedures were 5.5±0.14 and 22±0.21 hours (1:4.4) for PFCF and KESF (P>0.05) respectively. The morbidity period was 9 and 8 weeks for PFCF and KESF respectively. The average cost of medical care (in 2015 $1 US ≈ N198 Nigerian Naira) was$81.8 and $294 (1:3.6) for PFCF and KESF respectively. The cost benefit analysis based on the economic loss due to dog-hour lost during the morbidity period were$990. 9 and $1103 (1:1.1) for PFCF and KESF respectively. In conclusion, PFCF is faster and easier to perform, and more economical than the KESF technique despite the longer morbidity period associated with it. This is accounted for by the lower cost of fixative and hospital charges.Keywords: Dog, Cost effectiveness, Pin-in-fiberglass cast, Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative, Radius-ulna, fracture

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex in a mastectomized Boerboel bitch following tamoxifen administration

Tamoxifen is a non-steroidal, anti-estrogenic and selective estrogen receptor modulator commonly used as adjuvant chemotherapy in humans with breast cancer and occasionally in dogs following mastectomy. This report presents a case of cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra in a dog following oral administration of the tamoxifen. A 4-year-old intact nulliparous Boerboel bitch presented at Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. It was diagnosed with mammary carcinoma of the right cranial lumbar mammary gland. Mastectomy was performed followed by oral administration of Tamoxifen (10mg daily) for six weeks as adjunct chemotherapy. Eight weeks after, the owner reported that the bitch was lethargic, anorexic and had a purulent vaginal discharge. Abdominal ultrasound revealed cystic endometrial hyperplasia. Results of complete blood counts showed neutrophilic (absolute neutrophil count = 19.5×103/L) leukocytosis (total leukocyte count = 24.9X103/L), while bacterial culture yielded moderate growth of Staphylococcus aureus, which was sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Sparfloxacin and Gentamycin. The bitch was treated with 400μg of Misoprostol and 500mg of Ciprofloxacin twice daily for two weeks. Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) was performed using a ventral midline approach when no significant improvement was observed from medical treatment. The dog improved significantly after ovariohysterectomy and was discharged one week after OVH. It was concluded that, although tamoxifen is routinely used as adjuvant chemotherapy following mastectomy, more research is required to evaluate its safety in intact bitches

Phenotypic status of elbow dysplasia in Boerboel dogs in Nigeria

Elbow dysplasia (ED) is a developmental, multifactorial, polygenic disease of rapidly growing, large breed of dogs. ED can be a significant health concern for affected dogs because treatments are largely ineffective, making selectively breeding of normal dogs the best option for disease control. Despite the relative availability of data on ED prevalence in other breeds, there is dearth of information on ED  prevalence in Boerboel dogs. This study evaluated ED prevalence and relative percentages of different ED grades in Boerboel dogs using radiographs of dogs presented for screening between April 2016 and September 2020. Extended latero-medial, flexed latero-medial and cranio-lateral-caudo-medial oblique radiographs from 64 dogs were reviewed. Radiographs were graded using international elbow working group (IEWG) criteria and grades 0-3 assigned to each joint. ED prevalence expressed as percentages were obtained by dividing the number of dogs with grades 1, 2 and 3 by total number of dogs. Age and sex difference in ED prevalence were compared using chi-square test. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Mean age of the dogs was 2.3 ± 0.6 years. Thirty-six (56.3%) dogs were graded as non-dysplastic, while 28(43.7%) were graded as dysplastic, with grade 3 (46.4%) accounting for majority of ED cases. There were no significant (p > 0.05) difference in sex and age prevalence of ED in the breed. In conclusion, ED prevalence in Boerboel dog is high with majority of dogs having severe grade. Widespread phenotypic screening and strict breeding restrictions are recommended| to control the disease in the breed. Keywords: Boerboel, Dog, Elbow dysplasia, Prevalence, Radiographic screenin