Prevalence of Intestinal Helminthes of Dogs That Have Been Disposed Off At Non-Descript Abattoirs in Zaria, Nigeria

Parasitological investigation of dogs disposed off in non-descript abattoirs was carried out in two communities (Basawa and Angwagodo) in Zaria. Intestines from seventy (70) adult dogs were collected, and standard procedures were followed to determine their parasite loads. A total of sixty-three dogs (90.00%) were positive for different species of helminthes. The helminthes recovered were Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp, Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis. D. caninum was present in thirty five dogs (50.00%), Taenia spp in twenty dogs (28.57%). Ancylostoma caninum in twenty five dogs (35.71%) and Toxocara canis in four dogs (5.71%). There were no statistically significant associations between the location of study and frequency of recovery of each helminthes (P>0.05). Toxocara canis was only detected at Angwagodo. The mean worm load by location was higher at Angwagodo (24.59+55.03) than Basawa (8.66+9.44). The sex of the dog had no significant effect on the recovery of each helminthes (P>0.05). However, female dogs had a higher worm load (22.14+57.41) than the male dogs (12.12+18.44). The result of this study suggests that about 90% of the dog population in Zaria may be contributing to the contamination of the environment with eggs of zoonotic helminthes. Key words: Intestinal helminthes, Dogs, Non-descript Abattoirs, Zaria

Prune belly syndrome in a set of twins, a family tragedy: Case report

We report prune belly syndrome, a rare congenital malformation, in a set of twins delivered to a young couple with a history of three previous first  trimester spontaneous abortions, discordant HIV seropositivity and antenatal ultrasound report that indicated renal abnormalities in only one of the twins. The challenges of management are discussed.Keywords: Prune Belly Syndrome, Twins, Nigeria, Management challenge

The reservoir status of rabbits for the maintenance of Ehrlichia ruminantium

The reservoir status of rabbits for a strain of Ehrlichia ruminantium was investigated using six experimental and four controlled rabbits. Each of the experimental animals was intraperitoneally inoculated with 1.5 ml of infective blood from a febrile goat. The effect of the parasite on body weight, packed cell volume, total protein and daily morning rectal temperature was monitored. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in packed cell volume, total protein and daily morning rectal temperature between the experimental and controlled rabbits. However, LSD test showed no differences between the samples. Following apparent non-reaction to the parasite after 28 days, 4 ml of pooled whole blood from the experimental rabbits was used to inoculate a susceptible goat in order to ascertain the potency of the parasite. The goat died after 15 days and brain squash smears prepared were positive for Ehrlichia ruminantium. The results of the current study indicate that rabbits might harbour the parasite without coming down with infection while retaining its infectivity. The study, therefore, suggests that rabbits might be useful in the maintenance of Ehrlichia ruminantium. Keywords: rabbits, reservoir status, Ehrlichia ruminantium. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (2) 2008: pp. 67-7

Prevalence of Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus Sanguineus) Infestation of Dogs in Lokoja Metropolis, Kogi State, North-central, Nigeria

Study on the prevalence of brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) infestation  of  dogs  in Lokoja   metropolis ,Kogi  State, North-Central  Nigeria , was undertaken  between March and August,2011.The dogs were screened for the ticks and collection was done by using blunt forceps, fine-toothed comb and hand-picking.  Stereomicroscopic was  used  for  the identification of  the ticks collected.  Out of  a total of 200 Local and Exotic breeds of dogs that were examined ,160(80.00%) dogs were found to be infested. With  regard to breed, local dogs  were more infested (55.00%) than the exotic  breed (25.00%).The predilection sites  that were  more preferred are ears,496(50.6%), back 302(30.8%), interdigital spaces 96 (9.8%), neck 49 (5.00%), and abdomen 37 (3.8%) in  a  total of 980 ticks collected. The infestation   rate   was higher in adolescent dogs (86.3%) than the adult hosts (79.69%) and young dogs (73.02%) were the least infested animals. The relatively high  prevalence of  Rhipicephalus sanguineus in the present  study  suggested  that dogs  in  Lokoja  metropolis  were  of  veterinary  and public  health  significance  , because they were potential source of   vectors  of zoonotic  diseases. The  ticks  could  be eliminated  by  altering their ecological or microhabitats with the adoption of burning of pasture, regular deticking, fumigation of kernel,and administration  appropriate  prophylactic and therapeutic  measures.Keywords: Prevalence, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Dogs,  Lokoja, Nigeria