Foetal wastage in camels slaughtered at Sokoto municipal abattoir

The Slaughter of camels at the Sokoto municipal abattoir was evaluated over a five months period from March July, 2007 with the aim of determining foetal wastage due to the slaughter of pregnant camels. Out of the 1174 camels slaughtered during the study period, 592 (50.4%) were females. A total of 137 foetuses were recovered which represent a foetal recovery rate of 23.99%. Attempt was also made to recover some conceptus and embryos by flushing the uterus. Fifty three (53) uteri from genitalia with positive signs of pregnancy were flushed during and 12 (22.64%) had conceptus. Estimated economic loss due to the slaughter of pregnant camels in Sokoto abattoir stands at N24, 960,000 for a period of 10 years. It was concluded that Law against the slaughter of pregnant animals should be enforced. Adequate ante-mortem inspection, literacy campaign amongst butchers should be intensified as effort to improve camel population in this country

Growth Changes in Selected Muscles of One-Humped Camel (camelus Dromedarius)

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 230 - 23

Prevalence of Hydatidosis in Camels Slaughtered in Sokoto Central Abattoir, Sokoto, Nigeria

Data on the prevalence of hydatid cyst in camels slaughtered at the metropolitan abattoir in Sokoto, Nigeria, were collected based on post-mortem inspection over a period of 2 months. Camels of different sexes (male and female) and age categories (puberty, < 3 years of age; and beyond the age of puberty, ≥ 3 years of age) were examined at post-mortem. Out of the 200 slaughtered camels examined, 84 (42%) were found to be infected. The prevalence of infection in camels < 3 years of age (not yet at puberty) was 39.13%, while that of ≥ 3 years of age (beyond the age of puberty) was 42.37%. Out of the 84 (42%) camels infected, 78 (92.86%) of the infections were in the lungs, 21 (25.0%) in the liver and 10 (11.90%) in the spleen. There was no statistical association between the sex and the hydatid cyst disease; and between the different age categories and the hydatid cyst disease (P>0.05). Zoonotic importance of the disease and suggested control measures has been discussed.Les données sur la prévalence du kyste hydatique chez les chameaux abattus à l’abattoir métropolitain de Sokoto au Nigeria ont été recueillies sur base d’une inspection post mortem sur une période de 2 mois. Des chameaux des deux sexes (mâle et femelle) et de diverses catégories d’âge (pubères, < 3 ans, et post-pubères, ≥ 3 ans) ont été soumis à un examen post mortem. Des 200 chameaux abattus examinés, 84 (42%) étaient infectés. La prévalence de l’infection chez les chameaux âgés de < 3 ans (non encore pubères) était de 39,13%, tandis que chez ceux de ≥ 3 ans (post-pubères) elle était de 42,37%. Des 84 (42%) chameaux infectés, 78 (92,86%) des infections étaient localisées dans les poumons, 21 (25,0%) dans le foie et 10 (11,90%) dans la rate. On n’a noté aucune association statistique entre le sexe et le kyste hydatique, ni entre les différentes catégories d’âge et cette maladie (P> 0,05). L’importance zoonotique de cette maladie et les mesures de contrôle proposées ont été abordées.Mots-clés: Hydatidose, abattage, Chameau, Age, Sokoto, Nigeri

Sero-Evidence of Infectious Bursal Disease Transmission between Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

This study was carried out to determine possibility of infectious bursal disease transmission between quail and chicken. In the study, non vaccinated cockerel chicks were put together with infectious bursal disease viral inoculated quails sharing the same feeders and drinkers. The two bird groups were monitored and observed for symptoms and clinical signs of infectious bursal disease (IBD). There was no clinical sign observed however, a strong positive serological evidence of IBD infection from the test result. In this work the chickens mixed with unexposed quail did not show any clinical sign of the disease (IBD) or any sign of infection serologically. As shown in this study serological means of diagnosis is one of the simple and accurate diagnostic procedures which can not only yield quick result but may even detect a subclinical infection among birds, which may ultimately lead to timely intervention in curtailing the disease spread.Keywords: Sero-evidence, infectious bursal disease, quail; chicke

Male organs of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in spawning and non-spawning periods in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

The study was undertaken to investigate the gross reproductive organs of wild male Clarias gariepinus in spawning and non-spawning periods. Twenty mature males of C. gariepinus comprising of ten each during both periods were used. They weighed an average of 532 ± 8.32 gm during spawning and 510.8 ± 9.27 gm during non-spawning season and measured a standard body length of 43.2±4.72 cm and 42.1±2.48 cm during spawning and non-spawning seasons respectively. All fish were sourced from Gamboru fish market, Maiduguri and transported live to the gross Anatomy laboratory, Department of Veterinary Anatomy University of Maiduguri. Each fish was euthanized using tricaine anaesthetic at 8 drops/litre of water. The reproductive organs were removed en mass using scalpel, forceps, and scissors. Then the number of seminal vesicles were determined during spawning (37.8 ± 4.53) and non-spawning (36.32 ± 3.68) periods. The organs were seen consisting of lobular testes, milt duct, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral gland and papilla, which are whitish and milky colour appearances in spawning and non-spawning periods respectively. The milt duct which have the paired and unpaired part were also seen clearly in non-spawning period but relatively invisible in spawning period.Keywords: Bulbourethral gland, Maiduguri, seminal vesicles, testes, Wild African catfis

Histological Studies of the Calvarial Development of One-Humped Camel (Camelus Dromedarius) Fetuses

This study involved the use of thirty two camel fetuses, [23 (71.88%) males and 9 (28.12%) females]. Eleven fetuses were at the first trimester (34.4%), twelve at the second trimester (37.5%), and nine at the third trimester (28.1%). 1cm2 of bone samples obtained from the different fetal calvaria at the first, second and third trimester stages were decalcified and processed for normal Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. There was an initial evidence of loose mesenchymal cells condensed together with some blood vessels, osteogenic cells and illdefined spicules. Ill-defined intertrabecular spaces were also seen at the first and second trimester levels. However, with advancement in age at the third trimester stage, prominent bone spicules or trabeculae were seen. Similarly, there were regularly arranged osteocytes within the trabecular matrix; and the intertrabecular spaces were more obvious. The findings of this research would help in understanding the microscopic anatomy of the developing calvaria in this animal species.Keywords: Histology, calvaria, one-humped, camel, fetusesNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33 (1) 419-42

Evaluation of Healing Intervals of Incisional Skin Wounds of Goats Closed with Three Suture Patterns

The aim of this study was to compare the healing intervals among simple interrupted (SI), ford interlocking (FI) and subcuticular (SC) suture patterns in goats. We hypothesized that these common suture patterns used for closure of incisional skin wounds may have effect on the healing interval. To test this hypothesis, two parameters (subjective healing interval and histologic objective healing interval) were used to investigate the healing interval of the three suture patterns. Our findings showed that, there was significant differences (P<0.05) in subjective healing interval between subcuticular (SC) withford interlocking (FI), but there was nosignificant difference between subcuticular with simple interrupted patterns. There were also no significant differences between ford-interlocking and simple interrupted. Histologic findings at seventh day post surgery revealed low polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) infiltrations and early fibroblast, collagen fibers and epidermal keratinization in the subcuticular group in comparison with the two other groups. At fourteen day post-surgery, there was marked reduction of inflammatory infiltrates in the subcuticular group when compare with the two other groups, while the collagen fiber density and epidermal keratinization increased in the subcuticular group. At twenty first-day post - surgery , there were no inflammatory cells in subcuticular group, while collagen density was higher, and the orientation of the collagen fibers were horizontal, suggestive of faster healing in comparison with the simple interrupted and ford interlocking groups. It was concluded as measured by subjective healing interval and histologic objective healing interval that surgical skin-wound closed by subcuticular suture pattern alone healed faster than simple interrupted and ford interlocking suture patterns reinforced after subcuticular closure, on the other hand simple interrupted pattern healed faster than ford interlocking.Keywords: Incisional wound healing, histology, goat, suture patterns, healing interva

Management of supernumerary limb in an Ouda lamb: A case report

An Ouda lamb with supernumerary limb was presented to Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, five days post lambing. The accessory limb was underdeveloped and attached to a flocculating fluid filled skin flap located around the first 3 cervical vertebrae. The congenital anomaly was diagnosed as the presence of supernumerary limb (SL), and was managed surgically. Surgical correction under sedation and local infiltration resulted in normal locomotion and better aesthetics of the lamb