Selected plasma biochemical parameters in improved indigenous NIGERHYB pigs in Southwestern Nigeria

This study was to assess the biochemical parameters of apparently healthy NIGERHYB pigs and comparison of age and sex related differences in these parameters. One hundred and thirty five NIGERHYB pigs (35 boar, 35 sow, 30 weaned boar piglets and 35 weaned gilt piglets) obtained from intensively managed pig farms in Abeokuta suburbs were screened for parasites. The total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and K+ values of apparently healthy ones were determined using standard methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and K+ values showed no significant (p>0.05) differences in both sexes of adult and piglets. However, the mean values of total protein, globulin and K+ were significantly higher in the adult than young. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in mean values of Na+ and K+ in sow, boar and gilt piglets compared to the boar piglets. No significant (p>0.05) age and sex difference evident in the mean HCO3- ofyoung and adult pigs. The relationship between these biochemical parameter and those of other animal species in this environment were discussed.Keywords: NIGERHYB pigs, Plasma biochemistry, veterinary science

Quinolone Resistance in Bacterial Isolates from Chicken Carcasses in Abeokuta, Nigeria: A Retrospective Study from 2005-2011

Quinolone resistance in bacteria from food animals is now globally recognized as a serious veterinary and public health problem. To determine the rate of quinolone resistance in pathogenic bacteria isolated from samples from dead chickens submitted for microbiological examination, a six-year retrospective study (April, 2005 – March, 2011) was carried out. Data from records of bacteriological investigations at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Nigeria were evaluated. Two hundred bacterial isolates including Escherichia coli (95; 47.5%), Salmonella serotypes (78; 38.0%), Klebsiella (17; 8.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus (12; 6.0%) were isolated from chicken carcasses within the six-year period. On the overall, the isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (40.5%), enrofloxacin (21.0%), nalidixic acid (9.5%) and norfloxacin (44.0%). Overall, resistance to quinolones (except nalidixic acid) was highest in S. aureus (ciprofloxacin, 58.3%; enrofloxacin, 33.3%; and norfloxacin, 83.3%) followed by Klebsiella spp (ciprofloxacin, 41.2%; enrofloxacin, 29.4%; and norfloxacin, 64.7%), E. coli (ciprofloxacin, 40.0%; enrofloxacin, 23.2%; and norfloxacin, 41.1%) and least in Salmonella (ciprofloxacin, 38.6%; enrofloxacin,14.5%; and norfloxacin, 36.8%). However, resistance to nalidixic acid was highest in Klebsiella spp (23.5%) followed by S. aureus (16.7%), E. coli (9.5%) and least in Salmonella (5.3%). There was a general decline in quinolone resistance in the last three years (2009-2011) of this investigation. Quinolone resistance in avian pathogenic bacteria could lead to increase in economic loss from bacterial infection and refractory to treatment. Their possible transmission to humans is of public health significance.Keywords: Bacterial isolates, Commercial poultry chickens,QuinoloneresistanceNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33 (2) 483-49

Effect of coat colour on heat stress among West African Dwarf sheep

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of coat colour on heat stress among West African Dwarf sheep. A total number of twenty-four West African Dwarf sheep with different coat colour types were used for the experiment. Rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and pulse rate(PR) were taken on each animal before sunrise and when they returned from grazing in the afternoon during late dry season ( January March) and early rainy season (April June ). Blood samples were collected for evaluation of packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), plasma sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+). Coat colour had significant (P<0.01) effect on PT, RR, PR and heat stress index (HI). Animals with black coat colour (aaB-SS) had the highest mean value for all parameters followed by brown mouflon and brown with extensive white, while the badger face coloured sheep(A-B-ss) had the least mean value. There were significant (P<0.01) differences between males and female in RT (38.69± 0.02 and 38.83± 0.02oC), RR (56.09± 0.58 and 59.94± 0.65 breaths/min), PR (74.67 ±0.39 and 77.92± 0.46 beats/min) and HI (1.60±0 0.19 and 1.63± 0.02) respectively. Season had significant (P<0.01) effect on RT, RR, PR, HI. Coat colour also had significant (P< 0.05) effect on RBC, WBC, Na + and K+. There were appreciable difference between female and male in RBC, WBC, Na+ and K+. Seasonal variation also significantly affected these blood parameters. However, PCV was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by variation in coat colour, sex and season. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that coat colour type had significant effect on heat stress in West African Dwarf sheep. Keywords: Coat colour, heat stress, sheep, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, puls

Effect of diets containing different nutrient density on performance and faecal egg count of West African Dwarf rams

A study was conducted to determine the effect of different nutrient densities on performance characteristics and faecal egg count of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams semi-intensively managed. Twenty four yearling lambs between 10 – 15kg were used for the experiment. The lambs were allotted to two treatment groups containing 12 animals per group. They were released into the paddock containing sown pasture to graze for 6 hours per day. The animals were randomly assigned to treatments containing two levels of protein-energy density; low energy, low protein (LELP) and high energy, high protein (HEHP) in a completely randomized design. Performance characteristics of WAD rams showed that protein and energy density have significant effect (P<0.05) on weight gain, daily weight gain and protein intake. Metabolic weight gain was influenced (P<0.05) positively by the protein and energy density. Animals fed HEHP diets had significantly (P<0.05) higher protein intake (54.66 g) than those fed LELP diets (22.92 g). The slope observed for animals on HEHP diet was lower compared to that of their counterpart on LELP diet. Hence, HEHP diets improved performance of West African Dwarf sheep as well as reducing the gastrointestinal parasite infection due to lower FEC recorded.Keywords: Nutrient densities, performance, faecal egg coun

Diminazene-resistant Trypanosoma vivax in West African Dwarf lamb, south-west, Nigeria: A case report

A case of diminazene-resistant trypanosomosis in a West African Dwarf (WAD) lamb with no previous record of trypanocidal therapy is reported. Lamb was presented with clinical manifestations that included lethargy, blanched conjuntival mucous membrane, emaciation and exhaustion. Pre- and post-trypanocidal treatment evaluation of blood parasitologically by direct microscopy revealed parasitaemia of 31x106 and 15x 106/ml of blood respectively. Specie specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis of the PCR products revealed amplicons size of 400 bp, expected size of Tryopanosoma vivax. The trypanosomes isolated obtained from the lamb before treatment was passaged into a haemoparasite free sheep. Pre and post reinfection chemotherapy of isolated trypanosomes into haemoparasite free sheep showed parasitemia of 7.5 x 106 and 15x 106/ml of blood respectively. Epidemiological survey of sheep environment showed moderate infestation of Glossina palplispalplis precipitated by the incursion of different herd’s of Fulani cattle with the history of indiscriminate use of drugs; grazing their animals in the immediate vicinity of the flock. This report confirms the presence of diminazeneaceturate resistant T. vivaxstrain in the study area and also discussed the clinical implication of drug resistance trypanosomosis.Keywords: Dwarf lamb, T. vivax strain, drug resistanc

Acute Respiratory Disease Associated with Mannheimia Haemolytica Infection in a Herd of West African Dwarf Sheep

An acute severe fibrinonecrotic bronchopneumonia suggestive of Mannheimia haemolytica infection was diagnosed histopathologically in West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep submitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Mannheimia spp was isolated from the nasal swab and lymph node and lung samples of the affected sheep. The isolated organism was found to have cultural, morphological and biochemical properties consistent with those of Mannheimia haemolytica biotype A. The organism was resistance to ampicilin, streptomycin, gentamcycin, oxytetracyclin and trimethoprim in agar disc diffusion method. It was however sensitive to furazolidone, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. The present finding is consistent with the view that M. haemolytica may occur in a proportion of small ruminants that exhibit respiratory problem. It is therefore suggested that in the present natural outbreak, climatic condition, environmental and/or transportation stress could have resulted in the break down of the defense barrier of the sheep resulting in eventual susceptibility to infection by Mannheimia haemolytica.Une bronchopneumonie fibrinonécrotique aiguë sévère, évocatrice d’une infection à Mannheimia haemolytica, a été diagnostiquée par examen histopathologique chez des moutons nains d’Afrique de l’Ouest (WAD: West African Dwarf) soumis à l’Hôpital d’enseignement vétérinaire (VTH) de l’Université d’Agriculture d’Abeokuta au Nigeria. Mannheimia spp a été isolée dans des écouvillons nasaux et des ganglions lymphatiques et des échantillons pulmonaires des moutons affectés. On a découvert que l’organisme isolé avait des spécificités de culture et des caractéristiques morphologiques et biochimiques correspondant à celles de Mannheimia haemolytica biotype A. L’organisme a montré une résistance à l’ampicilline, à la streptomycine, à la gentamcycine, à l’oxytétracycline et au triméthoprime dans la méthode de diffusion en gélose. Cependant, l’organisme a montré une sensibilité à la furazolidone, à la ciprofloxacine et à la norfloxacine. Le présent résultat concorde avec l’opinion selon laquelle M. haemolytica peut être présente dans une proportion de petits ruminants ayant un problème respiratoire. Il est donc sous-entendu que, dans les épidémies actuelles survenant naturellement, les conditions climatiques, le stress environnemental et / ou le stress du transport ont probablement été à l’origine de la dégradation de la barrière de défense des moutons, avec comme conséquence une sensibilité éventuelle à l’infection par Mannheimia haemolytica.Mots-clés: Pathologie des organes; Mannheimia haemolytica biotype A; Bronchopneumonie fibrinonécrotique aiguë; Moutons nains d’Afrique de l’Oues

Effect of road transportation of cattle between transboundary area and central abattoir of Abeokuta, Ogun state on plasma cortisol, blood glucose and leukocyte parameters

No Abstract

Experimental reproduction of rotavirus and Salmonella pullorum gastroenteritis in broiler chicks

Numerous viruses, including astroviruses, reoviruses, rotaviruses, coronaviruses, and adenoviruses, have been implicated as causative agents of enteric disease. This is because they have been isolated from or identified in the intestines and intestinal contents of affected poultry flocks. Four experiments were conducted to reproduce enteritis in broiler birds using rotavirus and Salmonella pullorum. Fifty-two broiler birds were obtained and randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A chicks were inoculated with 1 X 106 pfu/ml of rotavirus, group B chicks were inoculated with 1 X 106 cfu/ml of Salmonella pullorum, group C chicks were inoculated with 1 X 106 pfu/ml of rotavirus and 1 X 106 cfu/ml of Salmonella pullorum, while group D birds were given 1ml of PBS alone. Birds in all groups were observed daily for clinical signs and the intestines were processed for histopathological evaluation. Diarrhea and depression were the major signs in chicks given any one of the inoculum. Histological changes were characterized by swollen villus tips and constricted villus bases, proliferation of enterocytes and necrotic villi. Significant growth retardation was observed in chicks given either rotavirus or Salmonella pullorum, but this effect was more pronounced in chicks given the combination of rotavirus and Salmonella pullorum. The present study reveals that oral inoculation of birds with rotavirus or rotavirus/Salmonella pullorum combination leads to diarrhoea and significant growth depression. It is thus important to continuously screen and prevent against organisms infecting the GIT for optimal performance of birds.Keywords: Broiler, Diarrhea, Growth depression, Rotavirus, Salmonella pulloru

Effect of diets with different protein-energy density on the gastrointestinal nematode status of semi- intensively managed West African dwarf sheep

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different protein and energy density diets on the gastrointestinal parasite status of semi-intensively raised West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. The different densities used were low energy-low protein (LELP); low energy-high protein (LEHP); high energy-low protein (HELP) and high energy-high protein (HEHP). Twenty four WAD sheep with an average weight of 11.5±0.41 kg, aged between 5 and 6 months were used. These were divided into four groups of six animals per group in a completely randomized design. Groups were each fed one of the diets, respectively, as supplement and released into a paddock grown with Stylosanthes hamata and Pennisetum pedicellatum, to graze for 12 weeks at 5 hours per day. The faecal egg count (FEC) ranged from 375 to 3483 eggs per gram (epg). The strongyle eggs had the highest (P<0.05) number whereas moniezia eggs were the least. The effect of the different protein-energy densities on the final FEC and the differences between the final and initial FEC were significant (P<0.05). The FEC obtained in animals fed LELP and LEHP showed 56.30 and 13.30 percentage reduction (P<0.05) in epg, respectively, whereas animals fed HELP showed percentage increase (P<0.05) of 104.30 epg. The highest trend (P<0.05) of infestation was obtained in those fed LELP while the least trend was obtained in those fed HEHP. It could therefore be concluded that diets high in protein and energy levels reduced the gastrointestinal nematodes of WAD sheep compared to other nutrient combinations.Keywords: Gastrointestinal nematode, Nutrient density, WAD shee

A case of eperythrozoonosis in Royal python (Python requis) in zoological garden in Ibadan, Nigeria

No Abstract