A SURVEY OF ECTOPARASITES’ INFESTATION ON DOGS (CANIS SPP.) AT FUNAAB’S COLLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE TEACHING HOSPITAL, ISALE-IGBEIN, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

A survey work on ectoparasites’ infestation was carried out on dogs (Canis sp.) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Isale-igbein, Abeokuta, Ogun State. This survey lasted for six weeks, during this period; thirty four (34) dogs were examined for ectoparasites’ infestation. The dogs brought to the Teaching Hospital for treatments were examined with the consent of their owners by the use of questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered to dog owners, where information about the age, sex, location, control method was asked and ticks were collected from the dogs. The results of the survey showed high prevalence of tick infestation on the exotic dogs (65.4%), on the female dogs (66.7%), on the dogs that are 2 years of age and above (88.9%), on the free range dogs (85.7%), on the wooden confined dogs (71.4%) and on the dogs that powder was used as a control method (68.2%) of the infested dogs brought to FUNAAB VTH with no traces of other ectoparasites on the dogs. Only two species of ticks were found Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus boophilus during this survey. The high prevalence of tick infestation and no infestation by other ectoparasites in the study carried out shows that the dog owners control the ectoparasites but not as adequate as it ought to be and this inadequate hygienic attention given to the dogs brought about the high infestation of ticks on some of the dogs. Although in this survey mono-infestation was recorded on almost all the infested dogs and only one double-infestation was observed with ticks of cattle namely; R. boophilus, this should not be considered as less significant maintenance of the hosts of these ticks.   &nbsp

Utilisation of different protein sources for growing rabbits

The effects of groundnut cake and local [zsh meal on the growth and protein utilisation of rabbits were studied. The eight weeks feeding trial involving twentyfour, six-week-old male and female exotic white rabbits weighing 550-610 g in a completely randomised design were fed three diets: a control diet which had the combination of groundnut cake and local fish meal, and experimental diets that had either groundnut cake or local fish meal as the protein source. The groundnut cake (GNC) and the local fish meal (LFM) were high in protein (48.13% and 52.15% respectively), the local fish meal had a low fibre level (0.83 %) while the groundnut cake was low in ash (5.22%) but high in fiber (5.52%). Both protein sources supplied appreciable arrwunts of protein and minerals. The control diets gave significantly (P<O.Ol) better weight gains than the groundnut cake and local fish meal diets respectively. Protein efficiency ratio was also significantly (P<O.Ol) better with control diets, when compared with the eNC and LFM diets. No significant differences were obtained in the level offeed: Gain from rabbits fed the trial diets. There was no incidence of enterities or mortality among the treatment groups

The Influence of Residual Linamarin in Dried Cassava Peel Meal on Carcass Yield and Gut Characteristics of Weaner Rabbits

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of residual linamarin on carcass yield and gut characteristics of rabbits fed diets containing sun dried cassava peel meal (CPM). The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design involving four diets of 16% crude protein. The CPM was included at 0, 30, 35 and 40% levels. Rabbits used for the studies were fed for 42 days and were all serially slaughtered fortnightly. During each slaughter, two rabbits were randomly selected, starved overnight and slaughtered. They were skinned, eviscerated and the carcasses cut up into parts and weighed. The guts were separated into; small intestine, large intestine, caecum and appendix. Each of the visceral parts were weighed and their length recorded. The results showed that chest and back were significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Also the carcass yield obtained over time of slaughter indicated a significant (P&lt;0.05) effect on the weight of the back. The time of slaughter x diet interaction effect showed no significant difference on all parameters. The results of the guts showed that, dietary influence were only obtained on the weights of the caeca (P&lt;0.001) and appendix (P&lt;0.05). There were significant diferences on the  weights of large intestine (P&lt;0.05), caeca (P&lt;0.01) and appendix (P&lt;0.001) over the period of slaughter. There is also a highly significant (P&lt;0.001) difference in the length of the caeca. The results of the interaction effect on time of slaughter x diet for all the visceral parts (guts) measured showed a highly significant (P&lt;0.001) interaction effect on the weight of the caeca and that of the small intestine (P&lt;0.05). The studies indicated that despite sun drying, linamarin, a cyanogenic glucosides still has some potential toxic effects as manifested on the carcass yield, large intestine, caeca and appendix. It is thus, suggested that prolonged feeding of CPM must be investigated to safeguard against poisoning. It might also affect caecotrophy in the caeca and the absorption of nutrients in the appendix. Keywords: Linamarin, gut characteristics, dried cassava peels, rabbit

Design of Self-tuning PID Controller Parameters Using Fuzzy Logic Controller for Quad-rotor Helicopter

This paper presents the design of a Fuzzy PID controller (FPID) based on fuzzy logic with a PID structure with many valued logic and reasoning. The self-turning Fuzzy PID control take in an error and the rate of change of error of the altitude and attitude of the quadrotor as the input to the fuzzy controller and use the fuzzy rules to adjust the PID parameter automatically. Simulations have been conducted to observe the differences in controlling the quadrotor in flight using the new FPID controller instead of using PID controller. The effectiveness of the developed FPID is verified using the dSPACE platform whereby the Simulink model of the controller is converted to a real time system to generate the control signals for the control of quad rotor helicopter

NUTRIENT INTAKE, GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS YIELD OF WEANER RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF DRIED CITRUS (C. sinensis) PULP

A study was conducted to investigate the response of weaner rabbits to graded dietary replacement of wheat offal with dried citrus pulp (DCP) at 0, 10, 20 and 30% (weight/weight) respectively .A total of Sixty-four, male and female weaner rabbits of 56 days old, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with sixteen rabbits each and consisting of four rabbits per replicate in a completely ran- domized design. The study lasted for 112 days during which data was obtained on nutrient intake, performance characteristics and carcass yield. The crude protein intake of the rabbits decreased (P&lt;0.05) significantly as the DCP inclusion in the diets increased. There were significant (P&lt;0.01) differences in the values obtained for the final weight, total weight gain, average weight gain, meta- bolic weight gain and growth rate across the treatment groups. The growth rate was 10.29 g/d in the control fed rabbits but further decreased with increasing level of DCP in the diets with values of 11.29, 6.30 and 5.80g/d obtained respectively for rabbit fed with 10%, 20%, and 30% DCP inclusion level. The lowest feed conversion ratio was obtained at the 0% level of DCP inclusion. The retail cut parts indicated a significant (P&lt;0.05) difference in the values for rack and ranged from 11.92 to 18.06g. It was concluded that although, rabbits fed with control diet had the highest overall performance, 10% dietary inclusion of DCP supported improved growth and better carcass yield

Interactions of cross-linked and uncross-linked chitosan hydrogels with surfactants for biomedical applications

The swelling equilibrium of Chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate (NaTPP) cross-linked chitosan hydrogels in aqueous solutions of surfactants differing in structure and hydrophobicity at 250C is reported. Anionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) and neutral surfactants Triton X-100 were employed. The surfactants induced abrupt change in the gel volume. The equilibrium swelling ratio first decreased sharply as the concentration of the surfactant increased and remained almost constant up to the critical micelles concentration (CMC) of the surfactants and then increased again as the concentration increased above the CMC of the surfactants used. The equilibrium volume change of hydrogel was significantly increased from HTAB > Triton X-100 > SDS> the mixed SDS/Triton X- 100 system. A decrease in equilibrium swelling ratio of the gel in SDS/TX-100 mixtures was observed with an increase in the mole ratio of SDS. The results also revealed that cross-linking with 3% or 5% w/v NaTPP exhibited lower equilibrium swelling values. This swelling study showed that cross-linking density, surfactant type, and their respective concentrations were important parameters that could affect equilibrium swelling of chitosan gel. Structural elucidation of the nanocomposites was monitored using Infra-red Spectroscopy (IR), and X-Ray Diffractography (XRD)

Perception of Nigerian tobacco control law by consumers of tobacco products in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Tobacco use in any form has been identified for decades as a source of diseases and avoidable deaths all over the world. Cognizant of this fact, the Federal Government of Nigeria has, over the years, put in place successive laws to control the consumption of tobacco products. This study surveyed the awareness of tobacco control law by consumers of tobacco products; reasons for tobacco consumption;&nbsp; knowledge of harmful effects of tobacco consumption on smokers; adverse effects on non-voluntary smokers; willingness to quit smoking; and reasons for unwillingness to quit. Neutralization and Rational Action theories were used as the basis for the study while survey&nbsp; research design was adopted. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select the eight wards in the two communities while simple random sampling technique was used to select four hundred and ninety-four participants for the study. The respondents completed standardised questionnaire which measured the constructs under study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data collected. Among other findings, 103 (15%) of the respondents are aware that cigarette smoking can cause cancer while 85 (13%) are aware that nonvoluntary smokers could develop heart diseases. A good number of the respondents 193 (41%) opined that tobacco warning messages are exaggerated; 209 (45%) – that the messages are distorted; 212 (45%) that the messages are boring. From the totality of the opinions expressed by respondents on the various issues covered by this study, it is obvious that many consumers of tobacco products are not aware of the measures put in place to curtail the consumption of tobacco products. To achieve the goal of safeguarding public health through tobacco smoking control, the paper recommends effective enforcement by the regulatory agencies and intensive awareness creation to educate members of the public on the health risks associated with consumption and exposure to tobacco products

Blood chemistry, haematological indices and nutrient digestibility of starter turkeys fed macaroni waste meal as a replacement for maize.

A 56-days experiment was carried out to study the effect of replacing macaroni waste meal (MWM) with maize on nutrient digestibility and blood chemistry of indigenous turkey starter. Ninety-six indigenous turkey poults with an average weight of 52 g were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments containing macaroni waste meal at 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% level as replacement for maize. Each treatment consist of 24 turkey poults replicated thrice with 8 turkeys per replicate. A three day metabolic study trial was carried out for nutrient digestibility determination. Blood samples were also collected for serum and haematological indices. Data collected were subjected to one way analysis of variance. Result showed that MWM at 15% had the highest values for packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell while values recorded for serum uric acid and creatinine were significantly lower (P0.05). However, the packed cell volume, red blood cell count, albumin, hemoglobin, total serum protein and serum glucose. It can be concluded that MWM could be incorporated into the diet of indigenous turkey starter at 15% level without any deleterious effect on nutrient digestibility and blood chemistry

Concurrent pleomorphic adenoma in parapharyngeal space and submandibular gland

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic adenoma in the parapharyngeal space either occurs de novo or as an extension from the deep lobe of the parotid gland. CASE PRESENTATION: A rare synchronous occurrence of pleomorphic adenoma in the parapharyngeal space and submandibular gland of a 48-year-old Nigerian male is reported. CONCLUSION: Pleomorphic adenoma concurrent in the parapharyngeal space and submandibular gland is very rare. A complete surgical excision of both tumors is the treatment of choice

EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE INDICES OF STARTER PULLETS IN A HOT - HUMID ENVIRONMENT

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritional effects of supplementary ascorbic acid (AA) at levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg in the diets of starter pullets reared at different seasons (harmattan season and rainy season) in a hot humid environment. Two hundred and forty day-old Harco pullet chicks were used in each trial, they were randomly assigned to each of the four dietary treatments in three replications of twenty chicks per replicate. Each trial lasted 8 weeks during which data were collected and a 2 X 4 factorial arrangement was employed in the analysis of data collected.&nbsp; Results showed significant (p&lt;0.05) effect of treatments on feed conversion ratio of birds fed dietary treatments. Season of presentation of ascorbic acid significantly affected (p&lt;0.05) feed intake with higher value obtained in the rainy season compared to the dry season (41.89g vs. 39.59). &nbsp