Babesiosis in a -3-Month-old Nigerian Indigenous Male Puppy

Babesiosis is a protozoan disease caused by Babesia spp, which is an intra-erythrocytic parasite of domestic and wild animals. The parasite is mainly transmitted by infected ticks through bite and it is characterized by fever, paleness and icteric mucous membranes and emaciation. This paper reports case of babesiosis in a 3-month-old Nigerian indigenous male puppy at Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The relevant history, clinical signs and laboratory evaluations were recorded. The effects on some hematological parameters were studied and recorded. The dog was successfully transfused with 226 ml of blood and then treated with a single dose of 4% Diminazene aceturate at the dose rate of 4 mg/kg intramuscularly (I.M). Thereafter, the patient was monitored until fully recovered. Keywords: Puppy, Babesiosis, Diagnosis, Blood transfusion and Treatmen

Plastic waste as strength modifiers in asphalt for a sustainable environment

This research took the form of an investigation into the applicability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as strength modifiers in asphalt road construction. Samples of thoroughly washed, naturally dried and shredded PET wastes were collected. The optimum binder content (OBC) of the unmodified asphalt mix was determined. The bitumen used for the control mix was replaced with PET waste in 1, 3 and 5% proportions. Another sample was prepared with the addition of 1, 3 and 5% of PET waste while the OBC was fixed. The samples were subjected to Marshall Stability (MS) and Marshall Flow (MF) tests. Bulk density (BD), void in total mix (VTM), and void filled with bitumen (VFB) were determined. The results were compared with standards. The PET content obtained that conforms to the specification in AASHTO, ASTM and Nigeria Federal Ministry of Works standards was found to be 1% addition to OBC by weight of aggregate. This percentage PET content was 15% by weight of bitumen with BD, VTM, VFB, MF and MS being 2.38 kg/m3, 3.33%, 82.20%, 4.00 mm and 17.01 kN, respectively. The 1% PET modified asphalt was found to be useful for pavement construction and reduces the quantity of plastic waste in our environment

Response of larvae of Cirina forda Westwood (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) to spatio-temporal variation in the nutritional content of foliage of Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn. f. (Sapotaceae)

Cirina forda, an economically important edible folivore of Vitellaria paradoxa in the moist and dry woodland savanna ecosystems of Nigeria, has become ecologically restricted to the upper dry woodland savanna ecozone. The larvae of this insect are good source of protein for human and livestock consumption and income. However, little information is available on the bioecology of the insect to facilitate mass production. The study investigated, therefore, the emergence pattern and the physiological responses of the larval stages of the pest to spatial and temporal variations in the nutritional quality of foliage of the host tree, and their role in ecological adaptation of this pest. Field studies showed that the emergence pattern of C. forda is entrained to coincide with the period of abundant leaves of V. paradoxa at the beginning of the rainy season in the dry woodland savanna. Occurrence of C. forda in Nigeria has become restricted to the northernly dry woodland savanna ecosystem principally due to variation in the nutritional quality of leaf diet, and this is directly related to foliage age and geographical location of the host, V. paradoxa. Older leaves contained significantly higher (P < 0.05) micronutrients than immature leaves of the same plant, and larvae developed faster with access to foliage of different ages significantly (P < 0.05) than those fed on exclusive diets. Variation in micronutrient content and, probably, phytosterols in the leaves of different ages were suspected to be major reasons for non-survival to adult on exclusive diets. The knowledge would aid laboratory culture and management of this pest

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&gt;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

Vitamins A and D attenuation of flutamide-induced alterations in testicular micromorphology, reduced spermatogenesis, and steroidogenesis

Low testosterone is known to be a male infertility factor. Flutamide a drug of choice in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia is associated with suppressed male fertility as it antagonizes action of testosterone. This study was therefore designed, to investigate the effect of combination therapy of fat soluble vitamins A and D on flutamide-induced testicular dysfunction. Twenty five adult male Wistar rats weighing between 150-270 g were used. The rats were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups (n= 5 per group) as follows. Control group was given the vehicle saline;  flutamide group was administered flutamide; flutamide-Vit D group was treated with vitamin D following administration of flutamide; flutamide-Vit A group was treated with vitamin A following administration of flutamide, and finally, there was flutamide-Vit A&amp;D group which was treated with vitamins A and D following administration of flutamide. The drugs were administered for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation. The right testes were recovered, weighed, fixed in 10% formal saline and processed for histological staining. Blood samples were collected through ocular puncture, centrifuged and serum obtained was used for serum testosterone assay using ELISA test kit. The left testes were homogenized in ice-cold phosphate buffer, centrifuged and the supernatant used for oxidative stress analysis. The caudal epididymides were recovered and used for sperm analysis. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA with significance level set at p&lt;0.05. Result on histoarchitecture of male reproductive organs showed distortion of the testis, vas deference and prostate. Serum testosterone levels was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased in groups that received vitamins A and D. Sperm parameters of group that received combination of vitamin A and D also increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) increase. Testicular antioxidants enzymes in the group that received vitamins A and D showed significant (p&lt;0.05) increase. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that a combined therapy of vitamins A and D could yield better result in the management of flutamide-induced male infertility.Keywords: Flutamide, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Spermatogenesi

Sensitivity-Based Modeling of Evaluating Surface Runoff and Sediment Load using Digital and Analog Mechanisms

Analyses of runoff- sediment measurement and evaluation using automated and convectional runoff-meters was carried out at Meteorological and Hydrological Station of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi using two runoff plots (ABCDa and EFGHm) of area 2m 2 each, depth 0.26 m and driven into the soil to the depth of 0.13m. Runoff depths and intensities were measured from each of the positioned runoff plot. Automated runoff-meter has a measuring accuracy of ±0.001l/±0.025 mm and rainfall depth-intensity was measured using tipping-bucket rainguage during the period of 14-month of experimentation. Minimum and maximum rainfall depths of 1.2 and 190.3 mm correspond to measured runoff depths (MRo) of 0.0 mm for both measurement approaches and 60.4 mm and 48.9 mm respectively. Automated runoffmeter provides precise, accurate and instantaneous result over the convectional measurement of surface runoff. Runoff measuring accuracy for automated runoff-meter from the plot (ABCDa) produces R 2 = 0.99; while R 2 = 0.96 for manual evaluation in plot (EFGHm). WEPP and SWAT models were used to simulate the obtained hydrological variables from the applied measurement mechanisms. The outputs of sensitivity simulation analysis indicate that data from automated measuring systems gives a better modelling index and such could be used for running robust runoff-sediment predictive modelling technique under different reservoir sedimentation and water management scenarios

Contamination of Gloved Hands by Multidrug Resistant Bacteria during Small Animal Surgery Wet-labs and its Potential Implication for Occurrence of Surgical Site Infections

This study was carried out to evaluate the level of asepsis at various stages of the surgical procedures during the undergraduatestudents’ wet-lab sessions. Skin and/or wound swabs were collected from different wet lab groups, sessions and stages. The swabs were processed for bacteriological isolation using standard microbiological procedures. A total of 62 isolates of bacteria belonging to 8 genera: Staphylococcus (n=38), Streptococcus (n=1), Corynebacterium n=4), Escherichia (n=7), Proteus (n=8), Klebsiella (n=2), Serratia (n=1) and Acinetobacter (1), were isolated. The most commonly isolated species of bacteria were Staphylococcus equorum (n=31) and Proteus spp.(n=7), which were detected in swabs from ungloved and gloved hands of surgeon and his assistant, patient’s surgical sites and surgical site infections. All the isolates (Gram-positive and negative) were resistant to at least one antibiotic with resistance to the β-lactam antibiotics: ampicillin (89.3% and 100% and amoxicillin (75% and 100%) most observed. The bacteria were more susceptible to doxycycline (75%) and imipenem (87.5%) respectively. Majority of the isolates (83.3%, n=30) were multidrug resistant, presenting in one of 24 different multidrug resistance patterns. The detection of these bacteria from the normally aseptic surgical procedure indicates a break in asepsis. Similarly, the danger of spreading multidrug resistant bacteria to the surgical wounds may result in wound infection,dehiscence, delayed healing and increased cost of post-surgical management. It is recommended that adherence to stringent pre-surgical and intra-surgical asepsis should be observed. Keywords: Small animal; Wet-labs; Contamination; Aerobic bacteria; Multi-drug resistanc

Comparative evaluation of pin-in-fiberglass cast and Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative in the management of radius-ulna fractures in dogs

Four adult (two males and two females) dogs were used to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of pin-in-fiberglass cast with Kirschner-Ehmer type I external skeletal fixative in the management of surgically created radius-ulna fractures in dogs. These dogs were assigned to two groups (A and B) with each group made up of two dogs. The radius-ulna fracture was created in all the dogs under general anaesthesia as follows: Group A, pin-in-fiberglass casting; and Group B, Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixation. Post-operatively, minimal increase in vital parameters were observed, but were not significant (P&gt;0.05) when compared with pre-operative values in both groups. The haematological indices were within acceptable normal limits for both group (P&gt;0.05). Dogs in both groups bore weight on the operated limb and could walk within 24 hours post-operative. Radiographic evaluation revealed minimal soft tissue swelling and minimal periosteal tissue reaction in both groups. The Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative group attained the faster fracture healing time (7 weeks) compared to the pin-in-fiberglass group (8 weeks). Functional and cosmetic appearances were graded as excellent for both groups. Complications associated with the two techniques were cast sores in the pin-in-fiberglass group while pin loosening and serous pin tract drainage were observed in the Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative group. Thus, it was concluded that pin-in-fiberglass cast could be used as a satisfactory substitute to Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixative in the management of simple radius-ulna fractures in dogs.Keywords: Bone, Dog, Fracture, Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative, Pin-in-fiberglass cast, Radius-uln

Correlation of ultrasonographic renal volume with modified body mass index in Nigerian indigenous dogs

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ultrasonographic kidney volume and modified body mass index through evaluating the kidney architectural appearance, variations between right and left kidney dimensions and correlation between ultrasonographic kidney volumes and modified body mass index in clinically healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs. The ultrasonography was performed to obtain the kidney dimensions in centimeter for the length (bipolar length), width and height of the kidney for both right and left kidneys to compute for the kidney volume in centimeter cube using the formula for the volume of an ellipsoid (L X W X H X 0.523), while the modified body mass index for dogs was obtained by taking the body weight in kilogram of each dog against the squared length of the trunk. The serum creatinine and urea parameters are within normal limits in dogs used for this study. This research revealed normal kidney architecture with hyperechoic renal capsules, hypoechoic renal cortex, anechoic medullary pyramids and hyperechoic renal pelvis. Left kidneys are significantly larger than the right kidneys and there was a weak positive correlation between right (r2= 0.21) and left (r2= 0.18) kidney volumes with modified body mass index in clinically healthy in Nigerian indigenous dogs. In conclusion, the left kidney appeared larger than the right kidney and there is a positive but weak relationship between ultrasonographic kidney volume and modified body mass index in healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs.Keywords: Kidney dimensions, Kidney volume, Modified BMI, Nigerian indigenous dogs, Ultrasonograph

Hypospadias in a German Shepherd dog

No AbstractKeywords: hypospadias, cleft scrotum, urinary bladder diverticulum, German Shepherd do