Manual removal of irregular-shaped foreign body lodged in the pharyngolaryngeal area in 4-months-old puppy

Choke in the veterinary profession is a term used to denote an obstruction to the passage route of food through the pharynx and oesophagus, either partially or completely. This case report describes a four-month-old male puppy, a Nigerian indigenous breed of dog weighing 6kg, diagnosed with oesophageal obstruction caused by ingestion of a fried chicken scapular bone. The puppy was presented at the emergency unit of the University of Jos Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where it was clinically evaluated, diagnosed and managed via manual removal of the dislodged bone that was performed with sterile thumb forceps under deep sedation. Reducing the incidence of foreign body obstruction in dogs can be achieved by ensuring that dogs are not fed with large, irregularly shaped bone and/ or bones with sharp edges. The bones are correctly disposed-off in the environment. Furthermore, bones should not be fed to dogs where likely competition for the bone is likely as a choke at the pharyngolaryngeal region can occur

The different traditional pre-slaughter handling methods for dogs at Jos south Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

The consumption of dog meat has been reported in many countries of the world including Nigeria. Different pre-slaughter handling methods are commonly used prior to dog slaughter in many parts of the country including Plateau State. This study determined the frequency and reasons for the use of the various traditional preslaughter handling methods at the “Angwan Kare” Dog Market Jos. Relevant data were collected from 120 butchers interviewed randomly in groups of 20 for six consecutive days. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 120 butchers were interviewed, 114 (95%) used the strangulation method of preslaughter handling. The suffocation method was used by 2 butchers with 1.7% as the overall use frequency. The stunning method was used by 4 butchers with 3.3% as the overall frequency of use. It is evident from this study that the strangulation method with frequency of 95% is the most used of the pre-slaughter handling methods. Dog butchers should be trained and taught proper pre-slaughter stunning techniques to enhance meat quality and dog welfare through the relief of pain, fear and suffering.Keywords: Dog, Frequency, Handling, Market, Pre-slaughte

Occurrence of parasite eggs and oocysts in commonly consumed vegetables collected from selected markets in Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria

A study was conducted with the objective of determining the occurrence of parasite eggs and oocysts in washed and unwashed vegetables sold in some selected markets in Zaria, Kaduna State. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Carrot (Daucus carota) and Spinach (Spinacea oleracea) were collected based on convenient sampling from 5 markets. Three hundred grams of each vegetable was purchased every week in the morning hours from each of the selected markets during the rainy and dry seasons. Floatation technique was used for processing of the vegetable samples. Unwashed vegetables (269) had more parasite eggs and oocysts than washed vegetables (209). Spinach (52.50%) had the highest contamination, followed by carrot (48.75%), cabbage (42.50%), lettuce (40.0%) and tomatoes (28.75%). There was a significant (p < 0.05) association between the occurrence of parasite eggs and oocysts and the washing of vegetables. Among the unwashed vegetables, lettuce was highly contaminated (58.75%) with parasite eggs and oocysts, followed by spinach (55.0%), carrot (55.0%), tomatoes (50.0%) and cabbage (39.75%). There was, however, no significant (p > 0.05) association between the occurrence of parasite eggs and oocysts and the unwashed vegetables. Among the different markets, vegetables purchased from Dan Magaji market (51.25%) were highly contaminated, followed by Tudun Wada (49.38%), Sabongari (48.75%), Zaria city (48.75%) and Samaru market (41.88%).There was, however, no significant (p > 0.05) association between the occurrence of parasite eggs and oocysts on vegetables and the markets where the vegetables were purchased. The study showed that eggs and oocysts of various parasites mainly of human and animal faecal origin were present on vegetables marketed for human consumption even after washing. Therefore, people should properly wash their vegetables before consumption and indiscriminate defecation should be discouraged to prevent contamination and improve hygienic conditions.Keywords: Eggs, Oocyst, Market, Parasite, Vegetable, Zari

Retrospective analysis of cutaneous abscess in cattle, goats and pigs slaughtered at the Jos abattoir, Nigeria

Food animals slaughtered in developing countries especially in Nigeria have shown prevalence of abscess which is linked to poor animal husbandry. This condition affects the performance of animals hence decreasing their productivity. Secondary data on abscess in cattle, goats and pigs were extracted from the Jos Abattoir record book for a period of five years. Five hundred and ninety-two (1.8%) animals from a total of 33,637 animals slaughtered had abscess. Pigs had more abscess (3.5%) than cattle (3.3%) and goats (1.4%), respectively. Yearly distribution of this condition revealed peak prevalence in all species in 2014.Keywords: Abattoir, Abscess, Cattle, Goats, Pigs, Slaughte