African Journals Online
NIGERIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL

Volume 23 Number 1
ABSTRACTS

The roles of veterinary quarantine services in monitoring the movements of animals and disease prevention in Nigeria

Ogundipe, G. A. T.

Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan (NIGERIA)

A study of the National Veterinary Quarantine Services (NVQS) revealed the existence of 44 functional International Veterinary Control Posts (INVCP) in Nigeria’s 4,857km border length, 111 Inter-State Veterinary Control Posts (ISVCP) and 905 State Veterinary Check points (SVCP). A total of 3,065,599 animals were imported through the recognised INVCP between 1986 and 1997, while 10,781 other animals and 586, tonnes of hides and skins were exported. The illegal entry points were estimated at 3,445 or one per each 1.13km border. The levels of functional efficiency of the quarantine services were rated high for revenue collection, medium for animal movement monitoring and low for disease monitoring. Whereas the control posts have served as early warning mechanism against the spread of some disease epizootics, the introduction and re-introduction of many hitherto exotic diseases have been traced to the animals that entered the country through the porous borders. Consequently, the establishment of more INVCP and ISVCP, to be located in areas of high livestock traffic, the provision of clinical and diagnostic facilities in major INVCP and ISVCP and employment of more Veterinary personnel for the NVQS were recommended.

KEY WORDS: Disease prevention, Quarantine, Animal movements, Control posts, Disease monitoring

A study on the value of antimycoplasmal programmes under conditions of mycoplasmosis endemicity in laying chickens

Oladele, O. A. and Adene, D. F.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

The comparative efficacy of 3 antimycoplasmals-Tiamutin^Ò, Rovamycin^Ò, and Tylan^Ò in the control of Mycoplasmosis in 3 identical groups of laying chickens, under open-sided tropical housing conditions was investigated during 20 weeks of egg production. The results showed that, egg production was superior in the medicated groups, especially the Tiamutin^Ò group A which showed consistent superiority to the untreated control group D in the examined parameters. Thus, the total eggs produced were 43,680, 42,150, 21,360 and 17060 for the 3 treated groups A, B, C and untreated group D respectively. Similarly, hen-day percentage production at peak were 82.4%, 80.9%, 78.7% and 78.6%. The gross benefits margin from eggs were N19.70, N3.03, N4.14 and N0.00, for A, B, C and D respectively. Immunological response in terms of Newcastle disease-heamagglutination inhibition mean geometric titers averaged 6.0, 5.7, 5.6 and 5.5 for A, B, C and D respectively. These findings are therefore indicative of the potential value of a preventive antimycoplasmal programme in laying chickens.

KEY WORDS: Antimycoplasmal, prophylaxis, egg production.

Seasonal water parameters of active and resting nursery ponds on Wildlife and Fisheries Management Department’s farm University of Ibadan

¹Adeyemo, O. K., ²Olaniyan, A. O., ¹Ishola, O. O. and ¹Adedeji, O. B.

¹Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine University of Ibadan, Ibadan

²Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

Abstract

Water quality parameters from active and resting nursery ponds were taken in both dry and wet seasons at the model fish farms, University of Ibadan. Temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (D.O.), free carbon dioxide, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness and nitrite were examined to determine the suitable conditions of the ponds and seasons for optimum fish production. The physico-chemical parameters of all the ponds sampled for the two seasons (dry and wet) were interrelated with slight differences in their concentrations, levels and readings. From the data generated all the parameters were within the desirable standard for fish culture in all the ponds within the seasons. However, the quality of water in the active nursery pond was significantly better (p<0.005) than the resting nursery pond in both wet and fry seasons.

Potential applications of recent advances in vaccine research and development in overcoming constraints to animal diseases’ vaccination programmes in developing countries – a review

Ihedioha, J. I.

Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, P. O. Box 3236, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Immunization remains the most cost-effective and sustainable health intervention in developing countries. Vaccination programmes for animals had faced the major constraints of inadequacy in the quantity and quality of vaccines obtainable, difficulties in maintaining a cold chain in storage/delivery of vaccines and shortages of qualified veterinary manpower/personnel. Recent advances in vaccine research and development offer ample opportunities for overcoming these constraints. These include “sugar-glass” drying of vaccines to enhance their thermostability, the discovery of more effective adjuvants called immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs), and the application of the principle of micro-encapsulation in vaccine production to overcome the difficulties associated with multiple visits by a veterinary personnel as required in routine vaccination schedules. Also nucleic acid vaccines now offer opportunities to vaccinate animals without using the infectious agent/its parts, and to produce one single vaccine for all major diseases. Further, the possibilities of producing plant/edible vaccines, combination vaccines, and the recognition of the great value of the use of mucosal route for vaccination stand out as great promises for more viable animal health and husbandry worldwide.

KEY WORDS: Vaccine research & development, Animal diseases prevention/control.

A comparative evaluation of the ultrastructure and protein yields of four leptospires using the detergent solubilization and mechanical disruption techniques

Agunloye*, C. A.

Dept of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Georgia Veterinary School, University of Georgia, Athens, USA

*Present Address

Dept of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NIGERIA

The morphology of whole and modified leptospires and their protein yields were compared. The four leptospire serovars considered were L. grippotyphosa, L. hamptoni, L. hardjo and L. pomona. The ultrastructure of the mechanically disrupted leptospire showed that the outer envelope of the leptospire were released, although the process was not as efficient as the detergent solubilized technique. Additionally some axial filaments were also released. The protein yield of L. hardjo from the two techniques of leptospire protein preparation was significantly lower than the other test serovars (P<0.01). Overall, the protein yield of antigens produced by the SDS solubilization technique was significantly higher than the mechanical disruption technique (P< 0.01)

KEY WORDS: Leptospires, antigens, ultrastructure, protein yield.

Anga, T. J. and Akpavie S. O.

Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

A retrospective examination of post mortem records (1969 - 1990) revealed that 132 cases of zoo animals were presented for post-mortem. The common conditions diagnosed include gastroenteritis, respiratory disease and malnutrition/starvation which accounted for 70% of cases encountered. Other conditions were tumours, chemical poisoning, anthrax and actinomycosis.

KEY WORDS: Pathology, Zoo Animals, Zoological Garden.

Retardation of muscle growth in castrated male mice: further evidence for hormonal influence on muscle development

Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Retardation of muscle growth in castrated male mice was studied as an evidence for the influence of hormones on the development of muscle mass.  Male albino mice were castrated at 28days of age by open castration method.  The weights and the muscle mass indices (mg muscle weight per gram body weight) of the muscles of these mice were compared with those of control male and female mice at an adult age of 12 weeks.  The results obtained showed that the absolute weights and the muscle mass indices of the muscles of castrated males were significantly smaller (P < 0.05) than those of control males.  The weights of the muscles of castrated males were significantly greater (P < 0.01) than those of control females.  However, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the muscle mass indices of muscles of control female and castrated male mice.  These results indicated that retardation of muscle growth following castration of male mice may be the result of loss of the stimulatory influence of testosterone on muscle development in the castrated male mice.

KEY WORDS: Castration, Testosterone, Muscles, Mice.

Weights and linear measurements of the body and some organs of the adult male and female African white bellied tree pangolins (Manis tricuspis)

¹Ozegbe*, P. C., ²Ogunsanmi, A. O. and ²Ogunjobi, E. O.

Departments of ¹Veterinary Anatomy and ²Wildlife and Fisheries Management

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

*E-mail: [email protected]

[email protected]

Abstract

The absolute weights of the body, heart, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, liver, gonads, digestive tract and adrenal glands, as well as the absolute linear measurements of the body, digestive tract and oviduct were determined in adult female and male African white-bellied tree pangolins. The relative weights, relative lengths and weight per unit length were derived from the relevant data. Statistical analyses of sex effect showed that all the organs, except the length of the oesophagus relative to the nose-tail length (P<0.05), were not significantly different. The data provided could be helpful in future laboratory investigations where the body-and organ-weights and linear measurements of the captive and wild pangolins would be of practical value

KEYWORDS: Body, Organ, weight, length, relative, pangolin, Manis tricuspis

Multiple congenital skeletal malformations in a lamb associated with dystocia in a Yankasa ewe

Ate, I. U. and Allam, L.

Department of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

A ewe was relieved of dystocia by manual manipulation. The lamb was found to be malformed. There were multiple skeletal malformations which included brachygnathia, arthrogryposis and kyphoscoliosis. Other malformations included patella absence, resulting in bowing of both fore and hind limbs with poorly developed muscles associated with these skeletal structure. Dystocia was believed to be a result of fetal monstrosity resulting in abnormal posture. The cause of the congenital malformations was not obvious immediately. Further observations of the ewe in subsequent pregnancies are envisaged.

KEY WORDS: Multiple, Congenital, Skeletal, Malformations, Lamb, dystocia, Yankasa-ewe

Splenic lymphoma in an adult local bitch-a case report

Oni, S. O., Akinrinmade, J. F., Ajadi, R. A., Eyarefe, O. and Olaifa, A. K.

Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction, University of Ibadan

A four-year old local dog weighing 12kg was presented four days after signs of persistent anorexia and dullness were observed. Physical examination of the bitch revealed a circumscribed distension of the left lateral abdomen about 5cm caudal to the rib cage, which on palpation appeared firm, discrete and nodular but painless. X-rays views confirmed that the mass was intrasplenic and had a fat density. Blood and urine samples were analysed, the result of which showed proteinuria, bilirubinuria and neutrophilic leucocyosis. Exploratory laparotomy and spleenectomy were carried out. The extirpated spleen had pendunculated projection. The biopsy of the spleen revealed that the tumour is a lymphoma.

KEYWORDS: Spleen, Lymphoma, Lymphosarcoma, Tumor, Hodkin, Bitch.

Ahmed*, A. and George**, B. D. J.

* National Veterinary Research Institute, Epidemiological Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 2001, Kano Nigeria

**Department Of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

Abstract

A study to identify the tick types that infest horses in and around Zaria city Northern Nigeria, was conducted over a three months period, March to May 1989. Ten horses were sampled in five different locations and a total of 243 ticks belonging to three species were identified. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi was the most prevalent and accounted for (67.08%) followed by Amblyomma variegatum (28.39% and Boophilus decoloratus (4.53%).

KEY WORDS: Incidence, Ticks, Horses, Zaria.

A survey of gastrointestinal nematodes in soil samples in Ibadan, Nigeria

Agunloye*, C. A., Esan*, J. O. and Adejuyigbe**, R. O.

*Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

**Ministry of Health and Social Services, Akure, Ondo State

A survey was conducted to determine the level of soil contamination by gastrointestinal nematodes in high and low density areas of Ibadan Nigeria.  This was to determine the comparative level of soil contamination by these helminthes. Out of the 60 top and deep soil samples collected from high-density areas, 12(20%) were positive for various pathogenic gastrointestinal nematodes. They include Ascaris sp., Toxocara canis, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Ancylostoma sp. and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Of the 60 soil samples collected from low density areas 9(15%) were positive for Ascaris sp,  Dictyocaulus filaria and T. trichiura. However, their infection rates were not significantly different in the two study areas (P> 0.05 Chi square test). It is concluded that soil may play an important role in the epidemiology of these infections in man and animals.