Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

4

Authors: Princewill Emmanuel Johnson, Edem E. A. Offiong and EkeminiIni Henry

This research is based on parasitic helminthes of laying birds conducted in July 2018 in the Department of Animal Science, Akwa Ibom State University, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This work aimed at identifying the types of worm parasites that may be found in laying birds (poultry) farms and to determine their prevalent rates in layers together with the percentage infestation of these worm parasites in Abak Local Government Area. A total of 270 sterile samples were collected randomly from 10 farms in 3 weeks at Abak Local government Area. These sterile samples were transported immediately for analysis in the laboratory using floatation method with saturated salt solution. With the aid of x10 microscope, it was discovered that out of the 270 (or 100%) samples examined for helminthes only two types of nematodes were identified. A sum total of 196 (or 73%) nematode eggs were found and a total of 113 (or 42%) Ascardia gallinarum eggs were tested positive and 83 (or 31%) Heterakis gallinarum were tested positive while a total of 74 (or 27%) fecal sample tested negative. The high prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes as observed in this area has a strong relationship with their mode of feeding and living conditions which lead to reduced body weight, decreased egg production and deaths thus affecting the meat quality and nutrient content of the chicken. Laying birds should be dewormed every three months and high level of hygiene should be maintained in the farm. It was concluded that there is a high prevalence of helminthes in Abak Local government Area in laying birds, which may lead to high losses. Thus, improved farm management and disease control to enhance their potentials is necessary.

7

Authors: Abare, M. S., Maikai, B. V. and Okubanjo, O. O.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species oocysts in small ruminants in Potiskum livestock market, Yobe State, Nigeria. Faecal samples from 203 animals; 100 sheep and 103 goats were tested using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. An overall prevalence of 20.7% (42/203) was recorded in the study with a higher prevalence of 21.4% (22/103) in goats than in sheep 20% (20/100); although the difference was not significant (p>0.05). In goats, the rate of Cryptosporidium species oocyst was higher in male (27.8%) than in female (22.4%), in young (30.6%) than in adults (22.4%), in those with loose/watery faeces (45.5%) than those with well-formed faeces (22.8%) but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). In sheep, the rate of infection was higher in female (16.9%) than in male (13.0%), in young ((19.2%) than in adults (14.9%) but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). The prevalence was significantly (p = 0.010) higher in sheep with loose/watery faeces (45.5%) than in those with well-formed faeces (12.4%). Breed of sheep did not significantly (p > 0.05) influence the prevalence rates, although the Uda breed had higher prevalence (25%) than the Balami (14.3%) and Yankasa (12.7%) breeds. A similar trend was observed for the sahelian breed of goats (35.7%) compared to the Red sokoto (23.7%), West African dwarf (16.7%) and mixed breeds (10.0%) (p = 0.367). Animals brought to the livestock market from Ngalda town showed highest prevalence of 36.4% than those from the other areas with prevalence rates of (0 to 33.3%). The finding of Cryptosporidium species oocysts in 20.7% of small ruminants in this study underscores the role of this zoonotic parasite diseases in animals and man and loose/watery faeces is a significant factor in the spread among small ruminants.

7

Authors: Mohammed Abdulrashid and Leonard Nnabuenyi Agwunobi

Tannia cocoyam meals (CCYM) as substitutes for maize were evaluated in a six week feeding trial, in order to determine and compare effects of dietary inclusion at 100% of tannia cocoyam and the levels of antinutritional factors present. Ninety-six broiler chickens at four weeks of age were randomly allotted in groups of 12 to one of the following diets. The dietary treatments contain 0, 25, 50 and 100% CCYM of Tannia which comprised of raw sundried and boiled sundried forms. Proximate analyses of the test ingredient and that of maize was conducted. Antinutritional factor analyses of the test ingredients were also conducted. Carcass quality evaluation was also determined only on control groups and 100% (cocoyam inclusion). The results of proximate compositions indicated that tannia is higher in crude fibre, ash and nitrogen free extract. The weight of crop on raw tannia (31.70) was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control diet (32.45). The live weight, dressed weight and eviscerated weight and all other cut parts for both raw and boiled CCYM were similar (p>0.05) to control. The weights of crop and intestine on 100% CCYM diets differed significantly (p<0.05) with lower values on the control (32.45 and 112.08 respectively) and higher values on boiled sundried tannia (53.74 and 132.30 respectively). Significantly higher levels (p<0.001) of anti-nutritional factors were observed on raw sundried tannia than the boiled sundried tannia. The carcass yield and organs weight were significantly higher (p<0.05) on boiled sundried tannia as compared to that of raw sundried. Thus, better feed utilization on boiled tannia diets due to higher feeding value than raw sundried cocoyam. Therefore, boiled tannia could replace maize at 100% inclusion levels without any adverse effects on carcass characteristics, but lower levels of raw tannia is recommended due to higher content of antinutritional factors.

8

Authors: Dejene Tadesse, Zerehun Asefa, Abayneh Alemu, Bojia Endebu, Asmamaw Kassaye, Alemayehu Fanta and Chala Chaburte

The present study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 in and around Bishoftu town to determine causes, associated risk factors and owner's response to causes of lameness for lame donkeys presented to Donkey Health and Welfare Project Clinic. Accordingly, 325 lame donkeys were purposively selected for this study. Questionnaire survey and physical examination were employed as study design. Results of 325 donkey owners interviewed revealed that various causes of lameness. Among these interviewed 222 and 221 respondents has better knowledge about the lameness caused by hyena bites and various wounds respectively, whereas 2, 8 and 41 respondents have information about varies diseases, solar penetration and overloading as a causes of lameness respectively. The current study includes 2 young and 323 adult donkeys. Out of the 325 lame donkeys, 179 were females and the remaining 146 were males. Upon physical examination of all donkeys taken into study, seventeen types of musculoskeletal abnormalities were identified, among these, higher frequency of foreign material in hoof, crackling and hoof overgrowth with 293, 245 and 208 cases respectively. Low frequency of hygroma (3) and bone fracture (8) were also observed. Grade analysis of lame donkeys revealed 3 (0.92%) mild cases, 84 (25.85%) moderate, 234 (72.92%) severe and 1 (0.31%) non-weight bearing cases. Grade three was most frequently observed which appeared in one out of two cases of lameness. The average grade of lameness was 2.72 ± 0.47. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the two sexes, body condition scores and age of animals regarding identified abnormalities and grade of lameness. However, the high number of donkeys which had lameness (79.08%) were found with poor body condition scores. Lameness was seen on both front and hind limbs but majority (97.23%) was unilateral type, of which 60% was presented with front limb while 37.5% was with hind limb. Significant difference was observed between front and hind limbs (P<0.05) for occurrence of lameness. Poor husbandry practices and lack of knowledge or information on causes of lameness among owners remain the factor for occurrence and severe grade of lameness.