Abstract

Rabies is a neglected zoonotic disease occurring mostly as a result of dog bites and with a case fatality rate approaching 100% in humans. We describe here a suspected case of human rabies from a stray dog bite in a 52-year-old woman in Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria. In response to the exposure, a team of researchers was set up to investigate further the possible contacts between the rabid dog and the subjects at risk. Rabies was identified based on clinical signs observed on the victim, in addition to exposure history and incubation period. Rabies is becoming a rising public health problem in Nigeria. Coordinated efforts from various partners guided by one-health approach in the control and prevention of rabies should be prioritized at a wider scale in the country.

Keywords: Dog bite, Human rabies, Nigeria, Zamfara, Zoonosis

Abstract

Radiography is an important clinical diagnostic tool in any Veterinary establishment and especially for a tertiary institution. It is however limited by lack of functional equipment and staff. This study attempts to assess the challenges faced by the Radiology Unit of the Surgery Clinic and enumerate the distribution of cases at a tertiary veterinary centre between August 2016 and June 2017. All the referred cases to the unit within the study period were accessed (n=52). 26 were selected based on the inclusion criteria which were a radiography request from a clinician and an actual return to clinic of a clear radiograph. Age, sex, lesions and clinical history were recorded from case files and radiographs. The age of animals presented ranged from one month to 13 years. Eleven (11) representing 42.3% of the dogs were female while 14(53.8%) were male, and one animal’s sex was omitted. Eighteen (18) were single lesions while four presented with multiple lesions, and four had no observable lesions. Fourteen 14 (53.8%) were fracture cases of long bones either for diagnosis or post-reduction evaluation. Three (11.5%) were to check for suspected thoracic metastasis in cases where lumps were found in other parts of the body. Four (15.3%) were of the pelvis to diagnose hip dysplasia. Seven (26.9%) were to aid diagnosis in cases in which swellings were palpated within the abdomen and one (3.8%) was of the cervical spine while another was of a foot (3.8%). The implication of lack of radiographic equipment and staff problems in a tertiary veterinary centre were elucidated and ideal conditions suggested.

Keywords: Diagnosis, Dogs, Radiography, Surgery, Tertiary veterinary centre, University

Abstract

A three year old Boerboel bitch was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, FUNAAB with complaint of lethargy and inappetence. Clinical signs observed included abdominal tenderness, watery bloody stool and palpable intestinal mass. Blood sample was obtained for complete blood counts, while transcutaneous abdominal ultrasound and lateral abdominal radiograph were also performed. Result of complete blood count showed severe neutrophilic leukocytosis. Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasound revealed dilated bowel loop containing a hyperechoic structure in the lumen, while radiographic contrast examination of the intestine revealed distended bowel loop and a radiopaque foreign body in the jejunum. Based on the findings, a tentative diagnosis of intestinal obstruction was made and an exploratory laparotomy was scheduled. After pre-anaesthetic medications with 3mg/kg intramuscular injection of 5% tramadol, 0.04mg/kg intramuscular injection of 0.1% atropine and 0.5mg/kg intramuscular injection of 2% Xylazine, anaesthesia was induced with a loading dose of 4mg/kg intravenous injection of 1% propofol and maintained with constant infusion of propofol at the rate of 0.12mg/kg/min. During laparotomy, the obstructed region was identified and enterotomy revealed the foreign body to be an ingested plastic bottle cap. Following removal of the foreign body, moderate inflammation of the segment of the intestine around the obstruction site was observed, necessitating the need for resection of the intestine to be performed and anastomosis using an end to end technique. The dog recovered without any complications after one week of postoperative antibiotic therapy and fluid administration. Prompt diagnosis of intestinal foreign body in dogs followed by appropriate selection of anaesthetic protocol and surgical technique with adequate intensive post-operative follow-up is essential for successful management.

Keywords: Dog, Foreign-body,Jejuno-ileal, Intestine, Obstruction

Abstract

Elemental analysis and in vitro    antibacterial activity of aqueous leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia were investigated. Applying standard methods, the elemental constituents were examined while the antibacterial potentials of the aqueous leaf extract were tested on clinical bacterial isolates using paper disc diffusion method. Elemental analysis showed the presence of Calcium (Ca) 339.5 Mg/L, Sodium (Na) 149.1 Mg/L, Potassium (K) 997.2 Mg/L, Magnesium (Mg) 8.34 Mg/L, Cupper (Cu) 0.140Mg/L, Iron (Fe) 3.17 Mg/L, Zinc (Zn) 0.739 Mg/L and Manganese (Mn) 0.68 Mg/L. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, no lethal amount of toxic heavy metals lead and cadmium were found in the leaf extract. The antibacterial activity was tested onPseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Shigella dysenteriae. The results show zero inhibitory activity against the organisms at all the concentrations. It has been concluded that  Celtis integrifolia contains physiologically important and essential elements like potassium, calcium, sodium and iron; The result showed that aqueous leaf extract of the plant possess no in vitro    antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Aqueous leaf extract, Celtis integrifolia, Elemental analysis, Inhibitory activity