Nigerian Veterinary Journal

Challenges Confronting Cattle Farmers in Selected Farms in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria

Adewale O. Talabi — 2024-06-26

Challenges confronting commercial cattle farms have caused the decrease in the productivity of cattle enterprises in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria. This study was carried out to investigate the challenges confronting cattle farmers in selected farms in Ogun and Oyo States. A semi-structured questionnaire was produced for 120 farmers which were equally distributed between the two states to gather relevant information that addressed the specific objectives of the study. The results showed that the farms in both States were characterized and grouped based on herd size, types of operation and years of operation. The herd size of 51-100 had the highest frequency (47; 39.2%) and 101-150 had the least frequency (12; 10%). Mixed farms had the highest frequency in types of operation (68, 56.7%) while dairy farms had the least (3, 2.5%). The years of operation greater than 10 years had the highest (53, 44%) while 1-5 years had the least. The farmers challenges include inadequate grazing area, disease, ectoparasitic infestation and non-availability of breeding stock among others. The levels of exposure to risk were based on the types of operation, years of operation, the state where the farm exist and herd size. The highest levels of frequency were used to determine the level of risk. In conclusion, commercial cattle farmers in Ogun and Oyo states are confronted with numerous challenges which range from inadequate grazing land, ectoparasites and diseases attack to lack of breeding stock. It is recommended that the Government of Nigeria should increase funding support to cattle farmers across the states for training on intensive management system, bio-security, water resources management, research and extension activities in the cattle production sector.

Growth Performance, Gut Histology and Anti-Coccidial Effect of Aqueous Blends of Scent Leaf, Ginger and Garlic in Broiler Chicken

Phebe O. Okusanya — 2024-06-26

This study was carried out to know the effects of scent leaf, ginger and garlic aqueous blend on the growth performance and intestinal coccidial oocysts in starter broiler chicken. One hundred and twenty (Cobb 500) broiler chicks were allotted to four treatments of thirty birds each and denoted as T1, T2, T3, and T4. The treatments were further subdivided into replicates of (10) birds each. Chicken on Treatment one (T1) received synthetic drugs, when necessary, in their drinking water while others were given aqueous blends of scent leaf (SLAE), garlic (GIAE), and ginger (GAAE) in their drinking water at 50ml/litre, respectively. Variations were observed among the treatments, in final body weight, feed conversion ratio, and coccidial oocysts count (FBW, FCR, and COC). Birds given GAAE in their drinking water had better FCR (2.31) than SLAE (2.48), GIAE (2.55) and control (3.02). The oocyst count observed from the treatments varied significantly. The initial oocyst count reveals the presence of coccidial oocyst in the feaces of the chicken across the treatments. A significant reduction was observed in the oocyst count weekly across the groups but remained higher in the control group until the anti- coccidial drug was administered. Treatment 4 (50 mL/Lit GAAE) shows no egg count (NEC) from the second week. This study concluded that 50 milliliters of; SLAE, GIAE, and GAAE added to one liter of drinking water can be employed as anti-coccidials and growth boosters in the production of broiler chickens.

Pentazocine As Adjuvant To Lidocaine Epidural Anaesthesia In Goats

Cecilia Omowumi Oguntoye — 2024-06-26

The study evaluated the effect of pentazocine on lidocaine for epidural anaesthesia in goats. Four adult intact male West African Dwarf goats weighing 7.3 ± 0.5 kg (Means ± SD) were subjected to two sets of experiments in a crossover design at an interval of one week for drug washout. The experiments involved the epidural administration of lidocaine hydrochloride at 2 mg/kg and the epidural administration of lidocaine hydrochloride at 1 mg/kg combined with pentazocine at 0.5 mg/kg. Selected anaesthetic indices were calculated, and vital signs - heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were taken before drug administration and at 10-minute intervals after that. Onsets of drug action and analgesia with lidocaine (1.67± 1.2 minutes; 3.7±0.6 minutes) were longer than with lidocaine- pentazocine (1.0± 0.1 minutes; 3.0± 1.0 minutes). Duration of analgesia with lidocaine (52.0 ± 6.9 minutes) was significantly longer (p = 0.0021) than with lidocainepentazocine (29.0 ±5.7 minutes). Duration of recumbency with lidocaine (55.0 ± 11.9 minutes) was also significantly longer (p = 0.0001) than with lidocaine - pentazocine (34.0 ± 1.2 minutes). There were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in the physiological parameters of the goats following the two treatments and were all within reference ranges. In conclusion, epidural administration of lidocaine combined with pentazocine as an adjuvant produced a faster onset of analgesia than lidocaine alone but a shorter duration of analgesia and recumbency than lidocaine alone and did not enhance analgesia at the dosages employed for both drugs combination in this study.

Prevalence and Pathology of Sub-clinical Abomasal Coccidiosis (Eimeria gilruthi) in adult West African Dwarf goats from three localities in Oyo and Ogun States, Nigeria

Temitope Morenikeji Oladipo — 2024-06-26

Coccidiosis is a neglected disease that affects small ruminants, including goats, in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and abomasal morpho-pathological changes associated with sub-clinical Eimeria gilruthi infection in adult goats from three localities in Oyo and Ogun States, Nigeria. A total of 103 abomasal samples were collected from West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in the aforementioned states. Data on husbandry system, housing, sex, age, and colour of the animals were recorded. Examination for the presence of Eimeria schizonts, gross and histopathological analyses were conducted. The overall prevalence of E. gilruthi infection in WAD goats was 67.0%. Ogun State exhibited a higher prevalence (87.5%) compared to Oyo State (12.5%). Among the three localities, Ayetoro had the highest prevalence (88.2%), followed by Odeda (86.8%), while Beere had the lowest prevalence (16.1%). The semiintensive grazing system and housing with wood and scrap materials were associated with higher infection prevalence. Age and skin color did not significantly influence the infection rate. Gross and histopathological examinations unveiled thickening of the abomasal wall with prominent nodules. Schizonts, surrounded by inflammatory cells and edema fluid, were observed within enterocytes. Morphological and morphometric analysis of the schizonts revealed diverse developmental stages and characteristic features. In conclusion, sub-clinical E. gilruthi infection is prevalent among adult goats in Oyo and Ogun States, Nigeria. This study provides vital insights into the prevalence, risk factors, and morpho-pathological changes related to sub-clinical coccidiosis in goats, which can contribute to improved management and control strategies for this disease.

Serological Investigation of Equine Influenza Virus in Polo Horses at the 2021 Jos Polo Tournament, Plateau State

David Oludare Omoniwa — 2024-06-26

Equine influenza (EI) is an important respiratory disease of equidae caused by the Equine influenza virus (EIV). The H3N8 and the H7N7 strains of the EIV have been reported in outbreaks of EI. Clinical signs exhibited by infected horses include but are not limited to pyrexia, dry, harsh cough, clear nasal discharge which may turn purulent a few days later, anorexia and lethargy. In this study, 115 polo horses from Kaduna, Nassarawa, Niger, Abuja FCT, Bauchi and Adamawa that participated in the 2021 Jos Polo Tournament were screened for EIV to ascertain the seroprevalence of EIV in these group of horses. Theses sera samples were tested using a specific commercially available indirect Influenza A Virus Antibody ELISA Test Kit (IDEXX Influenza A Test Kit). An overall prevalence of 51.3% was obtained. Subset of ELISA reactive sera were analysed by Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) for subtype H3 and 6 out of 20 (30%) had up to 3log2 HI titre . In this study, the prevalence of influenza A was highest in female and Argentine horses. The effect of sex breed and location was statistically not significant. Additionally, this study showed that seropositive horses were present in each of the states represented, implying that EIV is still circulating in Nigeria. This study therefore highlights the need for regular monitoring and surveillance of equidae population in Nigeria for EIV to improve our understanding of EI and help in the formulation of national control strategies for EI.

The Human Capital Input and Some Challenges of the Nigerian Cattle Industry

Mu'awiyyah Muhammad Mahuta — 2024-06-26

This study was to gather first-hand information on the human capital input of the Nigerian cattle industry. A questionnaire was administered to 26 cattle farms across Nigeria of which we received a response from each farm. Most of the farm surveyed were owned solely by individuals 18(69.23%) and the male gender 24(92.31%). There were more farmers 25-50 years 22(84.62%) than those >50 years 4(15.38%). The majority of the farmers had tertiary education 18(69.24%), while 13(50.00%) and 11(42.31%) farmers had >10 years and 5 – 10 years of experience in cattle farming, respectively. Ten (38.46%) farmers each considered cattle farming out of interest and as their profession. Poor funding 13 (50.00%) was the major challenge to cattle farming. The predominant cattle breeds were indigenous mix 18(75.00%) and improved crossbreed 7(20.78%). Semi-intensive 15(57.69%) was the most common management system, however, the main farm sizes were small 13(50.00%) and medium-sized 12(46.15%), while boreholes 15(57.7%) and streams/well-water/rivers 11(42.3%) were the major sources of water. Majority of the cattle farms sometimes 15(57.7%) experience food shortage but never 14(53.80%) water shortage. Nearby veterinary services were present in 22(84.62% farms but absent in 4(15.38%). The study shows that funding is a challenge to cattle farming in Nigeria. This is evident in the small-sized farms, semi-intensive management practices and the occasional shortage of food.

White-Leghorn Chickens Are Less Susceptible To The HaemoPathological Effects Of Avian Coccidiosis Compared To Commercial Broilers

Chisom Christian Ekezie — 2024-06-26

The present study was conducted to investigate the differences in susceptibility of the whiteleghorn breed of chicken to the haemo-pathological effects of avian coccidiosis when compared to commercial broilers. An experiment was performed with twenty-day-old chicks (10 whiteleghorns and 10 broilers) which were grown for 3-weeks before infecting them. The chicks were first confirmed to be free from intestinal parasites then 5 birds each, randomly selected from the two breeds, were orally inoculated with Eimeria oocyst. Thrombocyte numbers and packed cell volumes (PCVs) were measured to indicate thrombocytopaenia and anaemia respectively. This was determined from blood obtained from the chicks on the 10th day post-inoculation. An estimate of the effect-size revealed that coccidiosis produced a negligible effect (a 5% decrease) on the thrombocyte number of white-leghorns. However, no effect was observed on the PCV of the same breed. On the contrary, a 47% decrease in the thrombocyte number and a 29% decrease in the PCV of broilers can be attributed to coccidiosis. The extensive system of breeding white-leghorns satisfied the conditions necessary for natural selection of favourable traits to occur in the breed. This might explain the difference in susceptibility to the haemo-pathological effects caused by Eimeria parasites because commercial broilers that are managed intensively, do not survive long enough, thereby disrupting natural selection. The difference implies that an apparently healthy flock of white-leghorn may be a reservoir of the infection, which could be transmitted to susceptible breeds.