Veterinary Medicine Faculty Research Articles

INVESTIGATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF ROTAVIRUS INFECTION IN CALVES USING POLYACRYLAMIDE GEL ELECTROPHORESIS

Bovine rotaviruses cause loss of calves and cause great financial losses to breeders. Bovine rotaviruses, which are classified in the Reovirales order, Sedoreoviridae family and Rotavirus genus, are mostly classified as G and P genotypes according to VP7 and VP4 gene regions. In addition, 10 different species (group A-J) have been identified according to genetic and antigenic properties of another major antigen, VP6. Group A rotaviruses are the most common cause of diarrhea in calves, while group B and C infections are also known. For the protection of calves, rotavirus screening should be performed on a herd basis and the infection status of cattle should be revealed. For this purpose, stool samples of 100 calves with diarrhea symptoms in the inventory of XXXXX University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology were used. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), which allows the examination of segments of the genome, was used to check for the presence of the virus. Nucleic acid extraction was performed on the stool samples before electrophoresis and then extracts were loaded into the prepared polyacrylamide gel and run. The samples were stained with silver nitrate stain, segment patterns were determined and the presence of rotavirus was analyzed. While 27 of the analyzed samples were positive, 5 samples were suspicious and 68 samples were negative. The segment pattern of the positive samples was compatible with group A and all of them were classified in this group. Although they were in the same group, it was determined that the positive samples had 3 different electrophoretypes. As a result, it was determined that rotaviruses still have an important role in the etiology of calf diarrhea. Besides, the detected rotaviruses showed variation, although they were in group A, and breeders in the region should pay attention to control and hygiene measures.

<i>Piper</i> <i>guineensis</i> Extract in Maize-soybean, Maize-okra Intercropping Systems: Its Role in Mitigating Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) Pests and Boosting Soil Fertility

Maize (Zea mays) is an important staple grown worldwide including Cameroon, for its carbohydrate rich grains in addition to minerals and vitamins, therefore providing food for human consumption, and fodder for livestock. Production in Cameroon especially Buea which is the main hub is constraint by several factors among them, pests including the Fall Army Worm (FAW), Snail (<i>Limicolaria</i> sp.) and soil infertility are of high importance. The use of botanicals has been successful in mitigating pests on crops while intercropping economic crops with legumes increases soil fertility. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the efficacy of extract of <i>Piper guineense</i> on maize-okra, and maize-soybean intercropped on the incidence and severity of these pests and soil primary macronutrients. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with six treatments replicated three times at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea. FAW, snail incidence and severity, maize grain weight, and soil primary macronutrients were recorded. Data collected was subjected to statistical analysis (<I>P</I>< 0.05). FAW and snail incidence and severity differed significantly (<I>P</I><0.05). FAW incidence was highest in the control (69.2%) and lowest in Maize + soybean + <i>Piper</i> (21.8%) while snail was highest in control (62.8%) and lowest in Maize + soybean + <i>Piper</i> (15.4%). The severity of fall armyworm was highest in control (41.3%) and lowest in Maize + soybean + <i>Piper</i> (12.7%), while that of snail was highest in control (18%) and lowest in Maize + soybean + <i>Piper</i> (4.3%). The maize grain yield differed significantly (<I>P</I><0.05), with the highest in Maize + soybean + <i>Piper</i> (5.2 t/ha) and lowest in Maize + okra (2.8 t/ha). Total nitrogen differed significantly with the highest in Maize + soybean + <i>Piper</i> (0.19%) and lowest in Maize + okra (0.13%). Maize yield was positively correlated with total nitrogen (r = 0.77) and negatively correlated with maize pests (r = -0.73 for FAW, r = -0.76 for snail). Thus maize-soybean intercropping using <i>Piper</i> as insecticide is of high importance and a good sustainable alternative to synthetic inputs for maize pest control, optimizing primary macronutrient and maize yield.

Composition of Donkey Meat (Equus Asinus) from the Puno Region, Peru

Objective: To determine the proximate chemical composition of donkey meat (Equus asinus) considering the variables of animal class (young and adult) and commercial cut (shoulder, rib and leg) with the purpose of nutritionally assessing it as an alternative source of red meat. Theoretical Framework: Donkey meat is characterized by a low intramuscular fat content and could be used as a valid alternative to other species of red meat such as beef and sheep in the Puno region, Peru. However, little is known about the nutritional quality of meat from donkeys that are slaughtered at the main equine slaughterhouse in southern Peru. Method: Muscle tissue samples were taken from the following muscles: deltoid, Longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris representing the commercial cuts of shoulder, rib and leg, respectively. Chemical analysis (moisture, protein, fat and ash) was performed following the protocols established for meat by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), in the Bromatology Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of UNA-Puno. Data analysis was performed in a randomized complete block design (DBCA) and the LSD significance test (α=0.05). Results and Discussion: The proximate chemical composition of donkey meat is as follows: moisture 73.79%, protein 19.23%, fat 4.53% and ash 1.20%. The animal class (young and adult) and the commercial cut (shoulder, rib and leg) have a significant effect on the moisture and fat content (p≤0.05), with an inverse relationship between the two; but there is no effect on the protein and ash content (p>0.05). Implications of the research: It was possible to demonstrate that the meat of donkeys from the Puno region has a similar composition to the red meat of other domestic species, so it can be a good alternative to replace red meat. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by knowing the chemical composition of donkey meat from the Puno region, Peru for consumption purposes as a substitute for red meat or for the preparation of meat by-products.

Cytological Characteristics of the Eye Conjunctiva in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 10% of dogs worldwide. The disease typically manifests at an early age, causing pruritus and secondary skin lesions in specific anatomical regions. The pathophysiology of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) remains incompletely understood, but recent research suggests a complex interplay between skin barrier dysfunction, allergic sensitisation, and microbial dysbiosis. Despite the well-established association between atopic dermatitis and conjunctivitis, the prevalence of conjunctivitis in dogs with CAD is often underestimated in clinical practice due to inadequate recognition of symptoms and a lack of specific diagnostic protocols. This study aimed to analyse the cytological characteristics of the conjunctiva in dogs affected by atopic dermatitis. Samples were collected from 24 dogs diagnosed with CAD and treated at the University Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb. Cytological analysis was performed on samples obtained using a cytobrush. The results revealed the presence of inflammatory cells in all samples, with lymphocytes most prevalent (87.5%). A mild degree of conjunctival metaplasia was observed in all dogs, regardless of the type of inflammatory cells and the severity of conjunctivitis. These findings suggest that atopic dermatitis may induce changes in the conjunctiva that are not necessarily correlated with the intensity of the inflammatory response. The presence of lymphocytes, along with eosinophils in some cases, underscores the diagnostic value of conjunctival cytology in dogs with CAD. Furthermore, the increased density of goblet cells suggests similarities in the pathophysiology of ocular allergies in dogs and humans, opening avenues for further research to better understand and treat these conditions. This study highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis, including regular ophthalmologic examinations as part of standard clinical practice.

Global self-esteem and coping with stress by Polish students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students experience considerable stress and anxiety during the course of their studies, which has a significant impact on their health and hinders the learning process. There are many stressors that can intensify stress, which is why choosing the right strategies for coping with stress and self-esteem is so important. The study was conducted on 798 students of the School of Public Health at the University of Warmia and Mazury in majors: nursing, midwifery, emergency medicine and dietetics (subgroup 1; n = 428; 53.77%) and at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, major: veterinary medicine (subgroup 2; n = 368; 46.23%). The study employed the diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique including Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, MINI-COPE, PSS-10, and a self-questionnaire. The scores obtained by over half of the students were indicative of low global self-esteem, whereas over 80% of the students felt stress at a high intensity. Moreover, it was shown that the veterinary medicine students demonstrated a higher intensity of coping strategies, i.e., active coping (p < 0.04) and planning (p < 0.02), than medicine students. The study revealed that students, irrespective of the major, experienced high levels of stress. Self-esteem had a significant impact on the stress level and methods of coping with difficult situations in students of medicine. A majority of the students applied positive styles of coping with stress.

Prevalence of Ectoparasites in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Sidoarjo, Indonesia

The problem most often encountered in fish farming is disease which can cause a decrease in fish production levels. Parasites cause one of the infectious diseases found in fish farming. The presence of parasites can cause a decrease in the quality of the growth of fish production. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of ectoparasites on Nile tilapia in Sidoarjo, Indonesia. Ninety-six samples from two ponds were examined under the microscope to find out the presence of ectoparasite that exists in the outside body part of the fish. Samples were collected from skin, fins, tail, and gills using native methods and observed under a microscope in the Division of Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. The results of this study showed 86 samples positively infected by ectoparasite and 10 showed negative. The ectoparasites found in this study were Trichodina sp., Chilodonella sp., Ichthyophthirius multifillis, Gyrodactylus sp., and Dactylogyrus sp. The highest prevalence is Trichodina sp. and Dactylogyrus sp. The number of fish infested by ectoparasite is 89.56%, this is classified in the usual category. The highest prevalence occurs in infestations of Trichodina sp. i.e.72.91% which were contained in the 70 samples. While the lowest prevalence was in Gyrodactylus sp. by 8.32% in 8 fish samples. Double infections from two different ponds were 70% within 33 samples which were included in the usual category.

Abstracts of the 48th Symposium on Cuniculture, ASESCU

The 48th Congress of the Spanish Association of Cuniculture (ASESCU) was held in Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain. The congress was organised by ASESCU in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Córdoba. A total of four main lectures were delivered. One of these lectures discussed the current state of cuniculture in Andalusia, while another examined the evolution of the sector in Italy. Another lecture focused on state-of-the-art of alternatives to cages for rabbit housing, and the fourth lecture covered new rabbit lines developed for disease resistance. Additionally, two round tables were held, discussing the main challenges in the rabbit farming sector and new veterinary legislation. A total of 25 communications were presented on various topics, including nutrition, genetics, reproduction, housing and welfare, pathology and products. The event was attended by approximately 130 participants from various European and American countries. Below are the abstracts of the contributions.

Molecular detection of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Bartonella spp. in dogs treated at a veterinary teaching clinic in Peru

In recent years, vector-borne diseases have become widespread throughout the world and affect the health of humans and domestic animals. These diseases spread to areas where their primary vectors, fleas and ticks, thrive, particularly in tropical and subtropical climate regions, providing ideal conditions for their proliferation. The growing closeness between people and their pets increases the likelihood of bites from these ectoparasites, which represents a latent zoonotic risk. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the presence of Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Bartonella spp. in dogs treated at the Small Animal Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, located in Lima, Peru. Blood samples from 214 dogs were molecularly analyzed for hemopathogen detection. The results revealed prevalences of 2.6 % (6/214) for Anaplasma platys, 5.14 % (11/214) for Ehrlichia canis, and 0.46 % (1/214) for Bartonella rochalimae. No statistically significant relationship was found between the animal infection and the age, sex, breed, presence of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), and locality. This study reported molecularly for the first time the presence of A. platys, E. canis, and B. rochalimae in dogs from Lima city, and demonstrates the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in pets treated at the veterinary clinic.

A Case Report: Treatment of Anaplasmosis and Ectoparasitic Infestation in Mixed-Breed Golden Retriever Dog

Anaplasmosis is a disease in dogs caused by intracellular gram-negative bacteria belonging to the Anaplasmataceae family. A 6-month-old mixed-breed golden retriever was examined at the Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Udayana University, with complaints of itching, tick infestation, weakness, and decreased appetite. The clinical examination revealed pale mucous membranes in the mouth and eye conjunctiva, as well as an infestation of Rhipicephalus ticks on the skin. Routine hematological examination indicated the presence of anemia and thrombocytopenia. Blood smear examination confirmed the presence of Anaplasma sp. Treatment was provided in a causative and supportive manner. Causative therapy involved the administration of doxycycline at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight orally for twenty-eight days, ivermectin at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight injected subcutaneously every two weeks for four weeks. Supportive therapy included the daily administration of Fufang E'jiao Jiang ®(Dong E Ejiao Co, Ltd., Shandong, China) at 2 ml/day and Sangobion® (PT. Merck Tbk, Jakarta, Indonesia) at one tablet per day for fourteen days. Treatment with doxycycline, ivermectin, Fufang E'jiao Jiang® (Dong E Ejiao Co, Ltd., Shandong, China), and Sangobion® (PT. Merck Tbk, Jakarta, Indonesia) resulted in a positive outcome for the dog, with improved activity, hair growth, good appetite, and the absence of ticks.

Diagnostic Pathways of Leptospira spp. in Dogs with Kidney Injury.

Pathogenic Leptospira spp. causes leptospirosis in animals and humans globally, leading to systemic infections that can impact vital organs in affected animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate kidney injury and to perform a retrospective analysis of leptospirosis infection in follow-up dog samples. The retrospective study collected epidemiological information obtained through paraclinical exams, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and molecular biology (qPCR) of cases from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine from Timisoara between September 2016 and May 2023. No correlations were found between Leptospira infection and breed (p = 0.714), gender or castration status (p = 0.890), and anatomic pathology exam results (p = 0.608). Significant associations were found in cases with high levels of azotemia (p = 0.000) and immunological status (vaccinated vs. unvaccinated, p = 0.000), with the leptospirosis risk in unvaccinated animals calculated at OR = 85.500 (95%CI, 6.82-1071.26, p = 0.000). Retrospectively, leptospirosis was diagnosed in 27/65 cases (42%) using the IHC method, while the qPCR assay detected 29/65 cases (45%). This study demonstrates that qPCR is a robust and specific method for postmortem diagnosis of Leptospira spp. infection in dogs, offering higher specificity and reliability compared to traditional IHC methods, which showed 94.74% specificity in our study.

Using a Positive Psychology Lens to Understand How Veterinary Medicine Learning Contexts Promote Student Thriving and Inhibit Frustration.

To develop a veterinary workforce equipped for long-term professional success, educational institutions must prioritize their students' well-being. Most approaches focus on building assets within the individual, like stress management, to limit negative outcomes, like burnout. Our research proposes a positive psychology-based model of student thriving that instead emphasizes the pervasive role of the social climate within a context. Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT) posits that social relationships at the institutional, faculty and staff, and peer levels will promote student thriving and limit frustration through the satisfaction or frustration of the three psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Veterinary medical students across the United States (N = 202) completed a survey, and we used structural equation modeling to test how their institution's social climate predicted positive student outcomes (i.e., hope and life satisfaction) and a negative outcome (i.e., burnout) mediated by psychological need satisfaction and frustration. Students' perceptions of positive aspects of their institution's social climate ubiquitously predicted each variable in the model. Overall, the model positively predicted psychological need satisfaction (R2 = .44), hope (R2 = .67) and life satisfaction (R2 = .51), and negatively predicted psychological need frustration (R2 = .34) and burnout (R2 = .87). Findings emphasize the role veterinary medicine peers, faculty, and staff play in creating learning environments that support student thriving while limiting their frustration. By leveraging the interpersonal qualities posited by BPNT's parent theory, self-determination theory, veterinary medical colleges can build a culture of student support that benefits all within their system.

Perception of Animal Welfare and Animal Abuse among Veterinary Students: Role of Individual and Sociodemographic Factors.

Animal welfare and animal abuse, although measurable, exhibit a high degree of subjectivity that conditions how they are perceived and the level of sensitivity. Both elements are influenced by individual and sociodemographic factors. To determine the perception of animal welfare among veterinary students and to study the main sociodemographic factors influencing the assessment of animal welfare. To evaluate animal welfare perception at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, a 20-question survey was deployed via the Google Surveys platform. Distributed across all academic years, it was facilitated with QR codes located within the faculty premises. The data collection occurred from November 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022. A total of 223 students responded the questionnaire about perception of animal abuse, which represents 56.3% of the total enrollment in the academic year 2022-2023. Sensitivity to animal welfare, including academic training on how to respond to animal abuse, increased as students progressed through their studies. However, as students approached the end of their studies, they became less willing to make voluntary efforts. The profile of the veterinary student least sensitive to animal abuse appeared to be men without dogs who reside in rural habitats and have family members involved in hunting or fishing. We propose the implementation of intensive courses on animal welfare throughout the veterinary curriculum, along with an understanding of the veterinarian's role in reporting animal abuse. This approach aims to foster a foundation of critical awareness and commitment to animals.

Head and neck tumors detected in dogs and cats between 2011 and 2021: A retrospective study

The aim of this study is to determine and compare the distribution, localization, breed, age and gender incidences of head and neck region tumors by years, by evaluating the results of dog-cat biopsies and/or operation material brought to Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology between the years 2011 and 2021. In the study, 244 (15.9%) of 1533 tumors diagnosed in dogs and cats between 2011 and 2021 belonged to the head and neck region, of which 159 were in dogs and 85 in cats. Dogs with tumors were generally more than 6 years old (n=108) and cats were mostly 1 year old and older (n=75). In the head and neck region tumors observed in dogs, malignant and benign tumors of epithelial origin were most common (n=81; 50.9%), with sebaceous tumors (n=22) being the most common, and mostly observed around the eyes (n=26), while malignant and benign tumors of mesenchymal origin were most commonly found in the mouth region. Among the tumors of this region, epithelial tumors were mostly encountered in cats (n=39, 45.8%), and 51.2% of the epithelial tumors were squamous cell cancer (n=20), with epithelial tumors being the most common in the mouth (n=12) and nose (n=9). As a result, epithelial malignant and benign tumors were mostly seen in the eyes, and mesenchymal malignant and benign tumors were detected in the mouth. Among tumor types, papilloma in benign tumors and squamous cell carcinoma in malignant tumors were noted.

Views of veterinary faculty students on the concept of Artificial Intelligence and its use in Veterinary Medicine practices: An example of Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The study was carried out to determine the knowledge levels of the students of Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, on the concept of artificial intelligence and its use in veterinary practices. For this purpose, an online questionnaire was applied to a total of 529 students in the study, covering all grades of the faculty. The questionnaire consists of two parts. In the first part, there are 10 questions including demographics, knowledge about the concept of artificial intelligence, etc. The second part consists of 26 5-point Likert-type questions to determine students' thoughts on artificial intelligence applications. Data were analyzed using statistical tests. Consequently, the students participating in the study are partially knowledgeable about artificial intelligence (52.9%). They know the importance of following the developments in artificial intelligence for the profession (45.2%). They think that artificial intelligence applications will improve their professional skills (53.5%). They have the opinion that a robot cannot replace a veterinary surgeon (36.7%) and artificial intelligence cannot cause unemployment in veterinary medicine in the future (35.3%). In addition, they believe that artificial intelligence can cause ethical problems (39.3%) and that applications made with this technology should be developed in an ethical sense (42.4%). As a result, while the students think that artificial intelligence will have positive effects in the field of veterinary medicine, they also think that artificial intelligence can bring negative ethical implications. It can be concluded that including elective courses on artificial intelligence applications in veterinary faculties and conducting further research on the subject would be beneficial.

Evaluation of fecal calprotectin levels in neonatal calves with diarrhea

This study aimed to determine the levels of fecal calprotectin in calves that had diarrhea in the neonatal period. The study was carried out on a total of 52 calves, 42 with diarrhea (diarrhea group) brought to the Animal Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Balikesir University, for diagnosis and treatment, and 10 healthy (control group). The diarrhea-afflicted calves ranged in age from 3 to 30 days and included a variety of races and sexes. For blood gases, hematological, and biochemical analyses, ten milliliters of blood were collected from each calf’s jugular vein. To determine the levels of calprotectin, stool samples were gathered and stored in sterile containers. The heart rate and capillary refill time (CRT) of the calves with diarrhea were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than the control group. The calves who had diarrhea also had increased potassium (K) and creatinine levels in addition to metabolic acidosis and hyponatremia. Furthermore, the serum albumin and oxygen saturation values of the diarrheal calves were found to be significantly lower than those of the control group. Fecal calprotectin levels were found to be significantly higher in the calves with diarrhea compared to the control group. When fecal calprotectin levels were examined in terms of etiological factors, no statistical difference was detected between the groups. Consequently, it was determined that fecal calprotectin levels in calves with diarrhea could be a potential biomarker for enteritis.

The First Case of Menacanthus pallidulus (Neumann, 1912) (Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Menoponidae) on A Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758) in Türkiye.

This case report was prepared to provide information about Menacanthus pallidulus (Neumann, 1912), which was detected for the first time on a domestic chicken in Hatay province of Türkiye. Louse specimens collected from a chicken by a student were brought to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, and sent to Selçuk University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, for identification of species and microscopic examination revealed the presence of Menacanthus pallidulus (Neumann, 1912). Thus, with this study, the presence of M. pallidulus on domestic chickens was recorded for the first time in Türkiye.

Comparison of TGF-β and Type 1 Collagen Expression between Platelet Rich Fibrin Membrane and Conjunctival Autograft Treatment after Conjunctival Excision (An Experimental Animal Model Study)

Purpose: To compare TGF- β and type 1 collagen expression between Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) membrane and conjunctival autograft treatment after conjunctival excision. Study Design: Experimental animal study. Place and Duration of study: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia from October 24, 2022 to November, 19, 2022 Methods: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to either the PRF group or the conjunctival autograft group. A 5x5 mm excision was made in the temporal quadrant of the right eye of each rabbit. In the first group, the conjunctival defect was closed using a PRF membrane, while in the second group, closure was done with a conjunctival autograft from the superior quadrant of the same eye. After 14 days, all rabbits were terminated and enucleated. An immunohistochemical study of conjunctival tissue was conducted to assess TGF-β and type 1 collagen expression, and results were statistically analyzed. Results: An independent T-Test revealed that PRF membrane group exhibited higher TGF-β expression compared to the conjunctival autograft group (p = 0.000), with a mean TGF-β expression of 9.02 in the PRF membrane group and 5.76 in the conjunctival autograft group. Conversely, type 1 collagen expression was found to be higher in the conjunctival autograft group compared to the PRF membrane group (p = 0.032), with a mean type 1 collagen expression of 9.22 in the conjunctival autograft group and 6.92 in the PRF membrane group. Conclusion: TGF-β expression was higher in the PRF group and type 1 collagen expression was higher in the conjunctival autograft group.

A Severe Clinical Case of Theileriosis with Terminal Wasting in Adult Cattle: A Veterinary Clinical and Pathology Case Report

This veterinary clinical and pathology case report describes a severe clinical case of theileriosis in adult cattle with prolonged recumbency and terminal wasting because of complications due to chronic theileriosis in two adult (2-year-old) Jersey-Friesian Cross. The case was referred to the large animal clinic of the University Veterinary Hospital (UVH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The animals were presented as recumbent, dull, depressed, hypothermic, dehydrated, and cachexic. There were poor responses of the patients to fluid therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatments, and they both died within 24 hrs of clinical presentation. Haematology (complete blood count and serum biochemistry) results revealed haemoconcentration and faecal examinations were negative for liver fluke infestation and blood smear examination was positive for intraerythrocytic piroplasms of Theileria (0.01% parasitaemia). Post-mortem examination further revealed advanced cachexia, generalised serous atrophy of fat, hepatomegaly, hepatic congestion, pulmonary congestion, and pulmonary oedema. Histological findings revealed atrophy of the hepatic cord, hepatic congestion, splenic hemosiderosis, pulmonary oedema and congestion. The clinicopathological findings supported an aetiological diagnosis of a severe clinical case of Theileriosis with terminal wasting because of complications due to chronic Theileriosis infection.

Effects of graded dose of probiotics on packed cell volume, live body weight and gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves of rabbit buck

Probiotics are live microorganisms, and when administered in sufficient amounts they grant health benefits to the host. This study was designed to determine the effects of a graded dose of probiotics on packed cell volume (PCV) live body weight and semen characteristics of the rabbit buck. Twelve healthy adult rabbit bucks were purchased and kept in the Laboratory Animal Research Unit of the Large Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri. The animals were randomly grouped into four A, B, C and D. Groups A, B and C rabbits were supplemented in their feeds with probiotics at the dose of 300 g, 200 g, and 100 g respectively. Group D, served as control and fed only a basal diet without probiotics throughout the research period. Drinking water was provided ad libitum throughout the study period. Thereafter, blood samples were collected aseptically via the ear vein once every week for six weeks and the live body weight of each rabbit in all the groups was measured with weighing balance once every week for six weeks. At the end of the six weeks, the rabbit bucks were aseptically prepared for orchidectomy and their testes were used for evaluation of gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves. The results reveal that the (PCV) and the live body weight were significant (P ˂ 0.05) among the treated groups when compared to the control (group D). However, the Gonadal morphometric gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves were not significant (p ˃ 0.05) among the treated groups when compared to the control (group D). In conclusion, Probiotics have the potential and influence on the (PCV) and live body weight of the rabbits in a dose-dependent manner, with no significant effects on the semen characteristics of the rabbits bucks.

Effects of graded dose of probiotics on packed cell volume, live body weight and gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves of rabbit buck

Probiotics are live microorganisms, and when administered in sufficient amounts they grant health benefits to the host. This study was designed to determine the effects of a graded dose of probiotics on packed cell volume (PCV) live body weight and semen characteristics of the rabbit buck. Twelve healthy adult rabbit bucks were purchased and kept in the Laboratory Animal Research Unit of the Large Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri. The animals were randomly grouped into four A, B, C and D. Groups A, B and C rabbits were supplemented in their feeds with probiotics at the dose of 300 g, 200 g, and 100 g respectively. Group D, served as control and fed only a basal diet without probiotics throughout the research period. Drinking water was provided ad libitum throughout the study period. Thereafter, blood samples were collected aseptically via the ear vein once every week for six weeks and the live body weight of each rabbit in all the groups was measured with weighing balance once every week for six weeks. At the end of the six weeks, the rabbit bucks were aseptically prepared for orchidectomy and their testes were used for evaluation of gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves. The results reveal that the (PCV) and the live body weight were significant (P ˂ 0.05) among the treated groups when compared to the control (group D). However, the Gonadal morphometric gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves were not significant (p ˃ 0.05) among the treated groups when compared to the control (group D). In conclusion, Probiotics have the potential and influence on the (PCV) and live body weight of the rabbits in a dose-dependent manner, with no significant effects on the semen characteristics of the rabbits bucks.