Objective: The present study was initiated to ascertain the level of shedding of salmonellae by dogs in Makurdi area and to highlight the risk of infection for dog-owners.Materials and Methods: Rectal swabs from 200 dogs from different locations in the studyarea were examined in the study. The samples were cultured for salmonellae using Rappaport-Vassiliadis enrichment broth (Oxoid) and brilliant green agar (Oxoid). Suspected Salmonella isolates were serologically identified.Results: Overall, Salmonellae organisms were isolated from 11 (5.5%) of the 200 dogs sampled. Prevalence rates of 5.6% and 4.5% were recorded for apparently healthy and clinically sick dogs, respectively. Salmonella was respectively isolated from 4.1% to 9.1% of male and female dogs. Dogs aged 4 years and above recorded the highest prevalence rate. The study revealed a low prevalence rate in Nigerian local breed (mongrels) and high prevalence rates in exotic breeds of dogs.Conclusion: The isolation of salmonellae in apparently healthy and clinically sick dogs in this study indicates a carrier status which may constitute a serious problem in disease control in the study area. The lower prevalence rate of Salmonella infection in mongrels could be an indication of resistance to Salmonella in local breeds of dogs and should generate interest in research in the pathogenicity and pathogenesis of salmonellae in mongrels. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(4.000): 405-409]

Infection with Neospora caninum in a dog is described. The predominant clinical findings were proprioception deficit, involuntary and continuous contracture of the pelvic extremity muscles. N. caninum is structurally similar to Toxoplasma gondii, but it is immunologically distinct. Therefore, infections had been misdiagnosed as toxoplasmosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by an immunofluorescence antibody test. The parasite is sensitive to clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulphonamide, however the prognosis is poor especially if the muscle contractures have occurred.

Wild rats are known as a major reservoir and intermediate host for several pathogenic microbial species. Thus, theVeterinary Research Institute (VRI) conducted a survey to determine the presence of parasitic pathogens in local rats, such as blood protozoans, gastrointestinal parasites, as well as ectoparasites such as mites and lice. The study was conducted with the collaboration of Kuala Lumpur City Council Pest Control Unit, whereby a total of 105 wild rats were trapped at two urban areas of Kuala Lumpur; namely PasarPudu and Chow Kit. Autopsy was done on the rats to acquire the skin, organ and blood samples..The skin scrapping was performed on skin samples to identify the common species of mites and lice, while the floatationtechnique was conducted on faecal samples to identify helminth eggs. Results showed thatspecies of Tritrichomonas, Strongyloides, Nippostrongylus, Blastocystis, Rodentolepis, Coccidia, Trichuris, Capillaria and Ascarid were found in the faeces while Trypanosoma sp.was found in the blood samples taken from the animals. Taeniataeniformis was obtained from liver samples while theectoparasites found on skin were identified as Radfordia,Polyplax,Linognathus and Hoploplurasp. Control and eradication of rodent pests is crucial in combating emerging and re-emerging diseases which may be zoonotic as rodents are reservoirs to various pathogens.

Septicaemic pasteurellosis is a fatal, sometimes epidemic, bacterial disease of domestic and wild animals including deer, bison, elk, and pronghorn antelope caused by Pasteurella multocida. This is the case report of septicaemic pasteurellosisin a captive sambar deer. The carcass was sent from Royal Endurance Stable, Bachok, Kelantan to the Kota Bharu RegionalVeterinary Laboratory for post-mortem. Gross examination of organs was followed by collection of specimens from lung, kidney,liver, spleen and heart for histopathology and bacterial examination. Pooled organ samples with rumen content were collected and sent to the nearest Chemistry Department for investigation. For histology, the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, and heart specimens were fixed in 10% neutral formalin, and routinely embedded in paraffin. Fivemicrometer sections were stained with H&E. Other tests such as worm and ectoparasiteidentification were conducted to identify the parasites. Post-mortem lesions revealed generalised haemorrhage in the organs.Pasteurella multocida serogroup B and E. coli were isolated from multiple tissues of the animal. Histological examination alsorevealed severe congestion and haemorhage of multiple tissues with infiltration of the inflammatory cells. The most likely mode of transmission of these bacteria is through an infected wound and into the bloodstream, thereby causing severe septicemia and death to the animal.

The livestock industry has been relying merely on chemically synthesised antibiotic for eye infections as sprays and ointment. A natural remedy from Curcuma spp. has been tested for efficacy in curing keratoconjunctivitis and uveitis. A severe case of uveitis was cured within 7 days, with impaired vision restored. These results were observations of a preliminary study conducted in a goat with uveitis.

This case report describes paramphistomosis from the rumen ofan infected 3-year-old Bos indicus or also known as Zebu cattle that was sent to the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Ipoh,Perak for post-mortem examination with a history of a sudden death. On post-mortem, it was found that the rumen contents hada large number of pink, pear shaped flukes, which measured about 1 cm in length attached to the rumen wall. On performing the sedimentation technique on the rumen contents, operculated eggs with germ cells were observed microscopically under compound microscope with a magnification of 100×. Regular screening of cattle for flukes is an important part of parasite controlprogrammes especially in endemic areas as it can cause anaemia and deterioration in body condition.

The local river terrapins (Batagur affinis) are an important aspect of the river ecosystem. The Turtle Conservation Centre in Bota Kanan noted morbidity and mortality in its terrapin population and some were sent for full laboratory investigationto diagnose cause of death. The faecal samples were subjected to faecal floatation technique whereby ascarid eggs were observed indicating that the turtles had helminth infection. Ascarid eggs had thick walls and measured at 140.6 μm to 149.7 μm in diameter. Apart from this, post-mortem examination of intestinal contents also showed presence of nematodes identified as Oesophagostomum sp. Treatment and control have to be instituted to prevent further morbidity and losses.

Zoonotic parasitic gastroenteritis has been well-known as a serious limitation to humans as well as livestock productivityin terms of man-power, pathology and fiscal losses, as human infection with these helminths from cattle can resultfrom consumption of meat containing the infective stage of the worm. This study therefore investigates the presence ofzoonotic helminth infections among cattle in Minna metropolis, and scientific basis for their potential transmission to humanpopulation. A total of 184 diarrhoeic faecal samples from cattle were collected from September 2014 to June 2015 in Minna,Niger state and processed using the direct faecal microscopic examination techniques. The obtained results showed that a total of 81 (44%) samples were positive including Ascaris sp, Fasciola gigantica, Trichuris sp. and Taenia sp. with infection rates of 22.3%, 12%, 2.2% and 0.5% respectively, and mixed infections of Fasciola gigantic with Ascaris sp. (4.3%) , and Ascaris sp. with Trichuris sp. (2.7%). Poor human hygiene, inadequate livestock husbandry managements and restriction of animals to residential areas are the major factors responsible for the high prevalence of zoonotic helminths and geo-helminths in the study area. Therefore veterinarians, animal handlers and livestock owners should practice personal hygienic and safe management practices for animal rearing and treatments.

Chromobacterium violaceum is a facultative anaerobic, gram-negative rodshaped bacteria normally found in soil and stagnant water of tropical and subtropical countries. Infections of Chromobacterium violaceum are rare among mammals, but the first human infection were reported in Malaysia in 1927. This clinical case reports two separate cases of Chromobacterium violaceum infection in two sub-adult male Black-handed Gibbon (Hylobates agilis). Both animals were presented with the history of diarrhea, pyrexia and inappetance. From the physical examination, the findings were high body temperature, dull, inactive, soft fecal stained at the rectum and small open wound at lower limb of one of the case. The treatment given was antipyretic and multivitamin. Unfortunately, due to poor prognosis both patients died within 48 hours after presentation and treatment. Autopsy examinations wereperformed to find out the cause of death. Post mortem examination findings revealed hepatomegaly with multiple size whitish-yellow spots on the liver surface, congestion and enlargement of spleen and lymph node, congestion of lung and loss of demarcation between renal cortex and medulla of the kidney. The cellular changes via histopathological findings of kidney, spleen, lung and liver were suggestive of septicaemia. The gross and histopathologicalfindings were supported by the isolation of Chromobacterium violaceum via bacterial isolation and identification from lung, liver, spleen and kidney. Thus, the cause of death of the two sub-adult male Black-handed gibbon in this case are due to septicaemiadue to Chromobacterium violaceum infection.