Heamatological parameters of one hump camels (camelusdromedarius) in North Western Nigeria

Camels are regarded as the ship of the desert, being used for transporting humans and their goods. They are also raised for milk, meat, hides and wool. Normal haematological values are important as disease diagnostic aid as they are vital indicator of the animals’ health status. Haematological parameters of one- humped camels (Camelusdromedarius) were determined in this study. 60 one- humped camels (Camelusdromedarius) were selected in sokoto and their blood samples were analyze using standard procedures for haematological parameters. [Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb),white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, eosinophils, Basophils, monocyte, lymphocyte, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)].For all the parameters, only neutrophils and MCV values showed significant variation between sexes with male camels having higher values than females. There is variation in the range values for all the parameters between sexes except Basophils, Monocyte and Lymphocyte. Based on the results of this study, the values were similar in both sex except in neutrophils and mean corpuscular volume indicating insignificant effect of sex on most of the haematological parameters.

INDUCTION OF MACROCYTIC-NORMOCHROMIC ANAEMIA IN Clarias gariepinus –Siluriform- EXPOSED TO SUB-LETHAL CONCENTRATIONS OF 1, 1-DIMETHYL 4, 4-BIPIRIDILLIUM DICHLORIDE (PARAQUAT) UNDER LABPRATORY CONDITIONS

Introduction: Macrocytic-normochromic anaemia was induced in Clarias gariepinus at intervals of 1, 7 and 14 days. Experimental fish were exposed to test water separately diluted with sub-lethal concentrations of paraquat of 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.09mg/L. 14 days. No in-depth work has been carried out on Macrocytic-normochromic anaemia in Nigeria. Objective: to evaluate macrocytic-normochromic anaemia in Clarias gariepinus exposed to sublethal concentrations of paraquat. Methods: Blood were collected at intervals of 1, 7 and 14 days .Results: Blood dyscrasias was observed with a significant (p<0.05) decrease in haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes and monocytes. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), Neutrophils, Eosinophil and Basophil increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing concentrations of the toxicant while Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) remained normal. Conclusion: Sublethal concentrations of paraquat induced macrocytic-normochromic anaemia in the exposed Clarias gariepinus.

Blood Count and Serum Biochemistry Profile in West African Dwarf Goats Fed Ensiled Mixtures of Cocoa Pod, Cassava Pulp and Acacia Leaf

This study investigated the effects of feeding ensiled graded combinations of cocoa pod, cassava pulp and Acacia leaf on haematological and serum biochemical of West African Dwarf goats. In the bid to control environmental pollution, the wastes of cocoa and cassava were applied as alternative feed ingredients for the goat in spite of its low nutrients’ quality and digestibility. A total of Twenty-eight (28) WAD goats (bucks), aged 4 to 5 months with average body weight of 7.00±0.2kg was used in a completely randomized design for a 45 days study to evaluate the blood profiles of goats fed diet combinations (0:60:40) to (60:0:40). The results revealed significant differences in some of the blood parameters measured among the treatments. The red blood cell, packed cell volume and haemoglobin ranged from 4.90-7.87x106/ul, 19.25-26.83% and 7.33-11.15g/L respectively. The concentrations of mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration varied significantly (p < 0.05), white blood cell (5.57-9.75x109L) were comparable and lymphocytes (%) ranged from 43.85-55.67. For serum biochemistry, values obtained for total protein and albumin with sodium followed the same trend while cholesterol, urea, creatinine and glucose followed the same trend. Alanine amino transferase, Aspartate aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase varied significantly (p<0.05) among the treatment groups. Since the parameters measured were within the normal range for goats’ blood profile, combinations of cocoa pod, cassava pulp with acacia leaves in the ratio of 0:60:40 to 20:40:40 as browse plants do not have any deleterious effect on the health of the animals.

Performance, blood chemistry, carcass and economic evaluation of sheep on dietary supplements of cabbage and carrot wastes

The study was conducted to determine the effect of cabbage and carrot wastes supplementation on performance, blood chemistry, carcass and economic evaluation of sheep. Twenty four West African dwarf male sheep of about 8 – 9 months old with average initial weight of 9.00 ± 0.94kg were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with six sheep per treatment, in a completely randomized design. The sheep received 60% guinea grass and 40% concentrate diet for TD1 (control group), while 50% guinea grass and 40% concentrate diet with either 10% cabbage waste, 5% cabbage plus 5% carrot wastes or 10% carrot waste were for diets TD2, TD3 and TD4 respectively. The results showed that sheep on TD1 were significantly (p<0.05) higher in feed conversion ratio, creatinine, urea, rumen with intestine and total fixed cost. Diet TD2 was significantly (p<0.05) improved in daily weight gain, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein with fiber and nitrogen free extract, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, total protein, albumin, glucose, dressing percentage, sale of sheep, total revenue and net profit. Red blood cell, cholesterol and triglyceride were increased significantly (p<0.05) in TD3, while daily feed intake, digestibility of ash, feed cost and total variable cost were better in TD4. Meanwhile, no significant difference (p>0.05) was found in initial body weight, ether extract digestibility, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil, globulin and some relative organs weight among sheep on treatments. It can be concluded that inclusion level of 10% cabbage waste as supplement to 50% guinea grass and 40% concentrate diet (TD2) improved performance, health status and carcass indices of sheep with reduced cost that resulted in higher net profit.

Altered Haematological Variables of Pre-Eclamptic Patients in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Pre-eclampsia is a gestational complication with immense outcomes on foetal/ infant and maternal health. This study assessed haematological variables of pre-eclamptic pregnant women receiving antenatal care at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar. Following due ethical considerations, 90 subjects aged 18-45 years were enrolled. They comprised 30 pre-eclamptic patients admitted into the antenatal ward, UCTH; 30 pregnant women with no medical condition attending antenatal clinic, UCTH and 30 apparently healthy non-pregnant women of same age range as control subjects. Weight, height and blood pressure were measured while a pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data. Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (HB), red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell count (WBC) with differentials, platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV) were determined using Sysmex Haematology autoanalyzer (Sysmex, Japan). Significantly lower (p<0.05) PCV, HB, MCV and platelet count were recorded among pre-eclamptic patients compared to the pregnant and non-pregnant controls. Conversely, body mass index, blood pressures, MCHC, WBC and MPV of pre-eclamptic patients were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to pregnant and non-pregnant controls. There were also significant differences (p<0.05) in RBC and differential white cell count among the three groups. Also, we observed appearance of protein in urine associated with increased blood pressure. It is concluded that haematological changes occur in pre-eclampsia and these changes reflect the bodys response to systemic inflammation induced by pregnancy and amplified by the presence of hypertension.

Serological and immuno-histopathological detection of Paramphistomum epiclitum infection in large ruminant population in Punjab, Pakistan

Recent molecular identification of Paramphistomum epiclitum in Pakistan raises concerns about its epidemiology and pathologies in infected tissues of ruminants. The present study aimed to find the seroepidemiological and histopathological record of Paramphistomum epiclitum from cattle and buffaloes. Indirect ELISA on animal sera and histology of infected rumen with hematological and biochemical analyses were performed. The overall prevalence of P. epiclitum was noted as 15.3% in the abattoir survey and 37.6% in the serological examination. The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic test were 100% and 83.3% respectively. The paramphistomosis was significantly (p= 0.001) higher during August (6.4%) followed by September (5.4%), whereas the lowest prevalence was recorded during April (0.4%). The hematological and biochemical variations showed significant increase in total leukocyte count (p= 0.002), alanine aminotransferase (p= 0.05), glucose (p= 0.01) and cholesterol (p = 0.024) levels. However, significant decrease in the level of erythrocyte (p= 0.019), hemoglobin (p= 0.001), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (p= 0.05), mean corpuscular volume (p= 0.038) and platelets count (p= 0.048) was observed. The histopathology of rumen tissue showed haemorrhages, atrophy of ruminal papillae, sloughed mucosa, cellular vacuolation, and infiltration of lymphocytes inflammatory cells. The present study provides the prevalence and histopathological record of P. epiclitum in Pakistan for the first time in order to take control measures in the country.

Short communication: the effects of a semi-synthetic diet with inclusion of black soldier fly larvae meal on health parameters of healthy adult cats

In recent years, black soldier fly larvae meal (Hermetia illucens; BSFLM) has gained attention as a high value alternative protein source that is of great interest to the pet food industry. However, little is known regarding the effects of BSFLM on health parameters in adult cats. Thus, the objective of the current study was to determine the short-term effects of a semi-synthetic diet containing 4.6% inclusion of BSFLM on complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry profile of healthy adult cats. Healthy adult male cats (n=8; 1.4 years) were fed the experimental diet for 21d (experimental period) to maintain BW. Cats were washed in on a commercial diet and blood samples were collected before the start and at the end of the experimental period to measure gross health parameters. Results were analysed as one-way ANOVA using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS with cat as a random effect (SAS v. 9.4, The SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Cats lost an average of 5% of their BW (P=0.0003) due to a concurrent decrease in food intake. A significant increase of alanine aminotransferase, chloride, potassium, sodium, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was observed on d21 vs. baseline (P &lt; 0.05). In contrast, albumin, amylase, calcium, cholesterol, eosinophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, mean platelet volume, red blood cells, total protein, total solid proteins and urea decreased over time (P &lt; 0.05). However, all CBC and serum biochemistry parameters stayed within reference range for adult cats, with exception of glucose and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration that were above and below the reference range, respectively. Transient increases in glucose concentrations were likely due to sedation with dexmedetomidine prior to blood collection. The changes observed over time in the aforementioned parameters are likely due to changes in macronutrient composition of the diets offered prior to and during the experimental period (commercial diet vs. semi-synthetic diet, respectively), and cannot be attributed solely to a unique property of BSFLM. In conclusion, cats fed a semi-synthetic diet containing 4% BSFLM inclusion for 21d remained healthy with no clinically relevant changes in CBC and serum biochemistry parameters. Further research should focus on longer term feeding studies and the ability of BSFLM to support the health and well-being of cats.

TP7.2.11 Hypochromia is an early marker of iron deficiency anaemia

Aim Microcytosis in iron deficiency anaemia triggers an urgent referral for investigation of suspected gastrointestinal cancers. This study evaluated whether the inclusion of hypochromia as a marker for iron deficiency would lead to earlier referrals. Method Consecutive patients referred from primary care under the 2-week wait suspected gastrointestinal cancer pathway with unexplained iron deficiency anaemia between October 2019 and October 2020 were included. Results of red cell indices were obtained from an electronic platform for accessing laboratory test results(Sunquest ICE™, Version 5.4, Sunquest Information Systems). Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) of 27-32pg and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 80-102fL were considered normal. Results Seventy nine patients (32 men, 47 women) were included. Median (IQR) age was 73 (62-80) years. 67% (53/79) had a low MCH and 43% (34/79) had a low MCV at the time of referral. In the preceding months of referral (median [IQR] 4.3 [1.8-7.9] months) 64 patients had a full blood count performed of which 55% (35/64) had a low MCH and 20% (13/64) had a low MCV. The earliest available full blood count prior to referral (43 patients, median (IQR) of 16.5 (12-37) months) showed that 86% (37/43) had a low MCH compared to 33% (14/43) with a low MCV. A fall in MCH always preceded a fall in MCV at all the three time points analysed. Conclusion The inclusion of hypochromia as a marker of iron deficiency in the referral criteria for suspected gastrointestinal cancers would trigger significantly earlier referrals.

Epidemiological aspects, haematological and biochemical alterations in some gastrointestinal parasitic diseases of carnivores

Gastrointestinal parasites are widespread pathogenic agents and one of the main causes for mortality in young dogs and cats. Many of these zoonotic parasites are relevant in terms of public health. The presence of parasites in the animal organism causes local and general modifications in the various organs they parasitize or transit throughout their life cycle. The present study aimed to identify the most frequent gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and cats and to monitor the alterations that occur in terms of haematological and biochemical parameters. The studied animals, 25 dogs and three cats from Timiș and Caraș Severin counties, were brought to the On-call room of the University Clinics of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Timișoara. The laboratory methods that were used were the Willis flotation method, the Baerman larvoscopic method and the Lugol method. The haematological methods, namely flow cytometry, cytochemistry and spectrophotometry, were performed at Bioclinica Laboratories, on whole blood samples that were collected in EDTA or simple tubes. The studied animals were positive for Giardia, Cystoisospora, Dipylidium, Ancylostoma, Toxocara and Trichocephalus. The positivity rate was 57.14%, with prevalence rates according to the parasitic species ranging from 3.57% to 21.42%, with multiparasitism in 32.14%, and monoparasitism in 17.85%. The values recorded for red blood cells, haemoglobin and hematocrit followed the same trendmost of the animals being situated within physiological values, except for three dogs, that recorded values below the minimal level. In the case of MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) and MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) the values recorded for most dogs were within physiological limits, except for three dogs which overpassed the maximum level. Eosinophils were high in all dogs, which is a characteristic feature of parasitism. The serum urea concentrations revealed the fact that all for dogs that were taken into study had values above the maximum limit.

Association of temperature humidity index during summer with haematological parameters in native and crossbred goats of Kerala

The study was conducted to investigate the association of temperature humidity index (THI) during summer with haematological responses in Malabari, crossbred and Attappady goats of Kerala. The research work was conducted at University Goat and Sheep Farm, KVASU, Mannuthy, Thrissur district in Kerala from March to May, 2020. In-house temperature and in-house relative humidity were measured daily at 7.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 2.00 PM and 5.00 PM. Haematological parameters such as total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leucocyte count (TLC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), volume of packed red cells (VPRC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analysed during 2nd, 32nd day and 60th day of the study. There was no significant change in TEC, VPRC levels in between the breeds and within the observed days. However, TLC were significantly increased for Malabari goats and MCHC were significantly increased in all the breeds at 32nd day of study period. The Hb concentration were significantly increased in crossbred and Attappady black at 32nd day of study period. There was a significant decrease in MCV values in 2nd and 32nd day for all the breeds. The study demonstrated certain altered hematological features in all the breeds under study indicating the adaptive ability of these animals during heat stress.