This study utilised epidemiological, haematological, pathological findings and serological detection of specific antibodies to evaluate and confirm a peste des petit ruminants (PPR) outbreak in a herd of West African dwarf (WAD) goats in Ibadan, Nigeria. The morbidity and mortality rates post exposure (PE) were 96% and 60% respectively. Laboratory analyses revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in mean values of the haematological and serum biochemical indices between the PE and control groups. The PE group experienced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte and monocytes after 10 days PE; the drop in glucose and high levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) indicated liver damage, while increased serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid arose from kidney impairment. The electrolyte imbalance (potassium, sodium and chloride ions) resulting from the symptomatic diarrhea affected the functionality of the Na+–K+ pump mechanisms, hence pathologic damage to the liver, kidneys, skin, gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The competitive enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (c-ELISA) detected varying antibody levels in the PPR infected WAD goats; the percent inhibition was highest (P < 0.001) in survivors (70.00 ± 1.73), then in contact group (60.00 ± 2.00), and least in infected (23.33 ± 1.53), which were sero-negative. This study confirmed a PPR outbreak in a WAD goat flock in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Pineapple waste (PW) is an agro-industrial by-product containing high fibre and can be harnessed by feeding it to ruminant animals to solve their nutritional problems in Nigeria. A study was conducted to assess the nutritive value of Pineapple (PW) as supplementary feed for ruminant animals during the dry season when grasses are either not available or of low quality. Pineapple waste were collected, sundried and then used for the feeding trial at different inclusion levels of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% with or without yeast supplementation (WOWYS). Twenty four West African dwarf bucks (between 6.5 and 7.5 kg) were assigned to eight dietary treatments with three bucks per treatment and arranged in 2 x 4 factorial layouts in a completely randomized design over a period of 84days. Data were obtained on growth performance and haematological parameters. Results of performance characteristics showed that average concentrate consumed (257.58 g/day), total weight gain (3.23 kg), metabolic weight gain (2.48W0.75) and daily weight gain (35.88 g/day) of experimental animals were significantly higher (p< 0.05) in goats fed 10% inclusion level WOWYS. Pineapple waste inclusion levels WOWYS significantly (p< 0.05) influenced white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocytes, monocytes and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration across the treatments. The monocytes (3.00%) Neutrophil counts (30.00%) were best and significantly higher (p< 0.05) in goats fed 10% PW inclusion level WOWYS while WBC increased significantly (p< 0.05) across the dietary treatments (9.63 – 11.65 x103/mm3) and were within normal levels expected of healthy goats. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of PW with or without yeast supplementation in concentrate diet up to 10% improved the performance characteristics and haematological blood parameters of West African Dwarf goats without any adverse effects.

The study was conducted to provide a baseline data for the prevalence of Fasciola gigantica infestation in cattle slaughtered at Minna metropolitan abattoir in Chanchaga Local Government area of Niger State, Nigeria. The study was conducted for 90 days. Liver and gall bladder tissue samples were obtained from slaughtered cattle at abattoir. Ten cattle were sampled per week which translated to 120 animals. The liver and gall bladder tissue samples were processed at the State Veterinary Centre, Minna for worm recovery and identification. Liver was examined visually for the presence of Fasciola species by making length wise incision on the ventral aspect of the liver by cutting the bile duct and gall bladder open. Data were subjected to t-test statistics. Results showed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) between the sex of Fasciola gigantica and the prevalence of Fasciola gigantica obtained in the organs. This study established the presence of Fasciola gigantica in cattle slaughtered in Minna Metropolis. It is recommended that grazing of cattle should be restricted to lesser snail infested areas particularly around rivers and streams.

The study was conducted to evaluate the zootechnical index analysis of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams. Twenty body measurements were taken on 100 WAD rams of average ages of 18-24 months. Data collected were subjected to PROCMEANS procedure of the SAS (2004) package. The average body weight of the animals was 39.20 ± 0.95 kg, the coefficient of variation indicated variability between 1.45% (head width) and 12.90% (body weight) which were the lowest and highest variability, respectively. Thus, a moderate variability of coefficient of variation ranging between 8% and 12.90% in all morphological measures was considered. Also the variability between the rams with respect to the zootechnical indices is indicated by their coefficient of variation which ranged between 0.11% (length) to 10.80% (cephalic). There was a positive and significant correlation between body weight and other phenotypic traits (P < 0.001) except for ear width, chest girth, neck length, neck width, and also head width. The result obtained in this study revealed that the estimated zootechnical indices reinforced classification of WAD breed as a small-sized and short-shaped body frame suitable for the sporting activities as preferred by the users.

Linear descriptive scoring system is commonly used especially in cattle where number of analyses has been performed for selection purposes. The linear scoring of udder and structural traits of 700 White Fulani cattle of average age of 3 - 4 years was conducted in this study. These traits were subjectively scored through visual appraisal. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Result revealed that White Fulani cattle possess intermediate flank depth (6.40± 1.46); rump height (6.74± 1.31); rump length (5.94±1.23) and rump angle (5.26±1.29) but rump width (4.77 ±1.60) of the cattle was short and there were intermediate rear udder height (5.30±1.74), fore udder attachment (5.78±1.54), front teat placement (5.60±1.26), rear teat placement (5.40±1.34), teat length (5.01±1.95), teat placement side view (5.00±1.28) and udder balance (5.40±1.54), while, the cattle had short udder depth (4.90±1.95) and thickness of teat (4.93±1.83). Result further revealed that there was low or no correlation between udder type traits and structural traitsof the cattle. There was no or low correlation among udder traits except the moderate correlation between front teat placement and rear teat placement; moderate correlation between teat length and teat thickness. It was concluded that white Fulani cattle possess medium body and udder structure and no or low correlation between udder dimension traits of the cattle and their structural traits which may be suitable selection markers to improve White Fulani cattle milking ability particularly among pastoralists.