The effect of velogenic Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) on the immune responses and serum proteins was investigated in six-week-old ducks and chickens. Results showed that weight loss was markedly significant (p < 0.05) from days 3 -21 (PI) in chickens and mild (p < 0.05) on days 3 and 15 PI in ducks. The antibody response obtained showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in infected chickens (IC) than those of the infected ducks (ID). While the total serum protein and serum globulin increased significantly (p < 0.05) in IC on days 7 and 14 PI, they decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in ID only on day 21 PI. The immune responses and serum protein values in this experiment X-ray showed less susceptibility of ducks when compared with the chickens. This may be related to marked anorexia and severe dehydration observed in the latter consequent upon serum concentration. Ducks could be maintaining the endemicity of Newcastle disease (ND) as reservoir host.

The humoral immune response in parvoviral vaccinated dogs experimentally infected with single and mixed infection of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei was studied in mongrel dogs. Twenty mongrel dogs of mixed sexes and approximately 4-6 months of age weighing an average of 6.3 kg were used for the experiment. After the experiment, some of the dogs were given to the department of Veterinary medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka while the rest were sold out in dog market. They were acclimatized for three weeks prior to commencement of the study during which time routine treatments and screening were done. The dogs were divided into five groups of four dogs each. Group A was vaccinated and uninfected, group B was unvaccinated and uninfected, group C was vaccinated and infected with T. congolense, group D was vaccinated and Original Research Articleinfected with T. brucei and group E was vaccinated and infected with T. congolense and T. brucei. Results obtained from this study provided evidence that dogs vaccinated against canine parvovirus (CPV) produced protective antibody titre whereas those infected with trypanosome parasites failed to mount a strong humoral immune response to CPV vaccination. This was evident by the low Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titre shown in the study. The IgG titre significantly increased after revaccination in all vaccinated groups as evident in the increased S-value. The reduction in the immune response to the vaccination was partially dependent on the species of trypanosomes used in the infection. Furthermore, revaccination with canine parvoviral vaccine enhances immunity against parvovirus in dogs. It was thus concluded that canine trypanosomosis affects the immune response to parvovirus vaccination by decreasing the IgG antibody titre.

Dog ecology has impact on effectiveness of dog management and disease control strategies in a society. The study was carried out in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria from November 2017 to April 2018 to determine the ecological survey of owned dog population and ownership care system of dogs using questionnaires. Age, sex, breed, management of dogs, diseases knowledge and response to vaccination protocol among dog owners were analysed. Out of 600 households visited, 1,253 dogs were found with each house hold having an average of 2 dogs using incidental technique method. The dogs comprise of 583 males and 670 females out of which 26.5 and 23.5% where under intensive and extensive care system of management respectively, while 50% of the dogs were under semi-intensive care system. The major reasons for keeping these dogs are security (75.7%) and breeding (18.3%) and the rest is 6%, while the most common sources of dogs is through buying (60.1%). The vaccination coverage in the area surveyed was 70.3% while the most common occurring diseases as reported by the owners were found to be helminthosis (54.2%), myiasis (12.5%), mange (8.0%) and the rest is 25.3%. The result also showed male to female ratio of 1:1.2 and a dog to house ratio of 2:1. Furthermore, the respondents were aware of vaccination (79.8%) but some reported that the vaccination was not necessary (20.2%) and therefore did not vaccinate their pets. Among those that vaccinate, majority (64.9%) vaccinated against rabies disease only, despite helminthosis was the disease mostly reported by the respondents. It was recommended that intensive management care system of the dogs and adequate health care which includes proper de-worming and vaccinations with its vaccination schedule should be adopted by the owners in the study area. Awareness campaign on the need for vaccination of dogs should also be advanced in order to prevent the deadly diseases of pets in the locality.

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