Background:Rabies is endemic in Nigeria with clinical cases reported mainly in dogs and occasionally in livestock from all the geo-ecological zones of the country. Detection of rabies virus antigen in puppies at the age of five to ten weeks and in apparently healthy dogs shedding the virus in their saliva have been reported in some parts of Nigeria.Material and Method:This report describes a clinical rabies in a set of eight weeks old puppies confirmed by antigen detection using the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT), the direct rapid immunohistochemical test (DRIT), and RT-PCR.Results:it was positive for all test used including the RT-PCR which amplified at 750 bp from the gel electrophoresis.Conclusion:Occurrence of rabies in puppies of this age, within which they are acquired and owned by other unsuspecting members of the public, is of grave public health consequences. People that love puppies, especially children, who are fond of carrying and playing with them, are also faced with the risk of exposure to rabies. Consequently, review of the existing dog antirabies vaccination schedule at twelve weeks of age in Nigeria, is recommended to ensure effective immunization of this age group of dogs and for the overall safety of the vulnerable members of the public.

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Enterolobium cyclocarpum is naturally found in the tropical region and it is a fast growing tree. It is a browse plant that is available all year round. The leaves, seeds, pods and fruits of Enterolobium cyclocarpum are rich in chemical composition such as protein and in secondary metabolites. The secondary metabolites or anti-nutritional factors have both beneficial and detrimental effects. The chemical composition, anti-nutritional factors and nutritive value of Enterolobium cyclocarpum leaves, pods, seeds and fruits were examined in this review. Enterolobium cyclocarpum is rich in: crude protein (10.40 in seeds to 22.50 in leaves), crude fibre (3.10 in leaves to 63.50 in seeds), ether extract (2.21 to 11.00 in leaves), ash (4.40 – 11.80), nitrogen free extract (51.40 – 70.04), neutral detergent fibre (51.4 – 63.94) and acid detergent fibre (31.90 – 42.99).The variations in values could be attributed to soil type, climatic conditions, stage of growth and methods of analyses. The leaves, pods seeds, and fruits of Enterolobium cyclocarpum are rich in the macro minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium and sodium), micro minerals (zinc, manganese, copper and iron) and vitamins (vitamins A, C, D and E) and some are present within the range needed for normal physiological functions of ruminant animals. Secondary metabolites present in Enterolobium cyclocarpum in varying quantities are tannins, saponins, oxalate, phytate, hydrocyanic acid, trypsin inhibitors and alkaloids. Enterolobium cyclocarpum have been identified as the highest poisonous plants, with the fruits being the most toxic that can cause photosensitization. Preservation methods such as toasting, ensiling and sun drying drastically reduced these to beneficial and tolerable levels. These metabolites such as saponins have been reported to reduce the numbers of protozoa in the short run (12 – 14 days) and also favour moderate methane production. Acceptability of Enterolobium cyclocarpum by ruminants is dependent on types of forages offered and previous experience while low to moderate digestibility have been reported in vitro and in vivo. Depending on processing or preservation methods and levels of inclusion in the diets, Enterolobium cyclocarpum have no deleterious effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics of ruminant animals.       Enterolobium cyclocarpum se trouve naturellement dans la région tropicale et c'est un arbre à croissance rapide. C'est une plante à brouter disponible toute l'année. Les feuilles, lesgraines, les gousses et les fruits d'Enterolobium cyclocarpum sont riches en composition chimique comme les protéines et en métabolites secondaires. Les métabolites secondaires ou facteurs anti-nutritionnels ont à la fois des effets bénéfiques et néfastes. La composition chimique, les facteurs anti-nutritionnels et la valeur nutritive des feuilles, des gousses, des graines et des fruits d'Enterolobium cyclocarpum ont été examinés dans cette revue. Enterolobium cyclocarpum est riche en : protéines brutes (10,40 dans les graines à 22,50 dans les feuilles), fibres brutes (3,10 dans les feuilles à 63,50 dans les graines), extrait d'éther (2,21 à 11,00 dans les feuilles), cendres (4,40 - 11,80), extrait sans azote (51.40 – 70.04), fibre au détergent neutre (51.4 – 63.94) et fibre au détergent acide (31.90 – 42.99). Les variations de valeurs peuvent être attribuées au type de sol, aux conditions climatiques, au stade de croissance et aux méthodes d'analyse. Les feuilles, les graines de gousses et les fruits d'Enterolobium cyclocarpum sont riches en macro-minéraux (calcium, phosphore, magnésium et potassium et sodium), en micro-minéraux (zinc, manganèse, cuivre et fer) et en vitamines (vitamines A, C, D et E) et certains sont présents dans la plage nécessaire aux fonctions physiologiques normales des ruminants. Les métabolites secondaires présents dans Enterolobium cyclocarpum en quantités variables sont les tanins, les saponines, l'oxalate, le phytate, l'acide cyanhydrique, les inhibiteurs de la trypsine et les alcaloïdes. Enterolobium cyclocarpum a été identifié comme la plante la plus toxique, les fruits étant les plus toxiques pouvant provoquer une photosensibilisation. Les méthodes de conservation telles que le grillage, l'ensilage et le séchage au soleil les ont considérablement réduits à des niveaux bénéfiques et tolérables. Il a été rapporté que ces métabolites tels que les saponines réduisaient le nombre de protozoaires à court terme (12 à 14 jours) et favorisaient également une production modérée de méthane. L'acceptabilité d'Enterolobium cyclocarpum par les ruminants dépend des types de fourrages offerts et de l'expérience antérieure, tandis qu'une digestibilité faible à modérée a été signalée in vitro et in vivo. Selon les méthodes de transformation ou de conservation et les niveaux d'inclusion dans les régimes alimentaires, Enterolobium cyclocarpum n'a aucun effet délétère sur les performances de croissance et les caractéristiques de la carcasse des ruminants.

The concern raised as a result of antibiotic usage in the livestock industry has necessitated the need for alternative feed additives such as ammonium sulphate. Hence, sixteen West African Dwarf (WAD) ewes averaging 24 kg in weight and aged eighteen months were used to determine the growth performance and blood chemistry of ammonium sulphate supplemented diets. The animals were divided into four groups of experimental diets consisting: D1 (0%) (Control diet), D2 (0.25%), D3 (0.50%) and D4 (0.75%) of ammonium sulphate (AMS) inclusion levels and were randomly allotted in a completely randomized design. They were also synchronized with prostaglandin F2a and naturally mated with four (4) rams of proven fertility when they came on heat. Parameters determined were feed intake, dry matter intake (DMI), gestating weights and gains, and blood haematology and serum biochemistry such as white blood cells (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (HGB), albumin (A), globulin (G), total protein (TP), cholesterol (CHOL), blood urea nitrogen, creatinine (C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results showed that supplementing AMS in ewe diets generally enhanced (p<0.05) final weight (kg), gestational weight gain (Kg) and average daily weight gain (g). The values ranged from 32.00 – 45.25 Kg; 8.25 - 22.25 Kg; 207.79 -- 267.86 g/d respectively. The feed conversion ratio improved with increasing levels of AMS with animals on D4 recording the least (0.20). Animals on D1 recorded the highest values for PCV, HGB, and RBC while those on D3 had the least. The values were 44.25 and 41.00%; 14.68 and 13.40 g/dl; and 13.02 and 11.86 x 106/mm3 respectively. Animals on D4 recorded the highest values for WBC (5150.50 x 103/mm3). Serum biochemical responses of pregnant sheep indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) of AMS supplementation on TP, A/C ratio, ALP and creatinine values. Animals on D1 recorded the highest values for TP, A/G ratio; ALT, BUN and C while those on D2 were least except for ALT where D3 was least in ALT. The values were 8.68 and 8.15 g/dl; 0.80 and 0.65; 289 and 235.50 I.U/L; 10.75 and 9.75 mg/dl; 1.48 and 1.08 mg/dl respectively. Animals on D2 recorded the highest values for G, ALP and CHOL (4.80 mg/dl; 25.25 1. U/L; and 63.00 mg/dl respectively). Inclusion of AMS improved conversion ratio thereby improving the performance of ewes and thus proved that it could be tolerated up to 0.75% supplementation in diets for ewes.

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