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Aims: The study was conducted to compare the alteration in haematological and biochemical parameters in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) under natural (river) and artificial (ponds) habitats in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Study Design: Whole blood and serum samples harvested from each group of the catfish were used for assessment of the haematological and biochemical parameters, respectively. Data were analyzed to compare changes between the two groups of African catfishes using T-test and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Place and Duration of Study: Catfish samples were collected over a period of four weeks from Kwalkwalawa river and commercial fish farms in Sokoto metropolis. Samples for haematological parameters were determined at the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. The serum analyses were performed at the Chemical Pathology Laboratory, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto. Methodology: A total of fifty (50) whole blood samples were obtained from live African catfishes representing twenty-five (25) samples each from natural and artificial environments. Results: The results showed significant changes in some haematological parameters, packed cell volume (P = 0.039), haemoglobin concentration (P = 0.001), white blood cell count (P = 0.012), and differential neutrophils (P = 0.001) and lymphocytes (P = 0.001) counts between the two groups of African catfishes studied. Significant biochemical alterations in the total protein (P = 0.001), total bilirubin (P = 0.028) and direct bilirubin (P = 0.019) were observed in catfishes under natural and artificial environments. Conclusion: This study shows that aquaculture environment has great influence on the haematological and biochemical parameters in African catfish. These changes were more evident in catfish reared under the natural environment. Hence, the alterations in haemato-biochemical parameters were suggestive of unhealthy state or chronic stressful condition in catfish perhaps due to natural and human caused stresses.

Aims: To determine the alterations in some haematological and serum biochemical parameters in contagious ecthyma (CE) or Orf-infected Sokoto red goats (SRG). Presentation of Case: Following a complaint of sore mouth disease in SRG, the patients were noticed to be docile, pyrexic with congested visible mucus membranes. There were crusty skin lesions around the oral and nasal commissures which were firm and painful. Blood samples were taken for routine haematological and biochemical investigations and results presented and discussed. Discussion and Conclusion: There are paucity of information on the haematological and serum biochemical changes associated with CE in SRG. Thus, this case report presents the alterations in some haematological and biochemical parameters in SRG following an outbreak in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Contagious ecthyma was diagnosed based on the presented clinical signs and confirmatory diagnosis via molecular technique, polymerase chain reaction. The affected goats were successfully managed through scrapping, cleaning and disinfecting the scabby lesions. Subsequently, broad spectrum antibiotics and multivitamin injections were administered. In conclusion, the observed clinicopathological changes in SRG were suggestive of an ongoing disease, marked stress and polycythaemia which were associated features of Orf disease in small ruminants.