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Dipylidium caninum, a zoonotic parasite, is known to be widely spread across the globe. In this case, we present a report of dipylidiasis in a puppy with the associated pathological lesions. A two-month-old German shepherd puppy was presented to the University of Jos Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Polo, with a complaint of loss of weight and inappetence. The puppy died shortly before treatment could be instituted, and the carcass was submitted for postmortem examination. A flea (Ctenocephalides canis) was identified on the body during the postmortem examination. The lungs were severely pale, and the intestinal mucosae had petechial haemorrhages with multiple button-like ulcers. Live worms were seen within the intestinal lumen, identified as Dipylidium caninum. Histopathological lesions include cellular necrosis in the submucosa and muscularis, obliteration of goblet cells and intestinal crypts in the colon. Based on the intestinal lesions observed in this report, it was concluded that dipylidiasis could be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs at postmortem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Wound healing is a delicate process involving myriad of inflammatory reactions. Drugs influencing inflammatory response would logically modulate wound healing. How methylprednisolone, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone may influence wound healing in dogs is not known. This study aimed at histological evaluation of the effects of methylprednisolone, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone effects on wound healing in Nigerian indigenous dogs. Methods: Twelve dogs between ages 12-18 months of both sexes, weighing between 10-18 kg were randomly divided into four groups of 3 dogs each. Following aseptic procedures, the animals were placed on sternal recumbency, pre-anaesthetised with atropine sulphate (0.02mg/kg) and chlorpromazine hydrochloride (0.5mg/kg) intravascularly. The dogs were anaesthetised with thiopentone sodium at 25mg/kg. Using a sterilised wound template, an indelible marker was used to mark a 2 x 3 cm area on the dorsum of the experimental dogs. The dogs in the control group (group 1) were not given any medication. Group 2 were given hydrocortisone at 1mg/kg body weight intramuscularly. Group 3 were given dexamethasone at 0.5mg/kg intramuscularly and group 4 were given methylprednisolone at 1mg/kg intramuscularly as a single dose. Skin biopsies were taken on days 3, 14, 21, and after healing for histopathological evaluation. Results: Amazingly, Methylprednisolone produced not only the best arrangement of collagen but it also induced early epithelisation and thin scar. Significance: The use of steroids in controlling inflammatory processes during surgical procedure does not only influence the healing process, but also positively improve on the scar tissue, depending on the steroid and what the surgeon aims to achieve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choke in the veterinary profession is a term used to denote an obstruction to the passage route of food through the pharynx and oesophagus, either partially or completely. This case report describes a four-month-old male puppy, a Nigerian indigenous breed of dog weighing 6kg, diagnosed with oesophageal obstruction caused by ingestion of a fried chicken scapular bone. The puppy was presented at the emergency unit of the University of Jos Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where it was clinically evaluated, diagnosed and managed via manual removal of the dislodged bone that was performed with sterile thumb forceps under deep sedation. Reducing the incidence of foreign body obstruction in dogs can be achieved by ensuring that dogs are not fed with large, irregularly shaped bone and/or bones with sharp edges. The bones are correctly disposed-off in the environment. Furthermore, bones should not be fed to dogs where likely competition for the bone is likely as a choke at the pharyngolaryngeal region can occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE) causes severe clinical disease with high morbidity and mortality in puppies less than 5 months of age and adult dogs with insufficient immunity. Nine-year (2010-2018) data were collated and analyzed on clinical records of dogs infected with CPE in Yola metropolis. Out of 2,220 dogs presented, 177 were diagnosed infected with CPE giving an overall prevalence of 7.97% (95% CI: 6.85-9.05). The annual highest prevalence of 20.59% (95% CI: 16.98-24.65) was recorded in 2018 with 90 cases and lowest prevalence of 1.12% (95% CI: 0.00-2.79) was recorded in 2011 with 2 cases. Based on season, highest prevalence of 16.38% (95% CI: 11.82-21.31) was recorded in December with 38 cases while lowest prevalence of 1.64% (95% CI: 0.00-3.65) was recorded in October with 3 cases. Both annual and monthly prevalence rates varied significantly (P<0.05). Age distribution showed higher prevalence in puppies less than 5 months (8.81%) followed by dogs of 6-11 months (7.25%) and least in dogs older than one year (5.42%). Female dogs were observed to be more affected (8.34%) than male dogs (7.69%). The observed breed prevalence shows highest occurrence in Alsatian (10.11%), followed by Local dogs (8.10%), Rottweiler (6.20%) and Caucasian (5.83%) with least prevalence in Cross breeds (4.39%) with significant statistical difference (X²= 11.869, P< 0.05). The prevalence of CPE was observed to be higher in unvaccinated (8.73%) than in vaccinated dogs (6.99%). There was no significant association observed between CPE with age, sex and vaccination status (P>0.05). It was concluded that CPE is endemic and widespread in Yola metropolis. Therefore, the need for vaccination of dogs and investigation into the potency of vaccines currently used in the study area were recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]