Nematodiasis in sheep at Sharkia governorate: prevalence, some biochemical studies and efficacy of treatment

Gastrointestinal nematodes were recorded in 18.13% of the fecal samples collected from sheep at Sharqia Governorate. The chief helminths were Haemonchus species, Strongylus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Strongyloides papillosus, Nematoduris spp. and Trichuris spp. The prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was highest in lambs aged from 3 to 12 months [29.1%], followed by adults [over 2 years of age] [16.2%], while in yearling the incidence was 11.2%. The highest rate [24.5%] of infestation was noticed during winter season, while the lowest [10.6%] was observed during summer season. Moderate drop was observed during autumn and spring. Biochemically, significant decrease in the level of total serum protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium was observed in infested sheep. An improvement towards the normal level in previously mentioned parameters was observed after treatment. The anthelmintic efficacies of Fenbendazole, Levamisole and Ivermectin were also discussed

Effect of prolonged administration of magnesium sulphate on general health condition and kidney function in calves

Magnesium is a nutrient required for all animals, but it is especially critical for ruminants. Its functions primarily as an enzyme cofactor, it also competes with Ca ++ in excitation secretion coupling processes. Toxicity of magnesium is not known to be practical problem. However, one of the major effects of excess magnesium intake is diarrhea and excessive loss of body fluids. On the other h and, excessive sulfur may overload the urinary excretion system, also interferes with the metabolism of certain other minerals, especially selenium. Acute toxicity resulting from ingestion of large amount of magnesium sulfate causes gastrointestinal irritation, manifested clinically by severe abdominal pain, watery or bloody diarrhea accompanied by severe dehydration, muscle twitching depression of cardiac contractility, lung congestion and respiratory failure of death from anoxia. Owing to frequent and haphazard use of this drug and its side effect, this work was done in an attempt to study further fundamental basis of magnesium sulfate in animals, calves were used to study the effect of prolonged administration of magnesium sulfate on general health condition and some biochemical constituents particularly those related to kidney function, so that oral administration of magnesium sulfate was continued for eight days. The dose was increased gradually. Initial dose [100 g], medium [150 g], higher [200 g], then final doses [250 g/day], respectively. Each dose was repeated for two successive days. The obtained results revealed that the initial dose failed to produce laxative effect at first two days which began to appear at the third and fourth days after administration of 150 g [medium dose]. The higher dose [200 g] produced a purgative effect at fifth and sixth days. Superpurgation, manifested by frequent painful evacuation of bowel which by turn leads to excessive loss of body fluids and biochemical disturbances, was clear at the seventh and eighth days by using 250 gm [final dose]. The excessive loss of body fluids manifested clinically by profuse water diarrhea, sunken eyes, dryness of skin, oral cavity and muzzle as well as severe dehydration, bradycardia and decreases of respiratory rate. Biochemically, significant decrease in the level of both serum sodium, chloride and glucose was observed while levels of total serum protein, creatinine, serum urea nitrogen and potassium were significantly increased. Alteration of serum magnesium level was clear. It could be concluded that, continuous oral administration of magnesium sulfate till overpurgation is contraindicated owing to its dangerous effect on the general health condition, also to avoid frequent body fluids losses, dehydration and renal dysfunction as revealed from clinical symptoms and results of biochemical analysis

significance of serum enzymes and trace elements in addition to faecal egg counts to diagnose and assess pathogenicity of fascioliasis

A total number of 55 Egyptian cattle were used. Forty animals from them were found to be affected with liver fluke as revealed by presence of parasitic ova during routine of fecal examination. According to the severity of clinical sings and fecal egg count the infested cattle were divided into two groups; the first group contains 17 animals suffering from acute fascioliasis, while the second group [23 animals] showed signs of chronic fascioliasis. The rest of the animals were apparently healthy and proved to be parasitic free, used as control groups. The results denoted the importance of serum transaminases in diagnosis of acute liver disease, while lactate dehydrogenase is a useful indicator in diagnosis of both acute and chronic liver damage. Moreover, fecal egg counts help in diagnosis and detection to the severity of the infection

Some clinical and biochemical studies on blood and urine of buffaloes in some diseased conditions accompanied with haemoglobinuria

A total number of 25 male and female buffalos were included in this study, from which 15 buffalos showing signs of hemoglobinuria and voiding colored urine, while the rest of the animals were clinically healthy and served as control. Clinical signs and laboratory examinations were conducted on blood, serum and urine samples collected from normal and affected buffalos to detect the possible causes. The study revealed that, hypophosphatemia and babesiasis were the main causes of hemoglobinuria in buffalos at Sharqia Governorate. Serum analysis indicated that, cases of hypophosphatemia was accompanied by significant decrease in the levels of inorganic phosphorus, potassium, total protein, albumin and alkaline phosphatase while the levels of serum calcium, sodium, chlorides and creatinine remained normal. In babesiasis, the levels of serum inorganic phosphorus, calcium, total protein and albumin showed significant decrease, while the levels of serum potassium, serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and urea nitrogen were significantly increased. Urine changes were also discussed in affected buffalos in both cases

diagnostic value of serum enzymes and serum proteins in cases of traumatic reticulo peritonitis and pericarditis in buffaloes

Serum samples from 10 clinically normal as well as from another 15 diseased buffalos from which 10 buffalos affected with traumatic reticuloperitonitis, while the remain confirmed to be affected with traumatic pericarditis were subjected for determination of serum transaminases, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, serum proteins and minerals. The results revealed that serum glutamic oxal- acetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, total serum protein and albumin showed significant changes in all diseased conditions which either due to traumatic reticuloperitonitis or traumatic pericarditis. On the other h and, insignificant changes in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, calcium and inorganic phosphorus were observed in both affected conditions. This investigation denoted the importance of serum glutamic oxal-acetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, and serum proteins in diagnosis suspected cases of traumatic reticuloperitonitis and pericarditis besides to clinical symptoms and other diagnostic methods

Changes in certain blood components of buffaloes naturally infected with foot and mouth diseases

The changes in certain blood components of buffalos, naturally infected with foot and mouth disease, were studied. Hematological studies revealed the presence of hemoconcentration, represented by significant increase in hemoglobin percentage and hematocrit values. Leucopenia, neutrophilia together with lymphopenia and eosinopenia were also observed in infected buffalos. Biochemically, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and hypoalbuminemia were the prominent features in affected animals, while the changes in serum calcium and total protein were insignificant. From this study, it appears that the importance of administration of fluid therapy and balanced electrolytes to the affected animals during the course of the disease beside the symptomatic treatment to correct blood abnormality and prevent circulatory failure resulting from hemoconcentration and dehydration