Evaluation of Body Mass Index and Plasma Lipid Profile in Boerboel Dogs.

This study evaluated the body mass index (BMI) and plasma lipid profile in Boerboel dogs. Body weights (BW),height (H) at shoulder and waist circumference (WC) were obtained from fifty-three Boerboels to determine the BMI while,body condition score (BCS) was determined subjectively. Also 5mls of blood was obtained from the dogs for determinationof total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TRIG), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Datawere presented as means ± standard deviation and results were compared using analysis of variance. Relationship betweenBW, H and WC was determined using regression analysis. Value was accepted significant at p < 0.05. There were nosignificant differences (P > 0.05) in BW, WC, BMI and GAS between male and female Boerboels, however, H wassignificantly (P < 0.05) higher in male (62.0 ± 1.6 cm) than female Boerboels (57.0 ± 1.5 cm). BMI and HDL weresignificantly (P < 0.05) lower in Boerboels <23 months (112.4 ± 2.8 Kg/m2; 36.0 ± 2.4mg/dl) compared with those 24 - 47months (133.4 ± 1.8Kg/m2; 40.1 ± 2.2mg/dl) and >48 months (137.9 ± 1.6kg/m2; 45.8 ± 2.6mg/dl) respectively. However,there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in TC, TRIG, HDL and LDL between Boerboels with BCS > 5 compared tothose with BCS < 5. BMI linearly increased with decreasing H and WC in Boerboel dogs. It was concluded that BMI did notdiffer between sexes of Boerboel but differ between age categories.

Reliability of clinical monitoring for the diagnosis of babesiosis in dogs in Nigeria.

Babesiosis accounts for a high percentage of hospital cases in canines in Africa, with about 40% mortality in the cases presented. In Nigeria, records show an estimated 30% annual morbidity when diagnosis is largely based on clinical and laboratory findings. This study monitored clinical indices associated with canine babesiosis. One hundred and three babesiosis-suspected dogs were selected on the basis of clinical signs of anorexia, fever, presence of ticks, and enlarged lymph nodes or spleen when clinical parameters were recorded at the time of presentation. Parasite detection was done using thin blood smears; that is, the presence of Babesia merozoites was compared between capillary and cephalic blood. Blood was also assayed for hematology and blood chemistry using automated blood analyzers. The babesiosis-infected dogs' outcome was monitored. Data obtained were analyzed using chi-square test, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation. Results based on thin blood smears showed that 61.1% of the dogs were positive for Babesia species. Breed disposition, sex, and age did not significantly influence the incidence of Babesia canis, while mean rectal temperatures did not differ significantly between the cases (P>0.05). Heart rate and pulse rates of Babesia-positive dogs were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those that were negative. The packed cell volume between the cases was not significantly different, with the values in the positive and negative case obtained being 26.4% ±11.26% and 31.6%±11.9%, respectively, with a range of 6% to 50% and 10% to 47% observed, respectively. Normal leukogram was also observed in 62% of the Babesia-positive cases while 22.2% and 15.8% had leukocytosis and leukopenia, respectively. Most of the positive cases whose results were based on thin blood smear were treated with 5% oxytetracycline for 5 days and fully recovered. Pearson's correlation was used to give relationship in the observed data. This study concluded that clinical indices are not reliable markers in the diagnosis of canine babesiosis.