This study investigated the potential pathogenic bacteria that are associated with domestic dog stool in Port Harcourt Metropolis. Convenience sampling techniques were used for sample collection outcome. A total of fifty dog stool samples were collected aseptically into a sterile stool container from different locations (Agip Estate, Rumuokoro Community, Government Residential Area, Sand-fill Borokiri, Port Harcourt Township, and Rivers State University lecturers’ quarters) all within Port Harcourt City. Bacteriological analysis was determined using standard microbiological analytical and identification techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 21 for frequency, percentage, prevalence rate and correlation at 0.01 and 0.05 level of significance. Potential pathogens with associated percentages that were isolated are E coli (20.0%), Klebsiella species (16.0%), Pseudomonas species (4.0%), Proteus species (28.0%), Bacillus species (4.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.0%), and unidentified [other Staphylococcus species] (4.0%). However, the research further revealed that Proteus species (28.0%), was the most prevalent pathogen, while Bacillus species (4.0%), Pseudomonas species (4.0%), and Streptococcus species (4.0%), were the least prevalent among pet dogs studied. The correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between isolates with socio-demographic data of pet owner and Pet biodata respectively. From the analysis, correlation coefficient values of .269 and .124 were obtained for Age of Pet Owner and Gender of Owner respectively. It also show a direct correlation but by implication, a very weak, non-significant (p<0.05) relationship existed between the organisms isolated and the variables (Age of Pet Owner and Gender of Pet Owner). However, no relationship exists between isolates and visit to vet Doctor (r-0.038; p>0.05). Furthermore, negative non-significant correlation (p>0.05) was observed for marital status of Pet Owner (r=-.158) and Age of Pet (r=-.023) and isolate. Also, correlation association between isolates and some risk factors using the correlation analysis matrix revealed an indication of an indirect but moderate association between isolates and Caressing (r=-.347, p=0.01). However, other risk factors like vaccination (r=.042), Feeding Pattern(r=.125), Pet Bathing (r=.220) and Eating with pet in same plate (r=.146), did not prove statistical significance at p>0.05. The results from the study strongly suggest that pet dogs carry potential pathogenic organisms in their faecal matter that can serve as a source of infection to the pet owners. It is, therefore, very critical that these pets should be treated and possibly vaccinated frequently, even as their faecal matters should be well disposed to prevent possible zoonotic infectious epidemic outbreak in our global communities. Show less

An ecological study on diurnal mammals was carried out in Bayo Community Managed Forest located in Salamago Woreda, South Omo Zone. The objective of the study was to investigate the distribution and conservation challenges of diurnal large mammals in the study area. Based on the habitat type and topography of the study area, total of 11 transect, i.e 7 in forestland, and 4 in Wooded Grassland were laid to collect the data. Besides direct methods, indirect methods such as faecal droppings, fresh tracks, carcass or shell count, den (burrow), hair, and digging were used. Questionnaire and focus group discussions were also used to assess anthropogenic threats in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, SPSS and QGIS software. A total of 20 species of diurnal large mammals belonging to six orders and eight families were identified. The species identified were Cercopithecus pygerythrus, Cercopithecus aethiops, Papio anubis, Erytherocebus patas, Cercopitheus neglectus, Colobus guereza, Equus quagga, Traglaphus strepsiceros, Traglaphus imberbis, Traglaphus scriptus, Medagua guentheri, Sylvicapra grimma, Kobus ellipsiprymnus defessa, Syncerrus caffer, Potamochoerus larvatus, Phacochoerus africanus, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni, Hystrix cristata, Orycteropus afer, and Phataginus temminckii smutus. Seasonal variation in the between habitat types (χ2 = 4.849, df= 1, p<0.05). Totally, 685 and 600 mammals were counted during wet and dry seasons, respectively. On habitat basis, 683 and 602 animals were recorded in forestland and wooded grassland habitats, respectively. Major threats in the study area include poaching, fire, grazing, fuelwood extraction, population growth, habitat modification, overharvesting of resources and invasive species. About 98.44% of respondents had a positive attitude towards Bayo Community Managed Forest. The interference of local community has had the impact on mammal’s species. Habitat based mammals’ management involving participation of Woreda and Zonal Government is recommended for sustainable. The local government should promote the study area and provide appropriate support for its conservation. Show less

The study was conducted to determine the effect of Nigella sativa (Kalonji) and Honey as an anti-inflammatory agent for humans and animals. The study was carried out on 20 Albino Mice of almost equal size and weight. All the mice were given 5% solution of formalin in a dose of 0.5ml injection in their right hind paw to produce artificial inflammation. The mice were divided into four groups of five animals in each and were randomly allotted to four treatments as Group A (Control) where no Nigella sativa extract and honey were given, Group B where the mice were given only the ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa in the dose of 0.05ml injection as a remedy of inflammation, Group C where the mice were given only the honey orally in a dose of 0.05mg and Group D where mice were given 50% (0.025ml) intraperitoneally of Nigella sativaextract and 50% (0.75mg) of honey as an anti-inflammatory agents. The data was statistically analyzed by the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the results showed that the inflammation was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in mice given treatments compared to untreated control group and among treated groups. The mice given the extract of Nigella sativa (Group B) showed better results (p<0.05) in reducing the inflammation compared to other groups (C and D), Group D where the mice were given 50% (0.025ml) Nigella sativa extract and 50% (0.75mg) honey showed better results (p<0.05) than mice given only honey. Overall, both the extract of Nigellasativa and the honey were almost equally successful in reducing the inflammation in mice which showed that these two agents can successfully be used as anti-inflammatory drugs in humans and animals. Show less

Stimulating precocious metamorphosis in anuran larvae is an important pedagogical tool for understanding vertebrate development. However, historically, artificially provoking metamorphosis by immersing tadpoles in exogenous inducing agents (e.g., thyroxine, and iodine) compromises the longevity of the experimental animals, resulting in up to 100% mortality within a week. In our undergraduate teaching lab, we house our experimental tadpoles in circular glass dishes having a surface area of 182 cm2. Over the past four academic years this lab was performed, we observed 100% mortality of experimental animals within 10, 12, or 15 days when treated with 10-5 M, 10-6 M, or 10-7 M thyroxine, respectively. Here, we investigated whether increasing the surface area to 413 cm2 using square glass dishes would reduce the mortality of the treated animals. Omnibus Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrates a statistically significant decrease in mortality in tadpoles reared in the larger square dishes compared to those housed in the smaller round dishes (P < 0.05). However, increasing the surface area of our reaction vessels could not rescue survivability of those tadpoles immersed in thyroxine, but did increase survivability of control tadpoles maintained in pond water (P < 0.01), tadpoles subjected to iodine (P < 0.05) or treated with actinomycin D (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that increasing available reaction vessel surface area reduces overall tadpole mortality during chemically modified metamorphosis in an undergraduate teaching lab setting. Show less