ForNaija

01/02/2025

I'm not sure if she enjoyed it 🤣🤣.

29/01/2025

What did you know about Nigerian indigenous goats? What are the cons and pros of keeping them?

29/01/2025

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙖, 𝙙𝙚𝙝𝙮𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢.

I intervened with concurrent fluid therapy and controlled the lice infestation.

Additionally, I administered systemic antibiotics coupled with multivitamins.

I also ensured proper feeding with a balanced ration and provided clean water ad libitum.

What could I have done differently?

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆. Consult with your Veterinarian before making use of any products.

16/12/2024

Understanding Anti-Inflammatory Agents: Steroidal vs. Non-Steroidal

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury, infection, or irritation, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain. While it is a protective mechanism, excessive or prolonged inflammation can be detrimental, necessitating the use of anti-inflammatory agents. These agents are broadly classified into ‘’steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (SAIDs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), each with distinct mechanisms and applications. Let’s delve into these categories to understand how they work and their appropriate use in veterinary medicine.

Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (SAIDs)

Mechanism of Action
Steroidal agents, primarily glucocorticoids, act by inhibiting the enzyme phospholipase A2, a key step in the inflammatory cascade. This prevents the release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids, thereby blocking the synthesis of both prostaglandins and leukotrienes, potent mediators of inflammation.

Effects Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling, redness, and heat at the site of inflammation. Immunosuppressive: Dampens the immune response, useful in autoimmune diseases. Analgesic: Reduces pain associated with inflammation by limiting prostaglandin production.

Common Steroidal Agents in Veterinary Use Prednisolone and dexamethasone: Used in conditions such as allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, and severe inflammation. Fluticasone: Inhaled for respiratory conditions like asthma. Hydrocortisone: Often used for topical application in mild inflammatory skin conditions.

Considerations for Use Prolonged use can lead to side effects such as immunosuppression, delayed wound healing, and iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. Best suited for acute, severe inflammatory conditions or where immunosuppression is desired.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Mechanism of Action
NSAIDs work by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which exists in two main isoforms: COX-1: Produces prostaglandins for normal physiological functions, such as gastric mucosal protection and renal blood flow. COX-2: Induced during inflammation to produce prostaglandins that mediate pain, fever, and swelling.

Selective NSAIDs primarily inhibit COX-2, minimizing side effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Effects Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and redness by blocking COX-2-mediated prostaglandins. Analgesic: Relieves mild to moderate pain. Antipyretic: Reduces fever.

Common NSAIDs in Veterinary Use Meloxicam and carprofen: Selective COX-2 inhibitors, commonly used for post-surgical pain and osteoarthritis. Flunixin meglumine: Effective in visceral pain, often used in colic cases in horses.
- Aspirin:Traditional NSAID, used cautiously due to its effects on COX-1.

Considerations for Use Long-term use requires monitoring for gastrointestinal ulcers, renal toxicity, and hepatic function. Avoid concurrent use with steroids to prevent severe gastrointestinal complications.

Choosing the Right Agent for a Specific Case

1. Acute Inflammation and Severe Conditions:
. SAIDs like dexamethasone are preferred for their broad-spectrum action and ability to suppress the immune response. Example: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia or severe allergic reactions.

2. Chronic Pain and Inflammation:
- NSAIDs are the agents of choice for managing osteoarthritis or post-operative recovery, balancing efficacy and safety.

3. Visceral Pain (e.g., Colic in Horses):
. NSAIDs like flunixin are effective due to their specific action on visceral inflammatory mediators.

4. Topical Inflammation or Localized Conditions:
. Topical glucocorticoids for skin issues or ophthalmic formulations for conjunctivitis provide targeted relief.

5. Avoidance of Side Effects:
. In animals with gastrointestinal sensitivity, prefer COX-2 selective NSAIDs (e.g., meloxicam).
. In animals prone to infections, use steroids cautiously due to immunosuppressive effects.

Key Takeaways

Anti-inflammatory agents are invaluable tools in managing pain and inflammation in veterinary medicine. However, their use requires a nuanced understanding of their mechanisms, benefits, and potential risks. A judicious choice between SAIDs and NSAIDs, based on the specific condition and the animal's overall health, ensures effective treatment while minimizing adverse effects. Always consult the withdrawal periods for food animals and monitor for drug interactions when using these agents.

By tailoring anti-inflammatory therapy to individual cases, veterinarians can improve animal welfare and optimize outcomes. Let’s keep prioritizing safe and effective management strategies in our practice.
What are your experiences with these agents? Feel free to share or ask questions below!
World Organisation for Animal Health Abdullahi Babiye World Animal Protection Heifer International GALVmed Action Against Hunger USA ILRI

22/11/2024

Guess the breed please. This is our farm. Yes our goats and sheep farm.

20/11/2024

Can you identify Amblyomma breeds of ticks?

These vibrant and ornate ticks, like the tropical bont tick (Amblyomma variegatum), are not just eye-catching—they're dangerous! Found on goats, sheep, and cattle, they transmit deadly diseases like "heartwater" (Ehrlichia ruminantium), cause painful wounds, and reduce productivity.

Spot them: Brightly colored markings and preference for areas with thin hair.
Control them: Use acaricides, maintain clean environments, and remove ticks promptly to protect your animals.

Think you’ve seen one before? Share your experience or tips in the comments! Let’s tackle tick infestations together.
゚

20/11/2024

18/11/2024

Fever (Pyrexia) is a common disease of livestock.
True or false?

18/11/2024

Does this help?

14/11/2024

The images below display a case of Tenosynovitisin a young chick, characterized by swelling around the hock joints (tibiotarsal region). Tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendon sheath, often caused by viral or bacterial infections, particularly from "Avian Reovirus" (ARV). This condition primarily affects poultry, leading to lameness, joint swelling, and decreased mobility, which can significantly impact growth and production.

Diagnosis
The observed swelling around the hock joint is indicative of:
Avian Reovirus Infection (ARV): ARV is a common cause of tenosynovitis in chickens, particularly affecting the tendons and joints. The infection typically spreads through contaminated equipment, feed, or direct contact among birds.
Tibial Dyschondroplasia: This condition may mimic tenosynovitis in some cases, though dyschondroplasia usually involves cartilage abnormalities rather than tendon inflammation.

To confirm ARV as the cause, a sample should be collected from the joint fluid or affected tissues for PCR or viral isolation. This will help rule out other potential causes of leg abnormalities, such as bacterial infections or nutritional deficiencies.

Management Plan
1. Biosecurity and Hygiene: Implement strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread of ARV. This includes disinfecting equipment, minimizing visitor access, and controlling movement between flocks.

2. Antibiotic Therapy: Although antibiotics don’t treat viruses, they can help prevent secondary bacterial infections. An antibiotic, like oxytetracycline, may be considered under veterinary guidance to manage any concurrent bacterial infection.

3. Vaccination: In regions where ARV is prevalent, vaccination of breeders can help reduce transmission to progeny. This practice is particularly useful in commercial settings where ARV outbreaks are common.

4. Supportive Care: Provide optimal nutrition with adequate vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin D3, calcium, and phosphorus, to support joint and bone health. Improved bedding and litter quality are also recommended to reduce joint stress.

Prognosis
While tenosynovitis can be challenging to manage, early intervention and effective biosecurity can help control its spread. Birds affected by ARV often experience reduced growth, but with supportive care, some may recover and continue to thrive.

This diagnosis and management approach are essential to maintaining the health of your flock and mitigating losses associated with this condition.
゚ Livestock Health & Nutrition Hub POULTRY FARMING JOURNEY FOR BEGINERS. POULTRY FARMERS FORUM OF NIGERIA POULTRY FARM CONSULTANT TEAM 2 Poultry Farmers Group POULTRY FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (PFAN)

10/11/2024