Insulin dysregulation (ID) is central to the pathophysiology of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), putting the horse at risk of laminitis. There is a paucity of information on the status of EMS in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of EMS, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out. Selected horses underwent an insulin 2-step response test to ascertain insulin dysregulation; a physical examination was carried out to diagnose laminitis and obesity. Risk factors were assessed using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of EMS was 43.10%. Breed and sex were significantly associated with EMS, but age was not. Horses diagnosed with laminitis showed two signs of laminitis, namely, divergent hoof rings and widened white lines. Risk factors significantly associated with the prevalence of EMS were as follows: being a West African Barb horse (60.00%), being a stallion (67.86%), being a leisure horse (67.86%), only walking horses during exercise (68.00%), exercising horses once every 5 months (82.76%), tethering horses to a stake in the ground (67.86%), obesity (92.86%), and abnormal neck crest (83.33%). The risk of ID remains higher in obese horses. However, some of the horses with ID were not obese, indicating that there are other possible underlying causes of EMS.

Obesity is a state of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation. Obesity in horses increases the risk of developing a variety of health issues such as: insulin dysregulation (ID), reduced athleticism, colic, abnormal reproductive performance, laminitis, endotoxaemia, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipaemia, impaired thermoregulation, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, and osteochondrosis. Obesity is a significant health and welfare issue in horses that may go unreported or unnoticed due to a caregiver’s (owner) neglect. Weight gain occurs when a horse’s energy consumption exceeds his or her physical energy needs. Obesity is best assessed via necropsy or upon in vivo assessment with deuterium oxide administration, although this is not feasible in a clinical environment. In practice, obesity is assessed by: body condition scoring, cresty neck scoring, ultrasono graphic assessment, morphometric measurements, or biochemical indicators in the blood. Dietary and exercise programs are the primary means of controlling equine obesity. Pharmacologic assistance (levothyroxine sodium and metformin hydrochloride), being a secondary approach, may be effective in some cases. Management involves a long-term plan that requires the horse’s caregiver’s effort and discipline, as well as the support and supervision of their veterinarian. This paper outlines the assessment, health consequences, and management of equine obesity.

Bovine Fasciolosis poses significant public health problems and is of great concern for all livestock farmers. Studies on bovine Fasciolosis have been carried out in different abattoirs in Nigeria. However, there is no study on bovine fasciolosis at the Akinyele Central Abattoir, Ibadan. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of bovine Fasciolosis and associated risk factors, the most prevalent Fasciola spp., fluke burden and severity of liver lesions, and the correlation between fluke burden and severity of liver lesions at the Akinyele Central Abattoir, Ibadan. A total of 640 slaughtered cattle were sampled over the course of a year. During the postmortem examination, the liver was examined for the presence of flukes, which were identified at the species level. The flukes in each liver were counted, and liver lesions were classified based on severity. The prevalence of bovine Fasciolosis was 20%, with Fasciola gigantica (78.1%) being the most common species. Fasciolosis in the wet season (26.5%) was significantly (P < 0.05) more prevalent than in the dry season (8.6%). The fluke burden of 3 to 20 flukes (65.6%) was the most prevalent. Most of the livers with Fasciolosis were moderately affected (50%). There was a moderate correlation between fluke burden and the severity of the liver lesion. Bovine fasciolosis is prevalent in Akinyele Central Abattoir, Ibadan, with season being the only identified risk factor. It is recommended that regular deworming be initiated for the control and prevention of bovine Fasciolosis before and after the rainy season.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a gram-positive bacterium that affects several animals, including horses. The present report presents a case of a 10-year-old male West African Dongola horse that developed an external abscess caused by C. pseudotuberculosis in the Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan. The patient was presented to the garden veterinary clinic with a complaint of lameness, pus discharge, and swelling on the right forelimb. The pulse rate and temperature were within normal range. Blood was collected from the jugular vein for a complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry. A pus sample was collected and subjected to bacterial culture, gram staining, biochemical tests, and an antimicrobial susceptibility test. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated and identified in pure culture from aspirates of the pus discharge based on cultural, gram-staining, and biochemical characteristics. The organism was sensitive to gentamicin, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin. A warm compress, wound irrigation, and bandage were applied to the infected area. The antibiotics used were a combination of amoxycillin and gentamycin injections. Other drugs used include tetanus toxoid injection, tetanus antitoxin injection, and diclofenac sodium injection. The therapy was successful, and the patient completely recovered. Good sanitation and prompt wound care are recommended.

Donkey welfare is becoming a subject of much interest; for decades, people around the world have voiced rising worry about it. There are no studies on donkey welfare in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the welfare state of donkeys in Amaru, Zaria Ancient City, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was done to purposefully select 38 pack donkeys for welfare assessment based on the first level of the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) for donkeys, which covered behaviour, health, feeding, and environment and housing. Information regarding age and sex was collected. The analysed data were reported in terms of frequencies and percentages. The prevalence of donkeys with no social contact, avoidance behaviour, and walking downside was 2.6 %, 5.36 %, and 40.56 %, respectively. The most common health problems are integumentary alterations, which include an unhealthy hair coat (86.8 %), skin lesions (86.6 %), alopecia (60.5 %), and deep wounds (47.4 %). Only 5.3 % of the donkeys were lame. Around 42 % had a body condition score of 2 (moderate), while the remaining 57.9 % had a body condition score of 3 (ideal). The donkeys were poorly kept and housed, as evidenced by the high prevalence of unsatisfactory shelter dimensions (100 %), dirty bedding (89.5 %), and insufficient bedding (89.5 %). The current study found that welfare issues are serious challenges for donkeys in Amaru, Zaria Ancient City, Kaduna State, Nigeria. As a consequence of the current findings, it is recommended that donkey welfare, policies and legislative frameworks that support animal welfare and inspect animal facilities in Nigeria should to be reviewed and enforced.