E-learning; clinical updates.

A 2 year old male springer spaniel presents with a history of episodic sneezing and mucoid bilateral nasal discharge since importation from Romania 2 weeks ago. Chest auscultation is unremarkable but there is an increased gag reflex and resentment of nasal palpation. Rigid endoscopy reveals several segmented worm like organisms (below) ranging from 1 to 8cm long What is the organism in question? Is there a zoonotic risk and what treatment options are available? This parasite is Linguatula serrata, an arthropod that lives in the nasal passages and naso-pharynx of carnivores. Infections can be subclinical but rhinitis and pharyngitis are common outcomes of infection so is the likely cause of the signs in this case. Adult infection is obtained via the consumption of raw or undercooked viscera but humans may also act as intermediate hosts if eggs from mucoid discharge or faeces are accidentally ingested. This can lead to hepatic granulomas and rarely, aberrant migration to the lungs or anterior chamber of the eye. Therefore, good hand hygiene should be advised and facial licking by the dog should be avoided. Treatment is primarily through surgical removal of the adult parasites. At least one case in the literature has been treated by weekly oral administration of milbemycin oxime leading to expulsion of the parasites. This would be a valid option to try first in this case but it would be important to stress that no product containing milbemycin oxime is licensed for this purpose and no large scale studies have been performed to assess its efficacy against this parasite. Ivermectin is another option as this is not a Collie breed but there is only one case of treatment with this drug in the literature and that was to treat a closely related parasite, Linguatula artica in a reindeer. continue

Agriculture sector will be transformed with better credit facility for farmers.

Demonetisation: Agriculture sector will be transformed with better credit facility for farmers. Cash is the primary mode of transaction in agriculture sector, demonetisation is bound to cause temporary stress in the system. This historic move has the potential of bringing about transformational changes in the sector like better access to credit for farmers, elimination of middlemen, direct transfer of subsidies to farmers and ultimately linking the Indian farmer to the global agricultural market. However, in the short term, the sector has to brave several storms before it realizes the true fruits of demonetization. In the transitional phase, farm produces with limited shelf-life like fruits and vegetables, which significantly contribute to overall farm output, will be hit due to cash crunch. Similarly, payment of wages to farm laborers and rentals for farm implements will too become difficult considering the limited access of service providers to the banking system. The steep decline in transactions at various states APMC’s (up to 70 percent as per reports) in the aftermath of the decision is a testimony to this fact. Demonetization can potentially address the perennial problem of credit in farm sector. With banking system glowing with liquidity, there can be increase in investments in farm sector, which is the only way to get out of the vicious circle of subsistence farming. Despite being declared as a ‘priority sector’ credit availability to typical farmers for investment in their own lands are far from adequate. This has forced farmers to rely on non-institutional credit, which further aggravates the problem. continue

ECHBEE FOODS :Accelerating the sustainable development goals with the cassava value chain.

Malnutrition is found in a large population of people around the world,with 795 million people not having enough food to live a healthy and active life. Sub Sahara Africa accounts for a large population of under nourished and malnourished people. 

 Malnutrition which stems from inadequate food both in quality and quantity resulting in stunted growth and development is the bane of many developing and underdeveloped countries.

 The goal to end poverty and hunger has the root at preventing malnutrition in children especially as well as adults. The growth rate and intellectual capacity in areas where there is malnutrition is very low with high prevalence of diseases and subsequently death 

.One out of six children which is roughly about 100 million in developing countries is underweight and one in four of the world's children are stunted. In developing countries the rate is one in three with 66 million primary school-age children attending classes hungry across the developing world, with 23 million in Africa alone.  

 Women that are malnourished are at high risk during pregnancy as adequate nutrients for growth and nurturing of fetus is not available leading to physical strains,emotional imbalance and exposure to various diseases and infection as body immune system is compromised. 

Poor nutrition causes nearly 45% of deaths in children under five ,which is about 3.1 million children each year. Empowerment,education and encouragement of farmers especially women will go a long way to curb malnutrition and prevent deaths in women and children. 

When women farmers are given the same access to resources as men, they will reduce the number of hungry people in the world by up to 150 million. Malnutrition in found all over the country but its more prevalent in certain areas than others.41% of children under 5 years of age are stunted and 23% underweight with a prevalence of vitamin A deficiency reaching 29.5%. 

The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency is a public health concern that WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION has listed Nigeria amongst countries with high risk of Vitamin A deficiency(VAD) The VAD increases the risk of disease, death in children ,visual impairment,night-blindness in pregnant and lactating women 

.The introduction of food rich in vitamin A will go a long way to ensure healthy lifestyle for the people.Educating people about food combinations,additives and meal preparations will expose people to food exploration for health and well-being. 

Cassava called Manihot esculenta, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates.

Cassava is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. CASSAVA VALUE CHAIN AND FOOD SECURITY.

  Echbee Food has found a new niche where garri a cassava by-product can be turned into nutritious wholesome foods and snacks.

  Echbee foods uses the vitamin A cassava for all her product in line with the vision of the company to end malnutrition. The first product is cassava flakes, a highly nutritious cereal fortified with vitamins and enriched with nuts fashioned after the corn flakes to provide wholesome,nutritious cereal.

 

   

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 Read how  cassava can help with sustainable goals. #end hunger #no poverty

AGRIBUSINESS: Moringa a super-food additive.

Moringa a super-food additive is fast gaining recognition all over the world because of its outstanding properties that translate to our benefits. Moringa affects many of the systems of the body from respiratory ,reproductive,musculoskeletal,digestive and the skin to ensure perfect working conditions and healthy life for the individual. Moringa is a source of protein,vitamin A, C,potassium,calcium and iron. Moringa contains essential amino acids and micro nutrients essential for growth and development. Moringa has seven times the amount of vitamin C in oranges,making it an option in cases of cold and nasal congestion. A cup of tea laced with moringa or better still mug of warm water with a dab of moringa will give fast relief. This high vitamin C content also makes it a soothing tonic in cases of stress,making it a natural energy booster. Moringa has four times the amount of calcium found in cows milk. This is a 2-prong advantage as the pregnant animal has enough calcium and also the young ones,the second aspect is that moringa can be used to fortify milk collected from cows making extra calcium available for consumers. Moringa with 4 times the amount of vitamin A found in carrots makes it a ready source of vitamin A supplement essential for eye health . The high protein content of moringa makes it an important component of end hunger programme which is aimed at feeding children highly nutritious foods to curb malnutrition.Children in rural areas without adequate food can actually be served balanced diets by adding moringa to the food provided by food missions e.t.c. Striking a balance between potassium and sodium in the body is essential for fluid management in the body, moringa helps with electrolyte balance in the body thus regulating osmo-regulatory functions, and ensure kidney health. Moringa is a natural herb that can easily be used as an additive for food,milk and even juices.The inclusion of moringa to food preparation and processing will not only add colour,flavor but nutritional values for health and healthy life style. How about some combos? #milk+ moringa= morimilk#classic. or veggies+moringa =awesome mix 0r fry eggs with a dash of moringa= fabulous mix. Powdered eggs with moringa= superfood!!! how about spicing up your pasta,indomine with moringa= supercool. Lets go #green with #moringa.

Cortisol insufficiency in dogs.

The adrenal glands cause problems for a lot of dogs. The very overactive adrenal gland is very commonly misdiagnosed because the stressed body needs more cortisol to cope with stress. But the underactive adrenal gland is very commonly under diagnosed. The majority of veterinary internists today recognize just cortisol insufficiency, when the disease commonly called Addison's disease that's a difficult name, Addison's or hypo (lack of) adrenal cortical. It's difficult because there are three parts of the adrenal cortex and the classic Addison's includes the electrolyte imbalance. This is the classic slow heartbeat, so forth. But now, the papers being published are talking about 60 or 70 percent of hypo — lack of — adrenal gland function — is just cortisol insufficiency. continue

Moringa uses in veterinary practice.

Moringa oleifera is a small to medium-sized tropical tree native to the Indian subcontinent, its drought tolerant and easily adapts to tropical and subtropical climate, enjoying very wide distribution in Asia, Africa and parts of North America. It has been promoted as the Miracle Tree of Africa,because of the myriad of problems it solves. Moringa is rich in antioxidants,protein, calcium and iron.The incorporation of this herb in food has numerous benefits in man and animals. Our pets have similar disease conditions to man,so much so that they are used as models for clinical studies and trials. The similarities in body systems makes incorporation of proven herbs to their food to get similar results as obtained in man. The advent of fast foods,overly processed foods and food additives has triggered the surge of diabetes,obesity ,cancer and arthritis in man,these conditions are also encountered in pets many of which has been traced to diet,pet food and processed pet food/treats. The inclusion of moringa in pet food supply many of the important macro nutrients and essential amino acids absent in commercial food,moringa also laden with antioxidants help to mop up free radicals from the body thus reducing the risk of cancer. Moringa for pets. Moringa has anti inflammatory property,thus adding moringa to pets food will prevent arthritis making it a number one food additive for the old and aging dogs. The calcium in the moringa is also another added advantage for bone health. The calcium component in moringa makes it a suitable additive for pregnant and lactating pets and farm animals,as the problem of postpartum metabolic disorder experienced at this period is prevented. A pregnant animal needs calcium supplements to prevent rapid depleting from bones which normally progresses to recumbency and death if not treated,but the mixing of moringa with feed will prevent onset of disorder and also ensure good quality and quantity of milk.M Moringa is an energy booster and also primes the immune system ,a regulated dosing of pets will keep them energetic and alert.The protein content of moringa helps tissue repair and muscle building resulting in rapid wound healing and faster growth rate. Essential amino acids and trace elements present in moringa ensure all body system function properly for health. The use of moringa in your pet food will not only color,but also flavor the food without any side effects.Pet owners craving for a full, smooth and luscious coat definitely will love moringa because of the abundance of Zinc, Vitamins A, and E, as well as the amino acids required for the production of keratin which makes it an excellent hair tonic.

Food additives and colon cancer.

Food additives or enhancers are tied to the rise in health problems in man, basically changes in our diet from farm fresh to overly processed foods are not only liked to cancer,but obesity,diabetes ,hypertension and heart diseases. The pathways of many of these conditions have been linked to food,the additives,food processing and preparation. A lot of food consumed are processed or prepared with carcinogenic substances,others are loaded with sugars while so many others have antibiotics in their muscles from the farms. The food vendors and processors contribute to majority of these conditions based on the way they handle ,prepare and package food.A recent interview and visit to food huts showed that majority of the vendors are using unconventional methods to prepare food; some vendors boil the cow skin/legs with SUGAR to soften it so as to shorten cooking time.Another group use the very popular painkiller to boil the beef also to soften it ,while another group use monosodium glutamate (msg) as seasoning which has been shown to have carcinogenic properties. The issue of surge in health problems not only stems from raising animals,but processing and preparation of products and by-products. New research suggests that the emulsifiers added to foods such as ice cream and other processed foods contribute to the development of cancer. The study, which was conducted at Georgia State University in Atlanta, found that two very common food additives may be associated with a higher risk of colon cancer. Rather than using human subjects, the experiment was performed on laboratory mice. The mice were assigned to one of three groups who received varying diets. One group was fed an emulsifier called sodium carboxymethycellulose; the second group was fed an emulsifier called polysorbate 80; and the third group served as a control and was fed neither emulsifier. Both groups of rats consuming the additives had changes in their intestinal bacteria that lead to inflammation and colon cancer, whereas the rats who were not exposed to these additives had no such changes occur. Sodium carboxymethycellulose and polysorbate 80 appears in a number of processed foods, both of these emulsifiers are used to improve the texture of foods as well as to lengthen their shelf life and prevent the separation of oils or fats from the water-based ingredients in the food. Sodium carboxymethycellulose is added to many ice creams, processed cheeses, breakfast cereals, soups, and more. Polysorbate 80 is added to ketchup, mustard, ice creams, whipped toppings, creamy salad dressing, and gelatin. When next you go to the store,do read labels or better still go natural. Buy farm fresh,and cook fresh produce.see