Comparative Haematological and Biochemical Effects of Cocktail Vaccine (DHLPPi) and Abrus precatorius Seed Aqueous Extract on Canine Parvoviral Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Nigerian Local Dogs

Because of increasing incidence of resistance to infectious microorganisms, immunotherapy has been considered as an alternative/complementary to chemotherapy. More so Abrus precatorius leaf extract has been reported to have immunomodulatory effects in animals. In view of this, comparative haematology and biochemistry of cocktail vaccine (DHLPPi) and Abrus precatorius seed extract (APSE) was studied in rats. Sixteen (16) Nigerian local dogs of both sexes weighing 7.19 ± 0.46 kg, aged 15.44 ± 0.76 weeks old were divided into four groups of 4 each. Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 was administered 1 ml of normal saline (0.9%), APSE (2.72 mg/Kg), APSE (2.72 mg/Kg)+DHLPPi (1 ml) and DHLPPi (1 ml) respectively. Fourteen days after administration of the extract and vaccine, 3 ml of blood sample was collected from each of the dogs for haematology and serum biochemistry. The findings revealed significantly (P < 0.05)decreased packed cell volume, haemoglobin, erythrocytes, neutrophils, leucocytes, platelets and increased monocytes, decreased total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the group administered extract and extract/vaccine. Hence, the extract and extract/DHLPPi vaccine can be used in prevention chronic viral infection of dogs.