ISSN: 0975 – 8704 IJBLST (2017), 9(2):8-17 International Journal of Biological Sciences and Technology (2017), Volume 9, Issue 2, Page(s): 8-17 8 Physiohaematological observations in West African dwarf goats with Natural infection of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Omeh, Chinenye Nkechi., Ugochukwu, Chukwuebuka Iniobong Ikenna., Ugochukwu, Emmanuel Ikenna. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. iniobongugochukwu@gmail.com, emmanuel.ugochukwu@unn.edu.ng, xhuxhudvm@gmail.com ABSTRACT Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious viral disease of small ruminants. It is the number one killer viral disease of sheep and goats and it is endemic in Nigeria. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the haematological and physiological changes in experimentally infected West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in Nsukka area, Enugu State Nigeria. Method: 20 adult WAD goats were used for this study. Blood collected into bottles without anticoagulant were used for complement ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition test while the blood collected with anticoagulant was used to carry out tests for Total white blood cell count, differential white blood count, Haemoglobin (Hb) and Packed cell volume (PCV) determination. The major physiological parameters were obtained. Results: Haematological examination of infected animals revealed a decrease in lymphocyte, neutrophil and white blood cell counts in the goats. There was significant (P<0.05) and progressive increase in the packed cell volume before the infection, through the early infection to late infection. There was no significant (P<0.05) changes in haemoglobin concentration, percentage number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and basophils. There was also diurnal variation in temperature, heart rates and respiratory rates. The temperature of the animals falls within the normal physiology range except in days, 15- 17 post infection, when the rectal temperatures were obviously subnormal. Conclusion: Results of this study indicated that natural infection with PPR in goats provide valuable data about haematological findings and physiological parameter changes that can be used for diagnosis of PPR and this would provide a quick reference to researchers seeking to understand the current state of knowledge about this devastating viral disease. Keywords: Peste des petits ruminant, haematological, physiological parameters, post infection INTRODUCTION The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat is one of the three major breeds of goats in Nigeria and is the largest in number of the goat species in the humid rainforest zone [1]. In addition, it has greater ability to survive in tsetse fly infested rainforest areas compared to cattle [2]. However, the effect of infectious animal diseases seems as great at the start of the 21st Century as it was at the start of the 20th. In the third world countries, these diseases continue to limit productivity, constrain development and aggravate poverty [3]. Peste des petits ruminants virus is of genus morbillivirus, and the aetiologic agent. It was first described in 1942 in Cote d’ Ivoire. It has also been reported from the African continental, in the Arabian penisula, certain countries of the Middle East and South Asia [4]. Sheep and goats are the natural host of PPR virus whereas goats have a greater susceptibilty than sheep [5]. In epidemic areas, morbidity rate has been estimated from 80% to 90% accompanied by mortality rate range from 50% to 80% [6]. Transmission occur by close contact, inhalation of aerosol produced by sneezing and coughing of infected animals, direct contact with ocular, nasal, oral secretions, faeces, fomites such as bedding, water and feed troughs [7]. The common clinical findings of the disease are severe pyrexia, depression, salivation, anorexia, diarrhoea, erosive or necrotic stomatitis, purulent ocular discharges, nasal discharges and ulceration of the mucous membranes [8, 9, 10]. At necropsy, Post mortem examination reveals frothy exudates in respiratory tract, congestion and partial consolidation of lungs, congested mesenteric and bronchial lymph nodes, severe congestion, haemorrhages and edema in gastro-intestinal tract [11, 12]. The aim of this study was to determine the haematological and physiological changes in experimentally infected West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS Study area This study was conducted in Nsukka, a town in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State,