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Pharmaceuticals are chemical compounds employed as medicinal drugs. They have severe physic-chemical properties which make them destructive for non-target species. Consequently, their continuous addition in the environment may pose hazardous effects. Among these, diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is extensively used in Pakistan which may lead to its accumulation in both terrestrial and aquatic environment. Present study aims to assess the presence and concentration of pharmaceutically active drug (DCF) in surface water and wastewater of twin cities of Pakistan (Rawalpindi and Islamabad). For this purpose, a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was adopted involving solid-phase extraction procedure. Wastewater samples were collected from various sites of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Results of HPLC analysis revealed that DCF was extant with considerably high concentration, not only in wastewater but also in surface water samples. Concentrations as high as 216 μg L−1 was detected in Rawat industrial area and low as 8 μg L−1 was detected in dairy farm wastewater samples collected from Taramri. However, maximum DCF levels in residential wastewater and hospital wastewater were detected to be 105 μg L−1 and 34 μg L−1, respectively. Moreover, the highest detected level (116 μg L−1) was found in surface water of Sawan River. Further, results of ecological risk assessment revealed its possible toxic effects of DCF on various aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence, epizootological profile, and haematological and serum biochemistry changes in coccidiosis infected pet dogs of Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Pakistan. For this purpose, 150 blood and faecal samples were collected from dogs of various breeds. Data regarding the epizootolgical risk factors were collected through a questionnaire at the time of sample collection. The faecal examination illustrated a 16.67% prevalence of coccidiosis in dogs. Data analysis of associated risk factors revealed that locality (P = 0.001), domestication (P = 0.000), and sanitary conditions (P = 0.000) have a significant impact. Whereas there was a nonsignificant association among age, gender, breed and faecal consistency in coccidiosis infected animals. Various hematological parameters were compared and revealed the non-significant difference in coccidiosis positive samples compared to the control group. The biochemical parameters showed significant differences in serum total protein (P = 0.001) and serum albumin (P = 0.003) among infected and control animal samples. This study findings provide baseline data and valuable information to the owners, public health authorities, researchers and the veterinary community on the risk factors, complications and probable transmission of canine coccidiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]