Objective: This study aims at investigating the productive performance, metabolic, and hemato­logical profiles of Algerian local rabbits does during their first pregnancy and according to dietary protein content. Materials and methods: A total of 52 nulliparous rabbit does, 3,116 ± 72.9 g live weight, were allocated individually to three groups (17/18 females per group) being on isoenergetic diets [2,600 kcal Digestible Energy (DE)/kg] that differ in their digestible protein content by 15%, 17%, and 19%, respectively, for L, M, and H diets. All these diets were provided ad libitum. Results: The use of a high protein diet did not affect does weight and feed intake during the preg­nancy period. Statistically, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was recorded in born or alive litter size and birth weight. There was no effect of diet and sampling time (p > 0.05) on plasma metabo­lites but there were significant effects of sampling time (p < 0.0001) on the metabolic parameters studied with prolificacy used as a covariate. Hematologic indices in pregnant rabbits were not affected by the diet exceeded the red blood cells rate that increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase in dietary protein content during the different periods of gestation. Conclusion: The use of a high protein diet has no effect on weight during the pregnancy period. No effect of diet and sampling time on plasma metabolites and hematological profiles are recorded; however, significant effects of sampling time are recorded on the metabolic parameters. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(1): 18-24, March 2019

Objective: Emergence of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) has generated a sense of public alarm. The objective of this study was to detect the CREC and identification of the gene responsi­ble for such resistance. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 samples comprising poultry cloacal swab, house flies (Musca domestica), and pond water were collected randomly from Mymensingh, Bangladesh and analyzed. Isolation and identification of E. coli were done based on culture and E. coli 16S rRNA gene-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Phenotypic detection of CREC was done by disk diffusion method. Finally, colistin resistance genes were detected by PCR by using colistin resistant gene mcr3 specific primers. Results: Among the 150 samples, phenotypically 18.00% (n = 27/150) isolates were found as colis­tin resistant. By PCR, 8.00% of the E. coli isolates were found positive for the presence of mcr3 gene. Conclusions: Colistin resistant E. coli carrying mcr3 are detected in poultry, house flies and water that are of great public health concern. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(1): 50-53, March 2019

Objective: This study aimed to measure the anthelmintic effects of betel nut (Areca catechu) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts against Fasciola spp. in vitro in comparison with the com­mercial dewormer, Albendazole, and the negative control, nutrient broth. The study determined the extract concentration that produced the highest efficacy based on the average recorded mean motility time, gross, and microscopic changes of the flukes treated with different concentrations of plant extracts. Material and Methods: The study consisted of eight treatments. Every treatment consisted of 10%, 20%, and 40% concentrations of both betel nut extract (BNE) and neem leaf extracts, positive control treatment (Albendazole-treated) and negative control treatment (25 ml nutrient broth). The motility of the flukes on all treatments was based on the established motility criteria scoring. The flukes subjected to all treatments were processed for histopathological analysis. Results: The result of the study revealed that after exposure of Fasciola spp. under 10%, 20%, and 40% extract concentrations, betel nut showed higher efficacy having the recorded mean motility time of 0.22, 0.07 min, and no movement upon contact, respectively, than Albendazole which pro­duced mean motility time of 0.38 min. Nevertheless, the flukes treated with 10%, 20%, and 40% neem leaf extracts obtained the average mean motility time of 220, 151, and 98 min, respectively. Conclusions: The results gathered showed that 40% BNE concentration showed the highest efficacy based on the recorded mean motility time. All treatments of betel nut extract evidently showed marked changes in the gross and microscopic morphology of the flukes. However, the neem extract was ineffective in all concentrations although changes were observed microscopi­cally. Furthermore, the nutrient broth was proven to be effective as a culture medium since the flukes remained active until 8 h of exposure. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(1): 44-49, March 2019

Objective: The morphometric and meristic variations of Xenentodon cancila was studied based on the landmark-based truss network system to assess their phenotypic variations among four different freshwater stocks, viz. Boluhorpur baor, Jhenaidah (BBJ) (n = 29); Bhairab River, Jashore (BRJ) (n = 34); Arial Khan River, Madaripur (AKRM) (n = 28), and Bohnni baor, Gopalganj (BBG) (n = 25) in Bangladesh. Materials and methods: Seven meristic characters were counted by using a needle. Eight mor­phometrics and 28 truss measurements were measured by using tpsDigV.2.1 software. In meristic characters, Kruskal–Wallis test was performed to determine any significant differences, whereas, in morphometrics and truss measurements, univariate statistics and discriminant function analy­ses were carried out by using SPSS 22 version. Results: Significant differences were observed in four meristic characters among seven meristic characters in the Kruskal–Wallis test. In univariate statistics, only nine characters were observed significantly different among eight morphometrics and 28 truss measurements. The contribu­tion of three discriminant function analyses (DFA), in which first DFA showed 49.2%, second DFA showed 33%, and third DFA showed 17.8% on behalf of both morphometric and truss measure­ments. In discriminant space, the four stocks were clearly separated. Two clusters were formed among four stocks, where BBG formed a single cluster, whereas BBJ and BRJ aggregately formed another cluster. Additionally, AKRM formed a sub-cluster with BBJ. Conclusion: The preliminary information generated from the current study would be beneficial for further genetic studies and in the assessment of ecological impacts on X. cancila stocks in Bangladesh. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(1): 117-124, March 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the risk of rabies entry through the movement of hunting dog from Garut District to Sumatera Island with a semi-quantitative approach. Materials and Methods: Rabies entry assessment used the standard risk analysis according to the World Organization for Animal Health, with a semi-quantitative approach referring to Australian Biosecurity. Risk estimation calculation used Microsoft Excel and probabilities were estimated using Monte Carlo stochastic simulation modeling with @Risk (Palisade Corporation). Results: Risk estimation were considered as “very low” with a 0.02 (90%; 0.01–0.03) probability. The probability of undetected rabies-infected dog during Veterinary Certificate issuance [node probability (NP4)] was considered as the highest, with “moderate” likelihood and 0.63 (90%; 0.51–0.75) of probability value. The number of dog movement to Sumatera reached 27,000 heads per year which 5,050 heads of them come from Garut District. There were 2 of 100 dogs from Garut District entered to Sumatera possibly infected by rabies. The five highest parameters most determinant of the risk were dog vaccination before transported (0.66), dog obtained from other District (0.41), vaccination program (0.32), serologically test (0.27), and history of vaccination (0.23). Conclusion: Risk estimation from assessing on rabies entry to Sumatera through hunting dogs movement from Garut District was considered “very low.” Risk mitigation is focused on the highest parameters that contribute the most to risk based on the results of the sensitivity analysis. Semi-quantitative likelihood evaluations can consider the volume of dog traffic which is an important issue in risk analysis which is not easy to get with a simpler qualitative approach. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(2): 148-157, June 2019

Objective: An in vivo study was carried out to evaluate the possible anti-trypanosomal activity of Leptadenia hastata crude root extract with also its associated hematological changes particularly the packed cell volume (PCV) in experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection using Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty Wistar rats comprising of both males and females were categorized into six separate groups starting from A to F. Wistar placed in Group A and Group B were inoculated with T. brucei brucei and administered crude root extract of L. hastata at 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, as the treatment. Group C was infected with the parasite but untreated, while Group D was not infected with the parasite and was not treated. The remaining Groups E and F were inoculated with the parasite using diminazene diaceturate at 3.5 and 7.0 mg/kg, respectively. The extract was administered enterally when parasitemia was detected. Standard laboratory techniques were employed to determine parasitemia and PCV after collection of blood samples every 2 days via the tail vein. Results: Infected Groups (A, B, C, E, and F) showed a pre-patent period 2 days post infection (P.I) with mean parasitic counts of 3.93 ± 2.38, 2.46 ± 2.20, 0.67 ± 0.77, 4.60 ± 4.45, and 1.53 ± 1.44, respectively, which continued unabated in groups treated with the extract.The pack cell volume did not decline significantly in the in Groups A and B. Acute toxicity study revealed the absence of any clinical or behavioral changes suggesting toxicity. Conclusion: There was no effect on parasitemia of Wistar rats infected with the parasite after adminis­tration of 100 and 200 mg, respectively, using the extract as the treatment. PCV of the groups infected remained fairly constant with the control groups throughout the study with the extract being non-toxic. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(2): 241-246, June 2019

Objective: This study aims at investigating the antibacterial potential of ethanolic extract of Camellia sinensis (common name: Green tea) and Azadirachta indica (common name: Neem) leaves on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC). Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves were processed and extracted by 99% ethanol and recon­stituted with 50% ethanol before testing. Disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to determine zone diameter of inhibition (ZDI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively. Nutrient agar plate was used to estimate the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: Maximum ZDI value was observed for green tea against MRSA (7.5 mm) and minimum for neem (4.9 mm). Moreover, the highest ZDI against STEC was also for green tea and the com­bination of green tea and neem (4.5 mm). The MIC values of green tea extract were 15.625 and 31.25 mg/ml against MRSA and STEC, respectively, whereas the MIC of neem was 31.25 and 125 mg/ml, respectively. The combination had similar MIC (46.87 mg/ml) against both organ­isms. Green tea showed the lowest MBC values, 31.25 and 62.5 mg/ml, against MRSA and STEC, respectively. However, MBC of neem and the combination against MRSA and STEC were found >250 mg/ml, >500 mg/ml and 93.75 mg/ml, >375 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Green tea and neem leaves showed good antimicrobial effects and can be used to explore novel antimicrobial compounds against MRSA and STEC. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(2): 247-252, June 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of surgical decompression and rehabilitation therapy in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH). Materials and Methods: After surgery, physiotherapeutic rehabilitation was performed by a combination of electrotherapy, infrared therapy, training for standing, deep tendon reflex, and aquatic treadmill exercise. A total of 186 dogs were selected from the hospital records and included in two groups: the rehabilitated group (RG, n = 96) and non-rehabilitated group (NRG, n = 90). Dogs in each group were subdivided into three groups based on a pre-operative clinical severity grading system and those in grades 2–4 were included in this study. Post-operative neurologic functions, unassisted standing, walking, and the success rate of both groups were evaluated and compared Results: Overall, 86.46% (83/96) of dogs had a successful neurologic outcome in the RG group, which was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than the NRG group 52.22% (47/90). Interestingly, the success rate differed when the preoperative grading system was considered. The success rates of grades 2, 3, and 4 were 97.14% (34/35), 97.33% (42/45), and 43.75% (7/16), respectively, in the rehabilitated groups, whereas in the non-rehabilitated groups, success rates were 82.35% (28/34), 51.85% (14/27), and 17.24% (5/29), respectively. The differences in success rates among the groups according to grading were 14.79%, 41.48%, and 26.51%, respectively, indicating that the proposed rehabilitation therapy is remarkably advantageous for increasing the success rate. Conclusion: Rehabilitation therapy after surgical decompression of thoracolumbar IVDH improves neurologic functions and increases the success rate, especially when the preoperative pathological condition is severe. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(3): 394-402, September 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a low-cost kit for the detection of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and to check its validity, reproducibility, and efficacy at the field level.   Materials and Methods: A total of 550 quarter milk samples from crossbred dairy cows were collected, of which 400 milk samples were used to validate the newly developed BLRI mastitis test (BMT) kit to justify its efficacy as an individual test kit in detecting SCM based on somatic cell count (SCC) by direct microscopic count (DMC). The efficacy of the newly developed BMT was compared with the California Mastitis Test (CMT) kit. Another 150 milk samples were subjected to SCC determined by DMC and DCC (De Laval cell counter®) categorized by CMT and BMT scores. Results: A SCM test kit, namely, BMT kit was successfully developed in this study. The percentage accuracy of CMT and BMT were 76.75% and 75.75%; sensitivity 69.36% and 67.56%; specificity 85.95% and 85.85%; positive predictive value 86.03% and 85.71%; negative predictive value 69.23% and 68%, respectively. A p value of 0.001 was found for both CMT and BMT. However, CMT and BMT had no significant difference in sensitivity (p = 0.778). Average SCCs (cells/ml) determined by DCC and DMC, respectively, were mostly corresponded to the SCC ranges of both CMT and BMT scores.   Conclusion: The newly developed BMT kit is an independent, cheap, farmer-friendly, first country made, and reliable SCM diagnostic test kit that can be used at field condition. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(3): 425-430, September 2019

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the respiratory methane emission and ultimate methane yield (B0) of goat feces that fed roughage consisted of Pennisetum purpureum and Gliricidia) and fed roughage and concentrate with different protein source in the ration (fish meal and soybean meal). Materials and Methods: Fifteen Kacang bucks were allocated to the control group (T0): goats were fed roughage only, T1: goats were fed roughage and concentrate with fish meal as protein sources, and T2: goats were fed roughage and concentrate and the protein source in the ration was soybean meal. Results: The protein content of feces from T0 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that from the other treatments. The same phenomenon was also found in the respiratory methane emission in terms of l/head/d, l/kg digestible dry matter, and l/kg body weight. However, there was no signif­icant effect (p > 0.05) of different ration composition on the ultimate methane yield (B0) of goat feces. This study found that B0 of goat feces from treatment T0, T1, and T2 was 17.40%, 25.78%, and 61.29%, respectively, higher than that from the international default value for developing countries. Conclusion: Feeding grass and legume can reduce methane respiration emission in goat. B0 of feces in the present study was higher than that in the international default value; therefore, the potential emission of goat manure in tropical developing countries could be higher than that in the present estimation. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(4): 431-437, December 2019