To improve the production performance of white Guinea fowl, selective breeding was carried out continuously for six generation. A total 1000 Guinea fowl hatching eggs were procured from various government institutions and private entrepreneurs, and subsequently keets were hatched out and base population was created. The production traits were given due importance during selective breeding for six generations to improve both body weight and egg production. The traits such as hatch weight 4th, 8th, 12th,16th and 24 week body weight (g), FCR, livability, age at sexual maturity (days), Hen – Day Egg Production (HDEP) and Hen - Housed Egg Production (HHEP), annual egg number, egg weight (g), adult livability, total and fertile hatchability (%) were studied in all six generations. The day-old chick weight of all six generations ranged from 26.46 to 28.10 g. The 4th and 8th week mean body weight of the first generation white Guinea fowl was 180.85g and 481.69 g respectively, which increased to 220.95 g and 494.13 g, respectively in 6th generation. Similarly, the 12th and 16th week body weights in 1st generation increased from 767.12 g to 805.29 g and 951.04 g to 1079.15 g, respectively, at 6th generation. The linear regression analysis of 4th and 8th week body weight over generations revealed significant increment of 7.59 g and 7.72 g, respectively, per generation. Similarly, the 12th and 24th week body weight in each generation had a positive change with high degree of goodness of fit. The 12 and 16th week FCR showed a positive change of high magnitude over generations. The hen day and hen housed egg production (29-51 weeks) from 1st generation to 6th generation increased from 39.26 to 40.55 % and 37.53 to 38.83 %, respectively, during the course of selection. The total and fertile egg hatchability also showed marked changes due to selection with values varying from 49.52 to 53.14 % and 71.37 to 72.38 % across the generations. This study concluded that the multi stage short-term selection can improve both body weight and egg production in white Guinea fowl.  

The present study aimed to develop and standardize RTD dal payasam prepared with coconut milk by replacing bovine milk by cooking dal (moong dal/ split yellow lentils) in coconut milk with added nuts, sugar and shredded coconut. The product was prepared with total solids of 22-23% as per commercial purpose. Three different trials (P1, P2 and P3) with varying quantities of dal (150g, 200g and 250g), jaggery (250g, 150g and 200g) and coconut milk of 200ml (based on preliminary study) was studied. The optimized dal payasam was filled in cans and retort processed at 121.1ºC and overpressure of 1.29 bar with steam pressure of 1 bar. Lethality time (F0) of 16.7 min and Total Process Time of 34.2 to 38.7 min was calculated by predictive thermal process modeling. Sensory evaluation of P1, P2 and P3 concluded that P3 with 250g moong dal, 200g jaggery, 200 ml coconut milk was highly preferred by sensory panelists. The finalized trial was further studied for its physico-chemical properties for 60 days at refrigerated (4±2ºC) and room temperature (25±2ºC). The study concluded that retort processed Ready-to-Drink dal payasam packed in cans was safe to consume upto 60 days of storage.

 Open fontanelle is a soft spot located on top of the head in a newborn due to incomplete fusion of the cranial bones. They are the normal structure in young puppies, especially in small breeds and get hardened by 9-12 weeks of age following fusion of growth plates in the skull. The aim of our study was to describe the presence, diagnosis and management of open fontanelle. A puppy was presented with the history of swelling over the frontal region, intermittent seizures for the past two weeks. Clinical examination revealed a swelling over the mid-frontal region of head. Radiographic examination of skull revealed hydrocephalus with open fontanelle.

Eight numbers of dung samples were collected from bovine calves aged between 6-9 months in Thalayamangalam village, Orathanadu Taluk, Thanjavur district with the history of chronic watery diarrhoea and jowl oedema. Gross examination of dung samples revealed foul smelling with absence of segments of tapeworms. Dung samples were screened by using sedimentation technique for the presence of parasitic eggs/ova. Microscopical examination revealed the presence of spindle shaped eggs having anterior spine and active miracidium inside the eggs. Based on the morphological features of the parasitic egg, it was diagnosed as Schistosoma spindale infection in calves.

Animal body reacts to all kinds of injuries and stress to keep the homeostasis. Such resistance can be specific or non specific. Non specific innate resistance of the body like cytological and cytokine reactions including fever, leukocytoses etc. are known as acute phase response. In this response, there will be increase or decrease of serum concentration of particular proteins. These proteins are known as acute phase proteins. Measurement of serum concentration of these acute phase proteins are found to be useful in assessment of health status and prediction of diseases of the man and animals. Acute phase proteins like Serum amyloid A, C- reactive proteins, Haptoglobin, alpha 1 acid glycoprotein etc. are found to be more sensitive and specific than the routine diagnostic methods like white blood cell count. Use of acute phase proteins as biomarkers for animal disease diagnosis and health status assessment has got high potential in modern veterinary practice. Usefulness of the acute phase protein analysis in veterinary practice especially in dog, cat, cattle and pig practices is discussed in this review.

A study was undertaken to assess the economic impact of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) project run by AICRP on pigs at Tirupati on the livelihoods of beneficiaries of piggery units. The study was carried out in Chittoor, Nellore, Kadapa and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh state. Data were collected from 30 beneficiaries, who were supplied germplasm under RKVY project. These beneficiaries were purposively selected for impact studies since they have completed 3 years of pig rearing and were personally interviewed for collection of data. The constraints that impede the successful management of swine farms were identified and ranked. The most pressing problem of swine farms was the non-availability of Swill feed which is most important ingredient round the year in required quantities. The other equal important constraint was the accessability to institutional credit agencies. Cost of vaccines was another factor in terms of severity as expressed by the farmers. In addition lack of demand for dreessed pork in rural areas, limited availability of breeding stock were identified. Apart from these major problems there were other constraints too affecting the efficient management of swine farms.  

The brown paper nautilus, Argonauta hians Lightfoot, 1786 was recorded for the first time from Indian waters while investigating the biodiversity of the molluscs of Gulf of Mannar during June, 2011. One specimen of the said species was collected as an incidental by-catch in the trawl catch off Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, from India, between 08º 35’ 22.5" N 78º 27’ 40.9" E and 08º 31’ 91.2"N 78º 25’ 32.7"E at a depth of 305-310 m.  

High mortality in a period of one month due to hepatic coccidiosis was reported in a rabbit farm. Typical nodular lesions in liver and unsporulated oocysts of E. stiedai could be detected. Animals were treated with sulphaquinoxyline and diaveridine for five days followed by repetition of treatment after five days. Strict sanitary measures and disinfection of cages by spraying with 10 per cent ammonia solution was adopted. All animals with poor body conditions were removed from the flock and the disease was controlled.

A study was conducted to record the gross thickness of skin in various regions of the body at different age groups on Bakerwali goats. The animals were divided into three age groups viz, neonatal, young and adult. The thickness of skin increased with advancement of age. Neck dorsal showed the maximum thickness and thorax ventral showed the minimum thickness among the different regions in all the groups studied. 

A seven year old female Doberman dog was presented with the history of dullness, anorexia and dysuria for three days. Abdominal palpation revealed distended bladder, which was confirmed by plain radiography and ultrasonography on Neurological examination animal was found to be normal. On manual compression of the bladder urine was not evacuated, therefore by catheterization was performed and no obstruction was found; around three litres of urine was drained. The animal was treated with oral Diazepam, @ 0.04mg/kg, Prazosin, 1mg/15 kg and Bethanechol, @ 2mg/kg bd. wt. On fourth day of treatment, the animal was able to urinate normally and it was advised to continue the treatment for two weeks. The animal had an unevenful recovery.