Length-Weight relationship was studied in Oreochromis niloticus niloticus, for a period of nine months from September 2012 to May 2013. The slope value (b) estimated for O. niloticus niloticus of both sexes was found to be 2.3133. The regression equations calculated for female was Log W = -3.4168 + 2.3133 Log L. The correlations coefficient was found to be significant (P<0.01). The significant difference between sexes of the species ‘F’ value was at 1% level. The b value differed from the ideal cube law of ‘3’ as is with the case of length-weight relationship studied in this species else where. The slope value was compared here could be very useful for comparison with the tilapia species in other geographical locations.

A new record of Axiidae off Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India is reported. Axiopsis consobrina species were newly recorded from Indian waters. The present species (Axiopsis consobrina) are recorded from Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India. One specimen was caught at the depth of 310 m as an incidental by-catch. It was found in tropical waters from about 08º 53.6’N 78º 16’E and 08º 53.8’N 78º 32’E/310m from Thoothukudi fishing harbour, southeast coast of India.  

A study was conducted to evaluate external and internal egg quality characters of three chicken breeds/ ecotypes namely, indigenous Siruvidai, TANUVAS Aseel and White Leghorn.  A total of 180 eggs (120 eggs from Siruvidai chicken, 30 eggs from TANUVAS Aseel and 30 eggs from White Leghorn) were subjected to this study. The weight, length, width and surface area of White Leghorn eggs were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of TANUVAS Aseel and indigenous Siruvidai chicken. Shape index was found to be significantly (P<0.05 higher in Siruvidai chicken eggs compared to that of TANUVAS Aseel and White Leghorn. Among the internal egg qualities, the height and width of albumen and albumen index were significantly (P<0.05) higher in White Leghorn chicken eggs compared to that of TANUVAS Aseel and Siruvidai chicken. Yolk height and yolk index of three breeds showed no significant difference among breeds. Yolk width was significantly (P<0.05) higher in TANUVAS Aseel compared to that of Siruvidai chicken. Yolk colour was significantly (P<0.05) higher in TANUVAS Aseel and Siruvidai chicken compared to that of White Leghorn. Shell thickness was significantly (P<0.05) higher in TANUVAS Aseel and White Leghorn as compared to Siruvidai chicken. Haugh unit was significantly (P<0.05) higher in White Leghorn compared to TANUVAS Aseel and Siruvidai chicken. The results revealed that the egg quality characters like egg weight, egg length, egg width, shape index, surface area, albumen height, albumen index, shell thickness and Haugh unit of indigenous Siruvidai chicken is different from other indigenous breed like Aseel and exotic breed like White Leghorn.

A study was conducted in four flood-prone villages at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Assam Agricultural University, Dhubri to assess the production performance of Khaki Campbell ducks and the economics of rearing them under NICRA (National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture) project. A total of 10 farmers were selected from Dhubri village on the basis of their experience in duck farming. Two hundred day-old Khaki Campbell ducklings, twenty numbers irrespective of sex per household, were distributed and reared up to 72 weeks. On attaining 30th week of age, the male ducks were sold out. The data including body weight, mortality, age at first egg and egg production were recorded. The average age at first egg was 163.0±3.6 days, and 30th  week mean body weight was 1.8±0.1 kg. The mean egg production and mortality rate were 180.8±4.1 and 13% respectively during the study period. It was found from the study that Khaki Campbell duck farming has contributed notably to the livelihood of the rural farmers with benefit-cost ratio of 1.87. 

One year old male Labrador Retriever dog, was presented with the history of inability to retract the penis back into preputial sheath since 24 hours after a mounting attempt. Massage therapy, application of magnesium sulfate and ice pack failed to reduce penile oedema. Topical application of oxytocin around bulbus gland is successfully reduced oedema, thereby aided in easy repositioning. Purse-string sutures were applied around the tip of the preputial sheath and post reduction therapy followed. Animal had an uneventful recovery. 

In India there is no present government policy to survey and evaluate adverse drug events (ADEs) / Pharmacovigilance programme in veterinary medicine. Therefore, essential information such as frequency, severity of treated animal ADRs and reliable data about frequent ADR-producing drugs remains unknown. The objective of the study is to assess and communicate risks and benefits in the market. Ultimately to educate the veterinarians and the stake holders on the safety and efficacy of veterinary drugs and biologicals. To this purpose, a 12 month pilot study based on WHO recommendations was conducted to monitor ADRs in the livestock treated by field veterinarian in the state of Tamil Nadu in India for frequently used drugs and common labeled signs. The present study warrants for the need for sustained veterinary pharmacovigilance programmers in livestock for timely ADR presenting drug reactions and drug safety improvement. 

The present study was undertaken to detect residues of Tetracycline in marketed pork using a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) System and a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. 300 samples of marketed pork were collected for the study. The samples after collection were preserved at -20°C. Analyses of the samples using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV-Vis Detector were done as per the method of Oka et al., 1985 while analyses of the same samples using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer were done as per the method of Yongnianian et al, 2010. Recovery ranged from 85-93% (HPLC) and 68-83% (Spectrophotometer). Out of the tested samples, 4 samples were detected to be positive for trace residues of tetracycline using Spectrophotometer while 6 samples were detected for tetracycline residues using HPLC method which were well below the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) value. The method of HPLC is more sensitive than the Spectrophotometric one. Thus, the HPLC method is useful for monitoring of tetracycline residues in pork. 

A biochemical study was conducted in Japanese quail to find out the efficiency of supplementation of diet with Selenium, Vitamin E, Ocimum Sanctum and their combinations on the blood antioxidant status. Day old Japanese quail chicks belonging to the same hatch were purchased and maintained in the Institute of Poultry Production and Management, Nandanam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Chicks were weighed and randomly distributed into 8 dietary treatments with 3 replicates of 7 chicks each (168 chicks). The control chicks were fed, only with basal diet (T1) and the other treatments had, 0.2mg of selenium per kg diet (T2), 40mg of vitamin E per kg diet (T3),1g of Ocimum sanctum per kg diet (T4), Selenium 0.2mg and vitamin E 40 mg per kg diet (T5), Vitamin E 40 mg  and Ocimum sanctum 1g per kg diet (T6), Selenium 0.2 mg and Ocimum sanctum 1g per kg diet (T7), Selenium 0.2mg , vitamin E 40 mg and Ocimum sanctum 1g per kg diet (T8). Isocaloric and Isonitrogenous feed and water were given ad libitum. Blood  was drawn at the end of 4th, 8th and 12th week of age and the following  antioxidant analysis were carried out using standard procedures. Reduced glutathione (Eyer 1986), Catalase  (Sinha 1974), Glutathione peroxidase ( Rotruck 1973), MDA lipid peroxidation  (Yagi 1998). The results of the antioxidant analysis showed a highly significant (p<0.01) increase in all supplemented groups with respect to control in all weeks. The MDA levels showed a highly significant (p<0.01) decrease in supplemented groups with respect to control in all weeks. The dietary supplementation of Selenium, Vitamin E and Ocimum sanctum has improved the blood antioxidant status. The combination of all the three supplements produced higher improvement than given alone. 

A total of 30 maize samples, 30 deoiled rice bran (DORB), 20 groundnut oil cake (expeller) and 20 dried distillers’ grain soluble (DDGs) feeds samples were collected from different parts of Namakkal district. Aflatoxin B1 was estimated in all the samples by extracting the aflatoxin and spotted in an activated thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate with standards and ascertained the concentration by visual comparison method in a UV viewing cabinet. Among 30 samples of maize, analyzed for aflatoxin, 20 samples (60%) contained traces of aflatoxin and 8 samples contained between 10-30 ppb. Two samples contained between 50-100 ppb. Similarly, among 30 samples of DORB analyzed for aflatoxin, 24 samples contained traces of aflatoxin and five samples contained between 10-30 ppb. One sample contained between 50-100 ppb of aflatoxin. Three samples of GNC and Four samples of DDGS had 50-100 ppb of aflatoxin. It reveals that, very few samples of maize and DORB contained high level of aflatoxin. Hence the regular screening of toxins in every lot of feed prior to feeding the animals or poultry needs to be regularized.

A three year old, male, Dachshund dog, weighing 10 Kg was presented to Veterinary College Hospital, Hassan with the history of snake bite (Russell’s viper). On physical examination, animal was dull and depressed, face was swollen and fang marks were observed on the right side of the face and blood tinged fluid was oozing from the bitten area. Animal was evincing pain on palpation of swollen area. Haemato-biochemical findings were within the normal range except for thrombocytopenia. The case was diagnosed as snake envenomation and treated with polyvalent anti snake venom intravenously, along with 100 ml of 0.9 per cent normal saline, dexamethasone and antibiotics for 5 days. Animal made uneventful recovery after 5 days of treatment.