The industrial manufacturing of natural products for veterinary use represents a major weakness in the veterinary sector despite increased interest and the traditional ancestral knowledge that supports them. A cross-sectional, descriptive observational study was conducted to characterize the veterinary herbal products marketed worldwide during 2018 and 2019. A comprehensive thematic search limited to the 2018-2019 period was performed in the ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, ResearchGate, and Academic Search Complete databases. The investigation identified 487 products registered in the global market manufactured by 54 companies, led by India, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The market segments of animal production and phytomedicines were dominant with 73.7% and 53.0% of products, respectively. Cattle (22.2%), sheep-goats (16.2%), and canines (16.2%) were the most favored species. The most represented therapeutic indications were those intended to treat gastrointestinal disorders (30.47%), antimicrobials (16.66%), and antiparasitic agents (10.47%). The families Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Malvaceae, and Rutaceae stood out because of their frequent use, encompassing 35.0% of the 137 declared species. Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees and Withania somnifera (Lin) Dunal were the most important species. Oral formulations for internal use (72%) and liquids (51%) in 100 mL, 500 mL, and 1 L presentations showed the highest prevalence on the market. The global market for veterinary herbal products during the 2018-2019 period was relevant in the productive and medical animal sector. No differences were found between medicinal plant species used to formulate herbal products for human and animal use.

Medicinal products in Europe are under the strict control of many organisations headed by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare (EDQM) in Strasbourg and its related General European Official Medicines Control Laboratories (OMCLs) Network (GEON). The EDQM works in cooperation with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). All of these institutions have one main goal – to protect public health in Europe and around the world. One of the more important effects of the harmonisation of pharmaceutical law in Europe was the introduction of the mutual recognition principle for the Official Control Authority Batch Release (OCABR)/Official Batch Protocol Review (OBPR) certificates in the European Union. The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Poland is an example of an OMCL laboratory within the Veterinary Batch Release Network (VBRN) that issues the European certificates. The NVRI is actively involved in the batch release of immunological veterinary medicinal products (IVMPs), with approximately 1,800 certificates for IVMPs issued per year. It is also one of only four veterinary OMCLs that perform Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) studies including approximately 47 IVMPs per year. All the results of the testing data are sent to the Chief Veterinary Officer, and also to the electronic Network platforms of the EDQM, which enables transparent information exchange.

Salmonella is an important cause of foodborne illnesses in humans. Food-producing animals, including swine, are a major source of Salmonella in food products. This study investigated on farm Salmonella fecal shedding in pigs at different production stages - from weaning to marketing - and its association with the presence of Salmonella in tissues at slaughter. Fourteen groups from 8 commercial farrowing sources (N = 809 pigs) were monitored 5 times from birth to slaughter. Fecal and tissue samples were collected from pigs and cultured for Salmonella. A survey was conducted to collect farm management information. A multi-level mixed-effects logistic regression modelling method was used to analyze Salmonella shedding over time and the association between Salmonella shedding and the presence of Salmonella in tissue samples. Salmonella was recovered from 13% (421/3339) of fecal samples collected from 809 pigs over the course of the study. Overall, 35% (284) of pigs shed Salmonella at least once, while 12% (99) shed more than once. Salmonella shedding increased as pigs aged (P = 0.01) and increased in the summer months (P < 0.01). Salmonella was isolated from tissue samples collected from 23% (134/580) of pigs; however, the presence of Salmonella at slaughter was not associated with on farm shedding. The seasonal trend in Salmonella shedding and its association with age may be used to identify high-risk groups and implement more effective control measures accordingly. The identification of repeat shedders warrants interventions that target this source of infection on swine farms.

Two experiments were conducted to determine changes in body composition and various physiologic variables in feeder pigs under simulated marketing conditions. In the first experiment, pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups for 48 hours: (1) no water and feed; (2) water ad libitum, no feed; (3) no water, feed ad libitum; or (4) water and feed ad libitum. During a 48-hour recovery period, all pigs were allowed feed and water ad libitum. Plasma triiodothyronine decreased (P < 0.01) within the first 24 hours in groups-1 and -2 pigs, but increased (P < 0.01) within the first 6 hours of the recovery period. The circadian rhythm of plasma cortisol was disrupted in groups-1 and -3 pigs and during recovery in group-1 pigs. Packed cell volume increased (P < 0.05) in groups-1 and -3 pigs and returned to initial values within the first 24 hours of the recovery period. In the second experiment, body composition was estimated by the 40K technique for fat-free body mass, percentage of nitrogen, and percentage of fat. Body composition was determined before and after pigs were allotted to 1 of 2 groups for 48 hours: group-1 pigs were given feed and water ad libitum and group-2 pigs were not given feed and water. Group-1 pigs gained 2.2 kg of body weight (P < 0.01), 0.6% fat (P < 0.01), 0.7 kg of fat-free body mass, and 0.02% nitrogen (P > 0.01). Group-2 pigs lost 2.3 kg of body weight (P < 0.01), 0.6% fat (P < 0.01), 2.0 kg of fat-free body mass (P < 0.01), and 0% nitrogen.

Khillar is an indigenous cattle breed, predominant in Karnataka. Although, milk production of these indigenous breed is low as compared to crossbreds, these animals are reared for their sturdy nature, sustainability to draught, heat tolerance, disease resistance, adaptability to harsh climatic conditions and ability to survive and perform under scarce feed and fodder conditions. But, livestock farmers face lots of issues in management of Khillar Cattle. The present study was conducted to analyse the marketing and utilization pattern of Khillar cattle of Karnataka. A total of 240 Khillar cattle owners from 16 villages comprising 80 small farmers, 80 medium farmers and 80 large farmers were considered for the study and interviewed with the help of structured schedule. The results indicated that that majority of the farmers purchased Khillar cattle from the market (54.59 %) and most of them (58.75 per cent) selected the Khillar cattle based on both the breed characteristics and hair whorls, followed by hair whorls (21.25 per cent). Majority (89.58 per cent) of the farmers responded that negotiation followed by undercover method (10.42 %) was followed in the market. Among the overall farmers, Khillar cattle was majorly used for milking purpose (88.75 %), followed by use of Khillar bullocks for agricultural activities (52.5 %). Hence, there is an urgent need to assess and analyze the contribution of indigenous cattle in the livelihood of resource poor which may help the policy makers to take necessary steps to provide subsidized loan and insurance policies for the draught animals and also to provide basic amenities in the cattle markets.

An attempt was made to document the management practices of the backyard goat production in Cauvery Delta zone of Tamil Nadu. The primary data were collected by interviewing 180 backyard goat farmers selected by multi-stage random sampling using pre-tested interview schedule and analyzed through descriptive statistics. About 46.11 per cent of the respondents kept their animals under open system of housing and floor of the goat shed was mud type in 96.67 per cent of the sampled farmers. All the farmers stored manure in an open place. Majority of goat farmers raise their goats solely on browsing and grazing stubble of field crops, natural pasture and tree leaves. Majority of farmers did not possess their own breeding buck but they use community buck for breeding purpose. Middlemen (57.22 per cent) played a major role in marketing of goat in all categories of flocks, followed by butcher (36.11 per cent). Only one-fifth of flock owners dewormed their flocks yearly twice. None of the sample respondents vaccinated their goat against infectious diseases. Goats were marketed round the year (87.78 per cent) and about 12 per cent marketed their goats on special occasions. The major reasons for marketing was found to be the want of money to overcome financial problem (61.07 mean score) in case of bucks / male kids and culling due to old age (66.00 mean score) in case of breeding does. Majority of the sample backyard goat farmers did not follow scientific  management practices at their farm level, which warrants intensive extension programmes. Implementation of best management practices among backyard goat farmers in Cauvery Delta zone of Tamil Nadu would improve the profitability.