The giant lizard mantis of Lysiosquilla sulcirostris Kemp, 1913 was recorded for the first time from Thoothukudi waters while investigating the biodiversity of the Gulf of Mannar during September, 2013. One specimen of the said species was collected as an incidental by-catch in the trawl fisheries off Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, between 08º 35’ 22.5" N lat. 78º 27’ 40.9" E long and 08º 31’ 91.2"N lat. 78º 25’ 32.7"E long at a depth of 150-160 m.

The present study was conducted to elucidate the growth performance changes in Wistar rats given cadmium chloride in different doses at various intervals. Wistar rats (n=12/group) were divided into four groups viz, group I (Control) given normal drinking water whereas group II, III and IV rats were given CdCl2 @ 100, 250 and 500 ppm, respectively for 12 weeks. Animals of all the groups were closely observed through out the period of experiment thrice a day for clinical signs. Daily Feed intake (FI), Body Weights (BW), Body Weight Gain (BWG) and Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR) were recorded. Clinical signs observed upto first 5 weeks were less prominent in all the treatment group rats. After 5 weeks PE, rats of all treatment groups showed varying degree of toxic signs, which included inappetence, dullness, weakness, depression, lethargy, reduced feed intake, decrease in body weight, poor fur condition, loss of hair, change in behaviour, disinclination to move, increased thirst and dehydration. In addition, group IV rats also showed nervous disorders from 9th week onwards. The average values of feed consumption, body weight and body weight gain were significantly lower in all treatment group rats as compared to control group rats in dose and duration dependent manner. Moreover, FCR increased significantly in all treatment groups from 4th week PE than control group rats upto the end of trial.

Campylobacter is the commonest reported bacterial cause of infectious intestinal disease. To study the epidemiology of Campylobacter infection among children, 100 stool samples along with patients anamnesis were collected from the clinical diarrheic reported to Enterology unit of Institute for child Health and centre for Children, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu between May 2013 to June 2013. Samples were subjected to traditional culture and modern PCR techniques, both of which revealed same results of 13% prevalence of Campylobacter sps (8% C.jejuni & 5% C.coli). Analyzing the patients anamnesis to study the epidemiological determinants, sex has a significance (P<0.05). Age and residential area have no significance and summer season and cross contamination could be probable determinants for the infection.

Laminitis is inflammation of sensitive laminae of the foot in horses and donkey. The front hooves are most commonly affected than hind feet. Laminitis can be mechanical or systematic, acute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral or sometimes all four feet were affectedDonkeys appear to be particularly susceptible to laminitis may be due to live in the desert and dry area so their ‘good bacteria’ are even more sensitive to carbohydrate overload than those of ponies and horses there certainly is no lush grass in the desert and dry area. A two year old male donkey walking very tenderly and repeated raising of left hind leg. The affected hind leg foot was cleaned with 1% Kmno4 solution for avoiding secondary bacterial infection Inj. Meloxicam 35mg I/M, in, inj. Strepto penicillin 500mg I/M were given. The affected left hind leg was exposed to infra red light for 5 minutes and hot fomentation was given with hot salt and hot rice bran mixture. Iodine ointment was applied over the swollen coronary band area of left foot.

Faecal samples of 264 sheep from 4 different sheep farms belonging to three different districts of Karnataka were screened to note the incidence of gastrointestinal nematodes. It was found that 93% of the sheep harboured strongyle infection. The faecal egg counts were found to be light to moderate. The in vitro egg hatch assay was employed to assess the resistance of strongyles in 4 sheep farms. The ED50 value for albendazole ranged between 2.5μg/ml to 6.9 μg/ ml which indicated the resistance of the gastrointestinal nematodes. All the samples were also subjected to another in vitro test, viz., larval development assay. The values ranged between 3-2μg to 4.2μg / ml which also indicated the development of resistance to albendazole. Larval paralysis assay confirmed the development of resistance to albendazole. 

Microbial quality of air in a dairy processing plant was evaluated to ascertain the contribution of air as a source of contamination and spoilage of milk and milk products. The mean total aerobic counts obtained in the air by sedimentation method were 32.66 ± 3.82, 25.32 ± 4.17 and 33.36 ± 3.53 cfu/m 2 in raw milk reception dock, pasteurization room and product preparation room respectively. The respective mean total coliform counts were 1.52 ± 0.14, 0.66 ± 0.08 and 0.99 ± 0.16 cfu/ m2. Total coliform count observed in the raw milk reception dock was significantly higher (P< 0.01) than the other areas.  The mean Staphylococcal counts were 2.52 ± 0.10, 3.84 ± 0.31and 5.82 ± 0.30 cfu/ m2. The product preparation room showed highest mean Staphylococcal counts followed by pasteurization room and raw milk reception dock.  The mean yeast and mould counts obtained were 5.42 ± 0.39, 3.84 ± 0.31and 5.82 ± 0.30 cfu/ m2  in raw milk reception dock, pasteurization room and product preparation room respectively. Effect of fumigation on the microbial quality of air in the dairy processing area was also studied by comparing the microbial load in the air before and after fumigation. Fumigation practice followed in the dairy processing area was highly effective against total aerobic organisms, coliforms, and Staphylococci but not very effective in the case of yeast and moulds.

The research was carried out to study the effects of dietary supplementation of Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) and selenium on ALT and AST enzyme levels in broiler chicken. A total of forty-two broiler chicks of day old divided into six groups of seven each were used for this study. Ocimum sanctum leaf powder (0.25% and 0.5%), organic selenium (0.3 ppm) and their combinations were added to the basal diet. Body weight and feed consumption were recorded at weekly intervals. Blood samples were taken at the end of 6th week for enzymological assay from each treatment. The enzymes assayed were alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). Dietary supplementation of Ocimum sanctum leaf powder at 0.25%, 0.5% levels and its combination (0.5% level) with selenium (0.3 ppm) reduced the levels of ALT and AST significantly (P<0.05). It was concluded that Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) has hepato-protective properties.

Odontotermes formosanus termites are recognized as one of the major ecosystem engineers in tropical soils. This termite depends on intestinal microorganisms for cellulose digestion. Nine bacterial isolates from termite gut were identified using sugar fermentation and biochemical tests and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The aerobes isolated from the termite gut were Bacillus sp., Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The facultative anaerobes isolated were Salmonella entrica, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Staphylococcus gallinarum and Serratia marcescens. DNA from these bacterial cultures was extracted for molecular identification by 16S rRNA gene amplification. The cellulolytic activities of these bacteria were assessed by congo red assay. This study revealed the presence of cellulolytic aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in the gut of termite Odontotermes formosanus which could be manipulated for their cellulose digestion in rumen. 

The present study was conducted to study the vitreous humor between eye differences and baseline values of potassium, sodium, calcium and glucose immediately after death in dogs. Eight canine carcasses brought for necropsy formed the material for collection of vitreous humour in the present study. The information regarding time of death was gathered from dog owners, clinicians and clinical records. Eyes were enucleated as soon as possible after receiving carcass for postmortem. Sampling of vitreous humor was done using 16 gauge needle and 20 ml syringe. The needle was inserted at the lateral angle of eyeball so that the tip of needle was placed at the center of the eyeball. About 50 µL vitreous humour was gently aspirated from each eye and transferred to eppendorf tubes. Sampling of vitreous humour was done within 1-4 hours after death. The aspirated vitreous humour samples were centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 15 min at 50C temperature and the supernatant was used for analysis. The average vitreous humour concentrations of potassium, sodium, calcium and glucose estimated within 1-4 hours after death were 8.18±0.31 mEq/L, 152.55±4.46 mEq/L, 9.52  ±0.20 mg/dL and 21.70±4.50 mg/dL respectively. The results of this study indicated that there were no significant differences between left and right eye  for all of the vitreous biochemical constituents that were studied in present study (estimated within 1-4 hours after death).

A 3 months old goat kid presented to Veterinary Dispensary, Chetiyur, Salem district Tamil Nadu   with case history of ring like patches on the body complete alopecia, frequent itching with thick and scaly skin . Dermatophytes are cited among the most frequent causes of dermatological problems in domestic animals. The superficial mycoses caused by dermatophytes are called dermatophytosis- Trichophyton are usually the cause of dermatophytosis in domestic animals. Trichophyton verrucosum is the major fungal agent encountered in case of goats. Direct microscopic examination of skin scrapping with 20% KOH revealed long chains densely packed chlamydiospore found with swollen hyphae. The skin scrapping materials cultured in thiamine inositol nutrient supplement selective culture medium. Long chains of densely compacted chlamydospores present in lactophenol cotton blue staining. The goat kid recovered within a week by external antifungal and systemic antibiotic and nutritional therapy with good hygienic management.