Lantana camara is a weed which affects both livestock production and the growth of other plants near them. It is a sturdy plant with multi-colored flowers which can grow well in diverse climatic and soil conditions. Initially cultivated as an ornamental plant and transferred to various regions of the world; the plant has now become one of the  common weeds in agricultural land and forest regions. It is found in almost all parts of India and its invasion in forest cover of the country is a great concern as the plant has inhibitory effect on growth of other plants. It has been listed among the ten most toxic weed in the world. Although grazing animals primarily do not consume this plant, scarcity of pasture lands cause the animals to eat this plant. Consumption of this plant cause hepatotoxicity and secondary photosensitization in animals. The toxic compound in this plant is ‘Lantadenes’ and is predominantly found in leaves of the plant. The history, phytochemistry, toxicity in animals, toxicopathology, treatment and prevention of toxicity are reviewed in this article.

Twenty four Nellore brown ram lambs (15.32 ± 0.39 kg body weight) of 3-6 months aged were used to assess the effect of different floor types on body condition score (BCS), dirt score, eggs per gram (EPG) count of faeces and hoof condition under intensive rearing system for a period of 120 days. Lambs were assigned randomly to one of three treatments. Treatment groups were mud/gravel floor-control (T1; n = 8), concrete floor (T2; n = 8) and elevated plastic slatted floor (T3; n = 8). Significantly higher BCS observed in experimental groups in first (P<0.01) and eighth (P<0.05) fortnights, whereas the difference observed in other fortnights was not-significant. Significant (P<0.05) difference in dirt score was observed among three floor types and lowest dirt score was observed in lambs kept in T3 group. Higher dirt score indicated that the lambs reared on concrete floor were dirtier than lambs on mud floor whereas, lambs reared on elevated plastic slatted floor (low score) were cleaner than other two groups. There was a significant difference in EPG count of faeces among treatment groups. The EPG count of T3 group was significantly (P<0.05) lower from second to fourth month and T2 group also recorded lower EPG value in third month of the experiment indicating lesser incidences of parasitic infestation. The study also revealed significant (P<0.05) difference in hoof length among three treatment groups. Higher hoof length (cm) was recorded in T3 group throughout the experiment except the first fortnight. It is concluded that, elevated plastic slatted floor is recommended for rearing of ram lambs for higher BCS, cleanliness (dirt) score and lower EPG count of faeces together with a periodical hoof trimming for early marketability of healthy ram lambs.

Displacement of the abomasum is one of the important incidence recorded in dairy cattle especially after calving that lead to huge economic loss. A six year old Holstein Friesian female cow calved fifteen days back was presented to the Large Animal Outpatient Unit, Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal with the history of not voiding dung and anorexia for past three days. The animal was fed with corn and ragi feed. Clinical examination revealed pale pink mucous membranes, right side distension of abdomen, ping sound on right paralumbar fossa to 11th intercostal space on simultaneous auscultation and percussion. On rectal examination balloon like structure was noticed and the liptak test revealed pH of 2. Ultrasonographic examination of abomasal contents and post mortem examination confirmed RDA.

Ranula rarely resolve without surgery and marsupialisation is easily applicable technique to manage sublingual salivary mucocele. A two year old male German shepherd dog was presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal with the history of swelling on ventral aspect of the tongue for the past one and half month. The fine needle aspiration cytology revealed macrophages mixed with coccobacillary clumps, haematobiochemical parameters were within the physiological range. Based on the clinical signs, the case was diagnosed as ranula. Under atropine sulphate and xylazine hydrochloride premedication, induction of anaesthesia with ketamine and diazepam followed by isoflurane maintenance, marsupialization was done.  Postoperatively, the animal was treated with broad spectrum antibiotic and antiinflammatory drugs for five days, and the animal recovered uneventfully after 15 days.

Bacterial infection followed by implant fixation is a common complication after surgery. In order to reduce the incidence of implant-associated infections, several biomaterial surface treatments have been proposed. In this study, the effect of in vitro antibacterial activity of magnetron sputtered silver nanoparticles was studied. Sputtering was done using radiofrequency magnetron sputtering technology. Film applicator coating assay was used to assess the antibacterial effect of the coated titanium implants. SEM examination revealed successful deposition of silver nanoparticles on the titanium surface. The average diameter of the nanoparticles was 40-60 nm. SEM examination before incubation and after incubation of bacteria was done. The bactericidal ratio between the uncoated and coated implant was determined.

Nanotechnology has been used in a variety of medical applications, including diagnostics, immunisation, medication and gene delivery. Nanotechnology has opened up new ways for molecular biology and biotechnology applications, and it has revolutionised practically every area of veterinary and animal sciences by introducing new, small-scale instruments and materials that are advantageous to living species. Metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, fullerenes,  liposomes, and dendrimers are among the several forms of nanomaterials employed in detection of various diseases, therapy, drug administration, animal nutrition and breeding. It is concluded that, before making nano-products available for animal use, extensive risk evaluations should be carried out to ensure their safety. So, this article provides an overview of existing and promising nano applications in veterinary research that may lead to increased efficiency and production.

Nutritional evaluation of different pulse chunnies was carried using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) and validated with wet analysis for inclusion in livestock feeds. The portable NIRS spectrophotometer FOSS XDS RCA and FOSS 6500 chemometrics software were used for the study. A total of 324 samples of four pulse chunnies (red gram (RGC), green gram (GGC), black gram (BLGC) and bengal gram (BGC)) were assessed using NIRS. It revealed that RGC had significantly (P<0.01) highest DM content than other three samples. The mean CP content was highest (P<0.01) in GGC and lowest in BGC and significantly (P<0.01) higher ether extract (EE) was recorded in BLGC and RGC and lowest in BGC samples. The ash content was significantly (P<0.01) highest in BLGC and lowest in RGC samples. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents were higher (P<0.01) in BGC and lower in GGC samples. Wet analysis shown, the DM content did not differ (P>0.05) among pulse chunni samples, while significantly (P<0.01) higher organic matter was recorded in RGC and lowest in BLGC samples. The CP was higher (P<0.01) in BLGC and lower in BGC and significantly (P<0.01) highest crude fibre recorded for BGC, RGC and was lowest in BLGC and GGC samples. Highest (P<0.05) EE was observed in BLGC while lowest in BGC. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in nitrogen free extract among pulse chunnies, while ash content was significantly (P<0.01) higher in BLGC and lower in RGC samples. NDF, ADF and ADL were significantly (P<0.01) higher in BGC and lower in GGC samples. The study concludes that the NIRS technique can be used to screen large number of samples in lesser time for using them in livestock feed formulations as there is a high correlation between NIRS and conventional feed analysis.

An outbreak of pasteurellosis was recorded in a local Japanese quail farm in Tamil Nadu with a flock capacity of 20,000 birds per batch. Mortality was reported in new arrival of 2000 birds of 14 week old quails. Mortality was recorded to be increasing from third day to 10th day of arrival with a total mortality of 410 birds at the rate of 20 birds per day for three consecutive days and 30 to 60 for seven consecutive days with the history of depression, ruffled feathers, discharge of mucous from the mouth and nostrils, anorexia, diarrhoea and respiratory distress. Necropsy was performed on dead birds which revealed numerous greyish necrotic foci scattered on the entire parenchyma of the liver on gross examination. Heart showed petechial haemorrhages on the pericardium while other organs namely kidney, intestine, spleen and lungs showed only congestion. Impression smear of the liver revealed presence of bipolar organisms on microscopic examination. Cultural examination of heart blood swab and PCR assay carried out on liver tissues confirmed the presence of Pasteurella multocida. Based on the postmortem examination and laboratory findings, diagnosis was confirmed as pasteurellosis and all the other ailing birds were treated with enrofloxacin orally @ 5 mg/kg body weight for 7 days. The treated birds became active with normal feeding habits after 10 days of treatment. 

An attempt was made to measure the comparative advantage of dairy farming among different occupational groups of rural Tamil Nadu (540 households and 2500 persons) for its poverty alleviation role. The most commonly used measures of poverty viz., head count index (P 0), poverty gap index (P1) and squared poverty gap (poverty severity) index (P2), the Watts index and average exit time from poverty were calculated. About 59 per cent of the total sample households and close to 65 per cent of sample population were found to stay below poverty line. P1 P2 and W index were observed to be the highest among agricultural labourers and the lowest among dairy farmers. At four per cent of hypothetical income growth rate, the time required to exit out of poverty was estimated to be the least for dairy farmers (4.66 years for buffalo and 4.91 years for cattle), followed by fishermen (5.09 years). Keeping in view of poverty reduction potential of dairy farming, it shall be included in poverty alleviation programmes. 

An outbreak of chorioptic mange infestation was observed in a sheep and goat flock during 2021 in the Kandukur village of Anantapur district, with a history of skin itching, thick scabs and loss of hair. Skin lesions were characterized by alopecica, crusty scabs on hind limbs, face, ears and scrotal region. Microscopic examination of deep skin scrapings revealed the presence of Chorioptes spp mites. Affected sheep and goats were treated with Ivermectin injection (200 mg/kg. body wt) administered subcutaneously weekly once for 2 weeks along with dipping using Butox spray (Deltamethrin) and supportive therapy with brotone syrup (liver tonic). Examination of deep skin scraping two weeks post treatment found negative for the Chorioptes spp mites.