To investigate the prevalence of amphistome parasites in buffaloes slaughtered at different abattoirs of Rawalpindi and Peshawar district, Pakistan. The gastro-intestinal tracts and bile ducts were examined during the period of May to December, 2017. Out of 198 buffaloes, 39 (12.8 percent) were infected with multiple species of amphistomes. In present investigation, three species of amphistomes viz Paramphistomum epiclitum, Gastrothylax crumenifer and Gigantocotyle explanatum were identified. The higher infection rate was found in Kundhi breed 13.6 percent than Azi Khali and Nili Ravi. The males buffaloes (15.1 percent) and age group of 2 to 4 years (21.4 percent) had higher infection rate as compared to females and old animals The mixed infection of amphistomes did not show significant (P GT 0.05) association among breed, sex, age, contact with water bodies and grazing management of animals. The present results will contribute to our understanding of the epidemiology of amphistomiasis in Pakistan for control and prevention studies.

The present study was planned for investigations on epidemiology, clinco-biochemical and radiological aspects and therapeutic management of osteomalacia in buffaloes. Overall hospital incidence of osteomalcia in buffaloes was 8.31 percent with higher incidence during mid lactation in high yielding buffaloes exclusively fed on dry fodder. The characteristic clinical signs observed were progressive loss of body weight, shifting lameness, stiff gait, arching of back as well as difficulty in lifting chest portion and keeping on knee joint for longer time while getting up. Significant decrease in hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count and haematocrit while increase in MCV and granulocyte count was observed in affected buffaloes as compared to healthy buffaloes. Highly significant decrease in mean plasma inorganic phosphorus, significant decrease in calcium and highly significant increase in alkaline phosphatase levels was observed in osteomalacia affected buffaloes. Radiographic examination revealed proliferation of osteophytes in carpal bones, demineralization of canon bones and osteolytic changes indicated by decreased radiographic density in last few coccygeal vertebrae. For evaluating the efficacy of different treatment modalities in osteomalacia, ailing buffaloes were divided in to three groups (n=10). Group I, II and III buffaloes were treated with mineral mixture, buffered phosphorus and buffered phosphorus with mineral mixture respectively. The overall recovery period was significantly lower (27.1+-4.05 days) in Group III compared to Group II (39.2+-4.2 days) and Group I (40.5+-3.72 days) buffaloes. On the basis of recovery period and restoration of biochemical parameters combined treatment with parenteral buffered phosphorus preparation and mineral mixture proved most effective in management of osteomalacia in buffaloes.

Ticks are one of the important vectors of zoonoses and are major constraint to livestock farming. The present study was carried at East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, during October 2016 to May 2017 to determine the prevalence of tick infestation on buffaloes. Examination of ticks collected from 420 buffaloes of house hold, organised and unorganised dairy farms from different villages of district revealed 29.52 percent of tick infestation in the study area. Exclusively Haemaphysalis species was identified by processing of ticks in 10 percent KOH solution by standard parasitological technique. Among different age groups the higher rate of prevalence (10.24 percent) was noticed in LT= 6 months followed by 8.09 percent in 6 months to 1 year, 5.48 percent in 1 to 2 years and 5.71 percent in GT= 2 years of age group animals. Statistically there was a significant difference (chi square =16.97, P=0.0007) between the age groups with respect to prevalence of ticks in buffaloes. Subsequently animals were treated with two subcutaneous injections of ivermectin at 200 micro g/ kg four days apart. Farther owners were also advised spraying of animal sheds and its surroundings with Amitraz 12.5 percent emulsifiable concentration. The results of the present study is suggestive of the poor animal husbandry practices pursued by the farmers of the study area which are to be addressed by following appropriate control strategies considering the epidemiology of ticks.