This study investigated oxyclozanide, a salicylanilide anthelmintic, as an alternative treatment for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in bovine mastitis. With conventional treatments facing challenges due to antibiotic resistance, oxyclozanide demonstrated promising in vitro antimicrobial effect against MRSA isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 μg/ml, indicating its efficacy. Oxyclozanide’s mechanism involved disrupting the transmembrane structure of bacteria, presenting a potential strategy against MRSA. This suggested the repurposing of oxyclozanide as a viable option for combating MRSA in bovine mastitis, prompting further investigation into its precise mechanism and therapeutic potential.

Eighteen queen cats with a history of mis-mating were confirmed pregnant by ultrasound examination and were divided into three groups of six cats each; Group I: Normal pregnancy cats, group II: Cats treated with cloprostenol alone and Group III: Cats that underwent treatment with cloprostenol and cabergoline for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). Haematobiochemical and ultrasonographic aspects associated with MTP as well as the efficacy of cloprostenol administration alone and its combination with cabergoline in inducing MTP were studied. Ultrasonographic evaluation showed a significant increase in mean heart rate and a decrease in mean gestational sac diameter (p ≤ 0.01) values after 72 hours of initiation of the MTP treatment. Haematological parameters showed a significant reduction in RBC and PCV values; however, there was a significant increase in WBC and neutrophil values on post-hours treatment. Hence, the use of combined therapy (cloprostenol and cabergoline) can be considered a more effective protocol for MTP than single-drug therapy (cloprostenol) from 30- 35 days of pregnancy in cats. 

In recent years, investigations have been carried out to improve the functional value of meat products through the introduction of dietary fibre (DF). The addition of dietary fibre in meat products contributes to the fabrication of products that enhance physiological functions. The present study was conducted to fortify chicken meatballs with Oats (Avena sativa) and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) as a source of dietary fibre. Oat flour and cabbage were incorporated at the levels of 1.5 %, 2.5 % and 3.5 % (w/w) for the preparation of meatballs. Moisture content, product pH, emulsion stability and technological properties like cooking yield, water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity of the final product were studied. The results revealed that cooking yield increased on the addition of oat flour and cabbage (p≤0.05). There was no significant change in product pH, and in sensory attributes at the level of 2.5% incorporation. Overall technological properties and sensorial analysis of these products were found to be higher than control. Thus, the inclusion of oat flour and cabbage at the level of 2.5 % to chicken meatballs had significantly increased the crude fibre from control 14.053+0.021 to 4.727±0.015% in T2, representing a l6.62% increase in fibre content, that also showed higher desirability in sensorial analysis.

A four month old calf weighing 69 kg was attended at door step in the position of lateral recumbency with a history of anorexia, dyspnoea and voiding coffee coloured urine. Physical examination revealed subnormal temperature, pale mucous membrane, tachycardia with haemic murmur, tachypnoea and pounding femoral pulse. Examination of the blood smear revealed Babesia bigemina and complete blood count findings were reduced haematological parameters RBC–(1.5x10 6 ), PCV–(14%) and Hb–(3.5mg/dL). Based on the clinical and laboratory findings, the case was confirmed as Babesiosis and the calf was treated with Inj. Diminazene aceturate (Berenil) @ 3.5 mg/kg deep IM, Inj. Oxytetracycline @ 22 mg /kg IV and Inj. Ferritas 3 ml I/M on day 1. Subsequently on day 2 calf was transfused with two units (700 ml) of fresh whole blood as emergency treatment with dexamethasone @ 0.2 mg/kg BW IV, Avil 0.25 mg/kg IM. The calf was completely cured on day five and day 10 blood smear was negative for Babesia bigemina.

With the advancement of research and development of medical technology, there is an increase in the number of animals used in research. As millions of experimental animals are being used in different experiments worldwide, there is a lot of debate about the pain, distress, and death experienced by animals during scientific experiments. Experimental animals also require skilled manpower, time-consuming protocols and are costly. There are various alternatives to animal testing to overcome the drawbacks of animal experiments and avoid unethical procedures. Russell and Burch published principles of the Humane Experimental Technique which includes a strategy of 3 Rs (i.e. reduction, refinement, and replacement) in 1959. They introduced and defined the terms replacement, reduction, and refinement, which subsequently have become known as ‘alternatives’ or ‘alternative methods’ for minimizing the potential for animal pain and distress in biomedical research. Therefore, different methods and different alternative organisms are being used to implement the 3 Rs strategy. So, a brief account of these alternatives and the advantages associated is discussed in this review with examples. An integrated application of these approaches would give insight into the minimum use of animals in scientific experiments.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of sex on growth pattern and carcass characters of commercial broilers. One hundred and twenty numbers of day-old chicks were wing banded, weighed and reared up to 40 days of age. The body weight was individually recorded from all the birds on 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 40 days of age to assess the influence of gender on body weight. At the end of the experiment 12 males and 12 females were subjected to slaughter studies to assess the carcass characters. The body weight between males and females were similar up to 14 days of age and thereafter, males recorded significantly (p<0.01) higher body weights on 21, 28, 35, 40 days of age, weighing 35.79, 107.69, 179.73, 211.88 g respectively higher than females. The ready-to-cook weight (%) and dressed carcass (%) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in males; whereas, New York carcass (%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in females. Among the cut of parts, the drumstick percentage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in males, whereas, the wings percentage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in females. Among processing yields and losses, only shank & feet and abdominal fat (%) showed significant (p<0.05) difference between sexes; while, feather, blood, head, viscera, kidney and total offal yields had non-significant difference between sexes. Among giblets, only the heart yield was significantly (p<0.05) different between sexes with higher value in females. The results showed that the males attain marketable weight early, therefore can be marketed early. The males can be slaughtered earlier than females for producing specialized products from drumstick; whereas, females can be slaughtered early to harvest drumette.

The prevalence of haemoparasites in dogs in different regions of Andhra Pradesh was presented in this study. The overall prevalence of haemoparasitic infection was 35.0 and 48.23 per cent in Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions, respectively. Statistically, there was no significant (P>0.05) relationship between the region and prevalence of haemoparasites in dogs. Infection with single haemoparasite and co-infection with more than one haemoparasites was non-significantly higher (32.62% and 15.60%, respectively) in dogs of Coastal Andhra than in Rayalaseema region (27.50% and 7.50%, respectively). The prevalence of Babesia spp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis was non-significantly (P>0.05) high in Coastal Andhra than in Rayalaseema region. Among three species identified Babesia spp. were the most prevalent species in dogs in two regions. Co-infection with Babesia spp. and E. canis (10.06%; P>0.05) was more frequently observed in dogs in Coastal Andhra region than in dogs of Rayalaseema region (6.25 %). 

Fifteen days old Jersey crossbred calf was brought to the hospital with the history of sudden hair fall around the trunk and legs and the other calf was apparently normal in twin birth. Clinical examination revealed severe alopecia in both fore limbs, hind limbs, trunks and easy epilation of hairs, along with erythematous skin and pruritus and mild scaling around its thighs, flanks and trunk. Dermatological analysis of skin scrapings revealed negative for ectoparasites and trichogram showed no hair growth abnormalities. Haemato-biochemical parameters were in normal range except low plasma ascorbic acid (0.16 mg/dL). The case was diagnosed as vitamin C responsive dermatosis and treated with single dose of intravenous injection of 2.5 g of ascorbic acid diluted with normal saline. The owner was advised to follow tab. vitamin C total dose of 2 g/day for 10 days orally. After one week, further hair was loss ceased and complete regrowth of hair noticed after four weeks of treatment. 

Animal body reacts to all kinds of injuries and stress to keep the homeostasis. Such resistance can be specific or non specific. Non specific innate resistance of the body like cytological and cytokine reactions including fever, leukocytoses etc. are known as acute phase response. In this response, there will be increase or decrease of serum concentration of particular proteins. These proteins are known as acute phase proteins. Measurement of serum concentration of these acute phase proteins are found to be useful in assessment of health status and prediction of diseases of the man and animals. Acute phase proteins like Serum amyloid A, C- reactive proteins, Haptoglobin, alpha 1 acid glycoprotein etc. are found to be more sensitive and specific than the routine diagnostic methods like white blood cell count. Use of acute phase proteins as biomarkers for animal disease diagnosis and health status assessment has got high potential in modern veterinary practice. Usefulness of the acute phase protein analysis in veterinary practice especially in dog, cat, cattle and pig practices is discussed in this review.

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.