An experiment (97 days) was conducted to investigate the dietary lauric acid (LA) supplementation on performance, digestibility and faecal microflora counts in Large White Yorkshire cross piglets. A basal diet was (BD) prepared as a negative control without supplementation and a positive control with an antibiotic (chlortetracycline at 0.05%) supplementation (BDA). Another two diets were prepared by supplementing LA at 0.2 and 0.4% levels to the basal diet. Dietary inclusion of LA or antibiotic significantly (P<0.01) improved the body weight and feed efficiency and recorded highest (P<0.01) body weights with 0.4% LA, while lowest (P<0.01) weight gain with control group. Significantly higher FCR (P<0.01) was observed in LA fed animals and the lowest (P<0.01) was recorded in the BD and BDA groups. The improved (P<0.05) digestibility of organic matter, crude fiber, ether extract and nitrogen free extract was observed with 0.4% LA. The faecal total bacterial count and E.coli count were lowered (P<0.01) with LA supplementation, while highest count was observed in control group. Hence, it was concluded that, supplementation of LA at 0.2 to 0.4 % in the diets of LWY piglets showed increased weight gain, feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility by reducing faecal microflora count in LWY piglets.

The present study aimed to develop and standardize RTD dal payasam prepared with coconut milk by replacing bovine milk by cooking dal (moong dal/ split yellow lentils) in coconut milk with added nuts, sugar and shredded coconut. The product was prepared with total solids of 22-23% as per commercial purpose. Three different trials (P1, P2 and P3) with varying quantities of dal (150g, 200g and 250g), jaggery (250g, 150g and 200g) and coconut milk of 200ml (based on preliminary study) was studied. The optimized dal payasam was filled in cans and retort processed at 121.1ºC and overpressure of 1.29 bar with steam pressure of 1 bar. Lethality time (F0) of 16.7 min and Total Process Time of 34.2 to 38.7 min was calculated by predictive thermal process modeling. Sensory evaluation of P1, P2 and P3 concluded that P3 with 250g moong dal, 200g jaggery, 200 ml coconut milk was highly preferred by sensory panelists. The finalized trial was further studied for its physico-chemical properties for 60 days at refrigerated (4±2ºC) and room temperature (25±2ºC). The study concluded that retort processed Ready-to-Drink dal payasam packed in cans was safe to consume upto 60 days of storage.

The study designed to assess the normal reproductive tract involution in postpartum crossbred Jersey cows. Pluriparous crossbred Jersey cows (n = 10) which had recently calved were subjected to ultrasonographic assessment for postpartum involution once in two days till complete involution. The results showed that the involution time required for the vagina and cervix was 23 and 29 days respectively. The Mean ± SE of vaginal and cervical involution (cm) varied from 2.15±0.07 to 1.12±0.07 and 3.76±0.10 to 1.74±0.09 respectively. The uterine involution (cm) of gravid and non-gravid horn diverge from 4.27±0.12 and 3.47±0.14 to 1.89±0.13 and 1.67±0.14 respectively from day 4 to 23. The present findings document the reference value and period of reproductive tract postpartum involution in crossbred Jersey cows.   

 Open fontanelle is a soft spot located on top of the head in a newborn due to incomplete fusion of the cranial bones. They are the normal structure in young puppies, especially in small breeds and get hardened by 9-12 weeks of age following fusion of growth plates in the skull. The aim of our study was to describe the presence, diagnosis and management of open fontanelle. A puppy was presented with the history of swelling over the frontal region, intermittent seizures for the past two weeks. Clinical examination revealed a swelling over the mid-frontal region of head. Radiographic examination of skull revealed hydrocephalus with open fontanelle.

A six-year-old Siberian husky bitch was presented to Small Animal Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit, Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, with a history of proestrus bleeding and prolonged breeding failure due to shyness. Based on progesterone value (8 ng/mL, artificial insemination was done. On day 45 post AI, ultrasonographic examination revealed the presence of a viable foetus and lateral abdominal radiography showed the presence of a single foetus. Based on the observations, the owner was made aware of chances of risk of dystocia due to single puppy syndrome and the case was kept under observation. However, the case was presented on day 65 of gestation with signs of inappetence and greenish black vaginal discharge for the past 6 hrs. Based on the Ultrasound examination, Radiography and progesterone concentration, the case was diagnosed as dystocia due to single puppy syndrome. Under local anaesthesia, episiotomy was performed and a viable foetus (650 gm) was delivered. The episiotomy wound was closed in simple interrupted suture pattern using polyamide (1-0). After one week of  postoperative care, the bitch had an uneventful recovery.

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.

A detailed study was undertaken to assess the length - weight relationship of Lethrinus lentjan and Lethrinus nebulosus in Thoothukudi coast. The ‘b’ value of L.lentjan (3.027) and L.nebulosus(2.964) were analysed against ‘3’ with 248 degrees of freedom and the ‘b’ values of both the species of L.lentjan and  L.nebulosus were not significant at 5% and 1% level.

High mortality in a period of one month due to hepatic coccidiosis was reported in a rabbit farm. Typical nodular lesions in liver and unsporulated oocysts of E. stiedai could be detected. Animals were treated with sulphaquinoxyline and diaveridine for five days followed by repetition of treatment after five days. Strict sanitary measures and disinfection of cages by spraying with 10 per cent ammonia solution was adopted. All animals with poor body conditions were removed from the flock and the disease was controlled.

A new record of Axiidae off Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India is reported. Axiopsis consobrina species were newly recorded from Indian waters. The present species (Axiopsis consobrina) are recorded from Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India. One specimen was caught at the depth of 310 m as an incidental by-catch. It was found in tropical waters from about 08º 53.6’N 78º 16’E and 08º 53.8’N 78º 32’E/310m from Thoothukudi fishing harbour, southeast coast of India.  

A seven year old female Doberman dog was presented with the history of dullness, anorexia and dysuria for three days. Abdominal palpation revealed distended bladder, which was confirmed by plain radiography and ultrasonography on Neurological examination animal was found to be normal. On manual compression of the bladder urine was not evacuated, therefore by catheterization was performed and no obstruction was found; around three litres of urine was drained. The animal was treated with oral Diazepam, @ 0.04mg/kg, Prazosin, 1mg/15 kg and Bethanechol, @ 2mg/kg bd. wt. On fourth day of treatment, the animal was able to urinate normally and it was advised to continue the treatment for two weeks. The animal had an unevenful recovery.