This study aimed to cultivate PK-15 cells under serum-deprived conditions and subsequently adapt a field-isolated PCV2b genotype in these adapted cells to investigate both cellular and viral changes. PK-15 cells were grown in three different serum-supplemented media: 0%, 2%, and 10%. The cells adapted to these varying serum conditions were then infected with genotyped field PCV2b and propagated for up to three blind passages. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of PK-15 cells grown in 0% and 2% serum-supplemented media, with and without PCV2b infection, revealed cytoplasmic granularity compared to cells grown in 10% serum. MTT assay results indicated that PCV2b infection had minimal impact on cell viability, suggesting efficient viral propagation in serum-deprived conditions with minimal cytopathic effects. PCR analysis of cell lysates from all three 0%, 2%, and 10% serum conditions confirmed the presence of the PCV2b genome, demonstrating its adaptability grown to PK-15 cells under serum-deprived conditions. Molecular analysis of the major epidemiological marker gene, ORF2, from PCV2b grown in both 0% and 10% serum conditions showed identical nucleotide (702 bp) and amino acid (234 aa) compositions. This study highlights the feasibility of growing PK-15 cells under serum-deprived conditions and the adaptability of PCV2b in these cells. 

A study was conducted to assess the incidence of endoparasitism and evaluate the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs administered to captive lions housed at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Tamil Nadu. A total of 10 scat samples were collected from captive lions during June-August, 2024. All the samples were examined by standard qualitative methods (direct smear, centrifugal sedimentation and floatation methods) followed by quantitative method (McMaster technique) to determine egg per gram. All the samples (n=10) showed 100% incidence of Toxascaris leonina. Efficacy of two anthelmintic drugs were evaluated by using faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). The efficacy of ivermectin was recorded only 10.21% and found to be resistant. Fenbendazole demonstrated 100% efficacy, indicating susceptibility of the parasite to this drug.

A nine year old male Golden retriever was presented to the Small Animal Dermatology outpatient unit of Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with a history of symmetrical alopecia, enlarged pendulous prepuce and haematuria. Detailed clinical examination revealed cryptorchid, gynecomastia, pendulous preputial sheath and alopecia originating in the lumbar region. The entire coat was dull, dry and epilated easily. Resting telogen  phase was also observed in trichogram. Trans abdominal palpation showed an enlarged solid mass in the right inguinal region. Radiography and abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of neoplastic retained right testicle. Haematology revealed leucocytosis, while serum biochemistry remained within the normal reference range. Histological examination confirmed the presence of sertoli cell tumors that were primarily responsible for the feminizing syndrome. Under general anaesthesia, caudal ceilotomy was done and retained testicles were identified. Testicular tumor with torsion was ligated with PGA 1-0 and excised, similarly the other normal testicle was also removed. Broad spectrum antibiotics and supportive therapy were also administered for 5 days. Complete remission of all clinical symptoms occurred within 3 months post orchiectomy.  

Free-range peafowls are commonly affected with mixed parasitic infections, which need to be diagnosed and treated for maintaining the eco-biological balance. The present paper investigated the ecto and endo parasitic infections in peafowls (Pavo cristatus) from various parts of Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu. Twelve peafowls of different age and sex were brought with different clinical signs during 2022-24. Faecal samples revealed the presence of eggs of helminths Ascaridia sp., Capillaria sp., Hymenolepis sp., gravid segments of Raillietina cesticillus and protozoal infection with Eimeria pavonina and E.mayurai. The ectoparasites from various body surface were identified as Colphocephalum tausi, Goniodespavonis, Menacanthus sp., Menopon sp., lice and adult and nymphal stages of Haemaphysalis sp., tick.

Synbiotics are synergistic combinations of prebiotics and probiotics. This study was aimed to design synbiotic in vitro and validate them in broiler chickens upon in vivo delivery. Based on the in vitro assays and extracellular assays for estimation of the antioxidant potential, a scoring system was evaluated to screen the probiotic isolated with maximum antioxidant potential.  A consortium of probiotic bacteria was formulated based on the scoring system that comprised E. hirae-2, E. faecium-2, E. fecalis-1, E. durans, and P. acidilactici. The probiotic inoculum was scaled up in a fifty-liter pilot scale fermenter supplemented with MRS broth under optimum growth conditions. The product was then spray-dried in a low-temperature spray drier. The lyophilized product was stored at room temperature for further use. Two hundred and forty day sold broiler chicks (Vencobb) were randomly allotted to one of five treatments (prebiotic alone, probiotic alone, symbiotic, and commercial probiotic and control treatments) on the basis of body weight in a randomized complete block design. Dietary supplementation of probiotics significantly enhanced growth performance by improving body weight gain, performance index, and protein efficiency ratio. Growth performance and nutrient retention of the Lactiflora-supplemented group was significantly better than that of the control and Provisacc-supplemented group but comparable to the combination group. It was concluded that combined supplementation of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation at the rate of 0.05% each is beneficial in improving body weight gain, growth performance, nutrient utilization, and immune response of broiler chicken.

  Lungworms are found to be a serious problem in pigs by causing severe infections.  The  worms  were  collected  during  post  mortem  from  a  6  year  old male, non – descriptive pig at Periyeri hamlet of Thurinjikuppam, Polur taluk, Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu which was raised and hand fed as a single animal and had access to the agricultural field. On post mortem examination, the trachea was severely congested and occluded with pus and the lungs were congested in which the lung worms wriggled out with pus while sectioning the lungs. The worms were morphologically identified as Metastrongylus sp.in a non-descriptive pig in Tamil Nadu.

A one year old, female, Persian cat, weighing about 4kg was presented to Veterinary College Hospital, Hassan with a history of swollen upper lip and presence of ulcers since one week. The cat was not showing any signs of pruritus and was taking food normally. Physical examination revealed swollen upper lip. Impression smear of ulcerative lesion revealed presence of predominant number of eosinophils, ruptured eosinophils leaving naked nuclei, eosinophilic granules in background and infiltration of neutrophils in some areas. Based on history, clinical signs and cytology, the case was diagnosed as eosinophilic ulcer (indolent ulcer). The animal was managed successfully with glucocorticoids and antibiotics.  

Cervico-vaginal prolapse is a common complication in pluriparous cows and buffaloes due to relaxation of pelvic ligaments in mid to late gestation. Successful management of mishandled cases of post-partum vagino-cervical prolapse by quacks is reported in the present study.

Vaginal hyperplasia is a common reproductive disorder in intact female dogs, primarily occurring during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle due to elevated estrogen levels. This case report describes the successful surgical management of Type III vaginal hyperplasia in a nulliparous, one-year-eight-month- old Labrador Retriever, kept for breeding purposes. The dog was presented with a protruding vaginal mass and stranguria for 12 days. Clinical examination revealed a hyperemic, edematous, and ulcerated doughnut-shaped mass protruding from the vulvar rim. Hematological findings showed a mild leukocytosis, and vaginal cytology confirmed the late estrus stage. Given the need to preserve reproductive function, radical excision of the prolapsed vaginal mass was performed under general anesthesia, avoiding ovariohysterectomy. Postoperative care included antibiotic and analgesic therapy, wound management, and the use of an elizabethan collar. The patient exhibited an uneventful recovery, with normal urination restored the day after surgery. Histopathological examination confirmed vaginal hyperplasia without evidence of malignancy. The dog successfully conceived following estrus 25 weeks post-surgery, demonstrating the efficacy of surgical excision in maintaining reproductive potential. This case emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment strategies in breeding animals, ensuring both reproductive preservation and clinical resolution of vaginal hyperplasia.

A biological trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of glyceryl polyethylene glycol ricinoleate (GPEGR) supplementation on the production performance in broiler chicken. A total of two hundred day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments  containing forty birds in each  group with five replicates in each treatment group and thus constituting  eight birds per replicate . The control group (C) received basal diet, T1 group received the basal diet and GPEGR, while the T2, T3, and T4 groups received GPEGR-supplemented diets with graded reductions in energy density by 20, 40, and 60 kcal/kg, respectively. All the birds were maintained under uniform and standard managemental conditions with  access to ad-libitum feed and water. The study found that the final body weight and average daily gain (ADG) in the T1 group (1804.99 g and 50.21 g, respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control group (1662.80 g and 46.16 g, respectively). While the energy reduced diets (T2, T3, T4) supplemented with GPEGR did not show significant improvements in body weight and ADG compared to the control. The cumulative and average daily feed as well as the feed conversion ratio (FCR), showed no significant (P>0.05) differences among the groups. It can be concluded that the feeding of GPEGR supplemented diet containing 3000 Kcal per kg enhanced the growth rate  in broiler chicken