Chicken nuggets prepared from spent hens’ meat by incorporating fermented bamboo shoots at 10 per cent, beet root at 10per cent and cabbage at 15per cent levels were evaluated for different physicochemical, microbial and sensory qualities under frozen (-18±1°C) storage condition. The pH of all nuggets increased significantly (P<0.05) during the storage period. The hardness, redness (a*), yellowness (b*) and chromavalues of all the nuggets decreased significantly (P<0.05) during storage period. The ΔE values of all the nuggets increased during storage period. There was no growth of microorganisms in all the nuggets during the period. The beet root incorporated nuggets recorded better sensory qualities compared to other nuggets in the study under frozen (-18±1°C) storage up to 90 days.

Wet distiller's grain is one of the important agroindustrial by-products used for feeding dairy cattle. A study was conducted to enhance the shelf life of distillers grains and identify and quantify the deficit nutrients in it so that a supplemental strategy could be evolved to enhance its nutritive value. Twelve samples were collected from grain-based distilleries in Southern India and subjected to proximate analysis (AOAC, 2000), fibre fractionation (Goering and Van Soest, 1970) and were also analysed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper and zinc. In vitro degradability studies were conducted using rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) described by Czerkawski and Breckenridge (1977). Also, another study was conducted to enhance the shelflife of wet distiller’s grain by addition of deoiled rice bran (DORB) and salt at twelve differentlevels.Samples were collected on 2nd,4th, 6th, 8th and 10th days for estimation of pH (Wilson and Wilkins, 1972), mould count and yeast count (Jenkins, 1992). The degradation rate/hour, degradable soluble, degradable insoluble, undegradable and effective degradability of dry matter respectively were 0.16±0.02, 53.8±1.32,31±1.41, 15.2±1.07 and 76.87±0.43 percent and the same for nitrogen respectively were 0.12±0.01, 31.2±1.16, 53.8±1.28,15±0.95 and 62.39±1.59 per cent in wet distillers grains.The results indicate that mould count was significantly(p<0.05) lower in wet distiller’s grain and deoiled rice bran (DORB) combination of 70:30 irrespective of the number of days of preservation. Further adding salt in all combinations of distiller’s grain and DERB reduced the growth of yeast or mould.

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.

Gross anatomical structure of pelvic bone in conure bird was studied. The shape of the pelvic girdle was in the form of inverted blade and consisted of ilium, ischium and pubis, constituting the two pelvic bones of which the ilium was largest and between the two pelvic bones, the rhomboid shaped lumbosacral mass was observed. Above the level of acetabulum ilium was separated by a small bony ridge as pre and post acetabular part. Posterior end of ilium had a slender, linear and extended part and had a straight process which projected ventrally. There was no ilioneural canal. Ilium, ischium and pubis formed the acetabulum. The caudodorsal rim of acetabulum presented a triangular facet an anti-trochanter. Ischium was a thick and triangular bony plate below the level of posterior rim of the  acetabulum. Ventral border of the ischium had an obturator foramen with broader caudal end. Ilium formed  synostosis with pubis and ischium and a large ischio-pubic notch were also formed. Pubis was thin , slender bone extended behind the medial border of ischium. Ischium was bent posteromedially. Pubis was not fused with ischium to form obturator foramen, but formed a notch-like structure. The pectineal process was less developed.

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.

Wildlife species identification, based on DNA is a highly reliable method for the investigation of wildlife crimes. PCR techniques and microsatellite markers are extensively used for the identification of wild animal DNA in forensic cases. Mostly, genes like Cyt B, Cox 1 and 12S RNA are amplified coupled with sequencing, to confirm the species in question. In the present study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR was performed with DNA samples from captive wild felids, canids and ursids and the finger-print pattern was analyzed for their utility in designing de novo diagnostic primers. DNA was extracted from the tissue samples from eleven animals (two numbers each from tigers and lions and one sample each from a leopard, jaguar, sloth bear, black bear, wolf, jackal and dhole). RAPD-PCR was carried out using different arbitrary decamers. Of the five decamers used, two decamers, namely AP7 and AP17 revealed consistent amplification patterns. Among them, AP7 produced monomorphic fragments corresponding to 500 bp for felids and 800 bp and 400 bp for ursids, while polymorphic bands were generated across the different genera. The decamer AP17 consistently amplified a 450 bp band from all the felid samples and polymorphic amplification with other genera. The potential for these RAPD amplicons for their applicability in the design-specific primers for genus/ species-specific detection of wild animal DNA due to their uniqueness is discussed.

Khillar is an indigenous cattle breed, predominant in Karnataka. Although, milk production of these indigenous breed is low as compared to crossbreds, these animals are reared for their sturdy nature, sustainability to draught, heat tolerance, disease resistance, adaptability to harsh climatic conditions and ability to survive and perform under scarce feed and fodder conditions. But, livestock farmers face lots of issues in management of Khillar Cattle. The present study was conducted to analyse the marketing and utilization pattern of Khillar cattle of Karnataka. A total of 240 Khillar cattle owners from 16 villages comprising 80 small farmers, 80 medium farmers and 80 large farmers were considered for the study and interviewed with the help of structured schedule. The results indicated that that majority of the farmers purchased Khillar cattle from the market (54.59 %) and most of them (58.75 per cent) selected the Khillar cattle based on both the breed characteristics and hair whorls, followed by hair whorls (21.25 per cent). Majority (89.58 per cent) of the farmers responded that negotiation followed by undercover method (10.42 %) was followed in the market. Among the overall farmers, Khillar cattle was majorly used for milking purpose (88.75 %), followed by use of Khillar bullocks for agricultural activities (52.5 %). Hence, there is an urgent need to assess and analyze the contribution of indigenous cattle in the livelihood of resource poor which may help the policy makers to take necessary steps to provide subsidized loan and insurance policies for the draught animals and also to provide basic amenities in the cattle markets.

The different parts of Murraya koenigii leaf are traditionally used for treatment of wide variety of ailments. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of curry leaves on growth and haemato-biochemical parameters in adjuvant induced arthritis. Sixty Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups containing ten each (n=10), Group I- Sham control, Group II- Plant extract only, Group III- Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) only, Group IV- CFA + ibuprofen, Group V- Prophylactic group, Group VI- Therapeutic group. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was induced by sub-plantar injection of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). The body weight gain and feed intake were measured at weekly intervals upto 28th days and blood was collected on 28 day for haematology and serum biochemistry. The analysis of parameters on body weight, feed intake and haematobiochemistry revealed that curry leaf extract had a considerable effect in preventing and ameliorating the severity of arthritis. Methanolic extract of curry leaves appears to be a promising natural remedy of RA. 

A nine months male cat was presented with the history of itching and scratching over the face, ears and forelimb since a month. On physical examination alopecia, scales, crusty, thick, wrinkled and leathery lesions were found on the face and ears. All the vitals were within the normal range. Microscopic examination of the skin scrapping revealed Notoedres cati. Further history also revealed the presence of pruritus and cutaneous lesions on the shoulder and arm region of the owner. The cat was treated with Inj.Ivermectin @200 µg/kg along with topical application of sulphur (10%).

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.