Selection of breeding bucks is one of the crucial decisions in both organised and field populations for genetic improvement. Using high genetic merit bucks in the breeding programme could improve the overall production of the stock, thereby augmenting the economic sustainability of the rural goat keepers with zero input system of management. Therefore, understanding the effect of non-genetic factors with respect to semen characteristics is of paramount importance among the breeding bucks within a breed for effective breeding management. In this study, a total of 164 ejaculates from six adult Salem Black bucks were analysed to determine the effect of season and order of the ejaculate on conventional semen attributes using linear mixed models with lme4 package in R software. The estimated marginal means for semen volume (ml), sperm concentration (million per ml), mass activity (0 to 5 scale), initial and pre-freeze sperm motility (per cent) were 0.69 ± 0.05, 3253.00 ± 167.00, 4.70 ± 0.09, 81.80 ± 0.002 and 79.43 ± 0.003 respectively. Season had a significant effect (p < 0.5) on all the traits under study except for post-thaw motility, whereas, the order of ejaculation did not influence the traits except mass activity.

The study on the assessment of body weight gain in three indigenous chicken breeds viz., Aseel, Kadaknath and Siruvidai chicken were conducted in five poultry farms of Vendhoni village, Ramanathapuram district. The body weight gain both between the breeds and farms were statistically analysed for a period of 20 weeks. All the five selected farms were distributed with day old (0 Day) Aseel, Kadaknath and Siruvidai chicks (Each 10 Nos) and about 50 kg each of commercial chick mash (Nutrikraft®). The body weight gain was recorded and assessed every week until 20 weeks. Among the three breeds analysed, a highly significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) existed with Aseel breed having higher body weight gain (1.441 kg) followed by Kadaknath (0.887 kg) and Siruvidai (0.737 kg) at 20 weeks of age.  The weight gain recorded during fourth and eighth weeks of age showed a highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) change among all the three breeds. The weight gain of Kadaknath and Siruvidai were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during 12th and 16th week of age. Whereas the weight gain in Aseel was found to be non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) in the same period of study. During 20th week, Siruvidai showed highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) change in weight gain and Aseel and Kadaknath showed non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) change.  Overall, Aseel had higher body weight gain than Kadaknath and Siruvidai breeds. All the three breeds were found to be well adapted to the hot and humid climatic condition of this district.

A four-month-old male Labrador retriever puppy was presented to Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute with the history of anorexia, vomiting, haemorrhagic diarrhoea and signs of hypovolaemic shock. The case was diagnosed as parvovirus gastroenteritis by rapid antigen detection test. Shock was managed by infusion of polyionic isotonic fluid.  Haematological examination revealed severe leukopenia with WBC count of 0.3×10³/µL, which was treated with administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (Filgrastim) at 5 mcg/kg subcutaneously along with supportive therapy. Dog showed elevated WBC count and improvement in clinical signs after 48 h. Administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor along with routine therapy enhanced the survivability in canine parvovirus gastroenteritis.

Fracture comprises one of the major surgical cases having serious impinge on small ruminants causing lameness. A retrospective study was undertaken on incidence of long bone fractures in reference to metacarpal and metatarsal in goats. Among 893 cases, 344 (38.5%) cases had fracture. Incidence according to the bone involved; metacarpal (28.4%), metatarsal (22.9%), tibia (15.9%), femur (14.2%), radius and ulna (11%) and humerus (8.13%). Fractures with special reference to the age, sex, nature, type, location in metacarpal and metatarsal were taken for the study. The age of animals with metacarpal fracture ranged from twenty days to 3 years and had a mean age of 9 months whereas metatarsal fracture ranged from one month to 2.5 years and had a mean age of 1.2 years. Out of 176 goats with metacarpal (98) and metatarsal (76) fractures, male goats (65.3%) and (68.4%) were mostly affected than female. Open fractures were 33% whereas closed fractures were of 67%. Fracture due to automobile accident in metacarpal (45.9%) and metatarsal (31.5%) was found to be the most common cause of fracture in goats.

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.

Six adult dead ducks from neighbouring area of Namakkal district were brought for post-mortem examination with a history of chronic debility, morbidity and mortality to Poultry Disease Diagnosis and Surveillance Laboratory, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. Post mortem examination of carcasses revealed that flatworms were attached to the lining of the mucosal epithelium and obstructing gastro intestinal tract indicative of verminous enteritis. The flukes were identified as Hypoderaeum conoideum. The parasitological studies revealed that H. conoideum was the cause of verminous enteritis in the affected flock.

Eight numbers of dung samples were collected from bovine calves aged between 6-9 months in Thalayamangalam village, Orathanadu Taluk, Thanjavur district with the history of chronic watery diarrhoea and jowl oedema. Gross examination of dung samples revealed foul smelling with absence of segments of tapeworms. Dung samples were screened by using sedimentation technique for the presence of parasitic eggs/ova. Microscopical examination revealed the presence of spindle shaped eggs having anterior spine and active miracidium inside the eggs. Based on the morphological features of the parasitic egg, it was diagnosed as Schistosoma spindale infection in calves.

The study was structured to find out the seasonal influences on birth of piglets in tropical condition with the objective of probability in the birth of male and female piglets from 80 farrowing records for the period from 2017 to 2021. Depending on the season, male piglets are in more demand since they have to anticipate the demand for meat during festivals and other annual events. The parameters studied from farrowing records are litter size at birth and at weaning (42nd day). From this study, highest probability of male piglets were born during south west monsoon season where as the female piglets were born during winter season however, the pooled sex of piglets were born highest in winter season. It could be useful to the farmers who are in need of piglets for either meat production or breeding purpose.

Six cattle presented with history and clinical signs pertaining to intestinal disorders requiring surgical intervention were subjected to left flank laparotomy. The animals were clinically examined and stabilized with fluid therapy before performing exploratory laparotomy. Left flank laparotomy was performed under Farquharson’s paravertebral nerve block in standing position. The efficacy of surgery through left flank to intestinal affections was evaluated by ease of approach, accessibility and visceral pain. It was found that caudal left flank approach allowed more ease of exteriorization of intussuscepted masses that were in jejunum, jejuno-jejunum, ileum and ileo-caecal parts of the intestine and also allowed complete exploration of the abdominal cavity. Left flank laparotomy approach with or without rumenotomy resulted in more area of exploration, prevented the proximal distended intestines to spill out and specific exteriorisation of the affected segment, by which mesenteric pain was alleviated that otherwise leads to recumbency and kicking at abdomen by the animals which could result in multiple rupture of intestines.

Incubation centers are providing office spaces, access to advanced laboratory setups, farm facilities, clinical spaces, and comprehensive mentorship encompassing technical, legal, and financial guidance to the incubatees. The activities of VIF @ TANUVAS regarding areas of interest of 62 incubatees, products and productization, grants, ideas, and awareness programs were analysed for the period from 2019 to 2023. Among the area of interest of the incubatees, most of the incubatees (85 %) are working in the domain of Veterinary while 15% of the incubatees are working in the area of life sciences. Among the Veterinary related ideas, the majority of incubatees are interested in doing research in the development of diagnostic kits 26.41%, followed by Feed and Feed supplements (24.52%) whereas life sciences-related ideas are majorly chosen for drug discovery. Out of 62 ideas, 23 products were developed with a percentage of 37.1. Out of these 13 incubatees, 5 received grants (38.46%) from the Government of India (Central funds), while the remaining 8 (61.54%) received funding from the Government of Tamil Nadu (State funds). The highest number (52.81%) of ideas obtained during the year 2023 followed by 27.3% during 2021, 10.45% during 2020, and 9.41% during 2022 with more ideas from Madras Veterinary College, Chennai. This study concludes that The outcome of the product is directly proportionate to their ideas.