The present study was conducted to study the vitreous humor between eye differences and baseline values of potassium, sodium, calcium and glucose immediately after death in dogs. Eight canine carcasses brought for necropsy formed the material for collection of vitreous humour in the present study. The information regarding time of death was gathered from dog owners, clinicians and clinical records. Eyes were enucleated as soon as possible after receiving carcass for postmortem. Sampling of vitreous humor was done using 16 gauge needle and 20 ml syringe. The needle was inserted at the lateral angle of eyeball so that the tip of needle was placed at the center of the eyeball. About 50 µL vitreous humour was gently aspirated from each eye and transferred to eppendorf tubes. Sampling of vitreous humour was done within 1-4 hours after death. The aspirated vitreous humour samples were centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 15 min at 50C temperature and the supernatant was used for analysis. The average vitreous humour concentrations of potassium, sodium, calcium and glucose estimated within 1-4 hours after death were 8.18±0.31 mEq/L, 152.55±4.46 mEq/L, 9.52  ±0.20 mg/dL and 21.70±4.50 mg/dL respectively. The results of this study indicated that there were no significant differences between left and right eye  for all of the vitreous biochemical constituents that were studied in present study (estimated within 1-4 hours after death).

A study was conducted to analyse the migratory sheep production system in southern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu. Reproductive performance of the rams and ewes was recorded through the questionnaire both in migratory and non-migratory flocks. Mean lambing percentage, twinning percentage, livability at birth percentage, age at first mating (months) in ewes, age at first mating (months) in rams, age at first lambing (months) and weaning percentage in migratory and non-migratory flocks were 93.56 and 91.50; 1.87 and 1.52; 98.32 and 98.73; 12.34 and 13.22; 19.64 and 21.44; 18.54 and 19.68; 85.98 and 87.15, respectively. The weaning period for ram and ewe lambs were 2.94+0.96 and 5.03+0.13 in migratory flocks and 4.82+0.13 and 6.06+0.17 in non-migratory flocks, respectively. Reproductive performance of sheep in migratory flocks was significantly better than nonmigratory flocks. The months of October,  November and December were main lambing season and the months of April and May were second lambing season.

Investigation was carried out in response to a report of mortality among Jersey crossbred dairy cattle at Therkumedu village, Tirunelveli district which were purchased from Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Clinical examination was carried out in 38 animals. Most of the animals showed signs of general weakness, dullness, anaemia, icteric mucus membrane, lymphadenopathy, acariasis, bruxism, debility and passing semisolid faeces  coated with mucus. Blood smear examination revealed the presence of T. annulata piroplasm and A. marginale inclusions. All the affected animals were treated with Buparvaquone @ 2.5 mg/kg and Oxytetracycline @ 20 mg/kg for 7 days supported with parenteral haematinics (Tribivet) and liver extract. Control of ectoparasites was effected with cypermethrin @ 0.2 per cent as external application and 0.4 per cent spray in animal sheds. All the treated  animals recovered slowly and became normal.

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of betel leaves (Piper betel Linn) extract on the physico-chemical, sensory and antioxidant properties of khoa made from cow’s milk and stored under room temperature. The physico-chemical parameters viz., pH, titratable acidity, fat, free fatty acids, sensory and antioxidant properties were evaluated periodically at an interval of 3 days upto 9 days. The  result revealed that sensory evaluation of khoa was not influenced by the presence of 0.5 per cent aqueous extract of betel leaves up to 9 days of storage period with an overall acceptability score of 6.83. The physico- chemical properties of khoa showed an increasing trend in acidity and decrease of pH as the storage period progresses. The free fatty acids levels were well within the prescribed limit because of antioxidant properties exhibited by the aqueous extract of betel leaves. From the study, it was concluded that khoa with 0.5 aqueous extract of betel leaves restricted the production of free fatty acid compared to control due to antioxidant property of betel leaves.

Animals of all ages are susceptible for chocolate toxicity affecting many organ systems. The case presented here is of male German shepherd aged 4 years was accidentally encountered with chocolate toxicity with excessive salivation, vomition, diarrhoea, restlessness and incoordination like systems. The dog was treated symptomatically using rehydrated fluids, atropine sulphate and dexamethasone along with other supportive medication immediately. The dog was recovered completely within week of post treatment. 

With the aim to examine the effect of rearing systems on major meat quality traits in native ducks, appropriate experimental investigation was conducted. Research material included a total of 160 day-old native ducklings. The experiment was organized in two treatments with two replications each. Two different rearing systems were employed the intensive (cages) and extensive system (free-range). The native ducklings belonging to same hatch were procured from a local duck farmer and reared simultaneously for a period of ten weeks. Twelve ducks (six male and six female) from each treatment were chosen randomly and slaughtered at the end of rearing period to study meat quality traits in native ducks. Differences were significant (P<0.05) among sexes and rearing systems on pre slaughter live weight, eviscerated weight and various cut up parts, the corresponding values are higher for intensively reared ducks. Regarding sex, both male and female ducks exhibited differences considerably higher weight gain, carcass and cut up parts yield than that of female ducks.

A clinical parameter study was conducted to file the reference serum bio-chemical values of Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) reared under captivity. The animals were chemically restrained and six blood samples (3 males and 3 females) were collected from the saphenous vein and processed. In this study, the mean ± S.E. of estimated value of serum biochemical profiles were close to the normal range reported earlier. But, serum glucose level was less and serum level of phosphorus was comparatively high.

A comparison of milk yield and composition of various indigenous and crossbred cattle was undertaken to evaluate their performance in the subtropical high altitudes of Kerala. A total of 173, 95, 63 and 63 morning milk samples from 42 CBHF, 12 Vechur, six Sahiwaland six Kankrej cows of early second lactation were analyzed for total solids, fat, solids-not-fat, lactose, protein and chloride by conventional  methods. Least squares analysis revealed that breed and test-day climate significantly influenced the milk yield and composition (P >0.05). The mean lactation yield in Vechur, Sahiwal, Kankrej and CBHF were 514.62 ± 42.87 Kg, 1025.65 ± 358.15 Kg, 1102.45 ± 358.15 Kg and 1763.93 ± 128.16 Kg respectively. Kankrej had higher fat and total solids while Vechur had higher SNF, protein and lactose (P >0.05). Vechur had lesser seasonal fluctuations in major constituents, indicating it’s adaptability and climatic resilience as the native breed of Kerala.

A study was undertaken to evaluate carbohydrate and protein fractions of crop residue based complete rations as per the procedure of Cornel Net Carbohydrate and Protein (CNCPs) system.  Three iso-nitrogenous complete rations were prepared comprising of maize stover (T1) straw , red gram straw (T2) and black gram (T3) and concentrate mixture in 60: 40 ratio, respectively and were analyzed for CNCPS fractions. Maize stover contained lower (P<0.01) lignin (% NDF) compared to red gram or black gram straws. Lignin (% NDF) was lower (P<0.01) and starch (% NSC) was higher (P<0.01) in T1  when compared to T2 or T3. NDICP (% CP) was higher (P<0.01) and ADICP (% CP) was lower (P<0.01) in T1 when compared to other complete rations. Carbohydrate fraction CA (% CHO) was higher (P<0.01), while fraction CC (% CHO) was lower (P<0.01) in T1 when compared to other complete rations. Protein fractions PB1 and PB3 (% CP) were higher (P<0.01) in T1 while the fraction PC (% CP) was similar among the complete rations under study. Similar trend of higher (P<0.01) CA, PB2 and PB3 and lower (P<0.01) CC fractions were observed in maize stover than in red gram or black gram straw. The present study concluded that complete ration (T) comprising of maize stover was better in terms of carbohydrate and protein fractions with higher (CA, PB1and PB3) and lower CC and PC fractions when compared to other complete rations.

Gastrointestinal nematode parasitism is one of the major factors limiting sheep production worldwide because they cause heavy economic losses in meat and wool production. Gastrointestinal parasitism is the major cause for morbidity and mortality in ruminants. Severe anemia, reduction in functional gastric gland mass, severe damage to gastric mucosa and villous astropy caused by these worms are responsible for the death due to parasitic gastroenteritis. In India, the common nematode species encountered is Haemonchus contortus in small ruminants. This review throws light on the different mechanisms and contributory factors affecting the development of anthelmintic resistance, the diagnosis and means to prevent the resistance at field level. The emergence of multi-resistant nematode has shown that the previously used control strategies is no longer a chemically success method. The interpretation of fecal egg count reduction test has been modified and suggestions are made on its use with persistent anthelmintics.