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.  

This article attempts to review the role of indigenous chicken in rural India. Indigenous chicken farming is an age-old practice and an important tool to reduce poverty among the most under-privileged section of the Indian society particularly the rural tribes. It results in socio-economic development, nutritional and livelihood security, empowerment of women etc. among rural people. The surplus income earned from poultry rearing was used on education (33 %) and food (30 %). Majority (49.5 %) of the respondents reared indigenous chicken to meet petty expenses in Assam. Majority (67.5 %) of the indigenous chicken farmers were women, hence decisions for hatching, selling of surplus chicks eggs etc. were made by the women and they may be empowered greatly through improvement of their skills. It is an eco-friendly approach, where birds can exhibit their normal and natural behavior Birds are kept mostly on scavenging system, where they acquire their feeds through natural foraging, kitchen wastes etc. Rural poultry farming has been responsible to produce 40 per cent meat and 44 per cent egg requirement in India. Chicken eggs and meat are the only cheapest and best sources of protein, vitamin and minerals with high biological value for rural poor and marginal sections of people. In many parts of India, indigenous communities particularly tribal people not only consume chicken and eggs but also use them extensively in indigenous rituals performed to satiate gods, spirits of ancestors and nature, ward-off demons and evil spirits, get rid of bad luck, sacrificed during initiation of agriculture activities and new business, weddings, birth and death ceremonies. The additional income earned from indigenous chicken farming was used to improve their socio-economy.

The present study was carried out to assess the nutrient composition and in vitro gas production analysis of some commonly available newer feed resources to use them as a conventional feed for dairy cattle. Eight different newer feed resources namely Pomegranate peel, Sugarcane bagasse, Orange peel, Mango seed kernel, Banana leaves, Carrot pulp waste, Neem oil cake and Poultry manure were collected and screened for their nutrient composition, in vitro gas production analysis and their gross energy values. The results showed that the crude protein and crude fiber content of newer feed resources ranged from 1.98 % to 20.88 % and 4.93 % to 25.36 % respectively. The ether extract and total ash content ranged from 0.48 % to 11.36 % and 1.77% to 19.11 % respectively. The levels of nitrogen free extract ranged from 41.4 % to 77.3 %. The Neutral Detergent Fibre and Acid Detergent Fibre content ranged from15.21 % to 78.15 % and 14.27 % to 57.78 % respectively. The total gas production of carrot pulp waste recorded the highest values (48.29 ml) and banana leaves recorded the lowest values (2.47 ml) among the newer feed resources. The highest and lowest gross energy value was recorded in neem oil cake (4926 kcal/kg) and poultry manure (3235 kcal/kg) respectively. It was concluded that the ingredients contained appreciable level of dietary nutrients make them to substitutes for the conventional feed sources for dairy cattle.

A study was carried out to examine the prevalence of pregnancy toxemia due to inadequate feeding of local breeds of goats in India. Three hundred goats of local breeds in pregnancy were selected. They were assessed for feeding management through questionnaire, body condition score and pregnancy for number of fetuses with ultrasonography. The blood samples were collected and assayed for blood glucose level and β-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA). The Body condition score (BCS) less than 2, blood glucose < 40 mg/dl and BHBA > 0.8 mg/dl were considered positive indicator for pregnancy toxemia. The feeding regime was documented in sub clinical pregnancy toxemia goats and the feed and fodder samples were collected from 10% of these animals. The predominant feeding regime for pregnancy toxemia in the survey was identified and further studied for Dry matter intake (DMI) and nutrient intake. The overall prevalence of pregnancy toxemia was 36.7 %. The incidence of subclinical pregnancy toxemia increased significantly (P < 0.01) in late stage (34.3 %) than in early stage of pregnancy (2.7 %) and was found to be significantly (P < 0.01) higher in animals bearing twins. The average DMI of pregnancy toxemia does (2.79 %) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than the actual requirement of DMI 3.82 % during pregnancy. The average Metabolizable energy (ME) and protein intake were 1940 kcal and 45.2 gms which was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than the actual requirement of ME and protein intake of 2400 kcal and 58.6 g respectively, during late stage of pregnancy. Hence, the pregnant goats should be fed with adequate nutrients and twins carrying animals should be assessed for their BCS, blood glucose and BHBA to prevent the incidence of pregnancy toxemia disorder.

Emulsion based chicken meat balls were prepared with the addition of beetroot pomace powder (BPP) at levels of 1%, 2% and 3%, over and above the amount of meat along with a control without BPP, and the physico-chemical and sensory properties were assessed. Addition of BPP significantly increased the emulsion pH and non significantly increased product pH and emulsion stability. Product yield of 3% BPP incorporated chicken meat balls were significantly higher as compared to other treatments and control. Sensory evaluation scores were significantly higher in 1% BPP incorporated chicken meat balls followed by 2% and 3% BPP incorporated chicken meat balls. From this result, it is concluded that emulsion based functional chicken meat balls could be fortified with dietary fibre content by the inclusion of beetroot pomace powder up to a level of 3% without affecting the physico-chemical and sensory qualities.

A full term pregnant 1 ½ year old Salem Black doe was presented with the history of dystocia. Due to incomplete cervical dilatation by cesarean section hydrocephalic fetus with multiple congenital disorders was delivered and complete recovery of doe was reported after a week.

A pluriparous Kanni bitch which was presented with the history of brownish vaginal discharge. Detailed gynaecological examination revealed presence of macerated fetal bones in the birth canal. Further, ultrasonographic examination revealed fetal bones in the uterus. Treatment with dextrose and oxytocin successfully expelled the macerated fetus. Animal had an uneventful recovery with antibiotic coverage.

An extra-uterine pregnancy, in which the embryos or foetuses are located outside the uterus, is an uncommon event. The following case report was about an ewe which brought with a history of completion of term and was exhibiting intermittent straining for the past two days with failure to deliver the lamb. Clinical and obstetrical examination revealed that the cervix was not dilated, which guided to opt for Laparo-hysterotomy. Peri-operative findings, revealed the presence of a live foetus with intact membranes in the peritoneal cavity and a foetal mummy in the anterior abdominal region. Hence, the present case places on record the successful management of extra-uterine pregnancy due to a tear in the uterus.

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.

A primiparous Holstein Friesian crossbred cow was brought to VCC, VC&RI Namakkal with ventral swelling. Based on rectal examination and abdominal palpation it was diagnosed as right sided uterine torsion with prepubic tendon rupture. After the fetal delivery by caesarean section and proper postoperative care is given for a period of 10 days, life of the dam was saved.