Radiographic imaging is widely used as a relatively quick imaging diagnostic tool in veterinary treatment protocols. Avian radiographic procedures have been standardized in developed countries. But in India, the data on standardization procedures and visualization of coelomic organs in avian species, especially wild birds including raptors, is very limited. As a result, coelomic organ abnormalities are very poorly diagnosed in Indian birds of prey like black kites (Milvus migrans), which are regularly rescued and presented to Indian veterinarians. Standardizing the protocol for radiography of black kites and interpretation standards with survey radiographs could aid in prompt and accurate diagnosis of various conditions like pneumonia, proventricular dilatation, pneumocoelom, intra-coelomic mass, nephromegaly etc. and aid in planning of other techniques for management of various clinical conditions in black kites.

In all age groups of birds, there was significant PAS positive activity in the capsule, septa, apical region of lining epithelial cells of intercalated duct, intralobular duct, and interlobular duct, as well as blood vessels in all lobes of the pancreas. The PAS positive activity of the zymogen granules in groups I and II was extremely high, whereas it was reduced to moderate and moderate to low in groups III and IV, respectively. Intense PAS activity was visible on the basement membrane and apical border of the lining epithelial cells of interlobar ducts. All endocrine lobes across all age groups of birds had modest to moderate PAS activity.

The occurrence of Trichuris sp. nematodes in the caecum and colon of a free-ranging female gaur (Bos gaurus) observed during necropsy is reported. The body condition of the animal was thin with appreciable muscle wasting, sunken eye balls, rough hair coat, enlarged lymph nodes and pale mucous membrane. On necropsy, worms were found adhering to the mucosa of the caecum and colon. The worms were collected in 10% formalin, processed and identified as Trichuris sp. The worms were white in colour with whip-like anterior end, males were shorter than females. A total of 265 worms were recovered out of which 80 were male worms and 185 were female worms. The adult males were 30-55 mm long and 0.2-0.6 mm in width with a slender filiform anterior end comprising and a coiled posterior end. The adult females were 60-70 mm long and 0.3- 0.6 mm in width with a straight posterior end. It is however not probable that this infection could be one of the factors causing death of the animal.

A four-year old fullterm pregnant doe in its third parity was presented to the obstetrical ward with the history of unproductive straining for the past 24 hours. Physical examination revealed that the doe was anorectic, dehydrated, and had moderate rise in body temperature. Trans-abdominal ultrasonography confirmed the presence of an abnormal dead fetus. Per-vaginal examination revealed that the cervix had incomplete dilatation. Hence, the cesarean section was opted to relieve the dead fetus. After cesarean section, the defective fetus was found to be schistosomous reflexus monster. Postoperatively, the doe had an uneventful recovery, indicative of a successful surgical outcome.

Hookworms of dogs especially Ancylostoma caninum and A.ceylanicum are the predominant gastro intestinal parasites of zoonotic significance. These are soil transmitted helminths (STH) whose larvae dwell in the soil and are capable of penetrating the host skin and then establishing itself in the intestine causing gastro-enteritis  and  anaemia.  Both  A.caninum  and  A.ceylanicum  can  infect dogs and their zoonotic potential is different and speciation becomes a necessity especially since it is difficult to distinguish the species morphologically. The current study was envisaged for molecular speciation of the hookworms affecting dogs in Chennai. A total of 185 faecal samples were examined of which 58 (31.35%) were positive samples and these were subjected to molecular speciation. The primers targeting ITS-1 gene of the parasite were designed and it was found that A.caninum  was  the  predominant  species  prevalent  amongst  dogs  in  Chennai.

Esophageal groove dysfunction is a fatal cause in neonatal calves if unattended at the early stage.  In healthy suckling calves the milk should bypass the rumen and reticulum and enter abomasum which is the true stomach for enzymatic digestion of milk protein.   In esophageal groove dysfunction the milk enters rumen where fermentation due to microbes leads to high accumulation of gas hence abdominal distension which proves fatal to the calf.  An eight days old female crossbred calf solely on dam’s milk was presented with left sided abdominal distension. On clinical examination the case was diagnosed to be a ruminal drinker due to esophageal groove dysfunction. The calf was relieved of gas by passing atraumatic flexible stomach tube and oral antibiotic to control bacterial fermentation.  The calf was weaned gradually from dam’s milk and allowed to feed with the Dam for rumen flora inoculation and early initiation of concentrate and roughage feeding.  The calf was free of ruminal bloat post treatment.

A morphological characterization study was conducted on desi chicken at Minicoy in Lakshadweep Islands. The phenotypic characters such as colour and pattern of plumage, comb type and colour of skin, earlobe and shank were documented in both male and female adult chickens as per the guidelines of National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). The desi chicken from Minicoy Islands are smaller in size with a short beak, and exhibit a striking multicolour plumage intricately speckled across its body feathers, tail and neck. Significant sexual dimorphism was noted for the phenotypic characters. A total of 3 cocks and 7 hens were reported with different combination of plumage colours and patterns. The study indicated that these desi birds have distinct morphological characters that is worth for further investigation. 

A one year old, male, goat was presented with the history of fish hook injury on the right eye during grazing near the pond. On clinical examination, the vital parameters were normal. Ophthalmic examination of right eye revealed fish hook’s nylon with its shank at the lateral canthus. Under local anaesthesia, barbed fish hook, penetrating the palpebral conjunctiva was surgically removed after lateral canthotomy.

Ice cream, a well-known frozen delicacy, is prone to fluctuations in both physical and sensory characteristics in spite of its complex composition. Many highly processed stabilizers and emulsifiers that are chemically purified and modified, individually or in combination, were used in food industries to develop a product with desired physical, chemical and textural stability. In this study, the viability of minimally processed hydrothermal extract of red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) was tested to replace sodium alginate in ice cream. The functional carrot flavoured ice cream stabilized by 0.4%w/w sodium alginate and 0.1%w/w glycerol monostearate was taken as control. The stabilizer was replaced by Red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) extract at concentration of 0.5% (S1) and 1.0% w/v (S2). The addition of red seaweed extract at 1.0% w/v (S2) in ice cream increased the overrun from 46% to 57% (S2) in the batch freezer and melting resistance was also notably decreased from 1.90 to 0.62 (S2) g/min. Significance of the research was that minimally processed extracts of red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) are highly effective to replace processed stabilizer and emulsifiers used in food industries. 

A 2-year-old non-descript intact male dog was presented at Veterinary Clinical Complex, VCRI, Orathanadu, TANUVAS with a sickle cut wound on right forehead, right lateral part of shoulder and left lateral ofneck,with exposed tracheal rupture. As per the history the animal was attacked by a human using sickle knife. The defect was closed with appropriate techniques. After 14 days of post operative care the dog healed well and was back to normal routine.