Sugarcane press mud (SPM) is one of the potential agro-industrial by-products available in India and research exploring its utilisation in ruminant nutrition is scanty. In this direction, the present study evaluated the feasibility of dietary incorporation of SPM at graded levels in a feeding trial lasting 180 days to crossbred growing calves. A total of 18 numbers ofJersey crossbred growing calves were randomly distributed into three groups of six each based on comparable body weight (90.70±3.43Kg) and age (~5 Months) following a completely randomised design. The three dietary treatments were SP0, concentrate mixture without SPM; SP10, concentrate mixture comprising 10% SPM and SP20, concentrate mixture comprising 20% SPM on air-dry basis.The experimental calves were offered weighed quantity of designated isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrate mixture (coarse mash) along with ad libitum Co-FS 29 (chopped to 1-2 cm length) to fulfil nutrient requirements prescribed by Indian Council of Agriculture and a 6 days digestion trial was conducted towards end of the feeding trial. Representative pooled sub-sample of daily collected and acid preserved urine samples were analysed for purine derivatives to assess the microbial N supply to host animals. Blood samples were collected on 0, 60, 120,and 180 day of experiment to assess the metabolic status of growing calves. Results revealed no significant (P>0.05) differences in the intake and digestibility of basal nutrients, nitrogen balance, nutritive value of diets, average daily gain as well as feed conversion ratio among the treatment groups. Dietary Caretained by growing calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher in SP20 as compared to SP0. Urinary purine derivatives concentrations and serum biochemical parameters were did not differ (P>0.05) among the treatments. The cost of formulated concentrate mixture (Rs/day) was reduced (P<0.05) in SP20 (Rs.36.80) followed by SP10 (Rs.39.70) when compared to SP0 (Rs.42.44). These findings suggested that SPM could be safely fed up to 20% level in the concentrate mixture by substituting expensive traditional feed ingredients without negatively inflicting the performance of growing crossbred calves.

The study was conducted on pregnant bitches at Small Animal Gynaecology Ward, Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai- 600007, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the use of four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonography in staging embryonic and fetal development and for predicting the pregnancy outcome and to study the fetal anomalies and fetal resorptionin bitches. Twelve pregnant bitches of different breeds of 10 to 40 kg body weight were the experimental animals for the study. All the twelve pregnant bitches were subjected to both 2D and 4D ultrasound examinations at days 30, 40, 50 and 60 post breeding. The accuracy of gestational age prediction based on gestational sac diameter and head diameter using 4D ultrasound was studied and compared with 2D (two-dimensional) ultrasound. The present paper reports the use of 4D ultrasonography in diagnosing fetal activity, fetal anomalies and fetal resorption in bitches.  

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of turmeric powder on production performance and egg quality characteristics of Rhodo White (RW) layers. Seventy two RW layers were weighed individually and distributed randomly into four turmeric powder supplemented reated experimental diets with three replicates of six layers each and the experimental diet was given for a period of 20 weeks from 26 to 45 weeks age of the birds. There was no significant difference in total egg production, hen day egg production (HDEP) and hen housed egg production (HHEP) among the treatment groups. The feed intake in all treatment groups was almost similar during 26 to 45 weeks of birds. Turmeric powder did not inÀuence the feed intake and feed efficiency in all treatment groups. A non-significant difference was observed in egg quality characteristics. The egg yolk cholesterol was significantly (P<0.01) reduced by 18.59 %, 24.91 % and 33.24 % in 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 % turmeric powder supplemented groups respectively than control. It was concluded that the inclusion of turmeric powder did not inÀuence the production performance & egg quality characteristics and however the egg cholesterol level was significantly reduced at 0.15 % in RW layers

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is the causative agent of colibacillosis in broiler chicken and various antibacterials used to control the infection may lead to the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pan drug-resistant bacteria. Further, antibacterial resistant bacteria also emerge as a result of inappropriate use of antibacterials in chicken, reducing the efficacy of antibacterials used for medical purposes. Keeping this in view, this study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial property of vitamin C against resistant bacteria when used along with enrofloxacin. A total of 60 liver swabs collected from the field were used in this study. E. coli were isolated using selective media and were genotypically confirmed by amplification of Adk gene. The resistant genes (qnrA, qnrB and qnrS) were detected through PCR. E. coli isolates were subjected to antimicrobial screening against enrofloxacin and vitamin C (L- ascorbic acid) both by qualitative method and quantitative method. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion revealed enrofloxacin resistance in 83.33 percent of samples. The MIC of enrofloxacin against resistant isolates was 90.25 μg/ml, but when vitamin C was administered, the MIC was non-significantly lowered to 86.16 μg/ml in the macro broth dilution method. It was also found that vitamin C alone exhibited antibacterial activity at a concentration of ≥ 5 mg/ml. Hence, it is likely that vitamin C may improve antibacterial effects of enrofloxacin in poultry.

A study on effect of supplementary feeding of creep feed in Pattanam sheep lambs was conducted in its breeding tract of Tamil Nadu, India. Total number of 90 Pattanam sheep lambs at the age of one month were selected in the farmers flock and divided into three groups each comprising of 30 lambs, assigned to the following treatments and reared upto three months. In T-1 (control) 30 lambs were maintained by routine feeding management by farmers, in T-2 30 lambs were fed with concentrate supplementation at the rate of 50 gms per lamb per day along with routine feeding management by farmers and in T-3 30 lambs were reared by concentrate feeding at the rate of 50 gms per lamb per day with mineral supplementation through salt lick block along with routine feeding management by farmers. Fortnightly body weight (kg) and average daily gain (gms) was recorded to assess the influence of supplementation on growth rate of lambs in farmers flock. At start of the trial the overall body weight of lambs was 8.45 ± 0.91 which was non-significant. Fortnightly body weight was 9.78 ± 2.21, 10.98 ± 1.54, 11.77± 1.73 and 12.09 ± 1.73 in first, second, third and fourth fortnights respectively. Between groups significant difference (P< 0.05) in body weight gain was observed in first fortnight and highly significant difference (P< 0.01) was observed during subsequent fortnight. Average daily gain (g) was recorded as 88.67, 80.00, 52.67 and 26.00 during first, second, third and fourth fortnight, respectively. It can be observed that the lambs under T3 had superior ADG followed by the lambs under T2 and T1.

Two non-descript puppies aged around three months old were presented with a history of erythematous skin and the presence of crusty lesions with intense pruritus around one week. Physical examination revealed generalized erythema and alopecia, crusty and scaly lesions on the forehead, periorbital area, nasal planum, and thorax regions in both puppies. Based on history, clinical signs and skin scraping examination findings, the cases were confirmed as juvenile generalized demodicosis and the puppies were treated with a single dose of oral fluralaner at the dose of 25 mg/kg body weight. The treatment resulted in excellent resolution of clinical signs and the puppies had an uneventful recovery.

An experiment was conducted by feeding diets with different levels of energy (2850, 2950 and 3050 kcal/kg in pre-starter diet, 2950, 3050 and 3150 kcal/kg in starter diet and 3050, 3150 and 3250 kcal/kg in finisher diet) and protein (21.5, 22.5 and 23.5% in pre-starter diet, 20.5, 21.5 and 22.5% in starter diet and 19, 20 and 21% in finisher diet) to commercial broilers for a period of five weeksto assess the muscle protein content in environmentally controlled and open sided housing system. The interaction between feeding different levels of energy and protein and housing system revealed no significant influence on breast and thigh muscle protein level in broilers.

A five-year old full-term pregnant Holstein-Friesian crossbred cow with the history of straining for the past 12 hours was presented to the Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital. Based on the clinical examinations, the case was diagnosed as dystocia due to foetal ascites. Successful per-vaginal delivery of foetal anomaly calf with spinal dysraphism was reported in this communication.

An eight year old male Lhasa Apso dog was presented for necropsy with the history of persistent vomition, anorexia, lethargy, dehydration and abdominal distension. Blood picture revealed marked neutrophilic leukocytosis along with left shift. Necropsy examination revealed the presence of secondary septic peritonitis and multiple renal / splenic infarcts. Histologically, perforative/haemorrhagic enteritis, renal infarcts with diffuse glomerular / tubular necrosis of coagulative type and splenic infarction with occluded artery containing bacterial thromboemboli were confirmed. Secondary peritonitis has been observed to be a frequent complication associated with perforation of the intestine. These fatal complications of septic peritonitis present a therapeutic challenge and needs prompt veterinary care and treatment.

A logistic model was fitted for the sample respondents to explore the determinant factors of poverty and comparative advantage of livestock component in reduction of poverty was ascertained. The primary data were collected through personal interview from randomly selected 540 sample households from six poverty prone districts using pre-tested interview schedules. Among various variables presumed to be the determinants of poverty, the variables viz., Ariyalur district dummy, cattle holding, sheep holding, family size, family dependency ratio were found to be statistically significant and rest were non-significant. The number of cattle and sheep were found to reduce the probability of fell down below the poverty line. Thus, these components may be considered while framing any poverty alleviation programmes in rural India.