Contamination of locally fermented cow milk (Nono) by pathogenic bacteria constitute a major public health problem. This was because contaminated milk was a good medium that can support the growth and propagation of microbial pathogens. This study was designed to assess the bacteriological quality of locally fermented cow milk consumed in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria. Totally, forty (n = 40) samples of fresh, locally fermented cow milk (Nono) were collected and used in this study. Ten (10) milk samples each were collected from four randomly selected selling points (Monday Market, Custom Market, Kasuwan Shanu and Tashan Bama). The bacteriological quality of each milk sample were analysed using standard procedures for isolation, identification and enumeration of pathogenic bacteria. The mean total plate count ranged from 1.44x10 8 CFU/mL to 10.31x10 8 CFU/mL, while the mean total coliform count range from 0.57x10 8 CFU/mL to 11.17x10 8 CFU/mL. Statistically, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean total plate count and coliform count of milk samples collected from the four sampling points.Bacteriological culture and biochemical identification of all the isolates revealed Escherichia coli29(72.5%), Klebsiella specie3(7.5%), Salmonella specie 2(5%), Staphylococcus aureus 14(35%) and Streptococcus specie15(37.5%) respectively. All the results were above the acceptable limits (1.0 to 3.0 x 10 5 CFU/mL for total plate count and no coliform count per 100ml of milk sample) set by NAFDAC. Therefore the Nono products consumed in Maiduguri was not safe and wholesome for public consumption. Hence, the need to ensure the maintenance of standard hygienic protocols during the collection, storage, processing and marketing of locally fermented cow milk (Nono) in order to minimize microbial contamination.

Drug interaction is the effect produced by combination of various drugs administered in a biological system which may produce beneficial or adverse effects.Due to continuous usage of antibiotics to bacterial infections, pathogenic bacteria developed resistance mechanisms which leads to reduced antibacterial activity of different antibiotics. Combination of antibiotics with phytochemicals became an alternative to enhance the efficacy of antibiotics. In this connection,in the present study, the effect of certain phytochemicals namely Quercitin, Morin, Ellagic acid,  Chloragenic acid Rutin and Naringenin in combination with antibiotics Amoxycillin and Ciprofloxacin were evaluated. Staphylococcus aures and Escherichia coli were used as test organisms. They were isolated from the mastitis milk samples and their presence was confirmed using Polymerse Chain Reaction .The antibacterial activity of the antibiotics and antibiotics in combination with phytochemicals were determined using broth dilution method and agar well diffusion assay. The MIC and zones of inhibition were used as indicators for drug interaction.

A biological trial was conducted to study the effect of multi enzyme supplementation on ileal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), phytate phosphorus (PP) and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in terms of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), hemicellulose and cellulose in broilers for a period of 0-6weeks. The broilers used in this trial were fed diets supplemented with enzyme at 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 g/ton of feed with a proportionate reduction in metabolizable energy (ME-1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5 %), crude protein (CP-0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 %), methionine + cytine (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 %) and available phosphorus (2.2, 4.4, 6.6 and 8.8 %). The level of individual enzyme per gram of multi enzyme supplement was cellulase 146 IU, xylanase 241 IU, pectinase 98 IU, protease 74 IU, amylase 778 IU and phytase 33 IU. The ileal digestibility was conducted on 6 th week of trial. The ileal DM digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.01) increased in 750 g and 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than other treatment groups. The increase in ileal DM digestibility was significantly (p<0.01) higher (6.2 %) in the group fed with 750 g enzyme supplementation than control. The digestibility of ileal crude protein (%) significantly (p<0.01) increased in 500, 750 and 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. The increase in ileal protein digestibility was 12.20 % in 500 g/ton, 9.90 % in 750 g/ton and 10.12 % in 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. However a non significant difference was observed in ileal EE digestibility in all treatment groups. The ileal phytate phosphorus digestibility significantly (p<0.01) increased in all the enzyme supplemented groups (33.69 % in 250 g/ton, 38.75 % in 500 g/ton, 39.53% in 750 g/ton and 42.11% in1000 g/ton) than control (31.71%). A highly significant (P< 0.01) increase in ileal neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and hemicellulose was observed in 500 to 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. Similarly significant (P<0.01) increase in ileal acid detergent fibre (ADF) and cellulose digestabilities (%) were observed in all enzyme supplemented groups than control. It was concluded that the multi enzyme supplementation at minimum inclusion level of 500 g per ton of feed increased the ileal digestibilities of CP, PP, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses and cellulose by 12.20 %, 18.17 %, 13.57 %, 55.63 % 12.77 % and 52.64 % respectively than control in broiler diet than the control diet in broilers.

A three years old male pigeon weighing 400g (racing homer) was presented to Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with the history of soft tissue growth on the keel region for the past six months and gradually increase in size was noticed. Physical examination revealed large tennis ball size soft tissue mass on the keel region. Cytological examination revealed the presence of inflammatory cells with serosanguineous background. Radiological examination revealed presence of soft tissue mass on the keel bone with no bony involvement. Surgical resection of tumour mass was performed under general anaesthesia. Histopathological examination confirmed liposarcoma in a pigeon. The bird recovered uneventfully on 10 th post-operative day without any complications.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two different superovulation protocols for quality embryo production. Donor animals were selected (Day 0) and a progesterone device was inserted. The superstimulatory treatment was initiated in day 7 (D7) with follicle stimulating hormone from porcine (FSHp) in eight decreasing doses each at 12 hours interval. Along with the fifth dose of FSHp, 500μg cloprostenol was administered. The progesterone device was removed 12h (Treatments P12) and 24 h after the first application of cloprostenol (Treatments P24). Twelve hours after the eighth dose of FSHp (D11) 25µg of Buserelin was administered and the inseminations were done after 12 and 24 hours. Embryos were collected in the forenoon of D18. P24 presented better results than the P12 treatment.

A survey was conducted among the small holder dairy farmers in 80 Panchayaths of 14 districts in Kerala in order to evaluate the reproductive performance of crossbred cattle population in Kerala at field level. Analysis of the data showed that the herd size of cattle in Kerala was around 3 per house during the period of 2012 and 2013. Three fertility traits, age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI) and number of services per conception (NSC) were studied in detail and the averages of these traits were 1093 ± 10.52 days, 551 ± 48 days and 2.02 ± 0.01 services per conception, respectively. Fixed model analysis was carried out to see the effect of some of the major factors leading to variation in AFC, CI and NSC and found that there was significant difference in reproductive performances among different genetic groups. AFC and NSC of crossbred Holstein Friesian cows and CI of Sunandini cows were lower compared to other genetic groups. Other factors significantly influencing AFC were period of birth and season of birth. Apart from genetic groups, number of services per conception was influenced by type of semen used and also the level of peak milk production.

The study was conducted on repeat breeding cows at Large Animal Gynaecology Ward, Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai and some private cattle farms in and around Koduvalli region, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. In experiment I, Jersey crossbred cows (n=31) synchronized by PGF2a and inseminated on exhibited estrum. The cows were randomly divided into five groups viz. Group I (control, n=6), group II (n=7,100mg), group III (n=6, 150mg), group IV (n=6, 200mg) and group V (n=6, 250mg) and supplemented with fish meal on day 13, 14 and 15 of post insemination in addition to their routine feed. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out by rectal palpation on day 60 of post insemination. In experiment II, twelve repeat breeding Jersey crossbred cows were selected and synchronized using PGF2a followed by timed insemination. On day 10 of post estrus, rectal examination was performed to identify the corpus luteum and randomly divided into two group viz. Group I and Group II (control). Group I cows were injected with Meloxicam @ 0.5 mg/ kg body weight through intramuscularly on day 13 to 15 post-insemination. The conception rate in experiment I as in Group I, group II, group III, group IV and group V are 16.67%, 71.43%, 66.67%, 66.67% and 50.0%, respectively. The conception rate in meloxicam treated animal was 66.7% and in control animal was 33.3%. The fish meal treatment and Cox-2 inhibitor in repeat breeding crossbred cows had improved the conception rate. Further, the supplementation of 100mg offish meal in repeat breeding cows has shown higher conception rate as compared to other groups in experiment II. Hence, it may be used in field condition for enhancement of conception rate, however, further studies in larger population is warranted.

Low Hemoglobin Density (LHD) is related to functional iron availability and hemoglobin content. To assess the use of LHD as an anaemic indicator in canine babesiosis, 108 dogs with symptoms of canine babesiosis were selected and screened for disease by polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were collected for estimating haematological variables, serum iron, TIBC, UIBC and LHD. Based on the haemoglobin, PCV and erythrocyte count the animals were grouped into anaemic and non-anaemic populations. LHD% was higher in the anaemic population (P<0.001) and it was negatively correlated to haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytes, MCHC and serum iron. LHD% was highly depend on serum iron (P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis revealed LHD was 100.00% specific and 80.43% sensitive in identifying the functional iron deficient anaemia with cut-off value of 1.83%. This study reveals that LHD is a cost-effective parameter for identifying the functional iron deficient anaemia in canine babeisosis.

Leptospirosis is under diagnosed and under reported in developing countries due to lack of diagnostic facilities. The diagnosis of leptospirosis is complex, because the gold standard tests are not easily available. Though rapid tests are available for the past two decades, they have to be combined with the existing gold standard tests for confirmation of diagnosis. It should be adequate to diagnose leptospirosis with rapid tests. I intend to review the literature from developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa and suggest the need for utilizing rapid tests for diagnosis. Leptospirosis can be diagnosed only by diagnostic tests and epidemiological data, such as incidence/ prevalence data cannot be obtained without these tests. Without these data, funding cannot be obtained for diagnostic, treatment and control programs, as without diagnostic tests, leptospirosis would be considered a rare disease. In this article, the various guidelines for the diagnosis of leptospirosis will be discussed.

Bacteriological quality of khoa based sweets marketed through different retail outlets of Thrissur city was evaluated based on total viable count, coliform count, yeast & mould count and staphylococcal count. Altogether 72 samples of khoa based sweets such as peda, burfi and gulabjamun were evaluated for their bacteriological quality. Out of the total peda samples tested, coliforms were prevalent in 37.5%, yeast and mould in 91.7% and staphylococcal organisms in 41.7% of the samples. In burfi, coliforms were prevalent in 66.6%, yeast and mold in 95.8% and staphylococcal organisms in 83.3 % of the samples tested. In gulabjamun, coliforms, yeast and mould and staphylococcal organisms were present in 45.8%, 91.6% and 70.8% respectively of the samples tested. The highest rate of contamination was recorded in burfi while the lowest was recorded in peda. Strict hygienic measures during preparation and storage are recommended to ensure the quality of the products.