Coagulase negative Staphylococci were considered as commensal organisms or contaminants with limited pathogenic potential. However, they are becoming more frequently associated with nosocomial infections in human and skin infections in animals. In this study, we attempted to isolate and identify the Staphylococci species that causes dermatological infections in dogs. Out of 35 isolates, 27 were identified as S.pseudintermedius and 3 as S.schleiferisubspschleiferi. Among three S.schleiferi isolates, 2 were closely related to S.schleiferi ATCC strain in pta gene sequences.  Methicillin resistant gene (mecA) was not detected in these isolates. All three isolates were susceptible to oxacillin, amikacin, gentamicin and tetracycline, intermediate susceptibility to ceftriaxone and resistant to Penicillin, ampicillin, sulphadiazine. S.schleiferi is an emerging cause of infections in veterinary patients. None of the isolate produced biofilm in microtitre tissue culture plate adherence method. This is the first report of isolation and identification of S.schleiferi from canine skin infections from India. Further studies are needed for early detection and virulence factors of S.schleiferi in the pathogenesis of pyoderma and otitis in dogs.

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. 

The data on 1721 calves from Sahiwal and Jersey-Sahiwal crossbred cattle were utilized for studying the age specific mortality and culling rate. The overall mortality and culling rate were found to be 15.92 and 19.52 per cent in Sahiwal and Jersey crossbreds respectively. The average female calf mortality from 0-1, 1-3, 3-6, 6-12 and 12 month to age at first calving was observed as 5.81, 2.92, 2.06, 1.75 and 5.01 per cent, respectively. The genetic group had no significant effect on female calves mortality. The maximum culling rate was observed from 12 month to AFC.

This study investigated oxyclozanide, a salicylanilide anthelmintic, as an alternative treatment for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in bovine mastitis. With conventional treatments facing challenges due to antibiotic resistance, oxyclozanide demonstrated promising in vitro antimicrobial effect against MRSA isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 μg/ml, indicating its efficacy. Oxyclozanide’s mechanism involved disrupting the transmembrane structure of bacteria, presenting a potential strategy against MRSA. This suggested the repurposing of oxyclozanide as a viable option for combating MRSA in bovine mastitis, prompting further investigation into its precise mechanism and therapeutic potential.

The selection of breeding bucks stands as a pivotal decision in both organised and field populations aiming for genetic enhancement. Incorporating bucks with high genetic merit into breeding programme holds the potential to significantly elevate the overall productivity of the stock. This, in turn, serves to augment the economic viability of rural goat keepers who adhere to zero-input management systems. Hence, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the influence exerted by non-genetic factors on semen characteristics among bucks within a particular breed is imperative for effective breeding management. In this study, a total of 108 ejaculates from four adult Kanni Adu bucks were analysed to determine the effect of season and order of the ejaculate on conventional semen attributes using linear mixed models with lme4 package in R software. The estimated marginal means for semen volume (ml), sperm concentration (million per ml), mass activity (0 to 5 scale), initial, pre-freeze and post-thaw sperm motility (per cent) were 0.623 ± 0.056, 3841.00 ± 238.00, 4.73 ± 0.08, 86.87 ± 0.02, 85.49 ± 0.01 and 56.15 ± 0.01 respectively.

Eighteen queen cats with a history of mis-mating were confirmed pregnant by ultrasound examination and were divided into three groups of six cats each; Group I: Normal pregnancy cats, group II: Cats treated with cloprostenol alone and Group III: Cats that underwent treatment with cloprostenol and cabergoline for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). Haematobiochemical and ultrasonographic aspects associated with MTP as well as the efficacy of cloprostenol administration alone and its combination with cabergoline in inducing MTP were studied. Ultrasonographic evaluation showed a significant increase in mean heart rate and a decrease in mean gestational sac diameter (p ≤ 0.01) values after 72 hours of initiation of the MTP treatment. Haematological parameters showed a significant reduction in RBC and PCV values; however, there was a significant increase in WBC and neutrophil values on post-hours treatment. Hence, the use of combined therapy (cloprostenol and cabergoline) can be considered a more effective protocol for MTP than single-drug therapy (cloprostenol) from 30- 35 days of pregnancy in cats. 

The current study was designed to evaluate the carcass and meat quality characteristics of Siruvidai chicken of Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts of Tamil Nadu.  The carcass characteristics namely New-York dressed weight, eviscerated carcass weight, ready-to-cook weight, giblets weight, abdominal fat weight and meat: bone ratio were recorded. No significant differences observed in carcass characteristics among the districts except for pre-slaughter weight and breast yield. A significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher breast yield was recorded from Ariyalur and Perambalur districts. The pH, water holding capacity, shear force value, tyrosine value and thio-barbituric acid (TBA) number did not show significant differences among the districts. The Siruvidai chicken of Tamil Nadu is meant for egg production and mothering ability. From this study, it is concluded that Siruvidai chicken may be utilized economically for meat production and processing.

A 6 year old female Afghan Hound dog was presented to the Small Animal Critical Care Unit, Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai with a history of dyspnea, coughing, weight loss and anorexia for 5 days with abducted gait. On physical examination, thoracic auscultation revealed muffled heart sounds and lung sounds. Low amplitude QRS Complex was observed on electrocardiographic examination. Thoracic radiography revealed pleural effusion. An echoic fluid accumulation around the heart, floating lung lobe and fibrin string was observed during the ultrasonography examination. Heamatological and biochemical parameters were within the normal value. Thoracocentesis was performed and removed around 450ml of milky white fluid intermittently. Based on pleural fluid analysis the case was diagnosed as idiopathic chylothorax. The dog was treated with intravenous fluid, antibiotics, tablet rutin, diuretics and steroids. After 1 week of treatment animal recovered gradually.

A two and half year old intact 19 kg female Doberman was referred to small animal medicine outpatient unit of Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with the history of lateral recumbency, dyspnoea, weight loss, inappetence, brownish diarrhoea for past 2 weeks. Clinical examination revealed fever, blanched mucous membrane, lymphadenopathy, dehydration > 5%. Hematology revealed severe anaemia, moderate thrombocytopenia and severe leukocytosis with neutrophilia. Ultrasonography evidenced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and peripheral blood smear cytology confirmed Hepatozoan canis gamonts in neutrophils. Emergency fresh whole blood transfusion was done and treatment initiated with a combination therapy including single dose of Imidocarb dipropionate @7.5 mg/kg and Doxycycline @ 10 mg PO for 28 days following which the dog showed progressive improvements.