A pregnant graded Murrah buffalo at eight months of gestation in third parity having bilateral distension of abdomen was presented. The case was diagnosed as hydramnios and treated with dinoprost tromethamine, diethyl stilbesterol, valethamate bromide and dexamethasone. After 76 hours, cervix was dilated fully and trans-cervical amniocentesis was performed and approximately 60-70 litres of amniotic fluid was drained and a dead male fetus with cleft palate was delivered.

A one year old, non descript doe presented with the history of straining to deliver and hanging of ruptured water bag from the vulva was diagnosed as dystocia. The attempts for manual extraction of foetus were failed and a dead emphysematous male foetus was removed by caesarean section. Hydrocephalus and prognathism were observed in the dead foetus. The doe uneventfully recovered postoperatively.

A pluriparous full-term pregnant buffalo was presented with a history of unproductive straining with improper relaxation of the vulva. Detailed obstetrical examination revealed the presence of two fetuses that were conjoined twins with attachment present at the sternal region of the thorax of the fetuses. The conjoined twins (Ziphopagus monster) were delivered per-vaginal by episiotomy technique.

A postpartum graded Murrah buffalo that calved 25 days before was presented with a history of swelling of the perianal region immediately after parturition. On examination, ventral anal region was found to be enlarged with a pouch that contained around 1.5 kg of dung. The buffalo was given caudal epidural anaesthesia and the perianal mucous membrane was scarified and sutured. Postoperatively antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine were given for 5 days and animal exhibited normal defecation without straining. The correction of unusual case of peri-partum third degree perineal laceration associated with rectal-vaginal fistula and rectal pouch formation in a graded Murrah buffalo, its management and successful recovery is reported.

Parasitic infestation is the primary aetiology of anaemia in goats. Chronic parasitic infestation being the most common cause for severe anaemia in addition to the elimination of aetiology, supportive therapy is necessary for the early regain of normal physiological and haemato-biochemical parameters. The present study was conducted at the Veterinary clinical complex, Veterinary College, Bidar. Six severely anaemic goats were selected for the present study to know the efficacy of iron sucrose as supportive therapy. Rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were recorded as per the standard procedures. Haemato-biochemical parameters were estimated on day 0 and day 15 of post therapy as per the standard procedures. Goats were promptly treated for the primary complaint, dipped, and dewormed to eliminate the Endecto parasites. Selected goats were supplemented with 50 mg of iron sucrose on every alternate day four times in 100 mL normal saline solution by slow intravenous route. A significant (p< 0.05) improvement was observed in physiological and haemato-biochemical parameters after 15 days of post therapy. 

A study was conducted on Soviet chinchilla rabbits (n=28) with mange infestation at Rabbit Breeding Unit, Post Graduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam, Tamil Nadu. The infested rabbits evinced the symptoms of alopecia, anorexia, pruritus, skin erosion, and dry crust like lesions on extremities, ears, nose, and face. The affected rabbits were grouped into four groups (7 for each group) for different therapeutic treatments along with antihistamine and vitamin supplementation for a period of 4 weeks with weekly intervals. It was established that treatment group 4 was successful in curative and early revival of mange infestation.

This study is planned to assess the socio-economic profile, cost economics in feeding and impact of brewery waste utilization among dairy farmers in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in six blocks with one village per block and 15 farmers per village constituting a total of 90 respondents. Data was collected through personal interview method with the help of pretested interview schedule. The survey results indicated that majority of the farmers are in the age of 33 - 47 years and the family size of the respondents is less than 5. More than 50% of the farmers had experience of 10 years in dairy farming practices and the annual income from dairy farming was higher than agriculture sector. All farmers were providing their milch animals with green and dry fodder and the total cost incurred varied from Rs.38.97/- to Rs.29.53/day/animal during milch period and from Rs. 31.66/- to Rs.25.38/day/animal during the dry period. In concentrate mixture, the main ingredients reported were bran, husk, rice gruel and oil cakes and total cost incurred varied from Rs.112.74 to Rs.43.04/day/animal during milch period and from Rs.73.25 to Rs.24.95/day/ animal during the dry period. The mean milk production varied between 5.37 lts to 9.51 lts/day/animal and the cost/ltr of milk varied between Rs.13.50 to Rs.15.95/ltr. It is imperative to note that 38.89% of the farmers were utilizing unconventional feeds such as tapioca powder, tamarind seed, brewery waste and dried distillers’ grain soluble (DDGS) to feed their dairy cattle. Also, from the survey it is inferred that dairy farmers should be sensitised more on the scientific ways of feeding lactating dairy cattle to augment milk production and thereby to increase their livelihood security.

Samples of feed ingredients were collected from the truck loads that arrived at feed processing unit located in Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. Physical examination of collected samples was carried out prior to their chemical evaluation. Chemical evaluation of feed samples revealed that moisture content in maize grain ranged from 8.47% to 17.25% and high moisture was observed in samples received during the monsoon season (September to December). The crude protein content of protein supplements viz., soyabean meal, coconut oil cake, coconut deoiled cake (DOC), groundnut cake, groundnut deoiled cake, delinted decorticated cotton seed cake, sunflower deoiled cake and gingelly oil cake were 45.49, 25.11, 24.47, 36.92, 43.89, 35.36, 30.21 and 29.89 per cent on dry matter basis, respectively. The crude protein (% DMB) and crude fiber (% DMB) content of deoiled rice bran, rice bran and wheat bran were 15.47 and 16.13, 7.55 and 36.26, 14.26 and 9.47, respectively. Due to the high moisture content in maize grain 8.77% of the total truck loads of this ingredient received at the processing unit were rejected. Similarly, of the total truck loads of oil cakes received at the processing unit 20.93 % of soyabean meal, 12.5% of coconut oil cake, 20 % of coconut DOC, 22.22% of cotton seed cake and 33.33% of gingelly oil cake were rejected due to the lower crude protein and higher crude fiber contents. All truck loads of rice bran (100 %) were rejected due to their lower crude protein, higher crude fiber and Acid Insoluble Ash (AIA) content. The study thus revealed that quality control measures are essential to check the entry of poor quality raw materials before processing the feed.

Growth dynamics of buffalo population and milk production and productivity in Tamil Nadu was analysed. Point to point annual compound growth rate (ACGR) was calculated to assess the trend in buffalo population and continuous annual compound growth rate (ACGR) for milk production and productivity. The share of Tamil Nadu to National buffalo population decreased from 5.29 to 0.72 % (1951 to 2012) and the buffalo milk production reduced from 4.01 to 0.46% (2001-02 to 2015-16). The ACGR of buffalo population in Tamil Nadu was -17.23% during the last inter-census period (2007-12). North Eastern and Cauvery Delta agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu registered high negative growth. The annual compound growth rate of buffalo milk production during 2011-12 to 2015-16 in  Southern zone was -27.37% and it was - 21.72% in North Eastern and -20.93 % in Cauvery Delta zone with overall ACGR of -16.85%. The ACGR of buffalo milk productivity was 0.61% (2001-02 to 2015-16) in Tamil Nadu, while the rate was 1.58% in India. Hence, rigorous implementation of buffalo development programmes is a prime requisite and need of the hour for improving buffalo population and milk production in Tamil Nadu.

Cattle temperament is defined as the fear-related behavioral responses when exposed to human handling. As cattle temperament worsens, their response to human contact or any other handling procedures becomes more pronounced. The agitated and/or aggressive response expressed by cattle with excitable temperament when exposed to human handling can be attributed to their fear and consequent inability to cope with this situation. In addition to altered behavior, temperamental cattle may also experience changes in their body physiology, and the hormones produced during this fearrelated stress reaction influence several factors, such as growth and health. Within the cattle industry, producers select cattle for temperament, primarily for safety reasons. However, our recent studies demonstrate cattle temperament may also have productive and economic implications to beef operations. Stress increases stress hormones such as cortisol levels and results in lowering the levels of  reproductive hormones. Most cattlemen recognize that cattle under stress may not eat as well but may not know of its effect on reproductive behavior and physiology. This article will summarize our findings that could have an impact on the beef herd.