Phylogenetic analysis of organisms not only offers crucial details on the genesis and evolution of genes, genomes, and species, but also helps with ecological and behavioural research while forecasting the magnitude and direction of future evolutionary trends in living things. In the present study, cytochrome b gene sequence of mitochondrial DNA obtained from captive Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, was phylogenetically analysed with reference sequences of cytochrome b gene of fourteen sequences of the genus Panthera obtained from NCBI gen bank database. The similarities and differences between the different sequences were studied and the use of phylogenetic analysis as a forensic tool for investigation was discussed. The phylogenetic tool can also be used for pedigree checking where the parentage details are maintained and the place of origin of the species can be traced in case of samples seized during animal poaching.

A proper care, prompt reporting and immediate surgical inervention will save the life of the animal. A four year old pluriparous doe was presented with the history of dog bitten wound with eviscerated mass from the injured site at the left lateral aspect of the abdomen. The goat was kept on lateral recumbancy, on clinical examination revealed eviscerated rumen without any lacerations. Surgical area was prepared aseptically, under Inj. Xylazine as premedication and Inj. ketamine and inj. diazepam as induction anaesthesia reconstructive surgery was performed. Rumenotomy was performed to reduce the content and rumen was closed by the two rows of inversion suture. Peritoneum and transverse abdominus muscle were apposed by inversion suture pattern and oblique abdominus internus and externus muscle were apposed by interrupted suture pattern using catgut no 1. Skin was apposed by interupted suture pattern using cotton thread (no 8). Postoperatively Inj. Tetanus toxoid (5 Lfu), ceftriaxone @ 10 mg per kg and meloxicam @ 0.5 mg per kg were given intramuscularly and the animal was maintained with fluid therapy, antibiotic and analgesic for five days and animal recovered after one week.

A pug dog was presented to Small Animal Outpatient Unit of Madras Veterinary College with the history of oral administration of 2.5 tablets of 500 mg acetaminophen. Physical examination of animal revealed a dull and depressed with pale mucous membrane. Haematological values were within normal range and biochemistry report revealed elevated Alanine amino transferase enzyme which indicated the hepatotoxic adverse effect of acetaminophen. Normal saline was administered intravenously. N-acetyl Cystine was administered @140 mg/kg intravenously after diluting in 5% dextrose. The owner was advised to give oral N-Acetyl cystine tablets at a dose rate of 70 mg/kg after 6 hrs and to repeat as such seven times. Oral liver supplements containing S-Adenosyl methionine and silybin was prescribed and advised to give at the dose rate of 5 ml/10 kg body weight. Hematinics was prescribed and advised to give orally at a dose rate of 2.5 ml/5 kg body weight twice daily.

A five year old Large White Yorkshire sow gave birth to a conjoined cephalothoracopagus, which was stillborn.

Sound plays an important role in animal behaviour, welfare and production. It also helps the animal attendant in communicating with and controlling the animal. When sound becomes unpleasant and disturbing it is termed as noise and causes sound pollution. The threshold of bearing sound is different among animals and is affected by several factors such as age, shape of the ears, species and breed of the animal and health condition. Noise pollution affects behaviour, breeding, growth and well-being of birds. Noise was noted to cause sleep disturbances and affect the endocrine and cardiovascular systems, in laboratory animals. A review is presented on the effect of noise on animals based on the work of various researchers. Methods on how to keep animals safe from sound pollution has also been suggested.

In the present study, red acrylic delta traps were fabricated and evaluated in piggery and cattle farms to trap house flies. Two different pellet baits; one containing (Z)-9-Tricosene, fish meal and molasses (FMP) and other with added antioxidant, butylated hydroxy toluene (FMPB) were used in the traps. In piggery and cattle farms, the traps were suspended at a height of six feet from ground level using metal wires at a distance of three meters between each trap. Each trial was conducted for seven days and the trial was repeated six times continuously without replacement of baits. Trapped flies were counted after each trial. In piggery farm, a total of 1232 flies were trapped, out of which 454 and 778 flies were trapped in FMP and FMPB pellet baited traps, respectively. Total number of flies trapped in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth week of the study period was 308, 247, 196, 133, 204 and 144, respectively. In cattle farm, a total of 435 flies were trapped, out of which 160 flies were trapped in FMP pellet baited traps and remaining 63.21 per cent (275 flies) were trapped in FMPB pellet baited traps. Total number of flies trapped in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth week of the study period was 134, 96, 82, 55, 27 and 41, respectively. The variation in trap catches of flies in traps baited with FMP and FMPB pellets was highly significant in both piggery (χ2 value = 170.42** p<0.01) and cattle farms (χ2 value 60.80** p<0.01). Delta traps were found effective in luring house flies and can be used in livestock farms to control house flies. 

Dairy farming plays an important role in social and economic livelihood of the farmers of Telangana state. An investigation was carried out to study the cost of milk production in buffaloes of dairy farmers in Karimnagar, Khammam and Rangareddy districts of Telangana. The data was collected from 240 farmers spread over 24 villages in 6 mandals in the selected districts. The 240 respondents were interviewed as per the questionnaire. The statistical data revealed that 51.66 per cent of the respondents belonged to middle age group and 28.75 per cent of the respondents were educated up to secondary level (up to 10th class). Majority (42.91%) of the respondents belonged to backward caste. Most of the respondents belonged to medium sized family. Majority (62.08%) of the respondents had nuclear family. Majority (39.16) of the respondents have medium herd size of animals and 40 per cent respondents were having annual income of medium level (Rs.75,000-150,000). Most (76.66%) of the respondents had membership in at least one organization, 35 per cent were marginal farmers, 67.91 per cent respondents followed agriculture + dairying as main source of income. Majority 48.75 per cent had extension contacts with gopalamitra, paravet, VAS/AD (AH). 

Buffaloes have high productive potential but poor manifestations of oestrus signs and silent oestrus act as a major constraint in buffaloes affecting their reproduction. There are several detection tools used for detection and confirmation of oestrus in cattle but none of the methods have succeeded to overcome the problem of silent estrus in buffaloes. In recent years proteomics approach has gained much attention to identify proteins associated with various physiological and disease conditions in saliva and cervico vaginal fluid mostly in humans and up to certain extent in cattle and buffaloes. In this study twelve pluriparous Murrah buffaloes aged 4 to 7 years with good body condition were selected and divided into group I (regular oestrus), group II (silent oestrus). Each group carries six animals and saliva was collected at proestrus (day -3), oestrus (day 0) and diestrus stage (day 7). Cervico vaginal fluid (CVF) was collected only at oestrum stage. Protein profiling of saliva were studied by SDS - PAGE analysis. The SDS-PAGE analysis showed proteins of molecular weight 150, 110, 80, 40 kDa during proestrus; 150, 120, 70 and 50 kDa during oestrus; 250, 150, 90, 50 and 37 kDa during diestrus in group I buffaloes. Similarly, proteins of molecular weight 250, 150, 100, 80 and 25 kDa during proestrus; 150, 100, 75 and 50 kDa during oestrus and 250, 100,75 and 25 kDa during diestrus were observed  in group II buffaloes. The SDS-PAGE analysis of CVF showed proteins of molecular weight of 100 and 75 kDa in group I buffaloes and 250 and 150 kDa in group II buffaloes. Oestrus specific proteins with different molecular weights were identified in terms of different bands size. However further study is warranted to find out their role during oestrus in regular and silent oestrus buffaloes for the development of specific diagnostic assay.

The study was conducted to document the incidence and nature of oestrus like signs and follicular biometry during the lunar and peri-lunar days in crossbred cattle. Crossbred cattle (n = 678) which were reported to be with oestrus like signs on lunar days (full moon day and new moon day) and peri-lunar days were subjected for the investigation. Only 60.6 per cent of the animals during the study period were in actual oestrus. The remaining animals (39.4%) were found to be in various reproductive statuses viz., pregnancy (17.7%), mid-cycle oestrum (6.9%) and without any oestrus characteristics (14.8 %). The diameter of the dominant follicle in cattle with oestrus signs during lunar days (10.4 ± 0.2 mm) was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller than cattle in actual oestrus during normal days (12.2 ± 0.5 mm). Exhibition of oestrous signs with smaller follicular diameter indicated the probable chances of lunar influence on the follicular dynamics, steroidogenesis and reproductive characters in cattle. 

Lice infestation is one of the major problems to the duck farming, causing irritation that lead to lowered feed intake, retarded growth, reduced weight gain and decreased egg production. The present communication deals with occurrence of different species of lice in a desi duck from Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu. A farmer from Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu brought five dead two year old native ducks for necropsy at Dept. of Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary College and research Institute, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu. External examination of ducks revealed presence of 13 lice specimen in one bird. They were examined and identified as Trinoton querquedulae (n= 8), Anatoecus dentatus (n= 4) and Anaticola crassicornis (n= 1) morphologically. This study is the first to establish the presence of mixed lice infestation in native ducks from Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu and also first repot of Trinoton querquedulae in ducks from India.