Kalahandi buffalo breed, a distinct breed found in South Orissa State in India, has been studied. This paper describes the habitat, husbandry practices, physical conformation and performance of the breed.

This study revealed that amphistome infection with Ceylonocotyle scoliocoelium in buffaloes was associated with the development of persistent diarrhoea and death in seven animals. At postmortem the immature parasites were found to be responsible for duodenitis and severe hepatic damage. Hepatic lesions caused by the amphistome fluke are described and discussed.

Buffalo diseases were the same as those of cattle with few differences in their prevalence, pathogenicity and symptomatology. Parasitic diseases are the most prevalent. Neoascaris vitulorum is the most common helminthosis of young buffalo calves. Coccidial infection, louse infestation, psoroptic mange, trypanosomiasis, haemorrhagic cutaneous filariasis has been diagnosed in the Amazon Valley. Among the infections and contagious disease to which buffaloes are subjected, the following can be detected: foot-and-mouth disease, haemorrhagic septicaemia, brucellosis, tuberculosis, rabies and blackleg. Also present in this region were the non-infections diseases: hypophosphataemia, hypocalcaemia and plant poisoning. Details related to categorization of these diseases are discussed.

Of 4450 Murrah buffaloes, 17 (0.4 %) exhibited a total of 229 warts on their skins. Higher prevalence was recorrded in male buffaloes. The nunber of lesions in individual animals varied from 1 to 78 with a mean of 13.3 +- 20.9 SD. The diameter of the lesions ranged from 0.2 - 2.0 cm with an average of 0.5 +- 0.2 SD. The average affected area of the skin was 3.0 +- 4.2 DS with a range of 0.2 - 16.6 sq.cm. The lesions were observed on 13 different sites with a higher frequency on the shoulder, chest, and neck.

Total of 678 buffalo carcasses were evaluated subjectively for conformation, bruises, contamination and cuts at six different slaughter houses with different slaughter and dressing procedures. Irregular casting of animals and quartering of carcasses on the slaughter floor was found detrimental to the production of hygienic meat compared to regular line casting and quartering outside the slaughter hall or lifting (hoisting) of carcasses for dressing and cutting. Average carcass conformation score was 3.18, indicating a fair grade and scope for improvement by effective culling. Bruising was observed to the extent of 58 percent, contamination with extraneous material to the extent of 49 percent and cuts on the carcasses were observed to the extent of 23 percent. The study suggested that proper care and handling of live animals and lifting of carcasses for dressing and quartering purposes (by way of a semi-modern abattoir system) will contribute to a great extent in the production of hygienic buffalo meat.

Farm ruminants are responsible for about 15 percent of total global methane emission due to enteric fermentation of feeds. Additives are being used to modify rumen fermentation towards reduced methanogenesis, however, hazards associated with feeding of antibiotics and other chemical compounds to livestock for improving animal performance and methane mitigation are growing public awareness and encourage the research towards exploiting natural products as feed additives. Therefore, an experiment was carried out to examine the potential of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) leaves essential oils in modulating rumen fermentation for reduced methane production in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Essential oils were extracted both from dried and fresh eucalyptus leaves, separately in Soxhlet's apparatus by organic solvent, hexane [15 g leaves extracted in 100 ml n-hexane (mol. wt. 86.18, assay 99.0 percent and density 0.658)] for 72 h and tested at three dose levels (0, 0.5 and 2.0 ml) in buffered rumen fluid (BRF). Oats hay (200+-5 mg) was used as substrate and incubated with 30 ml BRF in 100 ml calibrated glass syringes at 39 deg C for 24 h following standard in vitro gas production protocol. Gas production was recorded by displacement of piston in the syringe. Methane in the gas phase and volatile fatty acids in the fermentation medium were estimated by Gas Chromatograph (GC). The total gas production and dry matter digestibility was increased (P LT 0.05) at low dose (0.5 ml) of eucalyptus leaves extract, irrespective of nature of leaves however, these were reduced (P LT 0.05) at higher dose (2.0 ml). Methane production was reduced (P LT 0.05), irrespective of doses. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) production were increased (P LT 0.05) at low dose but higher dose detrimentally reduced it. Rumen ammonia - N was not affected at low dose however, it was reduced at high dose of extract. Extracts from both dried and fresh leaves behaved similarly in modulating all the rumen fermentation parameters at corresponding dose levels. Results of this study revealed reduced methane production with increased feed digestibility and volatile fatty acids production by dosing extract of eucalyptus leaves. Therefore, it suggests using of either extract of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) leaves (0.5 ml/30 ml rumen fluid) or its corresponding dose of leaves as feed additive in buffaloes.

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the alkaline indigestion syndrome in riverine buffaloes caused by inadvertent colostrum feeding, clinical pattern and its therapeutic management. Fifteen recently parturited buffaloes with history of feeding average 2.96 kg (1 to 5 kg) of colostrum immediately after parturition followed by sudden onset of anorexia, decrease in milk yield and nervous signs were investigated. Clinical examination showed normal body temperature (100.26+-0.42 vs 100.62+-0.18), respiration (23.73+-3.53 vs 24.13+-0.66) and heart rate (57.26+-3.30 vs 53.20+-1.79) compared to healthy buffaloes. Examination of rumen revealed impaction with highly significant (P LT 0.01) reduction in rumen motility (0.80+-0.24 vs 3.80+-0.17 per five minutes). Similarly, highly significant (P LT 0.01) increase in rumen pH (8.10+-0.16 vs 6.25+-0.07) and decrease in protozoal density (5.00+-0.88 vs 32.93+-1.72) with sluggish (+) to no (-) protozoal motility was observed in ailing buffaloes. Haematological analysis showed normal blood profile with significant (P LT 0.05) increase only in neutrophil count (51.60+-5.1 vs 42.06+-3.4). Prominent clinical signs of anorexia, congested conjunctival mucosae, decreased milk yield and varied nervous signs like restlessness, head pressing, staggering gait, incoordination, circling, convulsions, dummy syndrome, apparent blindness and coma were observed in affected buffaloes. Postural abnormalities like sternal / lateral recumbency and lateral deviation of neck were also observed in two buffaloes. All the ailing buffaloes were treated with Dextrose Normal Saline, single dose of preparation containing calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, vitamin B complex, antihistaminic, sedatives, laxatives, pre, probiotics, and oral antibiotics. All the treated buffaloes showed satisfactory improvement from 1st to 3rd day with complete clinical recovery by 4.93 (3 to 9) days of treatment. Buffalo owners should be made aware of unscientific practice of colostrum feeding in adult animals and accidentally intoxicated buffaloes could be successfully treated with the standardized treatment protocol.

Liver infections due to amphistomes in buffaloes cause significant economic losses in livestock sector. The present study investigated the classical morphological features of adult amphistomes combined with histopathology and molecular identity in slaughtered buffaloes from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Adult amphistome were collected and morphologically characterized as Gigantocotyle explanatum. Morphometric measurement (n=50) were obtained with 12.05+-1.68 mm in length and 5.77+-0.81 mm in width, and the values of sagittal section was 6.35+-1.03 * 2.98+-0.50 mm in size. Severe bile duct pathology was observed with fibrosis of the duct wall with an irregular epithelial border, hyperplasia and inflammatory response with numerous neutrophils and eosinophils. The molecular identity of G. explanatum within Paramphistomidae was confirmed by ITS-2 rDNA sequences phylogenetic analysis based on maximum likelihood method. The genetic data based on ITS-2 secondary structure of G. explanatum consisted of four helix, Helix I, II and IV were conserved as compared with other closely related reference taxa of family Paramphistomidae and Gastrothylacidae. Helix III expressed some variations. The study concluded that rDNA ITS-2 and secondary structure information provides a guide for other researchers to determine the molecular taxonomic position of Paramphistomidae trematodes, data will support future clinical studies and control measures to reduce the amphistomiasis in buffaloes.

The buffalo rearing is adopting faster rate in arid region of Rajasthan due to its multifaceted utility for both milk and meat. Despite of better management practice are adopted for buffaloes, they also depend upon grazing and poor quality of fodder to meet out their total dry matter intake. The concept of balanced feed with respect to mineral and vitamins are not aware by farmer's community. Thus, the alternative low cost balanced feed was adopted in buffaloes under field condition to augment the milk production with optimum reproductive efficiency. MNFB was developed at feed technology unit of CAZRI, as solidified block of wheat bran, guar meal, dolomite, -minerals and vitamins mixture powder, salt, molasses and urea solution. The study evaluated feeding effect of multi-nutrient feed block on milk production and reproduction performances of lactating buffaloes. The Buffaloes under treatment were divided randomly into two groups and assigned to two dietary treatments under village condition. After calving, all the buffaloes in treatment group were dewormed with albendazole 3 gms and feeding of MNFB 2 blocks (2 kgs each)/week for 3 months during March to May. The control group received diet containing bajara (Pearl millet) kuti, dry grasses, crushed cotton and til (sesame) cake. Milk production, peak milk yield were increased highly significant. Fat percentage was significantly increased. All Observations were monitored as per format. In reproductive performances were like sign of oestrus, conception and post partum reproductive complication 90 percent, 86.6 percent and 0.06 percent in treatment group and 70 percent, 60 percent and 30 percent in Control group respectively. It was concluded that MNFB feeding improved milk yield, milk fat, general health status and reproductive performance of buffalos, as it is a good source of protein, energy, and minerals. It is recommended that MNFB should be used as a supplementation in lactating buffaloes when they area fed with low quality fodder in arid and semi arid region.

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of increasing temperature humidity index (THI) on lactating Murrah buffalo. The study was conducted on six lactating buffaloes which were offered the same basal diet and were blocked by days in milk, milk yield and parity. The study was conducted during May, June and July with average THI of 79.88, 80.57 and 85.36, respectively. Milk yield was recorded twice a day at 06:00 and 18:00 h and physiological parameters were recorded and blood was sampled on 30th day of each month at 14:30 h. The results showed a significant decrease (P LT 0.05) in milk yield in buffaloes only at a THI of 85.36 as compared to THI up to 80.57. The rectal temperature (RT) did not change (P=0.580) with increasing THI up to 85.36, however, the respiration rate (RR) and pulse rate (PR) changed (P LT 0.05) progressively with increasing THI. Leucocytopnoea, lymphocytopnoea and neutrophilia; and alteration in serum urea, alkaline phosphatase activity, reactive oxygen species and phosphorus concentration were observed only at a THI of 85.36 as compared to THI up to 80.57. Similarly, significant (P LT 0.05) alteration in serum T4, cortisol and prolactin levels were observed at a THI of 85.36 as compared to THI up to 80.57. It can be concluded that lactating buffaloes experienced mild heat stress up to a THI of 80.57 (May and June) and a moderate type of heat stress at a THI 85.36 (July).