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Open Access
Livestock production system of tribes in Attappady area of Palakkad district
(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Muhammad, Aslam M K; KAU; Joseph, Mathew
Attappady is an important tribal settlement area of Kerala. The tribes of Attappady belong to three communities namely Irula, Muduga, and Kurumba. They were traditionally engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry activities. This study was conducted to make an intensive appraisal of the livestock production system of Attappady and to identify possible areas of scientific intervention so as to improve its efficiency. As per the survey findings, more than sixty percent of the tribal farmers were middle aged. Majority of the tribal farmers were illiterate and considered labour as their primary occupation. The average herd size of cattle and goat among the tribes in Attappady were found to be 3.76 and 5.83 respectively. Most of the tribal farmers provided housing facility to their animals during night time only. The tribal farmers entirely depended on grazing and locally available feed resources for feeding their animals. Concentrate feeding was practiced by only a quarter of the farmers. Few of them were cultivated fodder and fed straw to animals. These farmers were not concerned about watering their animals. The animals were non-descriptive type mostly and indiscriminate breeding was common. The farmers detected heat by observing the bellowing sign. Only few of them provided special care to pregnant and young animals. Most of them did not cut the navel cord after birth but the practice of colustrum feeding was quite common. Majority allowed calves to suckle milk after milking the animals completely. The tribal farmers milked their animals themselves and majority practiced morning time milking. Most of the animals had an average milk yield of 2 to 4.9 litres per day. Majority of the farmers relied on indigenous remedies for treating their animals. Deworming and vaccination of animals were not practiced by most of the farmers. Parasitic infestations and digestive disorders were found to be the major problems in the area. Tribes were not much concerned about the marketing facilities. Only a quarter of the farmers sold milk to cooperative societies. The interference of middle men reduced the profit gaining from the sale of animals and manure. An experiment was performed to study the effect of scientific intervention in the system. The animals in test group were found to be superior to the control group with respect to standard lactation yield, birth weight and daily weight gain of calves, body weight of goats at one year of age and minimum number of diseases occurrence. The results pointed to the draw backs in the existing management system and the need for scientific intervention. Major constraints in the system were lack of knowledge about modern husbandry practices, poor genetic potential of animals, restrictions for grazing, lack of sufficient veterinary services, poor credit and insurance availabilities and marketing problems. Measures like dissemination of improved animal husbandry practices, increased fodder production and introduction of feed subsidy schemes, planned breeding strategies, improvement of veterinary facilities, promoting micro-finance and credit availability, strengthening the marketing system and inter-departmental collaboration may be adopted to improve the efficiency of the livestock production system of tribes of Attappady.
Open Access
Evaluation and management of glaucoma in dogs
(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Priya, P; KAU; Syam, K Venugopal
The efficacy of various treatments for glaucoma were studied in nine cases. Dogs presented with the ophthalmological complaints were thoroughly examined and eight dogs with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) were selected for the study. Initially medical treatment was given and for those cases which are refractory to medical treatment, surgical treatment was adopted. The medical treatment consisted of a combination of oral administration of carbonic anhydrase enzyme inhibitors and ocular instillation of beta blockers. The surgical techniques adopted was iridectomy and trabeculectomy. Both performed under general anaesthesia. Parenteral administration of antibiotics, topical instillation of polymyxin-choramphenicol eyedrops, flurbiprofen eyedrops were given on the post operative days. The incidence of glaucoma was 11% among the cases presented with the ophthalmological complaints. The dogs belonged to various breeds like Spitz, Dachshund, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and Mongrel dogs of either sex with an average age of 8.61 years( range 3 years to 14 years). The major clinical signs observed were episcleral congestion, corneal oedema, vascularization of cornea, mydriasis, congestion of conjunctival blood vessels and buphthalmos. Medical management with oral administration of carbonic anhydrase enzyme inhibitors and beta blockers effectively reduced the IOP for short term period but in long term management they were ineffective. Panting and gastrointestinal upsets, cardiac arrhythmia were the side effects observed in animals underwent medical therapy. Surgical procedure iridectomy effectively reduced the IOP but the post operative complications like anterior synechiae and corneal oedema limited the success of this technique. Surgical procedure trabeculectomy effectively reduced the IOP without any significant post operative complications and lowering of IOP lasted for more than six months. The advantages of trabeculectomy over iridectomy were greater reduction in IOP with a clear cornea and absence of post operative complication like anterior synechiae.
Open Access
Clinical evaluation and management of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Dhanya, V Pai; KAU; Usha, Narayanan Pillai
Eight dogs presented with clinical signs suggestive of cardiac problems and later confirmed for DCM were utilised for the detailed treatment studies. Signalment, history, electrocardiography, radiography, echocardiography, haematology, serum biochemistry and response to treatment of enalapril @ 0.5 mg/kg bid, valsartan @ 2 mg/kg bid and lasilactone @ 2mg/kg bid orally were studied. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) was more commonly observed in middle aged dogs. The breed wise distribution of DCM indicated that Labrador Retriever was more prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (37.5 %) followed by Boxer (25 %), German shepherd (12.5 %), Spitz (12.5 %) and non - descript (12.5 %). Major clinical signs included cough (37.5 %), ascites (75 %), anorexia (75 %), polydypsia (50 %), syncope (25 %) and oedema of hind limbs (25 %). Exercise intolerance and dyspnoea were present in all cases. Mean temperature, pulse and respiration rates were within the normal range. Clinical examination revealed irregular pulse (37.5 %), weak femoral pulse (75 %) and pale mucous membrane (25 %) on the day of admission. Ascites and pulse deficit were present in 50 % and 75 % of the cases respectively. Thoracic auscultation revealed tachycardia (25 %) and pulmonary crackles (75 %). Mean heart rate was within the normal range. Sinus tachycardia (25 %), atrial fibrillation (12.5 %) and VPC (25 %) were the most common arrhythmias encountered in ECG. Ventricular pre-excitation was present in 12.5 % of the cases. All the ECG measurements were within the normal range except for a slight increase in the P wave duration indicating left atrial enlargement. Hence ECG could be used for initial diagnosis of cardiac problem. On radiographic examination major observations were generalised cardiomegaly, tracheal elevation, pulmonary congestion and pericardial effusion. Vertebral heart score showed significant increase in mean cardiac length, mean cardiac width, mean vertebral heart sizes and mean vertebral size of caudal vena cavae when compared to normal dogs. Echocardiographic four chamber view revealed left ventricular dilatation all cases. Pericardial effusion was present in 12.5 % of the cases. M–mode measurements showed reduced myocardial contractility in all cases. Fractional shortening (FS) had a mean value of 19.80 ± 1.71 %. Ejection fraction had a mean value of 43.43 ± 4.16 %. Haematobiochemical studies revealed mild anaemia with leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Anaemia might be caused by haemodilution effect due to fluid retension secondary to the activation of renin – angiotensin – aldosterone system. There was elevation of CPK value on day 1 when compared to the healthy controls which might be due to the cardiac muscle damage occurring in DCM. Treatment response was studied in six cases that survived for atleast 30 days. Clinical improvement was present in 62.5 % of the cases. Atrial fibrillation was absent on day 30 of treatment. Cough and skin rashes were the common side effects. Mean values of RBC and haemoglobin on day 30 showed a significant reduction indicating development of anemia due to direct effect of angiotensin on erythropoesis. Significant reduction in CPK on day 30 when compared to day 1 might be indicative of improvement in the coronary circulation following treatment.
Open Access
Comparative study and storage stability of hepatobiliary enzymes in ruminants and dogs of humid tropics
(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Divya, P D; KAU; Jayavardhanan, K K
The present research was designed and conducted with the objectives of assessing the normal serum activity of hepatobiliary enzymes such as, ALT, AST, ALP and GGT for different animal species reared under the hot humid climatic conditions and to identify the ideal storage condition for each enzyme in these species by keeping sera samples at room temperature, 4 ºC and -20 ºC up to 14 days. The study was performed in adult healthy female crossbred cattle, Murrah buffalo and crossbred goats maintained at University Livestock Farms, College of Veterinary and Animal sciences, Mannuthy and dogs of mixed breeds maintained at nearby kennels during the period of April to October 2008. The research findings showed highest ALT activity in buffalo (50.00 ± 3.53 IU/L) followed by dog (33.56 ± 3.38 IU/L) and comparatively lower ALT activity in cattle and goat serum where the values were 19.46 ± 1.54 and 15.94 ± 0.84 IU/L, respectively. The reference range obtained for ALT activity in cattle, buffalo, goat and dog were of 16.11 to 22.81, 42.02 to 57.98, 14.17 to 17.72 and 25.15 to 41.36 IU/L, respectively. These results recommend the use of ALT assay particularly in dogs and buffalo for the diagnosis of hepatic damage. All the four species showed significant differences in the mean AST activities with highest activity for buffalo serum (113.53 to 146.49 IU/L) and lowest for dog (30.53 to 41.31 IU/L) with a reference range of 113.51 to 146.49 and 30.35 to 41.31 IU/L, respectively. For cattle and goat sera samples, the AST activity observed were 68.67 ± 2.29 IU/L (63.61 to 73.72) and 80.87 ± 3.71 IU/L (72.89 to 88.84), respectively. The analysis showed comparatively wider range for ALP activity in all the four species studied as referred to other hepatobiliary enzymes. The highest ALP activity was found in buffalo (323.60 ± 32.09 IU/L) ranging from 251.00 to 396.19 IU/L. The mean serum ALP activities for cattle and dog were 113.70 ± 7.59 IU/L (96.53 to 130.87) and 92.90 ± 7.53 IU/L (75.87 to 109.93) and were non significant. The ALP values obtained for goat was 175.92 ± 20.09 IU/L (131.71 to 220.13 IU/L). GGT levels obtained in the present study were within a narrow range in all the animals studied. The highest serum GGT activity was found in goats (32.57 ± 1.73 IU/L) and the lowest value in dogs (4.00 ± 0.15 IU/L) with a range of 31.41 to 39.13 and 3.66 to 4.34, respectively. The serum GGT activity of cattle and buffalo were found to be some what similar (13.15 ± 0.78 and 10.11 ± 1.28 IU/L, respectively). The corresponding reference ranges were 11.45 to 14.86 and 7.15 to 13.07, respectively. The results suggest GGT as the most suitable hepatobiliary enzyme than ALP to detect cholestasis in all the four species studied. The present study also reveals significant differences in the storage stability characteristics of the hepatobiliary enzyme among the four species. The investigation recommends 4 ºC as the ideal storage condition for ALT assay for cattle and dog serum samples, whereas, -20 ºC for goat serum and both conditions for buffalo serum. Both 4 ºC and -20 ºC was suitable for AST assay for cattle and dog serum, -20 ºC is recommended for goat whereas, buffalo serum showed maximum AST stability at 4 ºC. The present study suggests that ALP assay should be performed on the day of venipuncture itself in all four species studied as the enzyme showed wide variation upon storage. Both 4 ºC and -20 ºC was found to be as the ideal storage conditions for GGT assay in buffalo, goat and dog sera samples whereas, 4 ºC is recommended for cattle serum where the observed stability period was 11 days. Room temperature is not recommended for preserving sera samples for enzyme assay in all the four species except for GGT estimation in goat and dog serum where the enzyme was found to be stable up to the end of the study period. These differences in enzyme stability should be considered while preserving sera samples to get an accurate result.
Open Access
Evaluation of native chicken of Northern Kerala
(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Girish, Kumar P; KAU; Richard, Churchil
Open Access
Bacteria associated with respiratory tract infections in rabbits
(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Jini, Jeorge; KAU; Koshi, John
A study was undertaken to isolate the bacteria associated with respiratory tract infections in rabbits. In this study, isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates as well as determination of their pathogenicity to mice were carried out. Samples were collected from ailing and dead rabbits. Nasal swabs from the ailing rabbits showing clinical signs such as nasal discharge and respiratory distress, tracheal and lung samples of the dead rabbits with post mortem lesions such as pneumonia, congestion of lungs and haemorrhages of trachea were collected for the isolation trials. These samples were collected from rabbit farm attached to Kerala Agricultural University, commercial farms in Malapuram district, dead rabbits brought to Centre of Excellence in Pathology for post mortem and ailing animals brought for microbiological examination to the Department of Veterinary Microbiology. A total of 62 samples were collected, comprising of 30 nasal swabs, 25 lung samples and 7 tracheal swabs, for the isolation of the organisms. Brain Heart Infusion Agar (BHIA) and Blood Agar were used for the primary isolation of the organisms. In the present study 32 isolates were obtained in which Staphylococcus sp. contributed 59.56 per cent of the total isolates, E. coli contributed 25 per cent, Klebsiella sp. 9.43 per cent, Streptococcus uberis 3.31 per cent and Pasteurella multocida 3.13 per cent. The bacteria were isolated and identified based on morphology, cultural and biochemical tests. In Staphylococcus sp. 19 isolates were obtained, comprising of Staphylococcus aureus-11, Staphylococcus scuri -2 , Staphylococcus xylosus- 1, Staphylococcus intermedius-2, Staphylococcus cohnii -2 and Staphylococcus lentus- 1. Other isolates were Streptococcus uberis -1, Pasteurella multocida -1, E. coli -8, Klebsiella pneumoniae -2 and Klebsiella ozaenae-1. Most of the Staphylococcus sp. showed resistance to sulphadiazine, polymyxin B, co-trimoxazole, amoxycillin and oxytetracycline. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern shown by the isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance. Multi drug resistance was also observed for E. coli isolates to amoxycillin, cefuroxime, gentamicin, carbenicillin, methicillin, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, penicillin G, nitrofurantoin, cefotaxime, oxacillin, streptomycin and erythromycin. Klebsiella sp. only showed sensitivity to enrofloxacin, gentamicin, cefotaxime, streptomycin and ciprofloxacin and highly resistant to amoxycillin, carbenicillin, methicilin, oxytetracycline, co-trimoxazole, penicillin G, nitrofurantoin, sulphadiazine, polymyxin B, bacitracin, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. On pathogenicity testing in mice only four isolates of S. aureus, five isolates of E. coli, two isolates of K. pneumoniae and one isolate of Pasteurella multocida caused death of the mice. The other isolates of S. aureus didn’t cause death of mice but could be re-isolated from the sacrificed mice after completion of the observation period. The S.scuri, S. xylosus, S. intermedius, S. cohnii and S. lentus isolates didn’t cause death in mice and the organisms were not re -isolated from lungs, liver, spleen and heart of the mice on sacrifice after 14 days observation period. The Streptococcus uberis isolate also didn’t cause death in mice and the organisms could not be re-isolated from lungs, liver, spleen and heart of the sacrificed mice.
Open Access
Incidence and histomorphological characterization of canine neoplasms
(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Praveena, Babu; KAU; Mammen J, Abraham
The present study entitled “Incidence and histomorphological characterization of canine neoplasms” was conducted to assess the incidence of neoplasms among canines. Canine cases presented to the Veterinary hospitals of Mannuthy and Kokkalai and carcass brought for post mortem examination in the Centre of Excellence in Pathology, COVAS, Mannuthy from December 2008 to December 2009 was utilized for the study. Besides age, sex, breed and location wise incidence of tumours, haematological parameters, gross and histopathological features along with apoptotic index, mitotic index and AgNOR counts were recorded. A total of 61 tumour cases were recorded in 60 animals. Age, sex and breed wise analysis revealed that 55 percent of tumour bearing animals were in 5 to 8 year group, 58 percent of the affected animals were females while 42 percent were males and German shepherds, were the most affected - 28.33 percent. Among the cases studied benign tumours comprised 66 percent and malignant tumours were 34 percent. Moreover tumours of the skin and soft tissues constituted 32.8 percent, mammary tumours 29.51 percent and tumours of the genital system 21.31 percent. Tumours of the alimentary tract contributed 6.56 percent, 4.92 percent of tumours were from the haemolymphatic system, 3.3 percent tumours were of eye and ear origin and one tumour case (1.64 percent) from bone. Anaemia and leucocytosis are the haematological changes noticed in tumour bearing animals. The mean values of MI and AgNOR counts of benign and malignant tumours showed significant variation. Besides the MI and AgNOR counts were highly correlated. The tumours such as sebaceous gland tumours, eccrine carcinoma, melanocytoma, fibroma, neurofibroma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, liposarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, canine multicentric lymphoma, epulis, hepatic tumours, pancreatic carcinoma, adenoma of the nictitans gland, ceruminous carcinoma, sertoli cell tumor, TVT and mammary tumours were recorded.
Open Access
Clinico-therapeutic studies on leptospirosis in dogs
(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Riyas, M A; KAU; Vijayakumar, K
Clinico-therapeutic studies of leptospirosis in dogs presented in the University Veterinary Hospitals, Mannuthy and Kokkalai were conducted. About 20 suspected cases were taken and screened for leptospirosis by DFM, PCR and MAT. Leptospiral organism could not be observed by DFM examination from any of the blood or urine samples tested. But PCR could amplify pathogenic leptospiral DNA in one blood and one urine sample. On MAT, 12 sera were found positive for leptospiral agglutinating antibodies. The predominant seroreactions were to L. autumnalis and L. australis in 75 per cent cases. Clinical manifestations were indicative of a multisystemic involvement. Most of the animals were presented with inappetence, anorexia, vomiting, jaundice, haematuria, haemoglobinuria, melaena and normal body temperature. More cases reported in female dogs. Middle aged dogs were affected more. In the present study the incidence was more during the monsoon season. On haematological analysis, most of the haematological parameters were significant in all the positive cases except mean monocyte and eosinophil count. A marked reduction in erythrocyte count observed in 58.33 per cent animals suggestive of anaemia. There was marked increase in total leucocyte count showed by the most of the diseased animals. Neutrophilia, lymphopenia, a decrease in mean PCV and haemoglobin concentration also noted in seropositive animals. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 50 per cent animals. In positive cases the mean serum creatinine was apparently higher. The increased mean serum creatinine showed the animals were azotemic. The mean ALT, total protein, albumin, globulin and total bilirubin were significantly higher in diseased dogs. On abdominal ultrasonography of dogs with leptospirosis, cortico medullary junction of kidney was not clear in 36.36 per cent cases. No change in echogenicity of kidney noted in 27.27 per cent cases. Ultrasonography of liver revealed no abnormality in echogenicity and architecture in 45.45 per cent cases. On urinalysis, specific gravity was in a range of 1.01 to 1.03. Proteinuria was observed in 75 per cent cases. Presence of blood observed in 25 per cent cases. Glucosuria was there in 25 per cent cases. Bile pigment was detected in 41.67 per cent dogs. Bile salt was absent in all the samples tested. Positive cases were divided into two groups. One group with six animals was treated with Benzyl penicillin and other group containing six animals treated with Amoxicillin - Clavulanic acid. But only 25 per cent animals were survived after treatment and rest of the animals were died before completing the course of therapy.

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