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Open Access
Effect of replacing dried fish with lysine and methionine in the calf starter on the growth performance of crossbred calves
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Jith John, Mathew; Ally, K
A growth trial was conducted with fourteen crossbred calves below one month of age for 145 days to study the effect of replacement of unsalted dried fish in the calf starter with a total vegetable protein source supplemented with lysine and methionine. Calves were divided into two groups as uniformly as possible and allotted randomly to two dietary treatments. The control group was fed with a calf starter containing unsalted dried fish. The treatment group was fed a calf starter with only vegetable protein sources formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric with control calf starter and equated by supplementation, with the same as regard to amino acids lysine and methionine plus cystine. Statistical analysis of the data showed that there was no significant difference in any of the parameters recorded during the study. An average daily gain of 325 grams and 348 grams were obtained in calves fed with the control and treatment diets respectively. Feed to gain ratio for the control and treatment groups were 3.85 and 3.81 respectively. Dry matter intake and haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, serum phosphorus, serum calcium, plasma glucose, serum total protein and blood urea nitrogen were similar in calves receiving the two dietary treatments. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients observed were 66.37 and 65.84 for dry matter, 72.21 and 72.36 for crude protein, 64.28 and 61.85 for ether extract, 62.34 and 60.71 for neutral detergent fibre and 51.95 and 52.25 for acid detergent fibre for the control and treatment diets respectively. Identical performance was obtained in all the parameters recorded. Cost per kilogram body weight gain was Rs 71.40 for the control group and Rs 69.63 in the treatment group. It could be inferred from the study that unsalted fish in a calf starter can be fully replaced by plant protein sources supplemented for existing deficiencies in lysine and methionine plus cystine to obtain similar growth performance of cross bred pre-ruminant calves.
Open Access
Immunopathologic and toxic effects of endosulfan in chick embryo
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Kalai Selvan, P; KAU; Divakaran Nair, N
The present study was undertaken to investigate the immunopathologic and toxic effects of endosulfan in chick embryo. The embryos were exposed to endosulfan at various dose levels through different routes. The weight of the embryo, bursa, thymus and spleen, histopathology of the lymphoid organs, liver, kidney and brain and quantification of the preformed maternal IgY level in the egg yolk were the parameters analysed to study the effects. Endosulfan was found to be teratogenic at the grven dose levels. The abnormalities observed were agenesis of beak, crossed beak, short lower beak, eventration of viscera and curled toe. Endosulfan did not cause any significant gross changes in the developing embryos except mild haemorrhages. Endosulfan treatment did not produce any significant reduction in the weight of the embryos as well as the weight of the lymphoid organs. On histopathological examinations endosulfan was found to be nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic to the embryos. Varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis was evident in kidney and liver. Effect on the bursa, thymus and spleen were mild to moderate where in the degenerative changes predominated. Dose dependent increase in the involution process of the thymus as evidenced by increase in the Hassal's zone was observed. The lesions in the developing lymphoid organs reflected that endosulfan is toxic to the system and going to affect the immunocompetency by way of immunosuppression and thereby rendering the chicks susceptible to various diseases. The study indicated that the endosulfan treatment did not have any effect on the preformed maternal immunoglobulin level in the egg yolk.
Open Access
Evaluation of boer halfbreds for development of meat goat strains suited for Kerala
(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Jeeva, L; KAU; Nandakumar, P
The tremendous potential of goat production in Kerala State is constrained due to the non-availability of meat type of goats suited to our climatic conditions. Malabari goats native to Kerala and improved Alpine Malabari (AM) grows to around only 8.5 and 11 kg respectively, imposing severe restrictions on commercial exploitation of these breeds. Introgression of Boer inheritance into Australian feral goats has led to the development of Australian goat meat industry and utilization of Boer goats to improve local goats in Maharashtra has paid rich dividend. With this background, the present investigation undertaken in Alpine Malabari crosses (AM) by infusing Boer inheritance was undertaken at University Goat and Sheep Farm was to evaluate the suitability of Alpine Malabari x Boer (AMB) crosses as a meat strain suited to Kerala State. Data on one hundred goat kids, 50 each belonging to 2 genetic groups, AM and AMB were subjected to least squares analysis to resolve the effect of genetic group, sire, month of birth and sex on type of birth, litter weight at birth, birth weight, body weight at first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth month, pre- weaning mortality, incidence of neonatal diseases, litter size at weaning, average daily gain in body weight, phenotypic correlation, viability and adaptability. Average litter size at birth (LSB) among Alpine Malabari (AM) and , Alpine Malabari x Boer (AMB) kids was 1.79±0.48. Alpine Malabari kid had a significantly (P:S0.05) higher litter size ~t birth of 2. I 2±0. I 6. Month of birth had a highly significant (P~O.OI) effect on litter size at birth with highest litter in July (2.2±0.17). Sire influences were highly significant on litter size at birth while sex had no significant influence on litter size at birth. Mean litter weight at birth was 3.77 kg and it was not found to be significantly affected by genetic group and sex. Month of birth and sire had highly significant associations with litter weight at birth. Alpine Malabari x Boer kids had a highly significant (P::::O.Ol) and higher body weight from birth to sixth month of age. Body weight in AMB kids was 2.38,6.01, 8.92 and 11.65 kg while AM kids had only 1.8,2.87,3.05 and 4.30 kg respectively at birth, one, two and three months respectively. Buck had a highly significant influence on birth weight of kid and body weight at first, second and third month. Month of birth had a significant influence on birth weight and body weights at first, second and third month. Incidence of enteritis was 0.31, respiratory infection 0.08 and pre- weaning mortality was 0.07. Effects of genetic group and sire were significant on respiratory infections and not on incidence of enteritis and pre-weaning mortality. Month of birth did not exert significant influence on respiratory infections, enteritis or pre-weaning mortality. The mean body weights at fourth, fifth and sixth month in AM and AMB crosses were 10.34 kg, 11.96 kg and 13.68 kg respectively. The effect of genetic group on body weights at fourth, fifth and sixth month was highly significant and superior in AMB crosses with 13.62 kg, 15.73 kg and 17.79 kg respectively while it was only 5.76 kg, 5.84 kg and 6.81 kg respectively in AM crosses. Sire effects were highly significant on the body weights at fourth, fifth and sixth month. Month of birth contribute to the body weights to a highly significant level and kids born in April and December were found to have higher body weights from fourth to fifth month. Sex of the kids was not found to influence the body weights from fourth to sixth month. The mean average daily gain in body weight (ADG) from birth to third month was 7r.36 g, from third to sixth month was 65.7 g and birth to sixth month was 66.7 g. AMB crosses had a highly significant ADG of 104.89 and 86.58 compared to 35.19 and 39.1 g during 0-3 and 0-6 month respectively. Sire influences were highly significant on ADG from 0-3 and 0-6 month. Month of birth had a highly significant effect on ADG and highest ADG was for kids born during April. Birth weight had a highly significant positive correlation with average daily gain in body weight from birth to third month and average daily gain in body weight from birth to sixth month and body weights from first to sixth month. Correlation between respiratory infections and pre-weaning mortality were highly significant. Average daily gain in body weight from birth to third month had a highly significant negative correlation with respiratory infection and pre-weaning mortality. Significantly higher litter size at birth in AM crosses over AMB crosses direct to the feasibility of AM genotype of enhancing litter size at birth which might partially be also contributed by use of oestrus synchronization on frozen semen technology in production of AMB crosses. Modulation of litter size at birth by month of birth reflect on the environmental factors influencing the ovulation rate, conception rate and embryonic survival. Monthly body weights from birth to six months was found to be highly superior in AMB crosses indicating the Boer superiority in enhancing body weights of AMB crosses. Significant effect of sire on these trait suggest of the additive genetic effect which might improve body weight in Boer crossbred goats. Contribution of month of birth on bodyweight probably influenced by ambient temperature, availability of biomass, offers potential for improvement of these traits by appropriate managemental strategies. Increased incidence of diseases in AM genetic group with higher pre-weaning mortality is worth for further investigation. ADG 0-3, ADG 0-6 were significantly higher in AMB crosses highlighting the importance of Boer development in improvement of growth rate of goats. The role of month of birth in variations in ADG partially reflect on the environmental conditions can adversely affect the growth rate. Phenotypic correlations, which were positive and highly significant between birth weight, ADG and body weight are suggestive benefits of early selection on birth weights for enhanced, slaughter weights. The negative correlation of ADG and incidence of pneumonia, pre- weaning mortality and enteritis could be used for the development of goats adapted to local climatic conditions.
Open Access
Effect of dietary supplementation of Baker`s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the performance of broilers
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2004) Renjith, P M; KAU; Amritha Viswanath
An experiment was designed and conducted at the Department of Poultry Science to investigate the effect of feeding baker's yeast on growth, feed consumption and nutrient utilization of broilers. One hundred and forty four day old commercial broiler chicks were reared under three different treatments with four replicates per treatment. The treatment consisted of control diet with standard broiler ration (Tl ) and 1'2 and T3 with 0.3 and 0.6 per cent baker's yeast supplemented respectively with control diet. Chicks were reared under standard managemental conditions up to 8 weeks of age. Broiler starter ration was fed up to 6 weeks of age and finisher ration up to 8 weeks of age. Results of the study revealed that cumulative body weight and body weight gain up to six weeks and eight weeks of age were not affected by the inclusion of yeast. Mean weekly feed consumption recorded significant (P<0.05) difference between treatment during fifth, seventh and eighth weeks of age. Cumulative feed intake up to six weeks and eight weeks of age did not dfffer significantly. But yeast supplemented groups recorded numerically lower feed consumption compared to control group. Feed conversion ratio revealed significant difference (P< 0.05) at sixth week of age recording lower feed efficiency, in 1'2 and T3 compared to control (TJ). But cumulative feed conversion ratio from zero to six weeks and zero to eight weeks of age did not differ significantly. Supplementation of baker's yeast had no effect on processing yields and losses. Numerically lower fat deposition was recorded in yeast supplemented groups than in control group, eventhough there was no significant difference. The addition of yeast at 0.3 per cent and 0.6 per cent levels significantly increased (P<0.05) crude fiber digestibility. Other parameters like retention of dry matter, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were not affected by yeast supplementation. Serum protein, serum cholesterol and livability were not affected by yeast supplementation. The net profit per bird was less in yeast supplemented group compared to control group. The higher cost of feed resulted in lower economical return from the treatment groups. The result suggests that inclusion of yeast is not beneficial on economical point of view. However the lower fat deposition consequent to yeast supplementation seems to be advantageous.
Open Access
Evaluation and management of urolithiasis in dogs
(Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Reshma, Damodaran; KAU; Sarada Amma, T
Ten clinical cases of canine urolithiasis were studied for age, breed and sex incidence, clinical signs, radiological evaluation, site of obstruction, effect of surgery and its complications, urine analysis, urolith composition and recurrence. The mean age of incidence was found to be 6.3 years. Incidence were more in German Shepherd Dog followed by Pomeranian and Labrador. There were nine males and one female in the study. Urethral obstruction was seen in all cases including one female. Out of ten animals one animal (D8) was dull and weak in appearance and all others were active. Difficulty in urination was reported in all the animals. Haematuria was present in five animals (D3, D5, D6, D7 and D10). Moderate abdominal distention was noticed in nine animals. Palpation of the abdomen revealed distended urinary bladder in all animals except in one animal (D8), where bladder could not be palpated and fluid thrill was felt on abdominal palpation indicating rupture of urinary bladder. Radiographic study revealed that the most common site of obstruction was in the groove of the os penis. The ten clinical cases of urolithiasis were subjected to fourteen operations viz., nine urethrotomy, two urethrotomy and cystotomy (four operations) and one cystotomy. The study revealed that relieving obstruction by surgical correction was effective, as it ensures immediate relief of obstruction and stress. Urethrotomy was found to be satisfactory in removing urethral calculi in males and compression and flushing of bladder enabled to remove small cystic calculi through the urethrotomy incision. Cystotomy was required to remove large cystic calculi. The surgical intervention adopted was found effective in relieving obstruction. The pH of the urine collected during surgery ranged from 6.5 to 8, colour varied from straw coloured to dark red. Consistency of the urine was turbid in all the animals. On microscopical examination of urine, sediments were present in all the animals. In one dog (D5) crystals were present and identified as triple phosphate and oxalate. In all animals urine samples showed growth of the microorganisms were more sensitive to ciprofloxacin followed by ampicillin and amoxycillin. Catheter tolerance was poor in all the animals. Catheter was found removed on the same day itself by all the animal. Healing of the surgical wound by granulation was good except in two animals where swelling and oedema of the scrotal sac was seen ( D1 and D8) which were subjected to post scrotal urethrotomy. In all these animals swelling subsided and healing was completed by 30th post operative day. Bleeding was noticed during and after completion of the surgery in two dogs D4 and D7. In dog D7, injury to cavernosus tissue during the removal of calculi was the cause and was controlled by suturing. In animal D4 bleeding was controlled by administering ethamsylate 1 ml intramuscular for two days. Recurrence was observed in two cases (20%). In these cases numerous cystic calculi were present when it was originally presented for treatment which might be due to migration of cystic calculi. The haematological examination showed low haemoglobin content, erythrocyte count, volume of packed red cell in all cases before surgery which increased significantly and reached towards normal by 30th post operative day. There was leucocytosis with shift to left and increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate which decreased significantly and were normal by 30th post operative day. The biochemical examination showed elevated blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, phosphorus, serum calcium and potassium levels in all the cases before surgery and lowered significantly by 30th day. The fall in serum sodium level seen before surgery showed rise by 30th day and attained near normal value. Composition of the urolith were analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, calcium formed the major component of the calculi followed by phosphorus and magnesium. Histopathological study of the urinary bladder revealed inflammation and haemorrhage in the submucosa indicating chronic irritation and injury produced by the calculi to the bladder wall. Electron microscopic study of one of the calculi (D9) was conducted which revealed deposition of concretions around the nidus in concentric rings of varying density and the outer surface showed porosity of varying diameter
Open Access
Management Systems and Utilisation Pattern of Captive Male Elephants
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2004) Cijo K Joseph
The utilization pattern, management and nutrition of the elephants of Kerala under different ownership conditions were studied between June-2003 and July-2004 using survey method. The credibility of the information so collected was checked using triangulation method where, the information about an animal was collected from the owner, mahout, and also by physical verification of the claims in all possible cases. It was seen that the elephants of private owners with one elephant (25.2years) were significantly younger than the elephants of private owners with more than one elephant and elephants of temple trusts with one elephant (32.7 and 35.4 years respectively). The comparison of the height of the elephants revealed that the average height of elephants of forest department (245cm) was significantly lesser than the average height of elephants of private owners with more than one elephant and elephants of temple trusts with one elephant (278.7cm and 283.9cm respectively). The group wise variations in the frequencies of bath given to the elephants were insignificant but the duration of bath in elephants of forest department was significantly lesser than the average duration of bath in all other groups. It was also seen that most of the elephants in Kerala did not have proper housing facilities, and that majority of them were tied under tree on sandy floor. Studies on the utilization pattern of the elephants revealed that the elephants irrespective of their type of ownership were idle for most of the time in the year and that the elephants idled for the maximum number of days in a year (322.3 days). Further, the elephants of group-2 attended the maximum number of festivals in a year (82.9 ±6.92 days). Proximate analysis of the feed fed to the elephants revealed that the nutritional status of elephants of temples with one elephant was the highest. The study also revealed that all the elephants of group-4 were given restorative therapy and the elephants of group-5 were not given restorative therapy.
Open Access
Screening of dogs for possible rabies virus excretion
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Raju, S; KAU; Saseendranath, M R
Five hundred dogs, belonging to various categories viz., healthy (vaccinated and non vaccinated), sick (vaccinated and non vaccinated) and stray dogs, were screened for the possible excretion of rabies virus in an enzootic area in Trichur, Kerala, based on the observation that nonfatal rabies occurs among dog populations in enzootic or epizootic areas. The criterion selected for the screening of dogs was detection of rabies virus antigen in comeal impression or saliva using fluorescent antibody test. None of the 500 dogs was found positive for rabies viral excretion in saliva or comeal impression. The validity of the test was periodically tested with salivary swabs from rabid dogs that were brought with clinical signs suggestive of rabies. Of twelve dogs thus examined, four were positive in saliva and two were positive in comeal impression test. One dog was positive in both comeal impression and saliva. All the twelve dogs died and rabies was diagnosed by Fluorescent antibody test. Brain samples from sixty-six suspected dogs brought to the department of pathology were subjected to fluorescent antibody test and forty-nineanimals found positive for rabies. The results were confirmed positive using polymerase chain reaction. Thus in the present study no evidence of non fatal, abortive or chronic rabies could be detected among dogs in the study or control group.
Open Access
Screening of dogs for leptospira using sandwich dot elisa
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Rahul, S Nair; KAU; Saseendranath, M R
An investigation was carried out in 210 dogs of Thrissur district to assess the prevalence of leptospirosis using diagnostic techniques like darkfield microscopy, Sandwich dot ELISA for Leptospira antigen detection, Sandwich plate ELISA for Leptospira antigen detection and Polymerase chain reaction. Sera and mine samples were collected from dogs brought to University Veterinary Hospitals, Kokkalai and Mannuthy that included 109 diseased animals and 101 healthy dogs. Out of the 210 sera samples tested 26 (12.38 per cent) samples, six (5.94 per cent) out of the 101 samples from healthy dogs and 20 (18.35 per cent) out of the 109 serum samples from diseased dogs were found positive. Out of the 210 urine samples tested 22 samples (10.48 per cent), eight (7.34 per cent) from diseased dogs and 14 (13.86 per cent) from healthy dogs were found positive for pathogenic leptospires. Prevalence of leptospirosis was found higher in male dogs and in dogs aged from six months to three years. The present finding of healthy carriers for leptospirosis among dogs shows the need of checking dogs more carefully for inapparent leptospirosis because of the human health hazard. Evaluation of the comparative efficacy of the four diagnostic tests revealed darkfield microscopy inferior in detecting leptospires in dogs and the newly developed, easy to perform and cost effective sandwich dot and plate ELISA for Leptospira antigen detection that was showing hundred percent agreements with polymerase chain reaction can be adopted as an effective diagnostic tool for canine leptospirosis even at field level where sophisticated infrastructure is lacking.
Open Access
Epidemiology of certain bacterial and viral diseases causing neonatal mortality in pups
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Indu, S Namputhiri; KAU; Tresamol, P V
The present study was conducted to assess the role of bacterial and certain viral etiology, to conduct antibiogram and to estimate the nonspecific factors associated with neonatal mortality in pups.The bacterial isolates from milk of bitches were identified as Staphylococcus aureus (29 per cent) Staphylococcus intermedius (six per cent), Klebsiella pneumoniae (47 per cent), Proteus vulgaris (12 per cent) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (six per cent). Antibiogram of the isolates showed that majority of the isolates from milk were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (71 per cent), followed by amoxycillin (65per cent), gentamicin (41per cent), enrofloxacin (59 per cent), norfloxacin (18 per cent) chloramphenicol (12 per cent) and amoxy-clav (6 per cent).Blood samples taken from two bitches yielded bacterial growth, which were identified as Staphylococcus aureus (50 per cent) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (50 per cent). The bacterial isolates from blood were lOOper cent sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol, 50 per cent to gentamicin, 50 per cent to amoxycillin and resistant to enrofloxacin and norfloxacin. The bacteria isolated from the vaginal samples were identified as Hafnia alvei (Enterobacter alvei)(six per cent), Klebsiella pneumoniae (35 per cent), Staphylococcus aureus (12 per cent), Escherichia coli (12 per cent), Proteus vulgaris (23 per cent), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (six per cent) and Staphylococcus intermedius (six per cent). The vaginal isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (88 per cent), gentamicin (53 per cent), amoxycillin (59 per cent), enrofloxacin (71 per cent), chloramphenicol (59 per cent) and norfloxacin (35 per cent). None of the milk, blood or vaginal swabs taken from the control group yielded any bacterial growth. Isolates were obtained from heart blood and from liver and lung of pups. These included Proteus vulgaris(20 per QQnt)yPseudomonas aeruginosa(40 per cent) and Klebsiella pneumoniae(A0 per cent). Fourty per cent of the bacterial isolates from pups were sensitive to gentamicin and chloramphenicol, 80 per cent to ciprofloxacin, 60 per cent to amoxycillin and 20 per cent to norfloxacin and enrofloxacin. The role of parvovirus as a causative agent for neonatal mortality was studied by subjecting the liver, lung,intestine spleen and kidney tissue of dead pups to AGID and HA for detection of parvoviral antigen and one sample was positive by HA. This was confirmed by haemagglutination inhibition test. None of the serum from the bitches gave positive result for antibodies against parvoviral antigen in agar gel immunodiffusion test. The titre of antibodies of bitches were assessed by HI. HI titre of the vaccinated bitches ranged from eight to 64.0nly one bitch was having the protective titre. All the unvaccinated bitches were not having any titre of antibodies against parvo by HI test.

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