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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac disorders in dogs
    (Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Anju Eliz, Ben; KAU; Usha Narayana, Pillai
    Dogs presented with the signs suggestive of cardiac disorders were included in the present study. Based on the tests conduted, which included clinical examination, electrocardiography, radiography, echocardiography and haemato - biochemical assays, cardiac disorders were confirmed in twelve cases. According to the present study, 41.67 percent cases had mitral valve insufficiency. The mean age of diseased dogs was 6.2 years and 60 percent were male dogs. Breed wise, Spitz were more affected (40 percent) followed by Labradors, Dachshunds and Rottweilers. The main clinical signs included weakness, lethargy, cough, tachypnoea, cold extremities, cachexia and syncope. Upon echocardiographic evaluation, the common finding in all the patients of this group was the deformed or thickened mitral valve, left atrial and left ventricular dilatation and hyperdynamic systolic function. The mean values of the haematological parameters (Hb, VPRC and TEC) were within the normal range, where as the serum biochemical values revealed elevated levels of LDH and CPK – MB. Pericardial effusion was noted in 16.67 percent of the cases and the affected animals were seven year old Spitz and four year old Labrador. The main clinical signs were lethargy and syncope. Echocardiography revealed anechoic areas surrounding the ventricles in both dogs. Haematology was insignificant, but the enzyme values were above the normal range. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was seen in a six year old male Spitz with the presenting complaints of mild dyspnoea, lethargy and difficulty to climb stairs. M – mode echocardiogram revealed increased thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW = 5.9 mm). Hematology was unrewarding in the diagnosis of the disease. The enzyme values were above the normal. Dilated cardiomyopathy was noted in 33.33 percent of the total dogs with cardiac disorders and all of them were males. The mean age of the affected animals was 4.5 years and the major breed in which DCM occurred in the present study was Boxer. Salient clinical signs included abdominal distension, ascites and oedema of various body parts, syncope and weight loss. Atrial tachycardia was an important ECG finding in the affected dogs. Two dimensional four – chamber view revealed left ventricular enlargement as well as marked dilation of all the chambers in a few cases. The mean values of EF and FS were 42 percent and 21 percent respectively. The hematological parameters were towards the lower limit and the enzyme values were elevated.