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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
    Anaesthesia in pigeons and quails using ketamine and xylazine
    (Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1994) Lobo, Fabiana; KAU; Abraham Varkey, C
    The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of (1) xylazine, (ii) ketamine hydrochloride and (iii) xylazine followed by ketamine hydrochloride, for anaesthetizing pigeons and quails, The study was conducted in 30 pigeons (Columba livia) weighing 120-260 g and 30 quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) weighing 120-180 g. The birds were divided into two groups, Group I (30 pigeons) and Group II (30 quails). Group I and II were further divided into three sub-groups, viz, A, B and C, each consisting of 10 birds. The drugs were administered intraperitoneally in all the sub- groups at the rate of (i) Xylazine 10 mg per kg bodyweight in sub-group A, (ii) ketamine hydrochloride 150 mg per kg body weight in sub-group B and (iii) xylazine 5.0 mg per kg bodyweight followed by ketamine hydrochloride 75mg per kg bodyweight in sub – group C. During the onset of anaesthesia, loss of balance, ruffled feathers, sitting posture, recumbency abolition/sluggishness of pedal reflex were observed in Groups I and II. In addition dropping of wings was noticed in subgroup II A, torticollis and loss of righting reflex in subgroup I B and IIB, fluttering and dropping of wings, and dropping of beak in sub-group I B, dropping of wings, tortocollis, loss of righting reflex in subgroup I C and II C and fluttering of wings and dropping of beak in subgroup II C. Corneal reflex, palpebral reflex and third eyelid movement peristed during anaesthesia. Eyes remained closed in both pigeons and quails during anaesthesia. The time for induction was 12.70 + 0.40 min., 7.60 + 0.42 min. and 6.80 + 0.34 min in subgroup A, B and C respectively in pigeons and 13.10 + 0.43 min, 5.50 + 0.15 min and 8.30 + 0.31 min in subgroups A, B and C respectively in quails. The duration of anaesthesia was 47.70 + 1.54 min 37.80 + 2.88 min and 62.00 + 1.15 min in subgroups A, B and C respectively in pigeons and 80.40 + 1.96 min, 99.90 + 2.86 min and 202.50 + 7.62 min in sub groups A, B and C respectively in quails. The duration of recovery was 164.80 + 2.82 min 87.70 + 2.98 min and 85.10 + 2.72 min in subgroups A,B and C respectively in pigeons and 99.90 + 5.70 min 97.50 + 4.66 min and 73.80 + 3.19 min in subgroups A, B and C respectively in quails. Significant reduction in the temperature was observed during anaesthesia in all the subgroups. Respiration rate showed significant decrease during anaesthesia in all the three subgroups in pigeons and sub-groups A and C in quails whereas no significant reduction in respiration rate was observed with ketamine hydrochloride in quails upto 135 min. However, significant increase was noticed at 150 min and the third hour. Significant decrease in the total erythrocyte count was observed in all the subgroups except in sub-group I A, wherein no significant variation in the count was noticed.Significant decrease in the total leukocyte was observed in all the subgroups except subgroup II A where no significant variation in the count was observed.Significant reduction in the lymphocyte count was observed in all the subgroups. Significant increase in the heterophil count was observed in sub-groups IC, IIA, IIB and IIC but there was significant decrease in sub-group I B, and there was no significant variation in subgroups I A. Significant increase in the eosinophil count was seen in all the subgroups. The haemoglobin content was significantly reduced in groups I and II.Incising and suturing the skin and the wall of the crop did not evince any response but slight body movement was observed in subgroup II A.Mild fatty changes in the liver and congestion on the surface of the kidneys were observed in all the birds of both the groups.