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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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ThesisItem Open Access Tracheal reconstruction in dogs under acepromazine - thiopental anaesthesia(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Angamuthu, Jayasudha; KAU; Ravindran Nayar, SThe experiment was conducted on twelve, apparently healthy, adult, nondescript dogs of either sex, divided into two groups, viz., Group 1 and Group 11, each consisting of six animals. Circumferential resection of two adjacent tracheal rings of the cervical trachea was performed and the trachea was reconstructed by end – to – end anastomosis in the animals of Group 1 and with Marlex mesh prosthesis in the animals of Group 11. All the animals were premedicated with acepromazine maleate IM, and anaesthesia was induced by 2.5 per cent solution of thiopentone sodium IV. Induction of anaesthesia was complete by 3.26 + 0.10 minutes, duration of surgical anaesthesia was 65.00 + 3.29 minutes and time for recovery was 192.91 + 13.68 minutes. Variation in the physiological and haematological parameters during anaesthesia were not significant. In Group 1, all the animals had normal respiratory function throughout the period of observation, following surgery. In Group 11, all the animals, except one, developed severe complications and died within one to four weeks postoperatively. Only one dog survived in this group and was sacrificed on the 45th postoperative day. During the postoperative period, the rectal temperature did not show marked variations in both the groups. The pulse and respiration rates showed an initial increase in Group 1. However in Group 11, marked decrease in pulse rate and increase in respiration rate was noticed. Hemogram on the different postoperative days showed an increase in the total leucocyte count in both the groups, and increase in monocyte and eosinophil count in Group 11. Radiography on different postoperative days in Group 1 demonstrated that there was no reduction in the size of the tracheal lumen at the site of anastomosis in five of the six animals. In Group 11, radiography revealed a progressive reduction in the size of the tracheal lumen at the site of reconstruction in four animals, and only slight reduction in one dog on the 45th postoperative day. At autopsy, gross examination of the trachea at the site of anastomosis in Group 1 showed mild to moderate adhesions to the adjacent tissue and there was no reduction in the size of the tracheal lumen in five of the six dogs of this group. In animals of Group 11, dense adhesion between the site of reconstruction and adjacent tissue was observed. The mesh was fully incorporated at the site of reconstruction in five of the six animals. One animal had shown anastomotic dehiscence. Almost complete occlusion of the trachea by overgrowth of tissue was observed in four animals and slight reduction in the tracheal lumen in one animal. Histopathology at the site of anastomosis in Group 1 revealed complete healing of all the layers of the trachea by the 30th postoperative day. In Group 11, tracheal stenosis was associated with ingrowth of granulation tissue in four animals. The mesh was infiltrated by fibrous tissue in five of the six animals. Epithelium was seen lining the prosthesis on the 45th postoperative day.ThesisItem Open Access Cryosurgical treatment for experimentally induced cataract in dogs 260 ## - PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC. (IMPRINT)(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2000) Neelakanta Praveen, Pillai; KAU; Ravindran Nair, SThis study was conducted with the objective of comparing the efficacy of cryo-coagulation and intra-capsular cryo-extraction of experimentally induced cataract in dogs. Twelve nondescript dogs aged approximately one year were used for the study in two groups, A and B, each consisting of six animals. Two clinical cases of cataract were included under the study as Group C. In all the animals of Group A and B, cataract was experimentally induced by injection of 0.5 ml of a 25% solution of calcium borogluconate into the anterior chamber of the eye, in strict aseptic conditionsand under general anaesthesia. In group A. cataract was treated by cryo-coagulation and in Groups Band C intra-capsular cryo-extraction of the cataractous lens was performed after pre-medicating and anaesthetising the animals. Surgery for cryo-coagulation (Group A) or intra-capsular cryo-extraction (Groups B and C) was performed under general anaesthesia with thiopentone sodium after premedication with xylazinc hydrochloride. The anaesthesia was found to be satisfactory at the time of induction and during cataract surgery. Extensive lateral canthotomy was found to be necessary in all the animals at surgery in order to ensure adequate exposure of the globe. Rectal temperature and respiration rate dropped slightly post-operatively, but returned to normal values by the second day after surgery. Pulse rate dropped markedly following surgery, but returned to normal by the sixth day after surgery. Total leukocyte count increased slightly 24 hours after surgery. but then decreased and remained within normal ranges thereafter. There was increase in neutrophil. eosinophil and monocyte count had increased upto 24 hours after surgery. but was normal thereafter. Lymphocyte eount decreased upto 24 hours post-operatively. All the animals .remained in good condition throughout the observation period, except for one animal. Conjunctivitis persisted only in one upto the 11 th day. Corneal oedema persisted throughout the period of observation in four animals. One animal had complete corneal clarity by day seven. In the other animal the cornea cleared on day 23. Uveitis persisted for varymg periods in the animals Photophobia and blepharospasm resolved by day six in all animals. One animal had no posterior or anterior synechiae following surgery and its vitreous body was clear, allowing easy exam ination of the retina. Aqueous flare, indicative of increased protein in the aqueous humour, could not be determined in any animal. Functional vision was not returned in any animal except A4. In Group B, vitreous prolapse occurred during surgical removal of the lens by intra-capsular cryo-extraction. This prolapsed vitreous was excised and did not cause complications. Rectal temperature increased slightly 24 hours after surgery, but had returned to normal values by the 15th post-operative day. Pulse rate decreased slightly 24 hours after surgery, but attained normal values by the second post-operative day and stayed so thereafter. Respiration rate decreased markedly for 24 hours following surgery, but reached normal values two days post-operatively. There was no change in the colour of the mucous membrane of the contralateral eye (used as control) at any time during the period of : observation. The total leukocyte count increased slightly following surgery and continued to be so till 24 hours after surgery and thereafter it decreased and was within normal limits thereafter. The neutrophil count increased till 24 hours post-operatively and returned to normal range thereafter. Lymphocyte count decreased slightly 24 hours after surgery, but returned to normal range by the i s" post-operative day. Eosinophil count increased 24 hours after surgery, but had reached normal values by the i s" post-operative day. Monocyte count became zero after surgery, but then increased slightly and continued so thereafter. All the animals remained in good general condition until the end of the observation period, with no evidence of infection in the operated eye. Intra-ocular pressure decreased slightly following surgery, but had returned to normal ranges by the end of the observation period. Animals B 1, B2 and B4 had persistent conjunctivitis and corneal oedema throughout the period of observation and were unable to negotiate an obstacle course or locate and track mobile or stationary objects even in conditions ofbright ambient light. All other animals in this group were able to perform satisfactorily in the tests of visual function by the end of the observation period. In Group C, treatment of cataract was by intra-capsular cryo- extraction, as in Group B. The results obtained were similar to those for Group B. Animal C2, however. took 52 hours to recover from anaesthesia and died on the sixth day following surgery. The death could not be attributed to complications of cataract surgery. Rectal temperature decreased slightly following surgery, and then increased slightly but returned to normal values at the end of the observation period. Pulse rate decreased immediately after surgery and then returned to normal ranges by the eighth day after surgery. Respiration rate decreased markedly immediately after surgery. but returned to the normal range within 24 hours after surgery. Colour of mucous membrane of the contralateral eye did not show any change at any time during the period of observation. Total leukocytc count increased slightly upto 24 hours after surgery but returned to normal ranges thereafter. The neutrophil and eosinophil and monocyte counts increased after surgery but returned to normal ranges thereafter. The lymphocyte count was markedly decreased at 24 hours after surgery, but then returned to normal ranges thereafter. The surviving animal in Group C showed low grade corneal oedema until day 31 following surgery, but it had blink reflexes and the iris was visible. Conjunctivitis had cleared by day six following surgery. The animals were monitored for visual capability following surgery. The tests were conducted by evaluating the animals' ability to negotiate an obstacle course under photopic and scotopic light conditions, after blind folding the left eye with an eye shield. The animals were also tested for their ability to locate a stationary object and to track a moving object under varying conditions of ambient lighting. Tests of ocular functional integrity were conducted by evaluating menace and photomotor pupillary reflexes. Animal Cl was able to locate or track stationary objects In dim light. It could track moving ohjects in all light conditions. From the results obtained in thc present study. it was found that only one out of the six animals showed restoration of functional vision following treatment of cataract by cryo-coagulation of the lens. In the case of the treatment by intra-capsular cryo-extraction. four out of eight animals showed restoration of functional vision thus showing a success rate of 50% for intra-capsular cryo-extraction of cataract. From the results it can be concluded that: 2. Cataract could be effectively induced using 0.5 ml of calcium borogluconate solution (25%) injected into the anterior chamber of the eye. 3. Pre-medication USing xylazine hydrochloride followed by general anaesthesia USing thiopentone sodium IV was satisfactory for the induction of cataract and the treatment of the cataractous lens. 4. Intra-capsular cryo-extraction IS a better method In treating cataractous lenses in dogs.ThesisItem Open Access Comparison of crushing and modified gambee techniques for intestinal anastomosis in dogs under xylazine anaesthesia(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1995) Venkatesan, C; KAU; Abraham Varkey, CThe study was conducted on 12 apparently healthy, adult mongrel dogs of either sex, dived in to two groups viz, group I and group II, each consisting of 6 dogs. All the animals were pre-mediacated with diazepam at the rate of 1 mg/kg bodyweight intravenous and anaesthetized with intramascular administration of xylazine hydrochloride at the rate of 2 mg/kg bodyweight. In the animals of group I and to end intestinal anaestomosis was performed with crushing pattern of suturing and in the animals of group II end to end intestinal anastomosis was performed with modified Gambee pattern of suturing. The anesthetic technique was satisfactory for the surgical procedure in all the animals . The induction tome for anaesthesia was 15.50 + 1.00 minutes. THe anaesthetic effect persisted for about 48.25-1.10 minutes. The abdominal muscle relaxation and analgesic effect were found satisfactory. The recovery period was 30.00 + 1.50 minutes and was smooth and uneventful. The time required to perform anastomosis using crushing and modified gambee techniques were 26.30 + 1.40 and 35.70 + 0.87 respectively. The average number of sutures used in both techniques were 15. In both groups, animals well tolerated food in the immediate post-operative days. However, one animal in group I and three animals from group II, had vomition immediately after consumption of milk at 12 hours post – operatively. Physiological and haemotological parameters did not reveal any significant variation. In both the groups , post operative lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs showed free passage of contrast medium (Barium Sulphate) upto the terminal colon. There was no evidence of anastomotic leakage and proximal distension in both the groups. Autopsy findings revealed that all the animals had adhesion at the anastomotic site with omentum. Adhesion to adjacent intestinal serosal surface were observed in one animal in each group . Gross evaluation of the adominal cavity revealed a low-grade peritonitis in one animal of group I on 3rd post surgical day. The Luminal stenosis of the anastomotic site revealed, maximum luminal stenosis (47.83%) at 7th post –operative days and minimum (21.74%) at 28th day following crushing pattern. In modified Gambee pattern, the maximum luminal stenosis (42.85%) was noticed at 5th and 7th post –operative days and minimum stenosis (7.32%) at 28th day. The luminal stenosis did not produce any clinical symptom in any of the dogs in both the groups. Angiograms of early post – operative day (5th day) showed diffused, avascular zone at the anastomotic site in both the techniques. Eventhourgh, there was commencement of proliferation of vessels and its invasion into anastomotic site by 14th day in the crushing anastomosis, normal vascularity and its crossing over could not be observed till 28th day, where as the modified gambee anastomosis showed proliferation and crossing over of fine arterioles by 28th day. Histological examination demonstrated that in crushing anastomosis comparatively moderate inflammatory reaction with predominance of mononuclears and few polymorphs on the 3rd day, but from 14th day there was only mild inflammatory reaction which which persisted upto 28th day. In modified Gambee technique, only mild reaction was seen on the early post opestive days and it subsided by 21st day. Rapid regeneration of epithelium was noticed in the modified Gambee (7th day) than the crushing technique. On the 28th day, in both the techniques all layers appeared in good apposition with proliferation of connective tissue on the muscular, subserosal and submucosal layers.ThesisItem Open Access Treatment of fracture of metacarpus in calves using autogenous rib graft(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Syam, K Venugopal; KAU; JalaluddinThe present study was conducted on 12 apparently healthy, crossbred male calves six to twelve months of age and weighing 50 to 80 kg, divided into two groups of six animals each (Group A and B). A transversa mid shaft fracture was created on the right metacarpus by open method under sedation with Triflupromazine hydrochloride at the rate of 0.25 mg/kg body weight IM and diazepam at the rate of 0.20 mg/kg body weight IV followed by local infiltration analgesia using two percent solution of lignocaine hydrochloride. In group A, the fracture was reduced and the fragments were retained in position by placing two freshly cropped autogenous rib grafts subperiosteally, one on the anterior aspect and the other on the posterior aspect of the metacarpus. The grafts were fixed in position by hemicerclage wiring using stainless steel wires at two places. The limb was immobilized with four cotton padded bamboo splints and plaster of paris cast. In group B, the fracture was reduced and the wounds were sutured. The limb was immobilised with four cotton padded bamboo splints and plaster of paris cast. A sham operation was performed on the left metacarpal region on the same day by incising the skin upto the periosteum and suturing it. By the end of the second week, all the animals could get up and lie down without assistance. Four animals of Group A and three animals of Group B started bearing weight on the fractured limb from varying periods. Favouring of the fractured limb, limping and nodding of the head were observed in all the animals. Pawing action with the fractured limb and stumbling were observed in two animals each from both the groups. Dragging of the toes was observed only in one animal, in group B. Infection and suppuration at the suture line was observed in one animal of group A. Plaster of paris cast remained intact throughout the period of observation in all the animals. One animal from group A and four animals from group B required reinforcement of plaster cast. Marked displacement of the distal fragment was noticed in one animal each in Group A and B. But deviation of the distal fragment at the fracture site was observed in one animal of Group A and four animals of Group B. Grafts were in position in all the animals throughout the the period of observation. They became radiographically indistinguishable from fourth week onwards. Radiographically visible callus was found by the third week in group A and by the first week in group B. Partial obliteration of the fracture gap was observed by the end of fourth week in both the groups. Fractured bone cropped after two weeks revealed mobility between the fragments in both the groups. The bones cropped after four weeks showed well developed callus uniting the fragments and there was no mobility at the fracture site in both the groups. The callus developed at the end of six weeks and four weeks were grossly similar in both the groups. Histological examination of the callus cropped at second week in group A revealed periosteal and capillary proliferation along with new trabecular bone formation around the graft site. In group B, fibrous tissue proliferation exceeded trabecular new bone formation. The callus cropped at fourth week in group A revealed extensive areas of graft vascularisation and zones of new bone formation. In group B, cartilage formation was seen along with zones of new bone formation and fibrous tissue proliferation. Replacement of the graft tissue with proliferating blood vessels, osseous tissue and connective tissue were observed in the callus cropped from the animals of group A, at the end of six weeks. In group B, well developed internal callus, extensive periosteal callus, proliferation of fibrous tissue and trabecular ossification centres were observed. Fibrocartilage was noticed in the callus in one animal of group B.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative study of healing of fracture of metacarpus in calves using different external immobilisation methods(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1990) Kalyani, Biswas; KAU; Muraleedharan, Nayar K NThe study was conducted on 18 crossbred male calves divided in three groups of six animals each. Under local anaesthesia (ring block) fracture was created at the midshaft region of the large metacarpal and was reduced. The limb was immobilized with (i) plaster of paris cast (Group A), (ii) transfixation apparatus and plaster of paris cast (group B) and (iii) cast using freshly prepared gum and bandgage (group C). The animals were kept under observation upto six weeks. One animal from each group was sacrificed at the second week and fourth week, and the remaining animals at the sixth week. Oedema was observed distal to the cast in two animals each in Group A and C and four animals in Group B. Pointing of the toes was noticed in three animals of group A, two animals of group B and one animal of Group C. Dragging of the toes was noticed in three animals each of group A and C. All the animals, except one from Group A, were bearing weight on the limb and could get up and lie down unassisted by the first week. Four animals of group A, two animals of group B and three animals of Group C favoured the limb throughout the period. In group A and B, the plaster cast remained intact throughout the period of observation in one animal, had to be changed once in three animals and twice in two animals. In group C, the cast remained intact throughout the period of observation in three animals and was changed once in three animals. Radiodense area was observed at the fracture site in one animal by the first week, in four animals of each group by the second week and in all animals except one by the third week and in all the animals by the fourth week. The fracture line had become less district in one animal of group A, two animals of Group B and one animal of group C by the third week. Ossification of the callus was noticed in all the animals by the fourth week. The fracture line was less distinct in all the animals of Group A, three animals of group B and two animals of Group C. Ossification of the callus and its union was noticed by the fifth week in all the animals except one animal of Group C. However, in group B, ossification was more extensive. Partial obliteration of the fracture line was seen in all except three animals. Extensive ossification of the callus with continuity between the callus of the two fragments and partial obliteration of the fracture line was observed in all the animals, except one animal of Group C by sixth week. The fractured bone cropped after two weeks revealed that in Group A, the fragments were separate and there was mobility at the fracture site but in Group B and C , mobility was less. Soft callus between the fragments and restricted mobility at the fracture site was noticed in the bones cropped at four weeks in animals of all the groups. The callus was well developed and the fragments were firmly fixed by the callus in the bones cropped at six weeks, I all animals of groups A and B and in three animals of Group C. Microscopic examination of the callus at two weeks revealed periosteal and capillary proliferation with zones of necrosis of cortical bone at the fracture site in Group A. In group B and C, the proliferative changes were more marked along with zones of ossification. The callus cropped at four weeks, revealed marked connective tissue and capillary proliferation along with zones of ossification and formation of trabeculae in Group A and C, and in Group B ossification was more extensive. Extensive ossification and interconnected trabeculae continous with the cortical bone was observed in the callus cropped at six weeks in all the three groups. Zones of hyaline cartilage were observed in the callus in the animals of Group A and one animal of Group B and Zone of suppuration in one animal of Group C. Suppuration at the suture line involving the callus and fracture site was observed in one animal of Group C. Partial displacement of the fragments after immobilization was noticed in two animals of group A, three animals of Group B and four animals of Group C.ThesisItem Open Access Processed oesophageal allografts for hernioplasty in pigs(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Senthil Kumar, S; KAU; Muraleedharan, K NThe present study was conducted with the objectives of: 1. Evaluating the suitability of processed collagen based oesophageal allografts as a biological tissue substitute for hernioplasty in pigs and ii. Comparing the healing in herniorrhaphy and hernioplasty, in pigs. Twelve clinical cases of umbilical hernia in pigs of either sex, aged two to three months were used in the study. The animals were divided into two groups (Group I and Group Il) of six animals each based on the size of hernial ring. Group I animals were subjected to herniorrhaphy and Group Il animals were subjected to hernioplasty. Fresh pieces of oesophagus collected from slaughtered pigs were processed and cross-linked with gl u taraldehyde to prepare the graft. Triflupromazine hydrochloride was administered at the rate of 1.5 mgjkg body weight IjM to all the animals and local infiltration anaesthesia using lignocaine ii hydrochloride at the site was employed for the surgical procedures. In five animals of Group I where the hernial contents were reducible, simple reduction and overlapping mattress sutures with silk were employed for closing the hernial ring. In one animal where it was irreducible, enterotomy was performed to remove the intestinal contents before reduction and herniorrhaphy. In all the six animals of Group II, the hernial ring was large, and the contents were reducible. After reduction, the edges of hernial ring were sutured using silk by simple interrupted sutures, to reduce the size of hernial ring. Processed oesophageal allografts were placed as an only graft over the suture line and fixed using silk sutures. All the animals became active and alert within 24 hours postoperatively except the one, which underwent enterotomy and herniorrhaphy. The surgical site was dressed daily and skin sutures were removed on the seventh postoperative day. In one animal of Group I wound infection resulted in skin wound disruption, which was surgically treated as open wound. Recurrence of hernia was noticed in one animal of Group I, 24 days after herniorrhaphy. Marginal increase in rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate were observed during early Hi postoperative period in all the animals and it became normal within seven days after surgery. Marginal decrease in haemoglobin concentration was noticed during postoperative period in all the animals but it reached near normal level by 21 st postoperative day. Marginal increase in packed cell volume and total leucocyte count was observed up to third postoperative day. Neutrophilia and lymphopenia was noticed during early postsurgical period but reached near normal level by 14th postoperative day. Marginal decrease in total serum protein was noticed during postoperative period but was normal by 21 st postoperative day. Serum sodium and potassium level did not show any significant variation and the changes were within the normal range. Tissue samples were collected from surgical site from three animals each of Group I and Group II on 180 and 195 days respectively for biomechanical studies, gross and histomorphological changes. The tensile strength was greater . in Group II animals than Group I and normal animals. There was no adhesion of viscera at the surgical site. Remnants of silk suture could be identified in all the animals. The histomorphological study indicated complete healing and replacement of the graft material without any untoward effect.ThesisItem Open Access Surgical management of experimentally induced coxo-femoral luxation in calves(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Dinesh, P T; KAU; Sarada Amma, TThe present study was conducted to evolve a suitable technique which can be adopted under field conditions for the management of coxofemoral luxation in calves and to compare the efficacy of open and closed reduction in the treatment. The study was conducted in 12 male crossbred cal~es in which coxofemorpl luxation was induced under anaesthesia. Two methods of treatment were adopted in two groups of six animals each. In one group open reduction was performed under anaesthesia and the femoral head was fixed in position by the application of an extra articular sling using cortical screws and orthopaedic wires. In the second group, after closed reduction under anaesthesia, immobilisation was effected by the fixation of two Steinmann pins at the greater trochanter through the wing of ilium and tuber ischii an~ connecting the exposed portions of the pins by an external connecting assembly. All the animals were able to get up and lie down without assistance after correction and partially bear weight on the operated limb from the day of surgery itself. Complete weight bearing while standing was noticed in all the animals in two to four days t i.me • Dragging of toe was observed upt o fourth day in animals in which open reduction was performed whereas in other group it was observed upto 23 days. The difficulty encountered in closed reducti9n group was the inability to identify the status of reduction for which radiograph was taken. Open reduction with inunobilisation using screws and wires produced firm seating of femoral head in the acetabulum. The respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature showed an increase within the normal range in all the animals. variations in haematological values were indicative of stress and inflammation subsequent to surgery. Radiographic studies during the period of observation confirmed the position of femoral head in the acetabulum and the absence of recurrence. Gross morphological examination of the hip joint revealed satisfactory healing and absence of local complications. The technique of closed reduction along with external fixation was satisfactory for reduction and immobilization in coxofemoral luxation in calves.ThesisItem Open Access Xylazine anaesthesia in calves with diazepam premedication(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Regi Varghese George, P; KAU; Rajankutty, KThe study was undertaken to find out the efficacy of xylazine alone and xylazine in combination with diazepam for anaesthesia in calves and to evaluate the haematological and systemic changes consequent on administration of these drugs. The experimental study was conducted on 24 apparantly healthy crossbread calves aged six to twelve months and weighing 47 to 80kg . They were divided into two groups viz.,group I and group II and each group was further divided into two subgroups viz., A and B consisting of six animals each. Xylazine was administered IM at the rate of 0.20mg and 0.30 mg/kg bodyweight in subgroups I A and IB respectively. Diazepam at the rate of 1.0mg/kg bodyweight and 15min. later xylazine at the rate of 0.20mg and 0.30 mg/kg bodyweight were administered IM in subgroups II A and II B respectively. The induction time was 8.50 + 1.47 min and 4.67 + 0.56 min in subgroups I A and I B respectively, whereas it was 8.67 + 1.71 min and 3.33 + 0.77 min in subgroups IIA and II B respectively. The clinical signs of anaesthesia generally observed in these animals were incoordination of movements, assumption of sterna recumbency, salivation, protrusion of tongue, assumption of lateral recumbency, drooping of eyelids, twitching and dropping of ears, bellowing, deviation of eyeball, flaccidity of the tail and relaxation of abdominal muscles. Palpebral reflex was sluggish in all the subgroups except in subgroup II B wherein it was absent. Response to pinprick though sluggish, was noticed in group I whereas insensititivity to pinprick was noticed in group II. Duration of anaesthesia was 107.17 + 5.22 min and 115.67 + 10.03 min in subgroups I A and I B, whereas it was 199.83 + 36.55 min and 390.33 + 61.31 min in subgroups IIA and II B respectively. Increase in the doses of xylazine had prolonged the duration of anesthesia. Premedication with diazepam had still further prolonged the duration of anaesthesia. Sedation was good enough in all the groups for preparing and handling the animals for surgery. During laparotomy, in animals where xylazine alone was administered symptoms of pain were observed, but to a lesser extent with the higher dose. When premedicated with diazepam, incising and suturing of skin did not cause pain, but incising and suturing muscles and peritoneum caused pain. The animals did not exhibit signs of pain or swelling at the site of injection following xylazine injection, but diazepam injection was found painful. All the animals resumed feeding and drinking soon after recovery, but they were dull for varying periods from three to twenty four hours. Decrease in rectal temperature and pulse rate was observed in both the groups, which gradually became normal. Decrease in respiration rate was observed in group I whereas in group II, there was increase in respiration rate. In subgroup II B, the respiration was jerky and abdominal. Electrocardiogram revealed decreased heart rate in both the groups after the administration of xylazine. Decrease in total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts was observed in both the groups, which gradually became normal. A slight neutropenia with lymphocytosis was evident when xylazine alone was administered. When xylazine was combined with diazepam neutrophilia with lymphocytopenia was observed. Marked variation in monocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts were not observed in both the groups. Reduction in packed cell volume, decrease in haemoglobin concentration and slight increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed in both the groups. Serum sodium and potassium concentration did not show any marked variation, whereas serum chloride concentration recorded an increase in both the groups. The total serum protein content decreased in both the groups and serum glutamic pyruvic transminase value recorded slight increase. There was marked increase in blood glucose value in both the groups. From the study it was found that : (i) administration of xylazine alone did not result in analgesia good enough to perform major surgical operations and (ii) premedication with diazepam was found to deepen the effect of sedation to a considerable extent. It would be desirable to resort to local infiltration or regional block also, for complete analgesia for major surgical operations.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of metacarpal osteotomy and traction for lengthening of the forelimb in calves(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Kumaresan, A; KAU; Rajan Kutty, KThe study was undertaken with the objectives of evaluating the effect of osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis for lengthening of the limb and to evolve treatment measures that can be adopted for the correction of shortened limb in calves. The experimental study was conducted in 12 crossbred bull calves aged six to twelve months and weighing 60 to 120 kg, randomly divided into two groups of six animals each. Under xylazine (@ 0.2 mg/kg) sedation and brachial plexus block (two per cent lignocaine solution 10-15 ml) transverse osteotomy was performed at the mid-shaft region of the metacarpal bone. In group I the limb was immobilized using a locally fabricated full pin transverse fixation device. From the sixth day onwards, the bone fragments were retracted in opposite directions at the rate 1 mm gap/day for 10 days. In group II partial tenotomy of the flexor tendons was performed on the sixth day and immobilization and retraction procedures was adopted as in group I. Sedation with xylazine followed by brachial plexus block was found satisfactory for the surgical manipulations. Increase in rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate was noticed following surgery but the increase was within normal range in both the groups. The total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, and packed cell volume increased whereas the haemoglobin concentration was seen reduced in both the groups following surgery but the changes were within normal limits. Initially there was increase in neutrophil count with relative reduction in lymphocyte count. There was decrease in eosinophil count, but was within normal range. The variations in monocyte and basophil counts were only marginal in both the groups. All the animals were able to get up unassisted and were able to walk with limping within 24 h after surgery. They were able to bear weight on the limb within 24 h to three days, though there was favouring of the limb with too pointing. Oedema was observed in all the animals and was more evident in those animals where there was infection. In a few animals the complications such as angulation of the limb due to displacement of bone fragments, infection at the fracture site and pin tracts and loosening of pins were noticed. The functional status of the limb was not altered in those animals where complications were not noticed. Radiographically radiodense zone on the cut edges of the fractured fragments was noticed by 15th postoperative day, evidence of osseous callus by 30th postoperative day and visible callus with a gap at the centre by 45th postoperative day. The bone fragments were seen firmly fixed with a well developed callus and histological examination of the callus revealed the presence of fibrous tissue proliferation and osseous trabaculae indicating formation of a new bone. The length of the operated metacarpal bone was seen increased by 0.6 to 1.0 cm when compared to the opposite normal metacarpal bone. In the present study, the locally fabricated full pin transverse fixator used was found satisfactory for the lengthening procedures. It facilitated traction and provided rigid immobilization for the fragments. The calves tolerated the fixator well. There was no damage to the fixator during the period of observation.