SHOBHAMANI, B(MAJOR)VAIKUNTA RAO, vBHARAVI, KVENKATA KAMESWARA RAO, YANAMADNI2018-07-072018-07-072017-09http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810058009THESESABSTRACT: To study the occurrence of bubaline microfilariosis, a total of 822 buffaloes from costal Andhra Pradesh were screened during the period from November 2015 to October 2016. Among them 44 buffaloes were found to have microfilariae in the blood. The overall occurrence of bubaline microfilariosis was 5.35 per cent. The occurrence in Veterinary Hospital, in individual holdings and in organized farms was 12.5 percent (23/184), 3.49 per cent (14/401) and 2.95 per cent (7/237) respectively. The occurrence rate was high in 6 to 12 years old buffaloes. Microfilariae were not detected in below one year old buffalo calves. The lactating buffaloes found to be highly (7.93%) susceptible compared to non-lactating buffaloes (3.5%). Similarly, 5.54 per cent murrah buffaloes and 3.07 per cent non-descript buffaloes had microfilariae in the blood. Microfilariosis was recorded through-out the year i.e. during winter (5.21%) summer (4.54%) and monsoon (5.76%) seasons. The microfilaraemic buffaloes exhibited the signs of pyrexia (1030F), anorexia, reduced viii milk yield, reduced rumen motility, epiphora, congested conjunctiva, sunken eyes, edema of dependent parts and dehydration. In chronic cases clinical signs such as pale conjunctivae/Pale oral mucosa, rough/dry skin, uncoordinated movement, loss of vision, debility and mortality in one buffalo, were observed. The hematological alterations recorded in microfilaremic buffaloes were decreased VPRC (27.66+0.66%), Hb (8.75+0.52%), TEC (4.89±0.58×103/μl) and relative eosinophilia (5±0.51). The serum biochemical parameters of microfilaremic buffaloes revealed decreased glucose (31.21±1.55 mg/dl), Total serum proteins (6.21±0.03), and albumin (3.17±0.05g/dl) content. Similarly the serum calcium level (9.43±0.30 mg/dl) and zinc value (56.16±3.73μg/dl) of microfilaremic buffaloes was reduced. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, 12 microfilaremic buffaloes were randomly divided into 2 groups. The microfilaremic buffaloes in Group-II were treated with injection doramectin@ 200 μg/kg/sc along with Calup gel @ 300g/animal/day, three doses on alternative days. The buffaloes in Group-III were administered with injection ivermectin @ 200μg/kg/ sc along with oral calcium. The clinical recovery and restoration of physiological status was faster in Doramectin treated group (minimum of 2 days) compared to ivermectin treated group (minimum of 3 days). The magnitude of improvement and reversal to normalcy haemato-biochemical and serum mineral content was far greater after treatment with doramectin. Recurrence of microfilariosis up to 30 days was not recorded in both the groups. It is therefore, concluded that both ivermectin and doramectin were efficient in eliminating microfilariae, however the clinical recovery was much faster in doramectin treated group.ennullThesis