Detection and molecular characterization of naturally transmitted sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever in cattle in India

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a fatal herpesvirus infection of domestic and wild ruminants, with a short and dramatic clinical course characterized primarily by high fever, severe depression, swollen lymph nodes, salivation, diarrhea, dermatitis, neurological disorders, and ocular lesions often leading to blindness. In the present study, fatal clinical cases of sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) were identified in cattle in the state of Karnataka. These cases were initially presented with symptoms of diarrhea, respiratory distress, conjunctivitis, and nasal discharges. Laboratory diagnosis confirmed the detection of ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) genome in the peripheral blood samples of two ailing animals. The blood samples collected subsequently from sheep of the neighboring areas also showed presence of OvHV-2 genome indicating a nidus of infection in the region. The positive test results were further confirmed by nucleotide sequencing of the OIE approved portion of tegument gene as well as complete ORF8 region of the OvHV-2 genome. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequence of the latter region indicated close genetic relationship with other OvHV-2 reported elsewhere in the world.     

Efficacy of nano-hydroxyapatite prepared by an aqueous solution combustion technique in healing bone defects of goat

The present study was undertaken to evaluate porous hydroxyapatite (HAp), the powder of which was prepared by a novel aqueous solution combustion technique, as a bone substitute in healing bone defects in vivo, as assessed by radiologic and histopathologic methods, oxytetracycline labeling, and angiogenic features in Bengal goat. Bone defects were created in the diaphysis of the radius and either not filled (group I) or filled with a HAp strut (group II). The radiologic study in group II showed the presence of unabsorbed implants which acted as a scaffold for new bone growth across the defect, and the quality of healing of the bone defect was almost indistinguishable from the control group, in which the defect was more or less similar, although the newly formed bony tissue was more organized when HAp was used. Histologic methods showed complete normal ossification with development of Haversian canals and well-defined osteoblasts at the periphery in group II, whereas the control group had moderate fibro-collagenization and an adequate amount of marrow material, fat cells, and blood vessels. An oxytetracycline labeling study showed moderate activity of new bone formation with crossing-over of new bone trabeculae along with the presence of resorption cavities in group II, whereas in the control group, the process of new bone formation was active from both ends and the defect site appeared as a homogenous non-fluoroscent area. Angiograms of the animals in the control group showed uniform angiogenesis in the defect site with establishment of trans-transplant angiogenesis, whereas in group II there was complete trans-transplant shunting of blood vessel communication. Porous HAp ceramic prepared by an aqueous combustion technique promoted bone formation over the defect, confirming their biologic osteoconductive property.     

Nasopharyngeal turbinates in brachycephalic dogs and cats

This retrospective study reports the presence and incidence of nasal turbinates in the nasopharynx (nasopharyngeal turbinates) in a population of brachycephalic dogs and cats exhibiting signs of upper respiratory disease. Medical records were reviewed for 53 brachycephalic dogs and 10 brachycephalic cats undergoing upper airway endoscopy. Nasopharyngeal turbinates were identified in 21% of brachycephalic animals, including 21% of dogs and 20% of cats. Pugs accounted for 32% of all dogs in the study population and 82% of dogs with nasopharyngeal turbinates. The presence of nasopharyngeal turbinates may play a role in upper airway obstruction in the brachycephalic airway syndrome.     

Client donation program for acquiring dogs and cats to teach veterinary gross anatomy

A donor program for procuring dogs and cats to meet the needs of anatomical instruction was initiated six years ago at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. The program was initiated in order to comply with state regulations that preclude the use of shelter animals and to satisfy ethical objections of students and faculty. The donor program has successfully met the animal needs for teaching gross anatomy and, in addition, provides opportunities to integrate clinical perspectives and ethics beginning from the first year of veterinary education.     

TREATMENT OF DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA IN BUFFALOES

The surgical treatment of diaphragmatic hernia attempted on 19 lactating buffaloes is described. Thirteen cases recovered uneventfully, 1 recovered after developing brisket oedema and 5 died, 3 during surgery and 2 postoperatively. The desired depth of anaesthesia was achieved by the administration of 6% chloral hydrate followed by 5% thiopentone sodium. A postxiphoid approach and the use of a continuous lock stitch suture were preferred to repair the vent in the diaphragm. Pre- and post-operative use of hydrocortisones and fluids and sufficient tissue oxygenation by controlled positive pressure respiration are believed to be keys to the success of the treatment adopted.     

Comparative evaluation of raw and roasted soybean in lactating crossbred cows

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of roasting whole soybean in the local level on their chemical composition, nitrogen fractions, in situ degradability, and feeding performance in crossbred (Karan Swiss and Karan Fries) dairy cows. Twelve lactating crossbred cattle (369.08 ± 17.53 kg body weight) were randomly divided into two groups on the basis of milk yield (10.18 kg/day) and day of calving (89 days) in a randomized block design. Cows were fed green maize fodder and concentrate mixtures with 1 kg raw soybean as fed basis (7.6% of total diet) in the control group, where as roasted soybean replaced raw soybean in the treatment group to make both diets isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The roughage to concentrate ratio was around 55:45 in both diets. The cows were housed in individual byres and fed experimental diet for 90 days. The total dry matter intake per animal in both groups was similar. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber was comparable in both groups. The average milk production and fat-corrected milk yield per day was similar during the trial. Milk fat, milk protein, and solids not fat content remained unaffected and similar in both groups. All the animals maintained their body weight in both groups. Thus, rumen bypassing of protein fractions at the present method of bypassing did not have the desired level of beneficial effect in medium producing crossbred cows.     

Romifidine-ketamine anaesthesia in atropine and triflupromazine pre-medicated buffalo calves

The study was conducted on 10 buffalo calves with a weight of 98.5 +/- 3.9 kg and age 9.7 +/- 1.3 months. Ten trials of two treatments were carried out using a randomized block design. Atropine at the dose of 0.02 mg/kg bodyweight was administered in both the groups. The animals of group I received romifidine at the dose of 10 microg/kg i.v., 10 min after atropine administration, whereas, animals of group II received triflupromazine at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg i.m. and 10 min later romifidine at the dose of 10 microg/kg i.v. immediately followed by ketamine at the dose of 5 mg/kg i.v. The onset of action of romifidine in group I occurred within 2 min and the animals remained under mild sedation for 31 +/- 4.8 min. In group II, the triflupromazine-romifidine-ketamine combination induced anaesthesia for 14 +/- 2.3 min. Hypothermia, significant bradycardia and respiratory depression was noticed in both groups at different time intervals.     

Resistance and resilience of soil biological indicators: A case study with multi-walled carbon nanotube

Soil ecosystem is experiencing stresses due to climate change, and soil inhabitants try to demonstrate their inherent resistance and resilience against those stresses. Application of nanomaterials as agricultural inputs could bring shifts in resistance and resilience patterns of soil microbes and associated enzymes, especially under short-term heat stress. With this background, the impacts of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on the resistance and resilience of soil biological indicators were evaluated. An incubation experiment was conducted with varied MWCNT concentrations (0, 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg kg^-1 soil) for 90 d after 24-h heat stress at 48 ±2 ℃ to assess the impacts of MWCNT on soil enzyme activities and microbial populations vis-à-vis their resistance and resilience indices under short-term exposure to heat stress. Enzyme activities were reduced after exposure to heat stress. Resistance indices of enzyme activities were enhanced by MWCNT application on day 1 after heat stress, whereas there was no recovery of enzyme activities after 90-d incubation. Like soil enzyme activities, resistance index values of soil microbial populations followed the similar trend and were improved by MWCNT application. Multi-walled carbon nanotube has the potential to improve resistance indices of soil enzyme activities and microbial populations under heat stress, although they could not recover to their original state during periodical incubation after heat stress. This study helps to understand the relative changes of biological indicators under MWCNT and their ability to withstand heat stress.