Background: Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the commonly diagnosed acquired myocardial disease in dogs characterized by hypokinesis, eccentric myocardial hypertrophy. Activation of neurohumoral system (i.e., sympathetic and RAAS) is crucial in the pathogenesis of DCM with deteriorative effect on the failing heart. In current protocol, ACE inhibitors are being employed to counter RAAS through blocking of ACE pathway, however aldosterone breakthrough due to alternate tissue pathway render the treatment less effective. The natriuretic peptides (viz., ANP, BNP) produced in response to cardiac wall stress have beneficial natriuretic, diuretic and suppressed cardiac sympathetic effects, however, will be cleaved by the enzyme neprilysin limiting their activity. With this background, this study was aimed to study the effect of Sacubitril-Valsartan, an ARNi drug in management of canine heart failure due to DCM, evaluating its effects on clinical, echocardiographic parameters as well as on RAAS and natriuretic peptides. 
 
Methods: Dogs with confirmed DCM on echocardiography were randomly divided into two treatment groups, one with conventional protocol having ACEI (Group II) and another group with ARNi replacing ACEI in the protocol (Group III). Clinical signs, ECG, echocardiographic evaluation was done at monthly interval till 90th&nbsp;day of therapy. Radiographic evaluation as well as effect on RAAS by assessing plasma natriuretic peptides and urine aldosterone-creatinine ratio was done on 0th&nbsp;day and 90th&nbsp;days of therapy. Data was analysed using ANOVA and independent &lsquo;t&rsquo; test followed by LSD using IBM SPSS version 2.0. 
 
Result: In the study, group III dogs showed early resolution of clinical signs compared to group II. Group III showed a significant decrease in left atrial diameter and LA/Ao ratio earlier by 30th&nbsp;day of therapy, while in Group II, the same was noticed on the 60th day. Cardiac internal diameters were found to be significantly decreased in group III while group II showed a non-significant decrease. Systolic function was found to be significantly increased by 30th&nbsp;day in group III while group III has a non significant increase in ejection fraction. Significant decline of Uald:cre ratio was noticed in group III indicating its effective inhibition of RAAS. In the study dogs treated with sacubitril-valsartan was found to have faster resolution of clinical signs, greater reduction in cardiac dimensions and improvement in systolic function compared to ACEI treated dogs. 
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Therapeutic Evaluation of Sacubitril-valsartan (Arni) in Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy

<div>Background: Periparturient mortality in goats have a great economic impact on the livelihood of marginal farmers. Pregnancy toxaemia, a metabolic disease in small ruminants occurs as a result of negative energy balance consequent to enhanced requirement for glucose by the developing fetuses in the last trimester (last 6 to 4 weeks) of gestation. The present study was aimed to identify diagnostic and prognostic indicators of pregnancy toxaemia. 
 
Methods: During the period October 2016 to September 2018, a total of 516 adult non descriptive does were brought to Veterinary University Peripheral Hospital, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai - 51, of which 264 (51.16%) were treated for medical conditions. Among the does treated for various medical conditions, 72 does were in their last six weeks of gestation carrying twins/triplets and presented with the history of off feed. They were subjected to determination of blood &beta;-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) level by means of a portable blood ketone and glucose monitoring system and qualitative urinalysis using urine dip stick. Does with BHBA level &gt; 0.8&nbsp; mmol/L and &lt; 1.6 mmol/L were classified as sub-clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (n=12) and BHBA level &gt;1.6 mmol/L were classified as clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (n=12) and subjected to therapy while the remaining 48 does had BHBA levels &lt; 0.8 mmol/L. The control animals were selected from adult Tellicherry does in the age group of 2 to 4 years maintained at Livestock Farm Complex (LFC), Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai - 600 051.&nbsp; 
 
Result: All the twelve does of sub-clinical pregnancy toxaemic group recovered completely with a cure rate of 100%, while in the clinical pregnancy toxaemic group the cure rate was only 33%. Reliable diagnostic indicators of pregnancy toxaemia include blood &acirc;-hyroxybutyric acid concentration (&sup3; 0.8 mmol/L) and presence of ketone body, glucose and protein in urine, while hypergly&shy;caemia in advanced pregnancy toxaemic does indicate fetal death.</div>

Diagnostic Indicators and Therapeutic Evaluation of Pregnancy Toxaemia in Goats

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Moringa oleifera dried leaf powder on sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) in goats. 
 
Methods: For this study, three groups (A, B and C) were formed with six animals each. Group A comprised apparently healthy control animals, whereas in group B and C, Moringa oleifera dried leaf powder was orally administered to SCM positive animals twice daily for seven days at the dose of 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Milk and blood samples were collected from all the three groups on Day 0, 7 and 14 to determine alteration in milk, hematological and biochemical parameters. 
 
Result: In the present study, oral administration of Moringa oleifera significantly reduced the somatic cell count (SCC) and pH of milk along with significant increase in the fat and SNF% of milk. Moringa oleifera successfully improved the blood parameters including leukocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphocytosis in group B and C both. Significant decrease in concentration of total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, BUN and creatinine was observed in in group B and C both after Moringa oleifera administration as compared to healthy control group A. Our study found Moringa oleifera effective against sub-clinical mastitis as evidenced by restoration of SCC, milk, blood and biochemical parameters. Hence, Moringa oleifera may be advised as an alternative therapy for recovery in sub clinical mastitis in goats.

Evaluation of Therapeutic Efficacy of Moringa oleifera Dried Leaf Powder on Milk Quality, Hematological and Biochemical Profile in Indigenous Goats with Sub-clinical Mastitis

<div>Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Musa acuminate flower floret (MAFF) extract/chopped in goats with moderate rumen lactacidosis. 
 
Methods: Goats affected with moderate rumen lactacidosis (MRLA) were divided into three groups. TC (Control): Eight goats with moderate rumen lactacidosis were administered with magnesium oxide (@ 1g/kg PO) through stomach tube, T1: Twenty four goats with MRLA were administered with aqueous extract of MAFF (either @ 1 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg or 4 ml/kg - PO) and T2: Twenty four goats with MRLA were administered with chopped MAFF (either @1 g/kg, 2 g/kg or 4 g/kg - PO) continuously for 5 days. Proximate, mineral and phytochemical compositions of MAFF were assessed by using standard protocol. Rumen fluid examination, consisting of pH, total protozoal count and bacterial count was assessed in addition to haematology and serum biochemical examination before and after administration of MAFF. 
 
Result: Goats with MRLA treated using chopped MAFF orally @ 4 gm/kg body weight or crude extract of the MAFF orally @ 2 ml/kg, 4 ml/kg body weight continuously for 5 days had restoration of (P&lt;0.05) packed cell volume, increase in haemoglobin level, total protozoal count, gram negative bacterial count and rumen fluid pH and in serum PCO2 level (P&lt;0.05) to the levels comparable to healthy animals.</div>

Therapeutic Evaluation of Florets of Musa acuminate in the Management of Rumen Lactacidosis in Goats

Background: Plant products are reliable sources of traditional and contemporary medications for animals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Calotropis procera on Eimeria perforans oocysts that infection rabbits. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Twelve well-plates of 3 ml containing 1x103&nbsp;unsporulated oocysts were exposed to six treatments: 2.5% potassium dichromate solution as the non-treated control, four concentrations of C. procera extract (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/mL) and toltrazuril 25 mg/mL as traditional medicine. 
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Result: The mixture was examined (after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) for oocysticidal activity. The extract exhibited notable inhibition of E. perforans oocysts at 100 mg/mL doses, with suppression rates of approximately 89% after 96 h, nearly similar to the utilized reference drug, toltrazuril. The inhibitory rate increased with extended incubation duration and a high concentration ratio. The current study suggests that C. procera extract possesses inhibitory properties against oocyst sporulation. 
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In vitro Therapeutic Evaluation of Calotropis procera Extract against Eimeria perforans Oocysts Infecting Rabbits

Background: The research work was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of various diagnostic tests by using conventional microscopic examination, rapid Ab detection test and molecular technique, haemato-biochemical changes, Abdominal organs changes using ultrasonography, and therapeutic efficacy of different treatment protocols on Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) infected dogs from in and around Navsari, Gujarat, India.

Methods: 69 dogs suspected of ehrlichiosis based on clinical signs and hematological values and then subjected to blood and buffy coat smear examination, rapid Ab detection test&nbsp;and PCR based assay targeting 16S rRNA gene. The pre and post-treatment haematology and biochemical analysis of treatment groups along with all the positive dogs were performed. Further, all the treatment group dogs were subjected to ultrasound for evaluating organ abnormalities. Modified Clinical Sign Grading (MCSG) score for CME-infected dogs was carried out to evaluate therapeutic responses based on minimizing the clinical score. Descriptive statistics along with Student t-test and One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by DMRT was performed to compare differences between means wherever applicable.

Result: CME incidence among the 69 suspected cases was 49.28%. Out of 69 suspected dogs, Ehrlichial inclusions or morulae in the monocytes could be identified in only 4.35% of blood smears and 10.14% of buffy coat smears examined by Giemsa and or Field-stained and 15.94% of dogs were found positive for Ehrlichia genus by PCR. 72.5 per cent of dogs were found positive for antibodies to E. canis, out of 40 dogs. The sensitivity of blood smear examination, buffy coat smear examination, and thrombocytopenia was 10.34%, 24.14%&nbsp;and 89.66%, respectively. The specificity of all the diagnostic tests was 100%. The anemia along with leucopenia, were the most significant hematological alteration recorded while ALP, creatinine, and BUN were elevated and albumin was significantly decreased in CME-infected dogs. Significant improvement of haemato-biochemical parameters towards normalcy in both treatment groups. However, a higher percentage of reduction was observed in the clinical score of imidocarb treated CME affected dogs than in the oxy-doxycycline therapy after 14 days.

Clinico-diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of Ehrlichiosis in Dog

<div style="text-align: justify;">In this study, four lactation curve models viz. Gamma-type function (GF), Mixed log function (MLF), Exponential function (EF) and Polynomial regression function (PRF) were fitted to predict the weekly test-day milk yields pertaining to 961 Murrah buffaloes progeny of 101 sires spread over a period of 36 years (1977-2012) maintained at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. The PRF was the best fit with highest R2 (99.3%) and lowest RMSE (0.3%) which was used subsequently to estimate the first lactation 305-day or less milk yield (FL305DMY) from weekly test-day milk yields. The sires were evaluated using four linear models viz. Least Squares(LSQ), Simple Regressed Least Squares (SRLS), Sire (BLUP-SM) and animal (BLUP-AM) models from actual as well as PRF predicted FL305DMYs. BLUP-AM was the most efficient, among the sire evaluation models, in predicting the breeding values. Sire evaluation on the basis of predicted data (using PRF) was similar to that on the basis of actual data indicating that the best fitted lactation curve function can be used as an alternative for early animal evaluation and reduction of generation interval.</div>

Modeling lactation curve for genetic evaluation of Murrah buffaloes

<div>Background: The clinical study was designed to evaluate the haemato-biochemical changes in sheep affected with babesiosis and therapeutic regimes of various drugs used against babesiosis. 
 
Methods: A total of 24 clinically affected sheep with 6 animals in each group were selected for the haemato-biochemical and therapeutic study. The diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations, microscopic examination of blood smears and molecular confirmation of Babesia by PCR technique. For therapeutic study Group I, II, III and IV were treated with imidocarb dipropionate, imidocarb dipropionate+oxytetracycline, diminazene aceturate and diminazene aceturate+oxytetracycline, respectively. 
 
Result: The clinical signs recorded were high fever, pale mucous membranes, presence of ticks, inappetence, coffee-coloured urine and diarrhoea. The vectors identified were Haemaphysalis ticks. Hb, PCV, TEC, total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus and blood glucose were significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower in the diseased group as compared to healthy animals while TLC, globulin and iron levels were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher compared to the healthy control group. The study revealed that the combination of imidocarb dipropionate and oxytetracycline was highly effective for ovine babesiosis.</div>

​Haemato-biochemical and Therapeutic Studies on Ovine Babesiosis in Kashmir

<div>Background: The functions of food has extended from satisfying hunger and providing nutrients to the body, health maintenance, well being and prevention of diseases. Probiotics are such functional food and when they are incorporated to locally available foods, it helps to improve the nutritional profile and therapeutic value. Hence, the study entitled &ldquo;Process optimisation and quality evaluation of passion fruit and pineapple probiotic drink&rdquo; was undertaken with the objective of standardising probiotic fruit drink with passion fruit and pineapple and also to evaluate the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of these developed passion fruit and pineapple probiotic drinks. 
 
Methods: In the present study 5 treatments along with one control with 3 replications were standardized. Passion fruit juice (PFJ) was used as the major ingredient and used in varying proportions starting from 50 to 90 per cent with 10 to 50 per cent of pineapple juice (PJ). The best treatment was selected through sensory evaluation along with control by using a score card with nine point hedonic scale. In the selected treatments optimization for the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus with regard to substrate concentration, time of incubation, temperature of incubation and inoculum concentration were done. The probiotic drinks and their respective controls were then analysed for their nutrient composition like TSS, titratable acidity, energy and ascorbic acid. 
 
Result: Among the various treatments, highest scores for organoleptic qualities was observed in treatment having 70 per cent passion fruit juice and 30 per cent pineapple juice (T3) with a mean score of 8.52 for overall acceptability. The selected juice was optimized for the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus and had a viable count of 13.38 log cfu ml-1. The probiotic and non probiotic drinks had TSS content of 12.8 and 13.5&deg; Brix, titratable acidity of 2.28 and 2.03 per cent, energy of 59.32 and 68.96 Kcal and ascorbic acid of 10 and 12.8 mg 100g-1 respectively.</div>

​Process Optimisation and Quality Evaluation of Passion Fruit and Pineapple based Probiotic Drink

Goat is one of the main contributors of milk and meat products. Goat milk is different from cow and human milk in composition, nutritional and therapeutic attributes. The compositional differences are of significance in indicating the technological suitability for goat milk processing and its products. The differences in composition of cow milk and goat milk may result into the products with different sensory characteristics, nutritional and therapeutic values. &nbsp;Goat milk contains higher amount of Ca, Mg and P than cow and human milk but vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate contents are less. Goat milk is recommended for infants, old and convalescent people. Three fatty acids viz., caproic, caprylic and capric have great medicinal values for patients suffering from a variety of ailments. Further, it is worthwhile to compare the milk of goats with that of cows and note benefits or limitations which may result from differences found. Goat milk products other than cheese and pasteurized milk are considered to be the diary products with greatest marketing potential. Therefore, several characteristic of goat milk are currently the focus of increased research interest. Fermented goat milk incorporating live probiotic cells represent a group of products with great prospects in the future with regard to their nutritive and therapeutic properties.&nbsp;