Abstract
The records of all clinical cases of dogs (n=6704) ranging from four months to thirteen years of age reported at referral veterinary polyclinic of the institute were screened in a comprehensive manner to study clinical variants and incidence of hind quarter weakness disorder during 6 year period. Diagnosis of hind quarter weakness in these dogs was confirmed by clinical history, neurological and radiological examination at the time of presentation. The naturally occurring disorders of hind quarter weakness were manifested by the clinical signs such as dragging the hind quarter while trying to walk with flaccidity of limbs, wide base stance, crouching and reluctance in movement, rigid hyperextension of with spasticity both hind limbs, unable to stand or can stand only for short periods of time generally without the normal arched back. It may result as a squelae to the spinal cord disorder either by fall, jump from height, road traffic accident, dog bite over the vertebral column, malicious blow by stick, rod, stone, crush by heavy object, fracture and myoclonus form of canine distemper. A total (n=386) cases of hind quarter weakness were reported in dogs during this period. The data revealed that incidence of hind quarter weakness was 5.75% in canines. The disorder was detected in as many as 12 breeds of dogs with more predisposition in Mongrel (33.16%), followed by Spitz (25.12%), Labrador retriever (16.06%), German shepherd (13.47%), Doberman pinscher (3.62%), Great dane (2.33%), Rottweiler (1.81%), Boxer and Bhutia (1.29% each) and Mastiff, Cocker Spanial and Pug (0.25% each). Incidence of hind quarter weakness in dogs was reported maximum during summer. There was no history of physical trauma in majority of the cases (46.11%). In rest of the cases, trauma was the known causative factor of the disease, which included fall from height in 27.46%, hitting by hard object in 11.13%, automobile accident in 8.03% and dog bite in 7.25% dogs. Male dogs of 1-5 years of age were mostly affected and brought for treatment within a week of illness.
Keywords: Clinical variant, Dog, Hind quarter weakness, Incidence, Neurological

Abstract
A total number of one hundred repeat breeder cows between second and fifth calving were selected, and randomly and equally divided into five groups as Group I to V. Cows of group I served as control and were inseminated during natural oestrus. Cows of group II were treated for 3 weeks with intramuscular injection of vitamin A, C and E. They were also supplemented with mineral mixture continuously for 20 days. At the end of treatment, these cows were observed for oestrus signs and inseminated at 16-18 hours after the onset of oestrum. Cows of group III were inseminated at 16-18 hours after the onset of natural oestrus and treated with an intramuscular injection of flunixin meglumine at 12, 13, 14 and 15 days of post-insemination. Cows of group IV were treated intravaginally with CIDR (Controlled internal drug release) for 9 days and following its removal, by observing oestrus signs, they were inseminated. Cows of group V were administered with two injections of PGF2? at 11 days interval and they were observed for oestrus signs after second injection of PGF2? and inseminated during induced oestrus. The serum oxidative biomarkers viz., reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated in pregnant cows of all the groups on days 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 and 60 and non-pregnant cows on days 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20. Among all the treatment groups, the serum oxidative biomarkers viz., GSH and SOD were higher in pregnant (day 0 to 60) and non pregnant (day 0 to 20) cows treated with antioxidant cows (group II). Comparing the pregnant and non pregnant cows in each group, GSH and SOD were higher in pregnant cows than non pregnant cows from day 0 to 20. The mean serum MDA was found to be lower in pregnant and non pregnant cows in group II than in other groups.
Keywords: Embryonic mortality, GSH, MDA, Oxidative biomarkers, SOD

Abstract
In this study, the effect of fermentative disorders such as acid and alkaline indigestion was investigated in buffaloes. Six buffaloes each suffering from acid and alkaline indigestion was chosen and various physiological parameters were compared with six healthy buffaloes Clinical examination was carried out to rule out infectious diseases and abomasal displacement. Rumen fluid was evaluated for pH, protozoal motility, iodophilic activity, sedimentation activity time (SAT), methylene blue reduction time (MBRT), total protozoa, gas production, ammonia, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA). Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte, leucocyte and differential counts were performed. In serum, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, urea, protein were estimated. The data was analysed using one way ANOVA and Kruskalwallis test.
A significant (P<0.05) increase in pulse and respiratory rates and significant decrease in rumen motility was observed in both acidosis and alkalosis. Rumen pH decreased significantly (P<0.05) in acidosis and increased in alkalosis. In rumen liquor, SAT and MBRT were significantly (P<0.05) increased. The protozoal count, motility and iodophilic activities and gas production were significantly (P<0.05) reduced. However, rumen ammonia was only increased in alkalosis and TVFA in acidosis. Increased PCV was seen in both acidosis and alkalosis. Sero-biochemical analysis revealed as significant (P<0.05) decrease in calcium, phosphorus and protein content in alkalosis whereas glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly (P<0.05) increased in both acidosis and alkalosis. Keywords: Acidosis, Alkalosis, Biochemical, Haematology, Indigestion, Rumen fluid

Abstract
Rabbit has emerged as a key livestock that is increasingly being raised by farmers in Kenya. However, diseases and inadequate technical knowledge amongst animal health providers on these diseases are the major challenges facing the sustainability of rabbit farming in Kenya. This study was designed to determine the prevalence, etiology and clinical presentation of diseases of domestic rabbits with an aim of enhancing their diagnosis and management in the field situation. The cross sectional survey was conducted in 61 farms in rabbit producing areas in Kenya. Direct observational assessment and structured questionnaires were used to determine husbandry practices and health status in the farms. A total of 61 live rabbits, 320 bacteriological swabs, 363 fecal samples, and 21skin scrapings were collected from randomly selected rabbits and examined for etiological agents of disease in the laboratory. The frequently reported signs of diseases in rabbits were; diarrhea (81.97%), sudden death (73.78%) and bloat (68.85%). Ear canker (16.39), diarrhea (11.48%) and pneumonia (11.48%) were encountered during clinical examination. During necropsy digestive conditions (65.57%) including; intestinal coccidiosis (29.5%), hepatic coccidiosis (11.48%) and pinworms (3.28%) were commonly encountered. Clinical and sub clinical diseases affecting the digestive system are a major constraint to domestic rabbit production in Kenya. It is therefore recommended that animal health services providers participate actively in management of these diseases of rabbits.
Keywords: Coccidiosis, Mange, Mucoid enteropathy, Rabbit diseases, Sore hock

Abstract
A study was conducted to determine the effects of different weaning diets on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in male calves of Red Sindhi cattle. Thirty newly born calves were randomly divided into five experimental groups i.e. A, B, C, D and E of six calves in each. Each group was housed separately in the pens having common feeding and watering systems. Calves were fed adequate colostrum immediately after birth for three days. From day 4th, group A was fed whole milk at the rate of 1/10th of body weight (BW) per calf for first 4 weeks, 1/15th of BW for 5-8 weeks and 1/20th of BW for 9-13 weeks of age. The remaining four groups were given milk at the rate of 1/10th of BW per calf for first 4 weeks, 1/15th of BW for 5th week and 1/20th of BW for 6th week of age. From fourth week, these groups were randomly introduced one of the four experimental diets having two crude protein (CP) i.e.16 and 18% and two metabolizable energy (ME) 2.8 and 3.0Mcal/kg levels on ad-libitum basis. At the end of 6th week, milk supply to these five groups was stopped and calves were shifted to weaning diets that were fed for further 2 months. Feed intakes, body weights and feed efficiency (FE) were determined weekly. Feed efficiency of group A reared on milk was significantly (P<0.05) better (2.55) as compared to other two groups (2.87 to 3.30) however the cost with milk was higher. Weight gain and FE of calves fed on weaning diet contained 16% protein and 2.8 Mcal/kg were significantly (P<0.05) poorer compared to other groups. However, there was no significant difference in dry matter intake (DMI) among the groups. Calves in group A showed better (P<0.05) DM and CP digestibility compared to other groups. These results indicate that a weaning diet having combination of 16% protein and 3.0Mcal/kg energy (Group C) is adequate for successful weaning in Red Sindhi calves because it showed similar performance when compared with the weaning diets having 18% CP and 2.8 or 3.0Mcal/kg energy. Keywords: Cattle calves, Energy, Growth performance, Protein, Weaning diets

Abstract
The present experiment was conducted to evaluate quality of breast meat in White Leghorn layers during molt and post molt production cycle. One hundred and twenty layers (72 week old) of uniform body weight (1.51±0.04) were taken for induction of molt through feed withdrawal method. Out of this flock 10 birds at pre molt and 10 at post fast (10 days of fasting) stage were randomly picked up, slaughtered and breast meat samples were collected for further processing. After 10 days of fasting, remaining 100 hens were offered cracked corn diet for 25 days. After the completion of molting, 10 more bird were slaughtered and breast meat samples were collected. The remaining hens were then provided ad-libitum layer ration during 2nd production cycle. Ten birds each at 50% egg production stage and at the end of 2nd production cycle were slaughtered and breast meat samples were collected. All samples were analyzed for proximate composition and organoleptic properties. Results regarding proximate composition of layer meat determined at different stages of molting and post molt production revealed that protein content (22.59±0.44%) of breast meat were significantly (P<0.05%) increased whereas, dry matter, ether extract and ash contents were significantly decreased at post fast stage with respect to other stages. Maximum color (7.57±0.21) score was found in breast meat at post molt while minimum (P<0.05%) color scores (6.67±0.11) was observed at 50% production stage. However, tenderness (6.38±0.22) and juiciness (6.52±0.18) were reduced to minimum (P<0.05) at post-molt stage and were maximum at the end of 2nd production cycle. These results indicate that breast meat of molted layer at the end of 2nd production cycle has almost similar nutritional values with more juiciness and tenderness. Keywords: Breast meat, Molt layers, Organoleptic properties, Proximate composition

Abstract
The main objective of this study was to investigate for the presence of feather mites in psittacine birds which are reared at pet shops and private aviaries in and around Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Sixty two fallen feather samples were collected from Budgerigars, Cockatiels and African love birds and were examined for presence of mites. Syringophilus sp. (14.51%), Dermoglyphus sp. (17.74%) and mixed infestation (11.29%) of these were identified to be prevalent among these birds.
Keywords: Feather mites, Psittacines, Dermoglyphus sp., Syringophilus sp., Chennai

Abstract
The objective of this work was to project the evolution of bovine brucellosis in an 11-years period in Kuku Dairy Scheme, Khartoum North, Sudan. The prevalence was estimated in the baseline year and the required data on other parameters were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Two scenarios were projected; in the first one, the animal population was considered to grow at the rate obtained from the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries while in the second, the population was held constant over the study period. The deterministic transmission model of Zinsstag et al. (2005) was modified and used as an analytical framework. The study revealed in the first scenario that the number of susceptible animals will increase from 8,798 in the baseline year, 2004, to 14,384 head in the final year, 2014, with a growth rate of 63.5%. The number of sero-positive animals will also increase from 1,508 to 3,064 head with a growth rate of 103.2%. The incidence of the disease is 154 heads in the initial year, this number changes over the 11 years to 563 with a growth rate of 265.6%. In the second scenario, the incidence is 166; it changes over the 11 years to 1,008 with a growth rate of 507.2% The number of sero-positive animals will increase from 1,508 to 5,400 head with a growth rate of 258.1%. The number of the susceptible animals will decrease over time as result of new infections. It will decrease from 8,798 to 4,906 head with a growth rate of -44.2%. It can be concluded that brucellosis will evolve in the scheme until all animals become infected if no control strategies adopted. More investigations on the impact of the disease on fertility and its control are recommended.
Keywords: Dairy production, Epidemiology, Modeling animal diseases, Zoonosis

Abstract
A study was conducted from April to September 2012, to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for brucellosis infection in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Khartoum State, Sudan. A total of 415 camels in 39 herds were included in the study from four localities and blood samples were collected and screened by RBPT. Twenty four samples tested positive giving an individual animal prevalence rate of 5.8%. All RBPT positive reactors were further tested by c-ELISA which confirmed 21 seropositive cases out of 24 RBPT reactors (87.5%). Eighteen herds were found seropositive among the 39 herds included in the study giving a herd prevalence of 46%. In the univariate analysis there was a significant increase in seropositivity of brucellosis in camel with respect to age and herd size (P?0.05). Conversely, governorate, locality, sex, feeding, type of management, type of production, contact with other camels, source of new camels,source of water, housing, contact with other ruminants and contact with dogs were not found significantly associated with brucellosis (P?0.05).
Multivariate analysis showed that large herd size comprising more than 20 camels was significantly associated with seroprevalence of camel brucellosis (Exp B=5.660; 95% CI: 1.258 –25.463; P? 0.05). The results of the present study indicate that brucella exists within the camel herds in Khartoum State. The disease is widely distributed among large camel herds in the State. Further studies need to be done on brucella infection in the other ruminants to determine which measures should be followed for control of brucellosis.
Keywords: C-ELISA, Camel brucellosis, Risk factors, Rose bengal plate test, Seroprevalence, Sudan

Abstract
We report the outbreak of deer enterotoxaemia that was collected since February 2014 from Jining, Shandong province, China. The dead deer were characteristic of enterotoxaemia symptoms and necrotic features. The histopathology of intestinal mucosa and serosa was severe hemorrhagic necrosis and the infiltration of Clostridium perfringens with the diameter of 1~3mm and obtuse ends. The intestinal content was inoculated into differential medium. Round, middle-black bacterium on the TSC agar plate and gray to grey-yellow, hemi-translucent colonies on the egg yolk agar plate was also seen. The isolated deer Clostridium perfringens type A could lead mice to death and SPF chicken to ill, and there was no distinctive species difference. The CPA gene of Clostridium perfringens was amplified by using the multiple PCR. The sequence was compared with the genomic sequences in the GenBank nucleotide database found to share 99.4% sequence similarity with the Clostridium perfringens. The final Clostridium perfringens type A infected diagnosis was based on comprehensive analysis of epidemiological evidences, clinical signs, necrotic examinations, accompanied by histopathological as well as microbiological findings. A comprehensive analysis of the outbreak of the deer Clostridium perfringens was also discussed.
Keywords: Clostridium perfringens, Comprehensive diagnosis, Enterotoxemia, Sika deer