Effect of biotin supplementation on hoof health and ceramide composition in dairy cattle.

The effect of biotin supplementation on various foot lesions and hoof ceramide composition of toe (wall) and sole portions of hooves was studied in crossbred dairy cattle. Biotin supplementation was done for five months in 14 cattle at a farm and the other 14 animals kept as control. A significant decline was observed in heel erosions and sole avulsions along with total disappearance of white line fissures and double soles in the biotin supplemented cattle resulting in decrease in the overall disease score. Thin layer chromatographs of the hoof lipids revealed 11 types of ceramides in sole lipids and 6 types of ceramides in toe (wall) lipids. The ceramides were typed and identified according to their Rf values. A qualitative increase in the density of thin layer chromatographs of sole lipids was observed in biotin supplemented cattle whereas a non-significant difference in density of thin layer chromatographs of toe lipids was observed after supplementation of biotin.

Stridor and emphysema due to cystic echinococcosis in cattle and buffalo intermediate hosts in Punjab, India.

The clinical symptoms associated with hydatid disease in the bovine populations remain largely unknown and the disease is usually considered asymptomatic in these intermediate hosts. We report occurrence of symptoms such as sudden onset of continuous stridor, coughing and wheezing due to hydatid cysts present in the lungs of infected cattle and buffalo. Two cattle and one buffalo presented to the Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University with the complaint of continuous stridor, coughing and wheezing with normal feed and water intake were followed up. The comprehensive clinical examination followed by haematology, radiography of upper and lower respiratory tract, ultrasonography of lungs, liver and reticulum revealed presence of multiple hydatid cysts in the lung parenchyma. There was presence of subcutaneous emphysema in one of the infected animal. Radiography revealed cysts occupying up to 60% of alveolar space in the lungs. Endoscopy up to hilus was carried out to rule out the presence of any other mass/lesion in the respiratory tract. Per cutaneous aspiration (Ultrasound guided) of cystic fluid confirmed the diagnosis and fertile nature of hydatid cysts. The current study reports association of stridor and emphysema with hydatid disease in bovine hosts and it is important that veterinary practitioners in endemic areas consider hydatid disease for differential diagnosis when investigating the etiology of stridor and emphysema in bovine intermediate hosts.

Molecular survey in relation to risk factors and haemato-biochemical alteration in Theileria equi infection of equines in Punjab Province, India.

Equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi, an apicomplexan intracellular haemoprotozoan parasite effects equids throughout the world. Current investigation is the first detailed epidemiological survey report based on conventional (blood smear) and primary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of T. equi on 464 equids (426 horses and 38 donkeys/mules) in Punjab province of India. PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene of T. equi produced high fidelity 709bp amplification products with 100% concordance with blood films. The prevalence of infection was proportional (P≤0.01) to temperature and aridness of the regions, which turned out to be the most important physical factor pertaining to T. equi infection. Spatial distribution analysis revealed an increasing trend of disease prevalence from north-eastern to south-western region of Punjab by both the techniques. Haemato-biochemical analysis revealed significant decrease in total erythrocyte count and haemoglobin; and increase in mean corpuscular haemoglobin, serum globulin, glucose, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and bilirubin levels (P≤0.05). This study divulges the endemicity of equine theileriosis in Punjab with the prominence of various odds of infection, emphasising the pathophysiological manifestation associated with latent infection of T. equi detectable by PCR.

Body condition score and its correlation with ultrasonographic back fat thickness in transition crossbred cows.

AIM: The aim was to study the effect of the transition to body condition score (BCS) and ultrasonographic back fat thickness (USG BFT) in crossbred cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 101 multiparous crossbred cows in advanced pregnancy from organized dairy farm were taken up for study. The cows were grouped according to transition stage, i.e. far off dry (FOD), close up dry (CUD) and fresh (F). BCS was estimated by using the five point visual BCS technique with 0.5 increments. The USG BFT was measured by real-time ultrasound using a portable Sonosite instrument. RESULTS: In cows with BCS 2-2.5, the BFT of F period was significantly lower than FOD period. In cows with BCS 3-3.5, the mean BFT at F period was significantly reduced as compared to FOD and CUD period. The overall correlation coefficient between BCS and BFT for different transition stages was 84%, 79% and 75% for FOD, CUD and F period, respectively. CONCLUSION: The USG BFT gives an accurate measure of fat reserves in cows. The cows with BCS of ≥3.5 entering the transition period are more prone to lose body condition and hence require better and robust management during the transition period.

Epidemiological studies on forestomach disorders in cattle and buffaloes.

AIM: To study epidemiology of forestomach (reticuloruminal, omasal, and abomasal) disorders in cattle and buffaloes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 106 buffaloes and 32 cattle referred for treatment to the university large animals teaching hospital with the complaint of gastrointestinal diseases constituted the study material. The cases were diagnosed based on history, clinical examination, hematology, biochemistry, radiography, peritoneal fluid analysis and ultrasonography, rumenotomy, and postmortem. A questionnaire was prepared containing important information on housing, husbandry practices, including feeding practices and individual animal information viz. age, species, month of the year, parity, gestation (month), and recent parturition. The animals were divided into eight groups and analysis of variance was performed to study risk factors associated with each condition. RESULTS: The forestomach disorders are widely prevalent in cattle and buffaloes between April and October, during summer and rainy season (90%) and constituted a significant proportion of diseased cows and buffaloes (138/1840) at the hospital. Different forestomach disorders and their prevalence was: Diaphragmatic hernia (DH) 17%, traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) 14%, idiopathic motility disorder or vagus indigestion (VI) 22%, adhesive peritonitis (AP) 13%, frank exudative peritonitis (FEP) 12%, reticular abscess (RA) 8%, ruminal and omasal impaction (RI) 5%, and abomaso duodenal ulceration (ADU) 9%. DH and RA were significantly more common in buffaloes as compared to cattle. Similarly, impactions were more in buffaloes but its incidence was very low (5%). ADU was present in buffalo as commonly as in cows. Exclusive feeding of wheat straw was present in an abysmally low number of animals and hence could not be considered the cause of these disorders. DH was significantly higher in buffaloes (>5 years) of 5-8 years of age and TRP, VI and AP were observed in cattle and buffalo of 2-8 years of age during the second half of gestation to 1 month post-calving. FEP (12%) occurred more commonly within 1 month of parturition. CONCLUSIONS: DH, TRP, frank and AP and ADU are causes of the widely prevalent forestomach (reticuloruminal, omasal and abomasal) disorders in cattle and buffaloes.

Epidemiology and diagnosis of subclinical iodine deficiency in crossbred cattle of Punjab.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency in crossbred cows (taurus x indicus) of Punjab and to assess the diagnostic value of the plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones, total cholesterol and free fatty acids in iodine deficiency. The efficacy of ethiodised oil, as a long-term supplement of iodine, was also evaluated. PROCEDURES: Base-line survey of iodine status was conducted by measuring plasma inorganic iodine (PII) concentration in 48 crossbred cows from 31 dairy units. Concentrations of plasma triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), total cholesterol and free fatty acids were compared between iodine deficient and normal cows. Circulating T4 and T3 concentrations were also determined before and after injection of ethiodised oil in cows with low PII levels. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of iodine deficiency was 35.9% and showed considerable geographical variation from 0 to 86% within Punjab. Cardinal clinical signs of iodine deficiency were absent and basal plasma T3 and T4 concentrations and their ratio did not differ between deficient and control cows. Activity of circulating T4 and T4:T3 ratio increased in response to ethiodised oil injection and persisted beyond 70 days after injection. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic iodine deficiency is prevalent in crossbred cows of Punjab and response to iodine supplementation is the most reliable index of thyroid dysfunction associated with iodine deprivation. The results of this study also support the view that injection of 1 mL of 78% ethiodised oil can prevent iodine deficiency for more than 70 days.

Successful treatment of pulmonary paragonimiasis in a German shepherd dog with fenbendazole.

Pulmonary paragonimiasis is an important zoonotic disease reported from many parts of the world. It is an endemic problem in human population in north-eastern states of India. There seems no report of pulmonary paragonimiasis in canine population from India. The present case describes first report of pulmonary paragonimiasis in a female dog suggesting possibility of this fluke becoming established in canine population in the country. The dog revealed mild coughing with serous nasal discharge. Faecal sample revealed eggs of Paragonimus spp. Treatment with fenbendazole resulted in marked improvement as revealed by clinical signs and chest radiography.

Para-clinico-pathological observations of insidious incidence of canine hepatozoonosis from a mongrel dog: a case report.

A rare case of canine hepatozoonosis in a mongrel dog with para-clinico-pathological observations has been reported. The study included detailed haemato-biochemical changes at two stages, i.e. before treatment and after treatment with adopted therapy. Before therapy, blood picture revealed normocytic hypochromic anaemia and neutrophilic leucocytosis with variable counts of platelets. Thirty-seven percent of neutrophils were found infected with gametocytes of Hepatozoon canis. Following treatment, further decrease in haemoglobin value with a relative increase in lymphocyte count was seen. Biochemically, increase in alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels along with hyperproteinemia was seen. The 14 days chemotherapy did not bring a respite for the dog and the level of parasitaemia was 33% after the treatment. The alkaline phosphatase and creatinine level further rose up following therapy with sulphadiazine and clindamycin. Continual study is required to explain the best possible therapeutic combination to deal H. canis.

An outbreak of bacillary haemoglobinuria in sheep in India.

An outbreak of bacillary haemoglobinuria was recorded in 60 out of 110 sheep in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. The condition was clinically characterised by fever, haemoglobinuria, constipation, weakness of hind quarters followed by recumbency, respiratory distress and death in 16 sheep. Haematological studies revealed moderate to severe degrees of anaemia associated with leucocytosis. Plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine phosphokinase activities were significantly higher in haemoglobinuric sheep. Babesiosis and copper poisoning were ruled out on stained blood film examination and from blood mineral profiles, respectively. Post-mortem examination of affected sheep revealed no gross changes. Pure cultures of Clostridium haemolyticum isolated from heart blood, liver, kidney and spleen of freshly killed sheep confirmed the disease. Parenteral administration of procaine penicillin was effective in the treatment of affected sheep.