A unique case of Babesia gibsoni infected dog with paraplegia.

A 4 year old male Rottweiler was presented to Teaching Veterinary Clinics of GADVASU with a primary complaint of paraplegia, fever and inappetence. The dog was found to be dull with elevated rectal temperature (105 °F), heart rate (158 per minute) and respiration rate (57 per minute). Blood smear examination and PCR assay revealed that dog was positive for Babesia gibsoni. Elevated bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, total leucocyte count, neutrophils and hypoglycaemia were haemato-biochemical alterations. The therapy targeting babesiosis was carried out with a single dose of diminazene aceturate in combination with doxycycline, enrofloxacin and metronidazole for 21 days. Complete follow up of the case revealed complete clinical recovery within 21 days.

Floristic diversity and distribution pattern of plant communities along altitudinal gradient in Sangla Valley, Northwest Himalaya.

Himalayas are globally important biodiversity hotspots and are facing rapid loss in floristic diversity and changing pattern of vegetation due to various biotic and abiotic factors. This has necessitated the qualitative and quantitative assessment of vegetation here. The present study was conducted in Sangla Valley of northwest Himalaya aiming to assess the structure of vegetation and its trend in the valley along the altitudinal gradient. In the forest and alpine zones of the valley, 15 communities were recorded. Study revealed 320 species belonging to 199 genera and 75 families. Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Apiaceae, and Ranunculaceae were dominant. Among genera, Artemisia followed by Polygonum, Saussurea, Berberis, and Thalictrum were dominant. Tree and shrub's density ranged from 205 to 600 and from 105 to 1030 individual per hectare, respectively, whereas herbs ranged from 22.08 to 78.95 individual/m(2). Nearly 182 species were native to the Himalaya. Maximum altitudinal distribution of few selected climate sensitive species was found to be highest in northeast and north aspects. This study gives an insight into the floristic diversity and community structure of the fragile Sangla Valley which was hitherto not available.

Drug combination therapy in control of cryptosporidiosis in Ludhiana district of Punjab.

The present report describes outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in neonatal cross bred cattle calves ageing 1-2 months in an organized dairy farm. The protozoan infection was confirmed by identifying bright red oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. in the faecal samples after staining with modified acid Fast Zeihl-Neelsen stain. Metronidazole and furazolidone combination was able to induce clinically and parasitological recovery. This is believed to be the first report on the successful use of this drug combination against cryptosporidiosis.

Elimination of erythromycin in milk after intramammary administration in cows with specific mastitis: relation to dose, milking frequency and udder health.

Elimination of erythromycin in milk following intramammary therapy of specific mastitis in cows was studied. Five cows received therapy in one quarter (G1), and eight in two quarters with five milked twice (G2) and three thrice a day (G3). Dose infused was 300 mg/quarter 12 h × 5 times. The drug concentrations in milk were determined using microbial assay technique with Micrococcus luteus as the test organism. Considerable variations occurred in the excretion of drug; levels for treated quarters being 8.25 to 37.61 µg/ml at first milking that declined rapidly at 24 h and no drug activity was observed beyond 36 h post treatment. In total, about 6-25% of the last infused dose appeared in the milk. Drug crossed to 1/15 quarter (G1), 6/10 quarters (G2) and all the six untreated quarters (G3). Crossover levels were significantly higher in mastitic quarters and for G3 cows, but duration of excretion remained same in all cases. It seems that crossover of erythromycin to untreated quarters is related to the udder health and dose infused.

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.

Development of a heating reactor for a continuous flow-through application in urea measurement.

In most biochemical analyses, a flow-through heating arrangement is needed to reduce the reaction time or maintain a constant temperature. A rectangular reactor is described that is constructed of aluminium, is hollow inside and is filled with silicone oil. The glass coil through which the solution flows is immersed in the silicone oil. The heater, a Peltier-effect heat pump, on one side and the temperature sensor on the other side of the reactor body are embedded for heating and temperature control. The brief performance evaluation of the reactor is discussed by measuring the absorbance of urea concentration at different temperatures.

Development of a photometric system for continuous flow analysis.

Most chemical analyses carried out in a clinical laboratory are colorimetric. An improved photometric system is described where a tungsten lamp is the light source, a photo-diode is the detector and a microcontroller 8051 is used for processing and displaying absorbances. The performance characteristics of the instrument are reported. The parameters investigated are photometric linearity, precision and instrumental drift.

Development of a microprocessor-based biochemical sampler.

Modern medicine requires patients to be treated on the basis of precise data, which are often obtained from electronic equipment. An inexpensive and portable microprocessor-based sampler developed by the authors is described. It is comprised of the following units: sample plate assembly, probe-drive linkage system, wash fluid receptacle, timing system and 8085A microprocessor.

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.

Alterations in the systemic acid-base status and blood gas dynamics during progressive hypocalcaemia in cow calves.

Hypocalcaemia, induced in cow calves by slow infusion of Na2EDTA for 6 hr, led to biphasic changes in acid-base status. Decrease in ionized plasma Ca2+ concentration upto 0.82 +/- 0.06 mmole 1(-1) was associated with metabolic alkalosis. Further decrease in ionized plasma Ca2+ concentration (0.61 +/- 0.09 mmole 1(-1)) led to metabolic acidosis, superimposed by a respiratory component. There was significant decrease in oxygen tension and saturation of arterial blood as well as impaired uptake of oxygen by peripheral tissues and pulmonary blood.

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.

Evaluation of the performance of microprocessor-based colorimeter.

Colorimetric estimations have an important role in quantitative studies. An inexpensive and portable microprocessor-based colorimeter developed by the authors is described in this paper. The colorimeter uses a light emitting diode as the light source; a pinphotodiode as the detector and an 8085A microprocessor. Blood urea, glucose, total protein, albumin and bilirubin from patient blood samples were analysed with the instrument and results obtained were compared with assays of the same blood using a Spectronic 21. A good correlation was found between the results from the two instruments.

Alterations in acid-base status and blood gas dynamics during progressive hyperkalaemia in neonatal calves.

Alterations in acid-base status and blood-gas dynamics were studied during induced progressive hyperkalaemia in neonatal calves. The hyperkalaemia was associated initially with respiratory alkalosis in arterial blood when plasma K+ was increased to 6.08 +/- 1.02 mmol litre-1. The rise of plasma K+ above 6.08 +/- 1.02 mmol litre-1 led to the development of metabolic acidosis in arterial and venous blood. There was partial respiratory compensation. Plasma K+ concentrations at or above 11.03 +/- 0.34 mmol litre-1 were associated with a decrease in arterial oxygen tension and arterial oxygen saturation. The oxygen extraction ratio was increased during hyperkalaemia.