jul2014

Pashubandha 2014 Volume No : 3 Issue : 07

Girish Kumar, S Nandi, Mohammad Farman and Shiv Kumar Tripathi

Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore, India

2National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore (E-mail [email protected])

• Balanced nutrition plays a major role on enhancing reproductive efficiency in domestic animals.

• Energy and protein are the major nutrients required in the greatest amounts and are the topmost priority

in order to optimize reproduction.

• Minerals and vitamins also cannot be neglected and must be balanced in the diet.

• These nutrients should not be under fed or over-fed as these may cause reproductive failures.

• Under feeding results in the loss of body weight and body condition, delays the onset of puberty,

increases the post-partum interval to conception, interferes with normal ovarian cyclicity and increases

infertility. Similarly overfeeding may also leads to similar reproductive problems.

Energy

• Energy balance is the single most important nutritional factor related to poor reproductive function in

animals.

• Reproductive functions are compromised because available energy is directed towards meeting

minimum energy reserves and milk production.

• Reducing energy intake during late gestation increases the length of postpartum anestrous and reduces

subsequent pregnancy rate.

• Excess energy intake during late lactation and the dry period may cause “fat cow” syndrome.

• High energy intake decreased duration of estrus (standing heat), increased double ovulation rate

(increased twining), decreased conception rate and increased pregnancy loss.

Protein

• Inadequate protein intake reduces reproductive performance.

• Post-partum cows are often fed with a diet containing high levels of protein (17-19 %) to meet the

energy demand.

Newsletter Date : 31st July 2014 Volume No: 3 Issue : 07

Veterinary College, Bengaluru Monthly e-Bulletin

• S e l e n i u m

toxicity may

• A diet formulated with high levels of protein may often increase the milk production, however it also is

accompanied with reduced follicular growth and ovulation, ovarian function, fertilization and embryo

development, maternal reorganization of pregnancy and implantation and thereby decreased fertility in

dairy cows.

• Supplying adequate energy in form of gur or molasses for excretion of excess ammonia or urea may

somewhat prevent decreases in fertility.

• Diets rich in crude protein can result in elevate blood and follicular fluid ammonia and urea

concentrations which can harm the ova.

• A high level of blood urea nitrogen has a toxic effect on the sperm, the ova, and the developing embryo.

• Thus, overfeeding protein should be discouraged as it is costly and wasteful.

• Feeding protein and urea so that early and late lactating cows have a diet containing 16% and 12%

protein respectively is required to optimize the fertility of the cows.

• Cows fed a well-formulated diet should have a milk urea nitrogen ( MUN )value between 11.5 and 14.0

mg/100 ml and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or MUN values >16 to 17 mg/100 ml for cows or heifers

may indicate a risk for reduced reproductive performance.

Fats

• Rations are often supplemented with fats to increase the energy intake in the early postpartum period

and to increase fertility.

• Fats have a positive effect on egg quality and can support early embryonic survival. Increasing fat in

the diet may increase levels of reproductive hormones (progesterone, estrogen, prostaglandins).

• However, exceeding these dietary fat levels (>5%) impairs rumen function.

Minerals and Vitamins

• Minerals and vitamins are key factor for all physiological processes in animals including reproduction.

• A proper mineral balance prior to calving helps cows successfully maintaining the lactation, decreasing

the incidence of metabolic disorders postpartum, increasing early lactation production and maintaining

reproductive integrity.

• Optimum levels of calcium and phosphorus is required to decrease the occurrence of milk fever.

• Phosphorus deficiency may cause decreased fertility rate, feed intake, milk production, decreased

ovarian activity, irregular estrous cycles, increased occurrence of cystic ovaries, delayed sexual

maturity and low conception rates.

• The ration containing 0.45- 0.50 % phosphorus and 0.75- 0.80 % calcium on dry matter basis should be

provided to high producing cows.

• Selenium supplementation reduces the incidence of retained placentas, cystic ovaries, mastitis and

metritis, incidence of abortions, still births and peri-parturient recumbence.

Pashubandha 2014 Volume No : 3 Issue : 01 Pashubandha 2014 Volume No : 3 Issue : 07

• Selenium toxicity may produce abortions, stillbirth and weak and lethargic calves. Diets should contain

at least 0.1 ppm selenium on a dry matter basis.

• Zinc deficiency results in development of low competent oocytes in female and poor semen quality,

reduced testicular size and libido in males. The recommended dietary content of zinc for dairy cattle is

between 18 and 73 ppm depending upon the stage of reproductive cycle and dry matter intake.

• Copper deficiency may cause early embryonic death, resorption of embryo, increased retained and

necrosis of the placenta, weak and silent heats.

• A deficiency in manganese may be associated with suppression of estrus, cyclic ovaries and reduced

conception rate.

• Reduced fertility and sub-optimal conditioning of the offspring are noted in a cobalt deficiency.

Inadequate cobalt levels in the diet increase early calf mortality. The required dietary content of cobalt

for dairy cattle is 0.11ppm.

• Iodine deficiency impairs reproduction and iodine supplementation is recommended when necessary to

insure that cows consume 15-20 mg of iodine each day.

• Chromium deficiency in lactating cows may increase the incidence of ketosis and decreased milk

production.

• Deficiency of Vitamin A can cause delayed uterine involution, delayed first estrus after calving,

delayed ovulation and increased incidence of cystic ovaries.

• Vitamin E and selenium deficiencies reduced ovulation rate, uterine motility, sperm motility and

transport, conception rate and post-partum activities, fetal membrane expulsion, embryo survival, milk

production, post natal growth.

Recommendations

• Nutrition is directly related to reproduction in the dairy cow.

• Proper balancing of energy and protein is required to ensure optimum reproductive efficiency.

• Overfeeding of protein is detrimental to reproductive performances.

• Nutrient either in deficient amount or in higher amount is capable of altering reproduction.

• Supplementation with minerals and vitamins is extremely important for optimal reproduction.


p r o d u c e

a b o r t i o n s ,

Dr. Madhukar * and Prof. H. A. Upendra#

*Assistant Professor, #The Director, Institute of Wildlife Veterinary Research, KVAFSU, Doddaluvara, Kodagu – 571232.

(E-mail: [email protected] )

• To the untrained eye, African elephants

(Loxodonta africana) and Asian

elephants (Elephas maximus) can be

indistinguishable, but there are key

physical features that make these two

species relatively easy to tell apart.

• The most noticeable physical differences

can be seen in the ears, tusks and head

shapes of the two species.

African elephants have large ears,

shaped much like the continent of Africa

itself. The larger surface area of their ears

helps to keep African elephants cool in the

blazing African sun. Asian elephants have less

to worry about heat-wise, as they tend to live

in cool jungle areas, so their ears are smaller.

Asian and African elephants have very

distinct head shapes. African elephants have

fuller, more rounded heads, and the top of

their head is a single dome. Asian elephants have a twin domed head with an indent in the middle.

The African elephant’s stomach slopes diagonally downward towards its hind legs, while the Asian

elephant’s stomach tends to be straight or sags in the middle. Similarly the back also shows a remarkable

difference, with the Asian elephant having either a

straight or slightly convex back, the African ele-

phant’s back has a concave shape.

There's another thing sets them apart:

Only male Asian elephants grow tusks and even then,

not all males will have them. In African elephants,

both sexes generally (but not always) exhibit tusks.

Beyond these larger, more noticeable details,

there are many other, smaller features that distinguish


-the two elephant species: number of toenails, how wrinkled

their skin is, the feel of their trunk, and even the shape of their

teeth.

Asian elephants carry five nails on forefoot and four on

hind foot, whereas African elephants carry four nails on forefoot

and three on hind foot.

Asian elephant’s skin is much more dynamic compared

to African elephants. Asian elephants have a smooth skin which becomes de-pigmented with age. Experts

can even estimate the age of elephants based on the degree of de-pigmentation. On the contrary, skin of the

African elephants is coarse, loose and never gets de-pigmented.

The flexibility of trunk varies between Asian

and African elephants. Asian elephants have a longer

rigid trunk with less number of rings, and single finger

at the tip. African elephants have a relatively smaller

trunk with two fingers at the tip, flexibility of which is

assisted by large number of rings. The Asian elephants

can hold objects with the trunk twice the size as

compared to African elephants; however latter has

double the grip on the objects it holds.

The shape of teeth also varies between African and Asian

elephants. While African elephants have a semi-lunar structure,

structure, Asian elephants have a elliptical arrangement of tooth

of tooth laminae.

Owing to the structure of habitat which governs the body

size, Asian elephants are significantly smaller and compact when

compared to African elephants. A male Asian elephant measures

from 2.25 to 2.75 meters whereas its African counterpart can grow up to 3.6 meters. Similarly, a female

Asian elephant grows 2.1 to 2.4 meters high, whereas an African female can average 2.3 to 2.7 meters.

These differences are reflected in their overall size and weight. For instance male and female Asian

elephants weigh 3.7-4.5 tons and 2.3 to 3.7 tons; whereas African elephants can easily weigh up to 4 tons.

Various reproductive features show remarkable differences between these species. The temporal

glands (or Musth gland), which secretes a testosterone rich tarry fluid is carried by only male Asian

elephants, whereas both the sexes of African elephants have an active temporal gland. Asian elephants

have one offspring at a time, while African elephants can give birth to twins. A female Asian elephant will

typically bear her young every three or four years, with the baby reaching complete independence at about

four years of age. On the contrary, a female African elephant will typically only bear young once every

four to nine years, and it takes up to 13 years for the baby elephant to reach complete independence.

Despite these physical differences, both species of elephant are very similar socially. Both species

of elephant are herd animals living within defined social structures. The herds are usually led by the oldest-

female, and are made up of her daughters, sisters and their offspring. Once they reach puberty, male calves

leave the mother's herd and join other young males in bachelor groups. Older males tend to be solitary.


• A diet for-

mulated with

As Asian and African elephants do not come in contact in the wild,

there has only been one incident of cross-breeding between the two species.

In 1978, at the Chester Zoo in England, the Asian elephant cow Sheba gave

birth to a calf with an African elephant bull named Jumbolino. Their calf

was named Motty, who had features of both his parents. Sadly he was

premature and died of stomach complications two weeks later.

The Asian elephant’s diet primarily consists of grass, while the

African elephant favours leaves. Although both African and Asian elephants can be trained, the Asian

elephants are gentler towards humans and are more predictable.

Asian elephants are categorised as endangered as its population is decreasing, whereas African

elephants are labelled vulnerable. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are the major threats to

Asian elephants, whereas poaching for ivory and meat have been major traditional threats to African

elephants, with habitat loss and fragmentation becoming important only recently.

The differences in African and Asian elephants have been selected to achieve adaptability to the

distinct habitats of these regions. For instance, the Asian elephants live in a hilly habitat, which would not

have been possible if it would have been bigger in size and larger in weight. Many interesting questions

remain to be answered. Like, the reason behind both the sexes of African elephants having tusks compared

to only males in Asian elephants; the need for different number of nails in these species and so on. Human

activities are also having a significant impact on these species Studies have showed that Asian elephants,

due to high pressure of hunting for larger tusks, are being selected negatively for the size of their tusks,

which is believed to lead to a reduction in their size with coming generations.

B. N. Nagaraj, A. S. Patil, R. Rathod , M. S. Vasanth and L. Ranganath

Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, Veterinary College Hebbal, Bangalore-560024; KVAFSU - Bidar; Karnataka state

(E-mail [email protected])

Vertebral fractures and luxation are a common cause of neurologic injury in cats, most frequently

because of road traffic accidents, animal attack and falling from a height. They usually occur at the

junction between stable and more mobile areas of the spine. The terminal thoracic region is most affected

followed by sacrococcygeal, lumbar and cervical.

Whether your dog has had spinal surgery due to injury or disease, it is imperative to deliver

suitable post-operative care once you bring him home. Keeping him confined to reduce movement as

much as possible, providing him with adequate food and water, checking his incision site regularly,

monitoring his waste elimination and knowing when to contact your veterinarian are essential parts of


-home medical care after spinal surgery. Following are the essential things a dog owner should know for

nursing and rehabilitation of a paralytic patient.

Crate Rest:

After spinal surgery, it is important to keep your dog as still as possible for at least three weeks.

This requires confining him to a crate, carrier or dog playpen. The enclosure should be large enough for

the dog to lie down comfortably, stand up in and turn around, but not so large that he is able to stand on his

hind legs or jump up. Your dog may whine to be let out, but don't give in. A new injury to the spine will

lengthen the recovery time or may even undo the surgical correction. If you have properly crate-trained

your dog, this confinement should not be too stressful for him, as long as you take him out two to three

times a day to eliminate waste.

Surgical Site:

The incision area should be kept clean, but removing forming scabs is not necessary. Scabs and

bruises are normal and will resolve in one to two weeks. You can relieve any discomfort and hasten the

healing process by applying hot compresses three times a day for about 10 minutes. Warm a clean, wet

washcloth in the microwave for a few seconds, testing it on your own skin for the appropriate temperature,

then press it gently against the irritated area. Check the incision site carefully (two to three times a day) for

any signs of infection. If it becomes swollen, redder, increasingly painful to the touch, or starts oozing,

contact your veterinarian right away.

Feeding and Nutrition:

A dog is usually kept overnight or longer at the veterinarian's office after spinal surgery to monitor

his readiness to return home. If, however, he is still recovering from the anesthesia when you take him

home, don't be surprised if he does not eat for a day or even two days. Offer him smaller, more frequent

meals than usual so his digestive system has time to readjust. He may be quite thirsty so provide plenty of

water. If he does not resume eating or drinking in a day or two, contact your veterinarian.

It is extremely important and enteral feeding should be

instigated in in appetent animals within 72 hours.

Oesophagostomy tubes (Fig.-1) are preferred for enteral feeding

in animals with intracranial disease, as nasogastric tubes can

cause sneezing and an associated increase in ICP. In animals with

brainstem lesions resulting in dysphagia and megaoesophagus,

gastrostomy tubes are preferred in order to prevent regurgitation

and aspiration. Feeding should be commenced slowly.

In animals that are interested in eating voluntarily, water

and food are introduced gradually in the postoperative period (small amounts every 1-2 hours) with strict

attention to the ability to swallow. Once it has been ascertained that these animals can swallow normally

without regurgitation, normal feeding routines can be resumed. Intravenous fluid therapy is necessary until

oral intake has reached recommended maintenance levels. When oral intake is reduced, supplementation

with potassium chloride (KCI) is required in order to maintain normal serum potassium levels of about


3.5-5.5 mmol/l.

Fluid therapy:

It is required in the neurological patient to ensure normovolaemia and normotension and to

minimize alterations in electrolyte and acid-base balance. Water restriction was previously thought to

decrease brain water content but it is now known that the adverse effects of this action on blood viscosity

result in decreased oxygen delivery, which stimulates vasodilation and increases cerebral blood volume

and intracranial pressure.

Elimination:

Remove your dog very gently from the crate three times a day and take him outside for waste

elimination. You may have to support him by putting your arm under him or creating a sling out of a

towel. Be patient and careful during this process. Do not move him with quick, jerky movements because

that will aggravate his healing spine. Make a note of how often and about how much he urinates. If he

does not urinate at least two times a day (or if you notice a swollen bladder or urine leaking while he is in

the crate), contact your veterinarian because urine retention will make your pet uncomfortable and may

cause damage to his bladder and kidneys. Prolonged and repeated staining with urine hastens skin

infection and also causes urine scalding. Use absorbant cotton to remove urine stains and take advantage

of gravity to provide draiage or keep the animal on a mat with holes in it.

Bladder care, infection and prevention:

The downer pet is often inefficient at keeping the bladder empty. This strongly predisposes the pet

to the development of bladder infection that can ascend to the kidney and cause very big problems.

Animals with spinal lesions at the level of the waist or higher will have excessive bladder tone (the

so-called upper motor neuron bladder). This means that the bladder will require manual expression by

pressing or squeezing. Your vet will show you how to do this. Emptying the bladder should be done a

minimum of three times daily. If the bladder is allowed to remain over-filled, it will stretch out and

become flaccid. After a couple of weeks, the upper motor neuron bladder develops into an "automatic"

bladder, which means that when it fills, it will empty on its own. If the bladder has over-stretched in the

first 2 weeks after the spinal injury, it will not be able to empty itself (Atonic bladder) when it develops the

neurologic capability to empty later on.

Spinal injuries of the lower back produce a lower motor neuron bladder, which simply leaks and

never has enough tone to fill. It is important not to assume that an animal can empty his own bladder

simply because there is urine in the bedding. The full bladder may simply be overflowing. Regular

emptying of the bladder (once in every 6-8 hours) is one of the best ways to prevent bladder infection.

If the dog is heavy or totally recumbent- Use of urinary catheters with closed collection systems

not only assists with monitoring fluid balance but also helps keep the animal comfortable and reduces the

need for manual expression of the bladder. However, this has to be balanced against the increased risk of

developing a urinary tract infection. Placement of indwelling catheters should be performed using sterile

Catheters are then attached to sterile closed collection systems.


To prevent tension on the bladder and urethra, the

collection system is bandaged to the hind limb (Fig-2).

Thermoregulation:

Animals with neuromuscular disease have an impaired

ability to thermo regulate. In cold climates, the inability to

shiver can lead to hypothermia. In hot climates, the inability to

pant adequately can lead to hyperthermia. As a result, the

temperature of these animals needs to be monitored closely at

all times.

To warm animals, passive heating with heat lamps, hot-air blankets and warmed intravenous fluids

is preferred. For small dogs and cats, incubators are also useful. Direct heat should be avoided, as poor

circulation prevents heat dissipation and can lead to serious burns.

In severely hypothermic animals (32°C), more aggressive methods of warming may be required,

including gastric lavage with warm water, warm-water enemas or peritoneal lavage with warm sterile

saline. For hypothermic animals that are also hypovolaemic or dehydrated, aggressive warming should be

avoided as warming causes peripheral vasodilation and worsening of hypovolaemia. ln these animals,

warming should be performed slowly and in conjunction with appropriate fluid therapy, as previously

discussed. Warming should cease when the rectal temperature reaches 1°C below target body temperature

(37.0°C) to prevent excessive increases in temperature and hyperthermia.

To cool animals, passive cooling with fans and the shaving of hairy dogs is generally effective. For

severe hyperthermia (>42°C), intravenous fluid therapy should be instigated. The animal can be sprayed

with cool water over the neck and medial surfaces of the upper limbs. Cooling peripherally is not

recommended as blood vessels are more prone to vasoconstriction, which predisposes to 'sludging' of the

blood and disseminated intravascular coagulation. It is important to remember that aggressive and rapid

cooling also results in peripheral vasoconstriction, which increases the risk of the animal developing

disseminated intravascular coagulation. Thus, the temperature should be monitored closely; cooling should

cease and the ani mal be dried when rectal temperature reaches 1°C above target temperature (39.5°C), to

prevent excessive reduction in body temperature and hypothermia.

Bedding:

Suitable bedding depends on the circumstances (as illustrated in

Fig. - 3).

• Animals that can maintain sternal recumbency should be on a

grate or a sling bed that allows drainage of urine away from the

animal. Such flooring and beds do not always provide adequate

padding for recumbent large-breed, thin animals. These animals

should be placed on a porous, well padded surface so that the

skin does not get moist and urine can drain away.

• If the animal is trying to rise, it is important that the floor is

non-slip and that area is confined to minimize the risk of falling.


Skin care:

The paralyzed pet will probably have some ability to drag himself or change positions somewhat

but be aware of sores developing on pressure points. Especially vulnerable areas include: elbows, ankles,

and hips. Similarly, the paralyzed pet may be very strong in the forelegs and move around with the rear

quarters dragging. This can lead to scraped skin, especially if the pet does not have sensation to the rear

limbs and cannot feel what would normally be quite painful. If sores develop, see your veterinarian for

care. Padding or bandages for these areas may be needed.

Animals with neurological diseases also develop skin problems as a result of recumbency, urinary

incontinence, sensory dysfunction and boredom (stereotypical behaviour). Problems range from mild skin

irritation to decubital ulcers, severe urine scald and self-mutilation. General skin care of the recumbent

animal involves keeping the animal clean and dry. Incontinent animals with long hair coats should be

clipped in the perineal and inguinal regions so that the underlying skin can be cared for appropriately.

However, if possible, the coat should be left over the common pressure points to provide some natural

padding. A waterproof barrier cream can be placed on clean dry skin to protect it from urine scalding.

Decubital ulcers - develop over pressure points such as the greater trochanter of the femur as a result of

prolonged periods of obstruction to the local circulation. Ulcers can develop in small as well as large dogs,

but are unusual in cats. The affected tissue undergoes ischaemic necrosis, and inconsequential lesions can

rapidly develop into large, deep ulcers as the dead tissue sloughs. Prevention of ulcers is better than cure,

and this can be achieved by:

• The regular turning of recumbent animals (every 4-6 hours)

• Pressure point massage to promote circulation every 4-6 hours

• Suitable bedding

• Daily sling-supported walking ('slinging') of recumbent animals is also important to take the weight off

the affected area. This also increases the general circulation.

Treatment of decubital ulcers includes:

• Providing appropriate bedding and pressure relief

• Clipping the hair to show the full extent of the problem

• Surgical debridement of ischaemic tissue

• The application of wound dressings to promote healing by second intention

Self-mutilation - It occurs in animals with a complete lack of sensation (i.e. deep pain negative animals),

as a result of paraesthesias, and in bored or stressed animals as a stereotypic behaviour. If an animal starts

to lick or bite a part of its body, this should be prevented by the use of an Elizabethan or bite collar. In

addition the patient should be assessed for an obvious trigger (e.g. a decubital ulcer) and treated

appropriately. The environment should be made as stimulating as possible in case the problem is a

reflection of stress and boredom.


Care of the respiratory system:

Neurological, particularly recumbent, animals are at risk of: Hypoventilation, Aspiration

pneumonia, Pulmonary atelectasis and Non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Any tetraplegic animal is at

risk of hypoventilation as a result of paralysis of the muscles of respiration. This paralysis can be a result

of lower motor neuron (e.g. botulism, polyradiculoneuritis) or upper motor neuron (e.g. cervical fracture,

atlantoaxial subluxation, brainstem disease) problems.

Physiotherapy:

Passive range of motions - Muscles are more comfortable when kept flexible. As long as there are no

dislocations or healing fractures, passive flexion and extension and light massage are good for the

paralyzed limbs. The joints of the leg are moved through the full range of natural motion and relaxed. This

is repeated for about 5 to 10 minutes two to three times daily. Massage and passive range of motion can

usually begin almost immediately after recovery from surgery. Massage should be performed in a distal to

proximal direction in order to promote venous return.

Hot packing is useful to reduce swelling, pain and muscle spasm. Hot packs should be insulated from the

animal’s skin; treatments should last 10–20 min repeated every 8–12 hr.

Sling or Towel walking a paraplegic dog by

supporting its hindquarters with a towel placed under

the abdomen just in front of the pelvic limbs. The

tail can also be used to provide support provided that it

is held at the base to avoid injury. Keep in mind that a

dog supported from the rear may be difficult to lead. A

second person steering in front may be helpful. Ask

your veterinarian to show you how to do the exercises.

The use of slings and hoists to get dogs into a normal

standing position should be attempted at least for 30

minutes twice a day (Fig. - 4), although this may not be

possible in animals that have suffered severe trauma. In

general, dogs are placed in their sling for as long as

they will tolerate it: this can range from a minute to half

an hour, depending on the stage of recovery and the individual. When the patient puts its entire

bodyweight on the sling instead of supporting it themselves or shows signs of discomfort, it should be

taken down from the sling. This walking is helpful physical therapy to keep muscles flexible and strong.

Ultrasound is another way of applying warmth to deeper tissues and is useful to prevent and treat muscle

spasm. Ultrasound is converted to heat, mainly at the bone–tissue interface; it causes little temperature rise

in superficial tissue. Intensities from 0.5 to 4 W/s are used.

Low Power, Cold Laser is also used immediately after surgery to stimulate healing by evoking an

intracellular, photochemical response; it also causes release of serotonin to provide pain relief.


Swimming in a whirlpool bath or a bathtub (Fig. - 5) is invaluable but the animal must be dried

thoroughly afterwards.

Carts - Mobility carts are especially important for the paralyzed dog that is strong in the front legs

(Fig.- 6). A dog with a strong upper body will be able to run and exercise in a cart, which is not only

healthy but psychologically good as well. Carts are fitted according to specific measurements. The use of

cart to get dogs into a normal standing position should be attempted at least for 30 minutes twice a day.

Care of the downer dog requires commitment and dedication. If the dog is too big for one person to

move, the effort needed is that much more. Still, for the right dog and human family, paralysis need not

interrupt the bond.

M.A.Kshama and A.Muralidhara Dept. of TVCC, Veterinary College, Bangalore, KVAFSU

(E-mail id:[email protected]) The Doberman Pinscher is among the most common of pet breeds, well known for its

intelligence, alertness, and loyalty, originally developed around 1890 by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann,

a tax collecttook him through many bandit-infested areas.or from Germany.

Doberman Pinschers were first bred in the town of Apolda, in

the German state of Thuringia around 1890, following the

Franco-Prussian War by one, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann.

These dogs helped him in the dangerous role of local tax collection,

and he ran the Apolda dog pound. With access to dogs of many

breeds, he aimed to create a breed that would be ideal for protecting

him during his collections that took him through many

bandit-infested areas. He set out to breed a new type of dog that

would be the perfect combination of strength, speed, endurance, loyalty, intelligence and ferocity.


Later, Otto Göller and Philipp Gruenig continued to develop the breed to become the dog that is

seen today. The breed is believed to have been created from several different breeds of dogs that had the

characteristics that Dobermann was looking for, including the German Pinscher, the Beauceron,

the Rottweiler, the Thuringian Sylvan Dog, the Greyhound, the Great Dane, the Weimaraner, the German

Shorthaired Pointer, the Manchester Terrier and the Old German Shepherd Dog. After Dobermann's death

in 1894, the Germans named the breed Dobermann-pinscher in his honor, but a half century later dropped

the 'pinscher' on the grounds that this German word for terrier was no longer appropriate. The British did

the same a few years later. During World War II, the United States Marine Corps adopted the Doberman

Pinscher as its official War Dog, although the Corps did not exclusively use this breed in the role.

Description

The Doberman Pinscher male weighs about 34-41 kgs and female

weighs about 27-36 kgs. The males reach a height of 68 cms and females

about 63 cms. Their average life span is about 10-13 years. It is a

medium sized, squarely built dog with compact, muscular body. The head

is long and when viewed from the side looks like a blunt wedge. The

top of the skull is flat and turns into the muzzle with a slight stop. The

color of the nose depends on the color of the dog’s coat i.e. black on

black black dogs, dark brown on red dogs, dark grey on blue dogs and

dark tan on fawn dogs. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The color of the

almond shaped eyes is various shades of brown depending on the coat

color of the dog. The ears are cropped (cut at the age of about 12 weeks- controversial now, banned in

several countries) and stand erect. The pups ears have to be taped for a couple of months to make them

stand up. A lot of breeders and dog owners are now leaving the ears natural which develop into ears

resembling that of a hound and is partially drooping. The tail is docked at

about 3 days of age which is again not advocated these days and if

allowed to grow naturally, develops similar to that of a hound. The chest

is broad and the legs are perfectly straight. The coat is short, hard, thick

and glossy and sometimes there is a gray undercoat at the neck region.

They come in different colors like black, black with tan, red and fawn.

There is also said to be a solid white color. When markings appear, they

are above each eye, on the muzzle, throat, fore chest, legs, feet and tail.

White markings if present are considered a fault in some clubs but are

accepted in others.

Temperament

Doberman Pinschers are super energetic with tremendous strength and stamina. They are not suited

to kennel or backyard life and need to be with people. They need constant human interaction and

leadership. They are tolerant, loyal, dedicated and affectionate with the family and determined, bold and

assertive while working. They are also very adaptable, highly skilled, versatile, intelligent and very easy to

to train. They are said to be outstanding as guard dogs and watch dogs and do not require additional


-protection training. However this breed is not suited for everyone and needs an owner who is able to

display a natural authority over the dog. All the members of the family should be firm, confident and

consistent in setting rules and sticking to them. Otherwise they can become stubborn and wilful if allowed

to have their own way. They require mental stimulation and a lot of daily exercise to be happy and content

and they should be socialized right from puppyhood. Though they have a reputation of being very

aggressive dogs, this is not true and happens only when they are not handled with authority. In fact, they

are said to make great therapy dogs, being sweet and gentle with patients.

Issues regarding health

The Doberman may suffer from a number of health concerns.

Common serious health problems include dilated cardiomyopathy,

Cervical Vertebral Instability (CVI), cervical spondylitis (wobbler

syndrome), Von Willebrand's disease (a genetic bleeding

disorder) and prostatic diseases. Other common less serious health

c o n c e r n s i n c l u d e h y p o t h y r o i d i s m a n d h i p

dysplasia. Canine compulsive disorder is also common.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of death

in Doberman Pinschers. This disease affects Dobermans more than any other breed. This serious disease is

likely to be fatal in most Doberman Pinschers affected. Across multiple studies, more than half of the

Doberman Pinschers studied develop the condition. Following diagnosis, the average non-Doberman

has an expected survival time of 8 months whereas for Doberman Pinschers, the expected survival time is

less than 2 months. Although the causes for the disease are largely unknown, there is evidence that it is a

familial disease inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Dr.Shrikant Dodamani, Dr.Shankar Bhajantri, Dr.Naveen Kumar.G.S, Dr Sunilkumar.M.A, & Dr.Shranabasava Badami Dept. of AGB, Veterinary College, Hassan, Karnataka (E-mail: [email protected]) Introduction

The famous medicinal book written during the Ming Dynasty titled “Compendium of Materia

Medica” says that "Taihe Old Chicken is a tonic and nourishing food to treat women's diseases.”It

enriches blood and builds up the health". It means that the usage of various species of poultry have been

used for medicinal purpose because of their high nutritive and medicinal values. Properties of egg and

meat of different poultry species viz, chicken, turkey, emu, duck and ostrich have been widely used in

preparation of medicines that are helpful in improving health status of human beings.


Medicinal importance of chicken

An egg contains 9gm of high quality protein which has all the essential nine amino acids &

carotenoids content in egg has lutein and zeaxanthin that prevents macular degeneration and lowers the

risk of developing cataract, regular consumption of egg prevents blood clotting. Choline in egg prevents

nervous and cardiovascular disorders, sulfur in egg improves hair and nail growth. Egg consumption by

women prevents the risk of breast cancer.

Chicken meat is often used in the treatment of chronic disease in human beings and it is

considered as an aphrodisiac, has special medicinal value in homeopathy in preventing nervous

disorder.Chicken contains certain hormones, blue pigment and amino acids required by the human body

and are considered to be very useful to increase blood cells. Presently there are abundant clinical

experiences indicating chicken meat being effectively used in treatment of woman's ailments like sterility,

menoxenic (abnormal menstruation), habitual abortion, blood leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia, and sickness

after giving birth to offspring. This meat is also know to be useful in curing of pulmonary problems –

tuberculosis (TB), heart diseases, neurasthenia (a condition of nervous debility supposed to be dependent

upon impairment in the functions of the spinal cord), and osteomalacia in children.

Medicinal importance of Ducks

The protein found in eggs is of a higher quality than the protein found in meat and fish. The high

protein white of a duck egg averages only about 21 calories and has no fat or cholesterol, making it an

excellent diet food. There are nutrients in eggs that are beneficial in preventing macular degeneration,

which is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly ones. Eggs are rich in choline which is helpful in

pregnancy& fetal brain development.

Duck egg helps preventing varicosity of blood vessels/haemorrhoidal veins in the rectum of

humans having piles.

Medicinal importance of Quails

In children consumption of egg either cooked or raw for their physical and mental balance helps in

improving the IQ, stimulates growth and metabolism rate, regenerates nerves and central nervous system.

In adults quail eggs help renewing the state of health and brings the body to equilibrium, combats the

degenerative process and rejuvenates the body, revives memory and protects nerve cells, improves sexual

potency, reinforces organs weakened by physical work or stress, fortifies the body. Quail eggs also

improve the quality of breast milk. The consumption of quail eggs by HIV AIDS patients improves CD4.

Consumption of quail meat is helpful in treatment of allergic conditions like Asthama, skin rashes,

Eczema, conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis, gastric ulcers, poor digestion and excess secretions of stomach

acids and in treatment of liver diseases, renal diseases, circulatory diseases (anemia and arterial

hypertension), metabolic diseases (gouts, obesity and diabetes), nervous diseases (neurasthenics).


high levels

of protein


Medicinal importance of Turkey

Turkey meat is rich in nutrition with the characteristics of high protein, low fat, low cholesterol

content. Turkey meat contains a variety of aminoacids, methionine and lysine were higher than of other

meat. Meat contains vitamin E (tocopherol), the substance which helps to maintain normal function of cells

and hematopoietic activity, with anti-aging property and improves the human immune function & it also

contains B vitamins, an important component of many enzymes, and prevents the neurological disorders.

Often eating turkey meat on hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease have

shown preventive effects. Cholesterol is contained in turkey meat is the lowest of all other poultry species

helping the patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Medicinal importance of Emu

Emu oil has good moisturizing and significant epidermal proliferative activity and widely used in

many moisturizing creams, used in preparation of anti obesity drugs as it is an potent Cholesterol reducer.

It is believed to be an excellent bacteriostatic agent, and hence used in the treatment of wounds as an

healing agent which promotes faster healing of burns with less pain and reduces scarring. It has good

anti-arthritic activity.

Medicinal importance of Ostrich

Ostrich oil has been used extensively in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical Industries. This oil is very

high in essential fatty acids, omega 3, 6 and 9 and is completely non-comedogenic (will not clog pores).

Because the molecules are almost identical to human skin and are even smaller than the molecules in

human skin, the oil is quickly absorbed and does not sit on top of the skin as do so many moisturizers. Oil

is said to be of great use to treat burns, bedsores, eczema, insect bites, skin rashes and dry skin. Ostrich oil

has been found to be both anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal. Because ostrich oil is anti-inflammatory, it

can be used for conditions such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and even gouty arthritic joints.

The researchers say & they strongly believe that the ostrich egg may be an excellent antibody

source for industrial and medical purposes, and that their study results suggest that the use of ostrich

antibody-impregnated filters might be a powerful way to prevent the transmission of H1N1.

In addition to their meat, skin and feathers of ostriches are being explored for medicinal purposes.

The tendons of the ostrich leg are used to replace torn tendons in humans as they are long and strong

enough for the human leg, and recent research in ophthalmology points to the possible use of ostrich eyes

in cornea transplants. Ostriches are able to see clearly for over 12 km, and the cornea is large enough to be

trimmed down to fit the human eye. Furthermore, the ostrich brain produces a substance that is being

studied for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Ostrich nails are used in

impotency medicine.


Siddhartha S.Pathak*, Prasoon S*, Malathi, V*.Venkatareddy, K *and Mohankumar, S**

*Dept. of Poultry Science and ** Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education

(E-mail: [email protected])

All birds are susceptible to infestation by external parasites. In fact, diseases and parasites are the

chief hindrances to the success in raising poultry. Most common health problems can be avoided through

preventative management; nevertheless, sooner or later every flock experiences its share of maladies.

External parasites in large commercial poultry flocks have been almost eliminated due to the bird’s limited

contact with wild birds and other parasite vectors. In small flocks it is more difficult to control contact

with wild birds and rodents that may be carrying external parasites that can infest chickens. The poultry

farmer must be ever vigilant in monitoring the condition of the flock. The most common external parasites

effecting poultry are: Mites, lice, Fleas, Ticks

1.Mites: a) Scaly Leg Mites: Scaly leg mites (Knemidocoptes mutans) live and burrow into the skin of

bird’s legs and causes scales disfiguring crusts and scabs to form.

Clinical signs: Chicken suffering from mite infestation show thick scaly

legs. Severe infestation may result in lameness and disfiguration of the

feet.

Control: Scaly leg mites are difficult to treat. Soften the scales in water,

then scrub them off and treat the legs with kerosene, mineral oil, Vaseline

or an insecticide. This procedure should be repeated at least thrice weekly. If this procedure do not control

the situation, then cull the bird.

b) Skin mites: Skin mites (Epidermoptes bilobatus) are tiny (about 1 mm long), fast-moving, dark para-

sites. They are commonly seen in less feathered parts such as under wings or head. There are several types

of mites. Species like Dermanyssus gallinae hide in nests or cracks in the buildings where birds are living

and emerge to suck blood only at night whereas, species such as Ornithonyssus bursa and O. sylviarum

remain in the bird. Skin mites can live up to 8 months without a blood meal.

Clinical signs: Birds look irritated and emaciated, Fall in egg production, Damaged feathers and feather

loss, Paleness of skin, comb and wattles due to blood loss, Severely infested chicks may die.

Fig. Leg infestation


Control: Liming of the floor. One must ensure that lime reaches all the cracks and crevices on the floor as

well as walls and following general control measures.

2.Lice: Lice are wingless insects with dorso-ventrally flattened bodies, broadly

rounded heads, light yellowish-brown, cigar-shaped parasites of various sizes

that can be found all over the body on the feathers. They stay permanently on

the bird, and their small greyish eggs are attached in clusters to the feathers.

Most lice feed on feathers but some species suck blood. Many species of lice

can affect the skin of birds usually without feather damage. Eggs are laid on

feathers. Lice are larger than mites and are usually apathogenic although they

may cause a mild pruritis.

Clinical signs: Damaged feathers, dull plumage, Birds look irritated if the infestation is severe., Pruritis.

Control: The general control measures for external parasites should be followed.

3.Fleas: The most common flea found on chickens in tropical and subtropical areas is the “stick-fast

flea” (Echidnophaga gallinacea), a small, dark parasite that clumps in clusters

to the skin mainly around the eyes. The eggs and young ones of the flea are

found in the surroundings of the birds, where they feed on dry blood, faeces or

other organic material. Adult fleas stay on the bird permanently and feed on

blood. Fleas can survive without blood for several weeks.

Clinical signs: Restlessness, scratching of the eyes, Paleness of skin, comb

and wattles due to blood loss., Crusted skin lesions., Severely infested chicks

may die.

Control: Kerosene, paraffin or petroleum jelly should be applied to the lesions. Within a short period, the

fleas will die. Dead fleas might remain attached to the chicken for several days or even weeks. Brooding

hens should be kept free from fleas to prevent infestation of young chicks.

4. Ticks: Ticks are Oval flattened when fasting, round after eating, brownish or bluish, blood-sucking

parasites that can be seen on the skin and on few feathers, such as the head and under the wings. They live

in cracks, nest boxes etc. Nymphs (larvae) usually feed at night. Nymphs can

survive without blood upto 15 months, whereas the adult ticks can survive for

more than 4 years. Argas persicus – the fowl tick can affect many bird spe-

cies by causing blood loss and is a vector (Borrelia anserina) for avian

spirochaetes, the cause of tick fever. In tropical areas they can be the most

important ectoparasites of poultry.

Fig. Cluster of Lice on the tip of feathers

Fig. Cluster of fleas around the eyes

Fig. Argas persicus

Contact :

Dept of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education

Veterinary College, Hebbal Bangalore

email: [email protected]

Blog: pashubandhavch.blogspot.in

monthly e-Bulletin

Published and circulated by Veterinary College, Hebbal Bengaluru

Editor: Associate Editior:

Dean, Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bengaluru Head, Dept of Vety & Animal Husbandry Extension Education

Dr.S.Yathiraj (Ex-Officio) Dr.K.Satyanarayana (Ex-Officio)

• PELVIC

Clinical signs: Birds look irritated and emaciated., drop in egg production, paleness of skin, comb and

wattles due to blood loss.

Control: Follow the general control measures for external parasites.

General control measures: Regularly and thoroughly cleaning of the sheds and the nests.

• Overcrowding of the houses to be avoided.

• Use of smoke to fumigate sheds and nests regularly.

• Spreading ash or lime on the floors and walls of the sheds and nests.

• Carbaryl chemical treatment; treating the floors, walls, nest boxes, and the birds simultaneously.

• Severe lice or mite infestations can be treated initially with pyrethrin-based medicated spray on the

birds to reduce the initial numbers.

• Allow the chickens to bathe in fire ash.

• Routine examination of birds for signs of infestation.

Points to be remembered: All birds must be treated at a time.

• Apply insecticidal spray or powder to the nests and the chicken house as well, since ticks, some mites

and fleas do not live constantly on the bird.

• Repeat the treatment weekly. (Insecticides do not kill the eggs of mites).

• Use of Organophosphorous compounds, Deltamethrin etc.


jul2014

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