Browsing by Author "Baby, P G"

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Clinical investigations on parasitic anaemia in cattle
(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Rani Gopinath, V; Baby, P G
The study “Clinical investigations on parasitic anaemia in cattle” was conducted in 50 cattle with clinical signs suggestive of anaemia. Out of the 50 animals screened 41 turned to be positive for parasites thus recording an incidence of 85 per cent for parasitic anemia. The parasitic etiology included haemoparasites, intestinal helminths and ectoparasites. Haemoparasites recorded the highest incidence rate of 78 per cent followed by intestinal helminthes (19 per cent) and ectoparasites (2.5 per cent). Anaemia due to ectoparasites was found to be least significant and was found to be pathogenic only in calves if present in large numbers. All animals were subjected to detailed clinical examination and all parameters under study viz; signalment, history, physical examination, haematology, serum biochemistry and treatment response were carried out. The data obtained were analyzed statistically. Anaemia due to intestinal helminthes was observed mostly in young calves while haemoparasites infection dominated in adult animals. Cases of anaplasmosis, and babesiosis were observed in calves below 15 days of age indicating possibility of transplacental transmission. Ectoparasites were found to cause anaemia in young calves when present in large numbers Clinical manifestations of anaemia included pallor of visible mucous membranes, exaggeration of respiration, anorexia, production depression in milch animals etc. Clinical pathology revealed reduction of packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte count. The erythrocyte indices were within the normal range indicating normocytic normochromic anaemia. No significant changes were recorded in the mean values of thrombocyte count and total leukocyte count. Differential count revealed eosinophilic response in haemoparasite infection. Reduction in lymphocyte count was also recorded in haemoparasites infection. Serum total protein and serum albumin levels recorded a considerable decrease in the affected groups. Serum globulin and AG ratio did not show any significant changes. Serum glucose level was decreased drastically especially in group I animals. Serum bilirubin levels were significantly increased in group I animals which was due to increased erythrocyte destruction. Oxytetracyclines were used in treatment of anaplasmosis, theileriosis and ehrlichiosis. Diminazene aceturate was indicated in cases of babesiosis. Cases of strongyloides were treated by ivermectin administration. Albendazole was found effective in trichuris infection and oxyclosanide produced better clinical cure in amphistome infection. Apart from specific drugs, supportive therapy in the form of intravenous fluids, haematinics and vitamin supplements were given. Oral haematinics were found to be economical and effective. After treatment although the haematological values came to normal levels, significant decrease from control group was observed in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte count. This was attributed to the lag period occurring for the normalization of these parameters. Thus treatment was found to be effective with good clinical response and haematobiochemical parameters returning to normal levels. But few deaths were recorded. This could be due to the severity of infection which was evident from the drastic reduction in the haematological parameters
Clinico-therapeutic studies on mycotic dermatitis of dogs
(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Vinu David, P; Baby, P G
Incidence of mycotic dermatitis among the total canine cases presented at the University Veterinary ,Hospitals, Kokkalai and Mannuthy for a period from September 1996 to August 1998 was found to be 5.13 per cent. Among the total dermatological disorders 28.72 per cent had mycotic dermatitis. Age, breed and sex wise incidence were collected. This showed an increased incidence in adult dogs, mostly in German Shepherds and that too in females. Detailed clinical examination revealed scaliness, alopecia, pruritus and erythema in all cases. Lesions were r:' mainly localized, extremely variable in configuration and majority were distributed on head and limbs. Skin scrapings collected and examined under microscope showed the presence of ectothrix arrangement of fungal spores. Mean total and differential count of leukocytes were found to be within the normal range for all cases. A total of four dermatophytes and 17 non-dermatophytes were isolated by fungal culture. Dermatophytes isolated were three Microsporum gypseum and one Trichophyton mentagrophytes spp. Non-dermatophytes isolated were eight Penicillium, six Aspergillus and three Rhizopus spp. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests on the fungal isolates obtained showed a high sensitivity to cinnamon oil at a dilution of 1 in 10, followed by ketoconazole at 20 ~g and Sphaeranthus indicus extract at 50 mg concentrations. Response to treatment trials conducted on dogs with mycotic dermatitis using ketoconazole o i.nt.ment; showed therapeutic response in five out of seven cases. No response was noticed in dogs even after the course of tr~atment with S. indicus extract. Complete recovery was noticed in all animals treated with cinnamon oil.
Clinico-therapeutic study of ruminal lactic acidosis in goats
(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Anil Thachil, J; Baby, P G
Twelve goats with history and symptoms suggestive of ruminal acidosis were divided into two groups (I and 11). Six healthy goats were also served as controls. Detailed clinical examination, recording of clinical data, sampling and analysis of rumen liquor and blood were done at zero hour, one hour, 12 h, 24 h, 48 hand 72 h of the study. Therapeutic management of group I was done by giving five per cent sodium bicarbonate solution intravenously at a dose rate of 5 ml / kg ; whereas in group 11 it was replaced with a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (carbicarb) intravenously at a dose rate of 4 ml / kg. Animals of group I and 11 were given dexamethasone 20 mg intravenously, evacuated rumen contents and given .. magnesium hydroxide and oxytetracycline orally. Supportive treatments were done with fluids, vitamin B complex inj ection daily and transfer of fresh rumen liquor on second or third day in both groups. The clinical signs noticed were anorexia, dullness, low carriage of head, dry muzzle, sunken eyes, tending of skin, oliguria, distended abdomen, cold extremities and retracted eye balls. There was improvement in the pulse quality and also considerable reduction in respiratory rate noticed in animals of group 11 than in group I at 24 h of .treatment. In both groups, the rumen liquor colour, odour, consistency and protozoal motility became normal, SAT and MBRT showed improvement and elevated rumen liquor lactic acid became normal by 72 h. Elevated haemoglobin, PCV, TEC, TLC and neutrophilia also became normal. Improvement in serum bicarbonate level was marked in group 11 than in group I at 24 hand 48 h of treatment. Serum lactic acid showed significant increase at zero hour in group I and 11, but came to normal in group 11 at 72 h, but not in group I. Elevated serum protein level at zero hour also came to normal. Clinical assessment throughout the study revealed that all animals of group 11 appeared more alert and active and recovered earlier than in group I.
Effect of trisodium citrate in the treatement of mastitis in cattle
(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Sindhu, O K; Baby, P G
A study was conducted in the Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, for a period of three semesters during the year 2002 and 2003, to assess the efficacy of oral administration oftri- sodium citrate as therapeutic agent in subclinical mastitis of cattle and as a supportive treatment along with antibiotic in clinical mastitis of cattle and to evaluate the levels of pH, citric acid, calcium, lactose and chloride in milk of cattle affected with mastitis. Twenty cases of subclinical mastitis and fifteen cases of clinical mastitis were utilized for the study. Subclinical mastitis cases were divided in to three groups and clinical mastitis cases divided into two groups based on the therapeutic trial adopted. Gram positive cocci were isolated from cases in which the milk appeared white, cream, slight yellow or yellow coloured with fine clots or flakes. Gram negative coccobacilli were isolated from cases in which the milk appeared straw or yellow coloured watery milk with clots or without clots. Gram positive cocci were isolated from majority of the subclinical and clinical mastitis cases than the gram negative coccobacilli. Gram positive cocci were, highly sensitive to enrofloxacin, cephotaxime and ciprofloxacin. Gram negative coccobacilli were highly sensitive to chloramphenicol, trimethoprim, gentamicin, Enrofloxacin, Cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin. The pH and chloride levels of the affected quarter milk in subclinical and clinical mastitis cases before the treatment showed significant increase compared to the nonaffected quarter milk values. These values showed significant decrease to normal level on post treatment. The mean values of citric acid, lactose and calcium levels of the affected quarter milk in subclinical and clinical mastitis cases before the treatment, showed significant decrease before treatment when compared to the nonaffected quarter milk values. These values significantly increased and reached normal levels after treatment. Oral administration of tri-sodium citrate was found to be effective in treating subclinical mastitis cases. All the biochemical parameters of milk came to normal level in all cases in the trisodium citrate alone treated group by sixth day of treatment and also the increase in milk production after the treatment was slightly better in this group. Oral administration of tri-sodium citrate along with antibiotic was found to be effective in managing clinical mastitis cases. 100 percent bacteriological cure was observed in this group whereas only 75per cent bacteriological cure observed in the other group.
Investigation on sudden death in pigs
(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Manjusha, A; Baby, P G
Study of “Investigation on sudden death in pigs’’ was conducted in pigs from various pig farms in Kerala, where cases of sudden death were reported. In these farms around 12.4 per cent of the total pigs were lost due to sudden death. Post mortem examination were carried out in six animals. Clinical materials were collected from the forty-five contact animals and six apparently healthy control animals. Occurrences of sudden death were common in three to six month old piglets. Most of the animals died without any premonitory clinical signs. All these animals were fed with uncooked swill mainly containing chicken waste. Some of the contact animals showed clinical signs like elevated temperature, congested mucous membranes and diarrhoea. On cultural examination of the samples from the two farms growth of the gram-negative organisms were obtained. Transmission of these organisms to these pigs may be from the uncooked swill fed to them. On antibiotic sensitivity testing cefotaxime and ceftriaxone were found to be effective against these organisms. Leukocytoses with neutrophilia were observed in animals of group III where as normal leukogram observed in animals of group II. Serum biochemical studies revealed an elevated level of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransaminase in animals without any obvious clinical sign of illness, indicating involvement of heart in the pathological condition. Animals with obvious clinical signs of illness revealed an elevated level of lactate dehydragenase, indicating damage of the tissues. Gross pathology on post mortem revealed lesions in heart, liver, brain, lymph nodes and kidney. Haemorrhages in the heart were the major findings. Prominent histopathological changes were noticed in heart and brain. Heart showed varying degrees of inflammation, degeneration and necrosis. Stomach, intestine, lung, liver and kidney also showed pathological changes. For all the animals under study supplementation of mineral mixture containing vitamin E and Selenium were advised. Animals with clinical signs of illness were treated with cefotaxime. It prevented further mortality in these farms.
Investigations on etio-pathology of vomiting in dogs
(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Muraly, P; Baby, P G
The study "INVESTIGATIONS ON ETIO-PATHOLOGY OF VOMITING IN DOGS" was conducted in 20 dogs to evaluate ultrasonography and radiography as diagnostic tools in vomiting dogs; to assess hydration status, electrolyte and acid-base balance in vomiting dogs and to correlate clinico-pathologic findings with radiographic and ultrasonographic changes. Various parameters such as history, physical examination, hydration status, ultrasonography, radiography-plain and contrast, haematology, serum biochemistry, and wherever possible histopathology were studied. Most of the dogs under study had bile stained watery vomitus but dogs with pyloric stenosis had frothy or watery white vomitus. The frequency of vomiting in dogs with gastritis and gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction was two to seven times per day, it was variable in dogs with hepatic and renal disorders, but was associated with food intake in dogs with pyloric stenosis. Physical examination was found useful in dogs with GI obstruction, while it was non-specific in dogs with gastritis and renal disorders. Capillary refill time (CRT) and degree of sunken eye balls were helpful to assess dehydration. Estimation of volume of packed red cells (VPRC) was found beneficial to assess dehydration unless the dogs are anemic. Ultrasonography could not identify any lesions in dogs with gastritis, but was useful to detect GI obstructions due to pyloric stenosis, intussusception and foreign body and to characterise lesions in the parenchymal organs like liver and kidney. While plain radiographs could give indication to possible non-radiopaque GI obstructions, contrast radiography was required to confirm. Radiography could not identify any lesions in dogs with gastritis, hepatic and chronic intestitial nephritis. Hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis was the significant electrolyte and acid-base derangement in dogs with vomiting due to gastritis and GI obstructions.
Metabolic profile of hypogalactic cows
(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Reena George; Baby, P G
A study of the metabolic profile of hypogalactic dairy cows under field conditions was undertaken. Thirty cases of hypogalactic cows were selected and utilised for the study. Similarly, six healthy dairy cows maintained under identical environmental and managemental conditions constituted the control group. Samples of blood, urine and milk were collected and analysed for various parameters according to standard methods. Data collected from the hypogalactic dairy cows indicated a high incidence in animals of third parity which were around four to five years of age. The clinical data were within normal limits. Haemoglobin was decreased indicating a mild anaemia. Biochemically, serum glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and calcium showed a significant decrease. Blood ketone body levels and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels showed significant increase. Serum magnesium and phosphorus levels did not vary significantly. The metabolic profile of hypogalactic animals revealed that hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, hypoproteinemia and subclinical ketosis may be the possible causes of hypogalactia.
Studies on non-specific anorexa in cattle
(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1989) Baby, P G; Alikutty, K M
Non – specific anorexia as a peculiar clinical syndrome in cattle was observed for the last one and a half decades in Kerala. Sample survey on the incidence of this syndrome was conducted through the selected veterinary hospitals in the field and of the Kerala Agricultural University. During the period of 1978 – 1982, anorexia syndrome in cattle constituted 10.95 per cent of the total and 32.30 per cent of their digestive disorders. The incidence of the syndrome was also noted high during the months of November to April every year. Ten apparently healthy cattle maintained under identical conditions of feeding and management at the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy were selected at random and used as the control animals (Group I) for this study. Twenty selected clinical cases of non – specific anorexia presented at the University Hospital, Mannuthy were divided into groups of ten each (Group II and GroupIII) and utilized for these investigations. Course of the disease was followed and samples of rumen liquor and blood were collected and analysed on the first, third and fifth days of their admission in the clinic. Inappetance, mucopurulent nasal discharge, dryness of the muzzle, followed by peeling of its epithelium, constipation or diarrhea, weakness, emaciation and also marked reduction in milk yield in the lactating animals were the clinical manifestations noted in the affected animals. Their rectal temperature was normal, pulse weak and rapid, respiration normal but sometimes labored and visible mucous membranes were pale or became icteric in the later stages of the disease. Rate of rumen motility was reduced and feeble in strength with rumination remaining suspended. Animals of group II were given conventional therapy comprising oral administration of alksline stomachics. Animals of group III were given 25 per cent dextrose solution and vitamin B – complex with liver extract parenterally and stomachics orally on the first, third and fifth days of their admission in the clinic. Rumen liquor of animals of groups II and III was light yellow, olive green or greenish in colour, aromatic / offensive in odour and thick/thin in consistency on the first day of observation. Protozoal motility was poor (+) to vigorous (+++) and sedimentation activity time was prolonged significantly on the first day. The mean pH of the rumen Liquor of these animals was not significantly different from that of the healthy group. Increase in the ammonia nitrogen level and decrease in total volatile fatty acids concentration in the rumen liquor observed on the first day were significant. Blood glucose, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio in the serum were changed significantly in animals with non – specific anorexia. Significant changes observed in the above parameters in group II animals were further enhanced on third and fifth days of observation. In group III animals, a decrease in the ammonia nitrogen level and increase in the total volatile fatty acids concentration in the rumen liquor observed on the third and fifth day of admission in the clinic was statistically significant. Blood glucose, albumin – globulin ratio in the serum were also increased significantly in group III animals on fifth day. Following modified line of therapy the animals of group III became normal within three to five days. Clinical improvement was indicated by increased appetite, revival of rumen motility and rumination and also increased milk yield in the lactating animals. Decrease in the ammonia nitrogen level and increase in the total volatile fatty acids concentration in the rumen liquor of group III animals were significant on fifth day of therapy. Increase in blood glucose, albumin, albumin ratio in the serum were also found to be statistically significant on the fifth day. The changes in the blood glucose, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and albumin – globulin ratio in the serum indicated hepatic insufficiency possibly responsible for the anorexia developed in the diseased animals. The modified line of therapy was found to be superior to conventional therapy for the clinical management of non – specific anorexia in cattle.