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This study was conducted for evaluation of relative efficacy of hypertonic saline (HSS) and isotonic saline (ISS) solutions in neonatal diarrhea associated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) in buffalo calves. For this purpose, neonatal diarrhea was induced in 24 healthy male buffalo calves through oral administration of eneteropathogenic E. coli (K99). After 12 h of successful induction of diarrhea, the calves were randomly divided into two equal groups viz. A and B (n=12 each). Group A was treated with ISS @ 90 mL/kg body weight (BW), while calves of group B were administered HSS @ 4 mL/kg BW. Both groups were additionally treated with ceftiofur HCl and flunixin meglumine @ 6 and 2 mg/kg BW, IM, respectively. The relative efficacy of two treatments was evaluated on the basis of clinical parameters, hematological analyses, hemodynamic parameters, blood gas analyses and serum electrolytes. All parameters were recorded at baseline (before induction of diarrhea), during diarrhea, t=1, t=3, t=6, t=12, t=24 and t=36 h after treatment. The calves treated with HSS (group B) resuscitated from neonatal diarrhea more rapidly (within 24 h) and effectively than ISS (group A) and showed significant (P < 0.05) improvement. At t=24 h, values for mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure and arterial oxygen delivery were 108.6±9.8 and 116.3±14.2, 12±1.4 and 15.5±1.5 and 69.3±3.3 and 85.5±3.7 in groups A and B, respectively. Calves of group B also experienced decrease in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration as well as increases in blood pH, bicarbonate concentration and serum electrolytes. On the basis of findings of this study, it was concluded that HSS offsets deleterious hemodynamic effects of hypovolemia, improves oxygenation, corrects metabolic acidosis and increases survival in E. coli associated neonatal diarrhea of buffalo calves which makes it more practical and economical alternative to the use of large volumes of isotonic saline solution for use in field settings. © 2015 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was planned to investigate the prevalence of streak canal and intramammary infections in buffaloes and cows lacking any mastitis control program and to determine the contemporaneous association between streak canal and intramammary infections in these two dairy species. Streak canal swab and quarter foremilk samples were collected aseptically from 20 lactating mastitis free cows and buffaloes each in their first 2 months of second to third lactation and subjected to microbiological examination as per standard procedures. Isolates were speciated using commercially available kits. Contemporaneous association was defined as co-occurrence of a specific microorganism in streak canal swab and quarter foremilk sample of a particular teat simultaneously. The prevalence of streak canal infections as well as intramammary infections was higher in cows (91.25% and 55%, respectively) than in dairy buffaloes (73.75%, and 22.5%, respectively). Of the 78 isolates recovered from streak canal swab samples of buffaloes, Staphylococcus aureus (n=18; 23.07%) was the most predominant organism followed by S. choromogenes (n=14), E. coli (n= 6), unidentified esculin positive Streptococcus spp. (n=5). S. aureus (n=34) was the most frequent isolate recovered from the streak canals of cows followed by S. choromogenes (n=11), S. hyicus (n=8), Escherichia coli (n=8). In terms of frequency of isolation, S. aureus was the most predominant organism (n=6) recovered quarter foremilk samples of buffaloes followed by unidentified coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. (n=3), Trueperella pyogenes (Corynebacterium pyogenes; n=3), unidentified Trueperella spp. and mixed species (n=3). In the case of dairy cows, predominant organism recovered from quarter foremilk samples included S. aureus (n=13), Streptococcus agalactiae (n=4), yeast (n=4) and mixed species (n=4). Recovery of 44 and 27 isolates, respectively in cows and buffaloes was common to both streak canal swab and quarter foremilk samples (contemporaneous association). © 2015 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was planned to investigate the prevalence of streak canal and intramammary infections in buffaloes and cows lacking any mastitis control program and to determine the contemporaneous association between streak canal and intramammary infections in these two dairy species. Streak canal swab and quarter foremilk samples were collected aseptically from 20 lactating mastitis free cows and buffaloes each in their first 2 months of second to third lactation and subjected to microbiological examination as per standard procedures. Isolates were speciated using commercially available kits. Contemporaneous association was defined as co-occurrence of a specific microorganism in streak canal swab and quarter foremilk sample of a particular teat simultaneously. The prevalence of streak canal infections as well as intramammary infections was higher in cows (91.25% and 55%, respectively) than in dairy buffaloes (73.75%, and 22.5%, respectively). Of the 78 isolates recovered from streak canal swab samples of buffaloes, Staphylococcus aureus (n=18; 23.07%) was the most predominant organism followed by S. choromogenes (n=14), E. coli (n= 6), unidentified esculin positive Streptococcus spp. (n=5). S. aureus (n=34) was the most frequent isolate recovered from the streak canals of cows followed by S. choromogenes (n=11), S. hyicus (n=8), Escherichia coli (n=8). In terms of frequency of isolation, S. aureus was the most predominant organism (n=6) recovered quarter foremilk samples of buffaloes followed by unidentified coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. (n=3), Trueperella pyogenes (Corynebacterium pyogenes; n=3), unidentified Trueperella spp. and mixed species (n=3). In the case of dairy cows, predominant organism recovered from quarter foremilk samples included S. aureus (n=13), Streptococcus agalactiae (n=4), yeast (n=4) and mixed species (n=4). Recovery of 44 and 27 isolates, respectively in cows and buffaloes was common to both streak canal swab and quarter foremilk samples (contemporaneous association). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the relationship of trace and ultra-trace minerals with the gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burden in rangeland sheep reared in district Chakwal, Pakistan. A total of 384 sheep were randomly subjected to collect sera and fecal samples during autumn, 2014. Trace and ultra-trace minerals were determined through different spectrophotometric techniques after wet digestion of sera. Fecal examination revealed a variety of helminth parasites viz., Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia trifurcata, Trichostrongylus spp., Strongyloides papillosus, Marshallagia marshalli, Avitellina centripunctata, Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica harbored by the study population. The mean serum levels of copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and selenium (Se) were within the normal ranges. However, mean zinc (Zn) level was marginally deficient while, manganese (Mn) and cobalt (Co) levels were higher than the normal ranges. The mean serum Zn, Mo and Se concentrations in sheep varied insignificantly (P>0.05). Whereas, a significant variation (P<0.05) in the levels of Cu, Mn and Co was observed in sheep flocks. The quantitative fecal analysis of sheep revealed lower to moderate egg per gram (EPG) range. Pearson correlation demonstrated a non-significant (p>0.05) correlation of trace and ultra-trace minerals with EPG magnitude in naturally parasitized sheep of the study area. In conclusion, trace and ultra-trace mineral levels in naturally infected sheep flocks exhibited no significant role in reducing GI parasitic burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the acaricidal activities of the aqueous - methanolic extracts of rhizome of Curcuma longa, fruit of Citrullus colocynthis and seed of Peganum harmala. Modified Larval Immersion test (syringe method) was used to evaluate the acaricidal activity of plant extracts in lab against Rhipicephalus microplus. Acaricidal activity of each plant was evaluated at two different exposure times (time-mortality experiment) i.e., 24 h post exposure and 6th day post exposure. The highest activity was recorded at 6th day after application of combined three plants at the dose rate of 50 mg/mL; whereas, lowest acaricidal efficacy was observed at 24 h with the dose rate of 3.125 mg/mL in case of individual effect of P. harmala. The herbal formulation is suitable for the poor farmers as a broad spectrum antiparasitic. The contents of the formulation are cheap and commonly available. The combination of plants may be recommended for use at farm level based on empirical evidence of its anti-parasitic activity. © 2015 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in order to determine the epizootiology of ectoparasitic fauna infesting domestic cattle population of district Toba Tek Singh (T.T. Singh), Punjab, Pakistan. A questionnaire-based surveillance of 3864 cattle respondents, randomly selected through two-stage cluster sampling was conducted over a period of one year from March, 2011 to February, 2012. A total of 822 (21.27%) subjects were found infested with ectoparasites including ticks (39.1%), mites (4.34%), lice (23.23%), fleas (0.89%) and flies (5.32%). Taxonomic studies revealed following species: Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus microplus of ticks; Ctenocepahlides (Ct). felis and Ct. canis of fleas; Haematopinus eurysternus, Damalinia bovis and Linognathus vituli of lice; Psoroptes bovis and Sarcoptes scabei of mites; and Stomoxys calcitrans of flies. Friesian cattle (Bos taurus) was significantly more proned to infestation as compared to Jersey (Bos taurus), cross-bred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) and Sahiwal (Bos indicus). Among various determinants, age and sex of host; feeding and animal keeping systems were not found statistically associated with the prevalence of ectoparasites (P>0.05). However, cemented floor was having a positive statistical association with the ectoparasites (P<0.05). The prevalence of fleas, lice and mites was found higher in winter, while prevalence of ticks and fly reached to their peaks in summer and spring seasons, respectively. The data corresponds to a significant chapter of domestic cattle population and can help to restrict the spread of invasion, which causes skin and hide quality squalor and disease spread in the area. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an inventory of the diseases of equines prevalent in three districts (Faisalabad, Sargodha and Lahore) of Punjab, Pakistan affecting the equine health and production. Survey was done with the help of Brooke Hospitals for Animals, Pakistan, located at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Participatory epidemiological approach was used to collect information on a pre-designed quesntionnaire from urban and peri-urban areas of the study districts. A total of 450 equines including: 147 horses, 230 donkeys and 73 mules were subjected to clinical examination, blood examination and necropsy for the documentation of diseases/conditions of equines. A total of 53 diseases/conditions were documented in different species of equines in the study area. Internal parasites (32.2%) constituted the major category of ailments followed by wounds (26.9%), bacterial infections (20.4%), lameness (12.9%), miscellaneous (12.7%), gastrointestinal disorders (7.6%), bronchitis/cough (7.3%), allergic dermatitis (7.1%), external parasites (6.2%), colic (5.3%), eye problems (3.1%), hematuria (1.8%) and quidding (1.1%). Horses were most diversely affected (n=47/53) followed by donkeys (n=44/53) and mules (n=24/53). This information may serve as a guidline for planning an equine disease control programme in the targeted districts of the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, seroprevalence of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in sheep was determined in Baluchistan, Pakistan. A total of 1047 sera samples from 139 flocks of sheep were tested using indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA). An overall prevalence of M. ovipneumoniae in sheep in Baluchistan was 16.53%. There was no difference in the prevalence among various districts of Baluchistan. The cumulative mean titter (CMT) of 20.32, 50.86 and 50.90 was found in < 1 year, 1-2 year and > 3 years of sheep, respectively. Age of sheep significantly influenced the prevalence being highest in 1-2 years old sheep followed by < 1 and > 3 year old sheep. Likewise, an association was also found between the prevalence and different breeds of sheep highest (70%) in Balochi followed by Harnai and Mengali. The use of IHA was found reproducible, inexpensive and effective tool to monitor the antibodies against M. ovipneumoniae in sheep in Baluchistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is an important fodder crop of Pakistan that provides nutritious and palatable fodder in repeated cuttings. Gap in its yield is required to be addressed, which is aim of the current study. This study was carried out to select an appropriate sowing technique for optimization of fodder and seed yield as well as to maximize the net return. The experiment was conducted using five sowing techniques viz., broadcast, different row sowing with spacing of 15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm and 60 cm. Sowing was done during first week of October during each year using seed of new berseem cultivar "Punjab Berseem" at rate of 20 kg ha-1. All fodder parameters of each of four cuts and seed yield on harvesting were recorded and analyzed. The results showed that broadcast (BC) sowing gave maximum values of yield attributes and increased fodder yield by 43.78 %, seed yield by 14.18 % and CP yield by 45.14% over control (i.e., row spacing of 30 cm). Economic analysis indicated a maximum benefit-cast ratio of 3.51 under broadcast sowing in standing water as compared to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]