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Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is the causative agent of lumpy skin disease (LSD) which is a member of Capripoxvirus. It is an economically critical transboundary disease affecting cattle. This study records an LSD outbreak in Ganjam district of Odisha, India during August 2020. The epidemiological data were analysed and LSDV was genetically characterized. Out of the 452 animals clinically examined (59 farms), 63 animals were clinically affected with LSD, with a total morbidity rate of 13.93%. The morbidity rates in the surveyed villages (n = 10) varied from 5.55 to 21.62%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that grazing of animals (P = 0.013; OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.16-3.57) and age of cows 3 years old (P = 0.001; OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.65- 5.07) were potential risk factors for the presence of LSD. Out of the 53 clinically suspected animals' samples, 18 samples (33.96%) were found positive for both the P32 and F genes of Capripoxvirus by PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of the P32 gene of LSDV (MW147486) showed 100% similarity with other isolates from India, Bangladesh, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of the F gene of LSDV (MW147485) revealed a similarity of 97.99%, with Odisha India (MT074110) isolate and located in the same cluster with other Indian isolates.

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is the causative agent of lumpy skin disease (LSD) which is a member of Capripoxvirus. It is an economically critical transboundary disease affecting cattle. This study records the first LSD incidence in cattle of Ganjam district and analyses data from LSD outbreak in August 2020 on epidemiological and genetic characterization. Out of 452 animals clinically examined (59 farms), 63 animals were clinically affected with LSD, with a total morbidity rate of 13.93%. The morbidity rates in the villages (ten villages) varied from 5.55 to 21.62%. The multivariable logistic regression showed that grazing of animals (P=0.023; OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.09-3.32), and lactation and pregnancy status of animals (P=0.007; OR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.32-6.17) were the potential risk factors for the occurrence of lumpy skin disease. Out of 53 clinically suspected animals collected from Ganjam district of Odisha, 18 samples (33.96%) were found positive by PCR for both P32 and F genes of capripox virus. Phylogenetic analysis of P32 gene of LSD (MW147486) showed 100% similarity with other isolates from India, Bangladesh, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of F gene of LSD (MW147485) revealed a similarity of 97.99 %, 97.36%, and 96.60% with, Odisha India (MT074110), Beni Suif Egypt (MN694826) and Marsa Matrouh Egypt (MN699855), respectively.

Aim: The present study has been envisaged to ascertain the old age for critical management of geriatric dogs considering the parameters of externally visible changes, haemato-biochemical alterations and urine analysis in geriatric dogs approaching senility. Materials and Methods: The study was undertaken in the Department of Veterinary Pathology in collaboration with Teaching Veterinary Clinic complex spanning a period of 1 year. For screening of geriatric dogs, standard geriatric age chart of different breeds was followed. The external characteristics such as hair coat texture, dental wear and tear, skin texture and glaucoma were taken as a marker of old age. Haematology, serum biochemistry and urine analysis were also included in the study. Results: External visible changes like greying of hair, dull appearance of hair coat, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, dental wear and tear were commonly encountered in the aged dogs. The haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume showed a decreasing trend in the geriatric groups. Biochemical values like total protein, albumin, calcium level showed a decreasing trend while urea level with an increasing trend in geriatric dogs without any much alteration in serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminse, serum glutamic-pyruvate transaminase, cholesterol and creatinine. Physical examination of urine revealed yellow, amber, red, deep red color with turbidity and higher specific gravity. Chemical examination revealed presence of protein, glucose, ketone bodies, blood and bilirubin on some cases. The culture and sensitivity test of the urine samples revealed presence of bacteria with sensitive and resistance to some antibiotics. Conclusion: External visible changes are still the golden standard of determining the old age in dogs. Haemato-biochemical evaluation can be useful for correlating with the pathophysiological status of the animal. Biochemical analysis of urine can be employed rightly as kidney dysfunction is being major geriatric problem. Anaemia, jaundice, nephritis, hepatitis are the most common findings considered during old age.

A total 90 Vanaraja experimental birds were divided into three respective groups based on floor density viz., G1 (16 birds/m2), G2 (12 birds/m2) and G3 (8 birds/m2). No significant difference in average live weight and carcass weight was observed between groups. Average feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and dressing percentage in G2 and G3 was significantly (P0.05) of stocking density in the carcass characteristics except the heart weight. There were non significant differences among groups for total protein, albumin, globulin and A:G ratio. Blood glucose was significantly (P>0.05) higher in group G1 as compared to G2 and G3. Blood cholesterol level increased with increase in stocking density but not significantly. Blood parameters eosinophil, monocyte, basophil counts and H:L ratio were not affected by the stocking density. Hb concentration increased non-significantly with increased stocking density. Vanaraja birds from 8 birds/m2 to 12 birds/m2 give the better growth performance, FCR and dressing percentage without change in blood biochemical and hematological indices.

Background: Estimation of β-galactosidase (βgal) activity in human cells and tissues indicate its possible use as a marker of senescence. Objectives: This study was done to detect senescence-associated βgal (SA-βgal) activity in canine skin tissue by using its substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl β-D-galactosidase (X-gal). Materials and Methods: Skin samples were collected through rapid necropsy process. The X-gal staining was done by altering different factors of the staining procedure like pH of the reagents and incubation time. Further, effect of tissue preservation procedure was also evaluated. Results: Typical X-gal staining was detected in old dogs’ skin samples and it was detectable both at pH 6 and pH 7.3. The cells present in the inner lining of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands are the major cells that have high SA-βgal activity. The X-gal staining intensity was more prominent in tissues preserved in liquid nitrogen at -196°C than in -80°C freezer. Prolonged incubation period increased the intensity of staining. Conclusions: This study indicates possibility of X-gal staining in canine tissues and opens an avenue for further in-depth studies that might be useful for different research and clinical studies like determination of dog's approximate age.