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The study was conducted on six geriatric dogs belonging to different breeds presented for various surgical procedures at the Veterinary hospitals of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, at Mannuthy and Kokkalai. Before undergoing anaesthesia, all dogs underwent complete clinical examination and pre-anaesthetic evaluation. All the animals were administered a multimodal anaesthetic protocol with inj. dexmedetomidine and inj. buprenorphine as preanaesthetics. A combination of injection diazepam and propofol was given for induction which was followed by inj. ketamine and inj. lignocaine for analgesia. Maintenance of anaesthesia was carried out by sevoflurane along with ketamine-lignocaine CRI for providing analgesia. Studies on haematology and serum biochemistry were carried out prior to premedication, during maintenance and following anaesthesia recovery. Organ functions were well preserved with the current multimodal anaesthetic technique in geriatric dogs.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an integral part of regenerative medicine as the platelets possess a good healing capacity owing to the presence of a wide variety of growth factors in the platelet granules found in the cytoplasm of the platelet. Autologous PRP was prepared from the blood of the patient itself, without any preservatives. Storage of PRP was one of the main hurdles of the treatment modality. During storage, the platelet counts may get reduced, undergo activation or get contaminated with bacteria as no preservatives are used in the preparation of autologous PRP. Cytological changes and microbial quality of the PRP during storage at 4oC and -20oC for seven days were analysed in this study. Reduction in platelet count and the chance of microbial contamination were less when autologous PRP was stored at -20°C compared to 4°C.

The present study was conducted for clinical evaluation of a multimodal anaesthetic protocol using butorphanol-dexmedetomidine-midazolam-ketamine-isoflurane and lignocaine continuous rate infusion (CRI) in six cross-bred female cattle. Preanaesthetics used were butorphanol and dexmedetomidine which were administered intravenously at dose rates of 0.05 mg/kg and 1 μg/ kg body weight, respectively. Ketamine and midazolam were intravenously administered at dose rates of 4.0 and 0.2 mg/kg body weight respectively, to induce anaesthesia. Isoflurane was used to maintain anaesthesia after endotracheal intubation, at a concentration of 1.05 ± 0.97 per cent concentration in 100 per cent oxygen using a large animal anaesthesia machine. Simultaneously, intravenous lignocaine was administered at a bolus dose of 2 mg/kg body weight followed by a CRI of 3 mg/kg body weight/hour using a volumetric infusion pump. Isoflurane sparing effect of intravenous lignocaine reduced the required concentration of isoflurane for maintenance. The third plane of surgical anaesthesia was maintained and various surgical procedures were done. Recovery was smooth. Other than the mild regurgitation of ruminal fluid in an animal, no anaesthetic complications were noticed.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, tiletamine and zolazepam anaesthesia on blood gas and haematological parameters in cats. These parameters were monitored before anaesthetic induction and 10 minutes following anaesthetic induction. Statistical analysis revealed that no significant changes exist and the parameters were within the normal reference range for cats. Therefore, this anaesthetic technique could be employed safely for elective surgery in cats.

Twelve clinical cases of urethral obstruction in tom cats presented to University Veterinary Hospitals of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University at Kokkalai and Mannuthythat had undergone urinary diversion procedures on the day of presentation were selected for the study. Signalment and anamnesis of the animals were studied to find the risk factors associated with urethral obstruction. The prevalence of urethral obstruction was found to be higher in uncastrated Persian breed of cats,which were one to two years of age. All cats had history of being fed with dry commercial diet, lowered water intake and living indoor. The stress factors identified were inter-cat conflict, fear, relocation, presence of guests and change in owner’s routine. Haematobiochemical profile of these cats revealed significant changes in haematocrit and total erythrocyte count values.Elevated blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus and potassium were observed which significantly reduced following bladder evacuation. Urinalysis revealed haematuria, proteinuria,leukocyturia and struvituriaas frequently encountered findings in tom cats with urethral obstruction.

Canine mammary neoplasms are naturally occurring non-homogenous group of tumours with many resemblances to human breast cancer. In female dogs mammary tumours are of great clinical relevance due to the high prevalence and mortality rate, which varies according to the histopathological classification and clinical stage. The aim of the study was to compare the ultrasonographic features of the normal mammary gland with benign and malignant mammary neoplasms in dogs, through assessed by B-mode and Doppler mode ultrasonography. Ultrasonographic examination of seven normal mammary glands along with six benign and 12 malignant mammary neoplasms were performed. Among the parameters evaluated by B-Mode ultrasonography, significant differences were found (p < 0.01) in the tumour margin and invasiveness of neoplasms, where malignant tumours were invasive with uncircumscribed margin. Significant difference was also found in the presence of posterior acoustic enhancement (p

Desmoplastic reactions or desmoplasia, characterised by proliferation of fibrotic connective tissue around tumour cells, have been described as a prognostic indicator of malignancy in human breast cancers. Desmoplasia ultimately results in deposition of collagen that shows significant differences in its density and orientation at different stages of tumourigenesis. The different collagen patterns associated with tumours are referred to as tumour associated collagen signatures (TACS) and are identified as hallmarks in human tumourigenesis. The present study was aimed to demonstrate the presence of TACS in canine mammary tumours (CMTs). The desmoplastic reactions and collagen deposition occurring in association with CMTs were analysed using routine histopathological, special staining and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Thirty excisional biopsy samples collected from malignant CMTs were utilised for studying the progression of desmoplastic reactions occurring in the tumour associated stroma.

Cancer associated stroma (CAS) consists mainly of a cellular fraction comprising fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, inflammatory cells, immune cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes and extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent reports have shown that the cancer stroma including the cellular fraction and ECM undergo considerable reprogramming during the process of tumourigenesis. Though there are some studies on CAS of human breast cancers (HBCs), similar studies are very much limited in canine mammary tumours. Hence, the present study was undertaken to classify the stromal types associated with malignant canine mammary tumours(CMTs). The excisional biopsy samples from 50 numbers of CMTs presented to Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University hospitals at Mannuthy and Kokkalai during the period from November 2019 to December 2021 formed the study material. Histopathological stratification of cancer stroma was done using qualitative evaluation based on the stromal characteristics suggested for HBCs. Accordingly the cancer associated stroma in different tumour samples were classified as fibrotic stroma, inflammatory stroma and mixed stroma. Fibrotic stroma was further classified as mature/ sclerotic, intermediate and immature/desmoplastic types. The grade of tumours in relation to the type of stroma was also analysed and it was identified that with the exception of sclerotic stroma, all other stromal types could be observed in higher grades of CMTs. Desmoplastic and inflammatory stroma were predominantly seen associated with Grade II and Grade III tumours.

A dog was presented to the University Veterinary Hospital, Kokkalai with a history of nonweight bearing lameness on left forelimb and was diagnosed as humerus fracture. Supracutaneous locking compression plating was carried out after open reduction under general anaesthesia. Periodic clinical and radiographic evaluations were conducted at two weeks interval for a period of six weeks until the plate removal. Physiological and haematological parameters were within the normal range. The serum alkaline phosphatase level was high at the time of presentation and decreased progressively. The dog returned to sound gait, normal weight bearing and satisfactory functional limb usage by sixth post operative week. The fracture healed with periosteal and endosteal callus. The implant was intact and patient acceptance was satisfactory throughout the observation period.

The current study was conducted to compare the effect of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on haemto-biochemical parameters in methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) treated dogs for management of spinal cord injuries(SCI). The study was conducted on 14 dogs of different age, breed, sex and body weight, presented with clinical signs of SCI. Animals were randomly divided into two groups and subjected to two treatment protocols. One group was treated with MPSS and PEG intravenously on first day with oral follow up with prednisolone acetate, while the other group was treated with MPSS and 4-AP intravenously with oral follow up with 4-AP. All the selected dogs were subjected to detailed clinical, neurological, radiographic investigations at regular intervals to assess the effect of treatment upto eight weeks. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated on the first day of treatment and then at fortnight intervals. The mean values of all the haematological parameters and serum biochemical parameters were found to be within the normal physiological range and were not significant. However a statistically significant increased serum alkaline phosphatase level was observed in the first group and a non-significant increase in second group throughout the period of study.

Twelve clinical cases of chronic obstructive urolithiasis in male goats were selected for the study with the objective to evaluate two surgical techniques - modified proximal perineal urethrostomy (MPPU) with direct guided urethral catheterisation (Group I) and tube cystostomy (Group II) for the surgical management. Ultrasonography was effective in assessing the urinary bladder and detection of uroliths. Functional patency of normal urethra was regained in five out of six animals of each group by third post-operative week. Direct access to the perineal urethra providing quick relief to the turgid bladder was identified as the major advantage of modified proximal perineal urethrostomy technique. Tube cystostomy technique provided direct visual assessment of urinary bladder, precise fixing of Foley’s catheter and retrieval of uroliths. Even though this technique was found to be more invasive, it was identified as an effective approach for correcting cystorrhexis resulted from obstructive urolithiasis

Pathophysiology of obstructive urolithiasis in goats are multifactorial involving management, nutritional and hormonal factors. Analysis of the composition of a particular urolith would aid in understanding the aetiopathogenesis of the calculi which can facilitate establishment of appropriate treatment and prevention protocols. Four cases of chronic obstructive urolithiasis in male goats presented to University Veterinary Hospital were surgically managed by tube cystotomy. The calculi extracted from the bladder were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) to identify the composition of the calculi. The infrared wavelength bandwidths of H-O-H stretching vibrations, H-O-H bending modes of vibrations of water molecules, N-H symmetric stretching vibrations, N-H bending vibration and N-H asymmetric bending vibration in NH4+ unit’s ionic phosphate were compared with the available reference spectrum of wavelength and were found to be identical and comparable with the standard infrared wavelength of struvite calculi.

Six geriatric dogs of various breeds belonging to either sex presented for various surgical procedures to Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Mannuthy and University Veterinary Hospital, Kokkalai, were selected for the study. On the day of surgery, preanaesthesia was performed with diazepam and butorphanol. After ten minutes of premedication, preoxygenation was carried out for three minutes. Propofol (1 per cent w/v) was administered as a slow bolus, intravenous injection for induction of anaesthesia. Maintenance of surgical plane of anaesthesia was carried out with isoflurane in oxygen using Bain’s circuit system incorporated with isoflurane vapourizer. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters, which were recorded before premedication, ten minutes after commencement of isoflurane and after recovery from general anaesthesia are described here. The present study concluded that the anaesthetic protocol is safe in geriatric animals with regard to haematological and serum biochemical parameters.

Haematological evaluation of pyometra-affected dogs, treated under different medical protocols revealed, decreased TEC (4.34±0.31 to 4.92±0.19×106 /mm3 ), leucocytosis (26.68±1.38 to 39.30±4.49×103 /mm3 ),neutrophilia(82.50±0.63to 83.38±0.46%), lymphopenia(10.25±0.41 to 11.88±0.61%), reduced VPRC (26.38±1.21 to 29.85±1.17 %) and decreased Hb (8.11±0.14to 9.04±0.45g/dL) on the day of admission. Other differentials and thrombocyte counts were within normal limits. All parameters returned to normal after medical treatment within 15 days of initiation of treatment, except TEC and Hb, which also showed improvement on different days of observation during and after treatment. Haematological changes were parallel to clinical recovery

The potential of biomarkers as diagnostic or prognostic tool in canine pyometra is under investigation. The CRP evaluation of pyometra-affected dogs revealed very high levels (128.51 ± 4.07 to 136.64 ± 6.77 μg/mL) on the day of admission. The levels returned to normal after medical treatment (10.00 ± 0.28 to 12.01 ± 2.49 μg/mL) in all the treatment groups by day 15 after initiation of treatment, which was in parallel to clinical recovery. The present study revealed that CRP can be considered as effective end point marker to evaluate efficacy of the treatment

The present paper describes the technique of laparoscopic intracorporeal knot tying (surgeon’s knot) for ovarian pedicle ligation in dogs subjected to ventral midline 3-portlaparoscopic ovariectomy. The technique of intracorporeal knot tying was studied in twelve female dogs presented to the surgery unit of the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex Pookode, for laparoscopic birth control. A ventral midline three port technique was employed. The ovary was anchored to the abdominal wall in an elevated position using suspension sutures, to facilitate ligation and resection. Two needle holders were introduced – one through the cranial and the other through the caudal instrumental ports for knot tying. A No. 1 braided silk suture of 12 cm length was used for applying intracorporeal flat surgeon’s knot. The mean time from introduction of suture to placement of secured flat square knots on the left ovary was 17.857±5.2418 minutes and on the right ovary was 20.714±4.7157 minutes. It was found that the suture length of 12 cm was found suitable for easy manoeuvrability. Intracorporeal ligation ensures more haemostatic competency inspite of its complexity. It is believed that this procedure needs a long learning curve and if mastered, this technique is simple and cost effective.

Bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic imaging tool for the specific and accurate diagnosis of the respiratory tract diseases. Bronchoscopic evaluation of twelve dogs presented with a history of chronic respiratory problems were performed under suitable general anaesthesia using two anaesthetic protocols. All the animals were subjected to detailed physical, clinical and haematological examination along with blood gas, electrolyte analysis and radiographic evaluation of neck and thorax prior to bronchoscopy. The findings of the procedure were used for the specific medical therapy. The response of the treatment were assessed and further modifications/ alterations were made.

Six dogs with hernia on ventral abdomen were surgically treated by hernioplasty using decellularised bovine pericardium. The dogs were having hernia as congenital condition. The animals and on clinical, hematological and biochemical evaluation, animals were confirmed fit for surgery. Under general anaesthesia surgical correction of the hernia was performed, after reduction of hernial contents, the defect was corrected by hernioplasty using decellularised bovine pericardium as an inlay graft. During an observation period of 60 days the physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters showed variations within the normal range except for C-reactive protein in the immediate post-operative period

Haematological study was conducted in twenty apparently healthy adult male Sambar Deer maintained at Zoological Gardens, Thiruvananthapuram, which underwent vasectomy under general anaesthesia. Samples were analysed usingan automatic haematology analyser calibratedforcaprine blood. The haemoglobin concentration, volume of packed red cells and total erythrocyte count were 9.6±0.3 g/dL, 29.3±0.7 % and 5.8±0.2×106 /µL respectively. The total leucocyte count was 3.6±0.2×103/µL and granulocyte, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were 47±1 %, 47±1 % and 6±1 % respectively

A case of strangulated scrotal hernia and its successful surgical management was reported.

Various types of foreign bodies in the lumen of the oesophagus of cattle causing choke have been reported. But reports of foreign bodies migrating from the oesophagus to the skin surface are few. Archibald et al. (1986) reported choking in a dog due to an abscess in the post-pharyngeal region caused by a sewing needle. Ganesh et al. (1989) and Balagopalan et al. (1994) reported post-pharyngeal abscess in dogs due to a migratory foreign body (fish bone). The present paper reports case of post-pharyngeal abscess in a cow due to a migratory foreign body metallic wire.

A case of a dog with mitral insufficiency and second degree heart block is detailed, stressing on the importance of echocardiography in the diagnosis of the condition.