C. S. Randhawa

Maturation arrest of neutrophils-a possible reason for the leucopenia in sodium selenite induced sub-chronic selenosis in cow calves.

The effect of long-term administration of sodium selenite on leucocyte indices of peripheral blood of calves was determined. Nine calves, 9-12 months old, with an average body weight of 104kg were divided into three groups. Calves of groups 2 and 3 were administered with sodium selenite at 0.1 and 0.25mg/kg body weight for 98 consecutive days. The clinical signs characteristic of selenosis viz. alopecia, cracking of hooves, intradigital lesions and discoloration of hard palate, started appearing from 45 to 60 days onwards with high dose, whereas only subtle indications of toxicosis were observed in the low-dose group. The prolonged administration of sodium selenite produced a progressive and dose-dependent decline in the circulating leucocyte count with concomitant decline in the circulating neutrophil count. There was a high negative correlation (0.94) between blood selenium levels and neutrophils. Granulocyte/agranulocyte ratio was also significantly reduced in the treated animals. Evaluation of bone marrow smears revealed a decline in the myeloid to erythroid ratio. In addition, there was also maturation arrest of neutrophils at promyelocyte or myelocyte level as shown by differential granulocyte count in the bone marrow. The results indicated that hosts immune response may be adversely affected.

Body condition score and its correlation with ultrasonographic back fat thickness in transition crossbred cows

Aim: The aim was to study the effect of the transition to body condition score (BCS) and ultrasonographic back fat thickness (USG BFT) in crossbred cows. Materials and Methods: A total of 101 multiparous crossbred cows in advanced pregnancy from organized dairy farm were taken up for study. The cows were grouped according to transition stage, i.e. far off dry (FOD), close up dry (CUD) and fresh (F). BCS was estimated by using the five point visual BCS technique with 0.5 increments. The USG BFT was measured by real-time ultrasound using a portable Sonosite instrument. Results: In cows with BCS 2-2.5, the BFT of F period was significantly lower than FOD period. In cows with BCS 3-3.5, the mean BFT at F period was significantly reduced as compared to FOD and CUD period. The overall correlation coefficient between BCS and BFT for different transition stages was 84%, 79% and 75% for FOD, CUD and F period, respectively. Conclusion: The USG BFT gives an accurate measure of fat reserves in cows. The cows with BCS of ≥3.5 entering the transition period are more prone to lose body condition and hence require better and robust management during the transition period.

Bovine intestinal obstruction: blood gas analysis, serum C-reactive protein and clinical, haematological and biochemical alterations

The present study was conducted on six cattle and two buffaloes with intestinal obstruction. Four cases had intestinal volvulus, three had intussusception and one case could have been volvulus or torsion. The haemato-biochemical parameters of these eight animals were studied, together with 10 healthy cows and 10 buffaloes as control. Rectal examination was helpful in subjective assessment of volvulus and intussusception but could not help in definitive diagnosis. Multiple dilated intestinal loops in pelvic cavity could be a diagnostic feature of intestinal volvulus. Complete anorexia, colic, loss of defecation, rumen atony, dehydration, tachycardia and tachypenia were the most pronounced clinical symptoms. The animals with intestinal obstruction had significantly higher packed cell volume, neutrophil count and significantly lower lymphocytic count. Reversal of neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio and moderate to marked left shift along with moderate to severe toxic changes in the neutrophils was a consistent finding. Serum biochemical analysis showed significant increase of aspartate aminotrasferase, fibrinogen, lactate and C-reactive protein levels and significant reduction in albumin, fibrinogen ratio, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphorus levels. However, fibrinogen and fibrinogen ratio may be misleading and need to be interpreted cautiously.The rumen chloride level was increased. Peritoneal fluid changes were consistent with septic peritonitis, increased specific gravity, total protein, total cell count and number of neutrophils. Blood gas analysis revealed hypochloremic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis with compensatory respiratory acidosis. So these biochemical changes should be taken into consideration while dealing with intestinal obstruction in cattle and buffaloes.

A note on treatment of hyperthermia in crossbred cattle

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effect of iodized oil in crossbred cattle suffering from hyperthermia (heat intolerance syndrome) in Punjab, India. METHODS The present study was conducted in 85 clinical cases of summer hyperthermia in exotic and crossbred cows with rectal temperature of ≥40.56 °C. Haematological examinations of the affected cows (55) showed relatively low haemoglobin, normal differential and total leucocytic count. All the affected cows (85) were treated with three doses of iodized oil (750 mg elemental iodine per dose, 5mL) given at 24 h interval by subcutaneous route in brisket region. RESULTS Seventy seven (90.58%) cases showed remarkable clinical improvement with temperature coming to normal (38.33 to 38.88 °C) within 5 d of start of treatment. The appetite and milk production was restored by 10th day post treatment. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study substantiate that subcutaneous administration of three doses of iodized oil given at 24 h interval is effective in decreasing rectal temperature of hyperthermic cattle.

Cerebellar Cortical Abiotrophy in Young Labrador-Retrievers

&NA; Cerebellar abiotrophy is a hereditary degenerative disorder of the central nervous system in humans and animals. Four male and one female Labrador‐retriever pups were presented with clinical signs of head swaying with intention tremor, loss of target oriented movement, wide base stance, forelimb hypermetria, and hindlimb ataxia leading to falling off during ambulation. On histopathologic examination of cerebellum, cerebellar cortical abiotrophy was confirmed with extensive loss of Purkinje cells, diminution of granular layer, relative thickening and foliar gliosis in white matter. This is the first reported case of cerebellar abiotrophy in Labrador‐retriever to our knowledge.

Oxidative Stress, Hemato-biochemical and Plasma Mineral Profile in Transition Buffaloes

The present study was aimed to evaluate oxidative stress, hemato-biochemical and plasma mineral profile in transition buffaloes along with therapeutic efficacy of herbal Vitamin E-Selenium powder in reducing oxidative stress. Hundred multiparous Murrah buffaloes in advanced pregnancy were grouped according to transition stage i.e., Far off dry (FOD), Close up dry and Fresh (F). Blood samples were collected during each stage for evaluation of various parameters of oxidative stress viz. lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH), various hemato-biochemical parameters and plasma mineral profile. The mean LPO level in buffaloes increased significantly, whereas the mean SOD and GSH levels decreased significantly throughout the transition period from FOD to F stage. Total leukocyte count was significantly increased at F stage. Significant decrease was observed in levels of total plasma protein, albumin and glucose, whereas significant increase was observed in levels of plasma urea nitrogen, beta hydroxyl butyric acid and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) after parturition at F stage. Significantly low levels of potassium and copper were observed at F stage. Therapeutic trail of herbal Vitamin E-Selenium powder conducted on 12 buffaloes revealed significant decline in LPO and NEFA levels and significant increase in milk fat percentage in the tests. These findings revealed that LPO, SOD and GSH are good indicators of oxidative stress in transition buffaloes and oral supplementation with herbal Vitamin E-Selenium powder reduces the oxidative stress in transition buffaloes and should be included in feeding regimen during transition period.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Propylene Glycol in the Treatment of Subclinical Ketosis and its effect on Plasma Concentration of Various Metabolic Parameters

Sub clinical ketosis is the excessive production of ketone bodies in blood leading to reduced reproductive performances and decreased milk yield without showing any clinical sign of ketosis. Since a lot of metabolic parameters are affected during the subclinical ketosis, which are having their roles in normal functioning of the body. Therefore the study was conducted to check the efficacy of Propylene glycol (PG) which was given @ 200 ml per day orally for 5 days in the treatment of subclinical ketosis and to study its effect on various metabolic parameters. A significant decrease was noted in the mean plasma Beta Hydroxyl Butyric Acid (BHBA) and Non Esterified Fatty Acid (NEFA) values, along with a significant increase in the mean plasma glucose, calcium and total plasma proteins levels after treatment. The mean plasma inorganic phosphorus levels were within the normal range. A non significant decrease was observed in the mean plasma copper and zinc levels, where as a increase was noted in iron levels from the late pregnancy upto the early lactation period. However, a increase was noted in the mean values of copper and zinc after treatment with PG. Marked improvement was recorded in the oxidative stress parameters after feeding of PG It was concluded from the present study that Propylene glycol (PG) was given @ 200 ml per day orally for 5 days results in decrease in plasma NEFA and BHBA levels, indicating its effectiveness for treatment of sub clinical ketosis.

Epidemiological studies on forestomach disorders in cattle and buffaloes.

Aim: To study epidemiology of forestomach (reticuloruminal, omasal, and abomasal) disorders in cattle and buffaloes. Materials and Methods: The 106 buffaloes and 32 cattle referred for treatment to the university large animals teaching hospital with the complaint of gastrointestinal diseases constituted the study material. The cases were diagnosed based on history, clinical examination, hematology, biochemistry, radiography, peritoneal fluid analysis and ultrasonography, rumenotomy, and postmortem. A questionnaire was prepared containing important information on housing, husbandry practices, including feeding practices and individual animal information viz. age, species, month of the year, parity, gestation (month), and recent parturition. The animals were divided into eight groups and analysis of variance was performed to study risk factors associated with each condition. Results: The forestomach disorders are widely prevalent in cattle and buffaloes between April and October, during summer and rainy season (90%) and constituted a significant proportion of diseased cows and buffaloes (138/1840) at the hospital. Different forestomach disorders and their prevalence was: Diaphragmatic hernia (DH) 17%, traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) 14%, idiopathic motility disorder or vagus indigestion (VI) 22%, adhesive peritonitis (AP) 13%, frank exudative peritonitis (FEP) 12%, reticular abscess (RA) 8%, ruminal and omasal impaction (RI) 5%, and abomaso duodenal ulceration (ADU) 9%. DH and RA were significantly more common in buffaloes as compared to cattle. Similarly, impactions were more in buffaloes but its incidence was very low (5%). ADU was present in buffalo as commonly as in cows. Exclusive feeding of wheat straw was present in an abysmally low number of animals and hence could not be considered the cause of these disorders. DH was significantly higher in buffaloes (>5 years) of 5-8 years of age and TRP, VI and AP were observed in cattle and buffalo of 2-8 years of age during the second half of gestation to 1 month post-calving. FEP (12%) occurred more commonly within 1 month of parturition. Conclusions: DH, TRP, frank and AP and ADU are causes of the widely prevalent forestomach (reticuloruminal, omasal and abomasal) disorders in cattle and buffaloes.