Bilateral Polydactyly in a Nondescript Calf

A 7 day old non-descript female calf was presented to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute-Izatnagar with a history of limping and unusual appearance of hindlimbs from birth. Physical examination revealed additional digit on the metatarsal regions of both the hind limbs. Radiographic examination confirmed the presence of supernumerary digits unaccompanied by any other congenital malformation. It was diagnosed as Polydactyly type IV. Surgical intervention was done to remove the extra digit in both the hind limbs. This clinical article reports the successful management of bilateral polydactyly in a non-descript calf

Retrieval of Pharyngeal Foreign Body Through Oral Approach in Three Dogs

Three dogs aged between 2 to 4 years old were presented to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar with clinical signs of anorexia, hypersalivation and repeated attempts at swallowing. Two cases showed shaking of head, pawing at the mouth and rubbing the head against wall, while in one case behavioral signs of depression were observed. Clinical examination and lateral plain radiograph of head and neck revealed radio opaque foreign body in the pharynx of all the animals. The foreign bodies were retrieved through the oral approach under general anaesthesia. This clinical paper reports the successful management of pharyngeal foreign bodies through oral approach using long curved artery forceps without any complication

Stillbirth in Pigs

Piglets that are born dead may have died at any time during the farrowing process or before. Causes of stillborn piglets can be divided into infectious and noninfectious. Infectious causes perhaps are overemphasized but are certainly important in epidemic situations. Noninfectious causes of stillborns are most common in endemic situations. Genetic, maternal, piglet and environmental factors can all affect the stillborn rate. The review attempts to describe the causes of stillborn piglets and the ways to mitigate them

Uterine Rupture and Fetal Maceration in an Indian Mongrel Bitch

Uterine rupture and fetal maceration in an 11 year old mongrel bitch was diagnosed via lateral abdominal radiography and ventral midline laparotomy. The treatment of choice in cases of uterine rupture and fetal maceration is bilateral ovariohysterectomy along with plenty of intravenous fluid therapy and broad spectrum antibiotics. Incidences of uterine rupture and fetal maceration can be prevented by timely recognition of early signs of obstetrical-related complications and use of proper obstetrical techniques

Retrieval of Pharyngeal Foreign Body Through Oral Approach in Three Dogs

Three dogs aged between 2 to 4 years old were presented to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar with clinical signs of anorexia, hypersalivation and repeated attempts at swallowing. Two cases showed shaking of head, pawing at the mouth and rubbing the head against wall, while in one case behavioral signs of depression were observed. Clinical examination and lateral plain radiograph of head and neck revealed radio opaque foreign body in the pharynx of all the animals. The foreign bodies were retrieved through the oral approach under general anaesthesia. This clinical paper reports the successful management of pharyngeal foreign bodies through oral approach using long curved artery forceps without any complication

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition in mammary gland tissue fibrosis and insights into drug therapeutics

Background The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a multi-step morphogenetic process in which epithelial cells lose their epithelial properties and gain mesenchymal characteristics. The process of EMT has been shown to mediate mammary gland fibrosis. Understanding how mesenchymal cells emerge from an epithelial default state will aid in unravelling the mechanisms that control fibrosis and, ultimately, in identifying therapeutic targets to alleviate fibrosis. Methods The effects of EGF and high glucose (HG) on EMT in mammary epithelial cells, MCF10A and GMECs, as well as their pathogenic role, were studied. In-silico analysis was used to find interacting partners and protein-chemical/drug molecule interactions. Results On treatment with EGF and/or HG, qPCR analysis showed a significant increase in the gene expression of EMT markers and downstream signalling genes. The expression of these genes was reduced on treatment with EGF+HG combination in both cell lines. The protein expression of COL1A1 increased as compared to the control in cells treated with EGF or HG alone, but when the cells were treated with EGF and HG together, the protein expression of COL1A1 decreased. ROS levels and cell death increased in cells treated with EGF and HG alone, whereas cells treated with EGF and HG together showed a decrease in ROS production and apoptosis. In-silico analysis of protein-protein interactions suggest the possible role of MAPK1, actin alpha 2 (ACTA2), COL1A1, and NFκB1 in regulating TGFβ1, ubiquitin C (UBC), specificity protein 1 (SP1) and E1A binding protein P300 (EP300). Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment suggests advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE) signalling pathway, relaxin signalling pathway and extra cellular matrix (ECM) receptor interactions underlying fibrosis mechanism. Conclusion This study demonstrates that EGF and HG induce EMT in mammary epithelial cells and may also have a role in fibrosis

Emblica officinalis (Amla) with a Particular Focus on Its Antimicrobial Potentials: A Review

Emblica officinalis Gaertn. or Phyllanthus emblica Linn., popularly called as Indian gooseberry or Amla, is among main herbal plant in Indian traditional medicine. Different parts of E. officinalis are beneficial for curing various ailments but the fruits especially show tremendous pharmacological and medicinal applications. Phytochemical analysis revealed important bioactive chemical compounds such as tannins, alkaloids, polyphenols, gallic acid, ellagic acid, emblicanin A and B, phyllembein, quercetin, ascorbic acids, vitamins and minerals. Different extracts of amla possess potent antimicrobial activities to counter different bacterial pathogens. Amla phytochemicals also possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, hypolipedemic, memory enhancing, anticancer, antidiabetic, antidepressant, anti-ulcerogenic, insecticidal, larvicidal, and wound healing activities. All of these well-established activities can have broad applications in managing most of the diseases affecting human and animal patients. It can either replace the conventional therapeutic agents due to its superior efficacy and lack of side effects or can act an adjunct therapeutic agent thereby enhancing the total efficacy of conventional agents. The biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles from E. officinalis is getting popularity due to the low cost factor along with the enhanced antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles produced. The current review emphasizes on the phytochemical constituents, mechanisms behind the antimicrobial activity and also briefly summarizes other medicinal and therapeutic usefulness of the E. officinalis

Vertebral scale system to measure heart size in thoracic radiographs of Indian Spitz, Labrador retriever and Mongrel dogs

Aim: To establish reference values of vertebral heart score (VHS) in Indian Spitz, Labrador retriever, and Mongrel dogs; to assess applicability of VHS in these three dog breeds; to determine if breed, recumbency side, gender, body weight, and thoracic depth (TD) to thoracic width (TW) ratio has an influence on the VHS measurement in these dog breeds. Materials and Methods: A total of 60, client owned, clinically healthy Indian Spitz (n=20, mean age = 4.25±2.15 years, body weight = 11.87±2.7 kg), Labrador retriever (n=20, mean age = 4.75±1.91 years, body weight = 27.31±5.43 kg), and Mongrel dogs (n=20, mean age = 4.25±1.52 years, body weight = 16.25±3.99 kg), having no radiological and clinical signs of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease were included in the study. All dogs were restrained manually and left lateral (LL) and right lateral (RL) radiographic views were obtained. The size of heart in lateral radiographs was calculated using VHS method. Besides, the TD, TW and TD: TW were calculated to determine the type of thoracic conformation in the dog breeds. In addition to this, the effect of breed, side of recumbency, gender, body weight, and TD to TW ratio on the calculation of VHS was determined. Results: VHS was calculated in all the animals of the breeds. VHS in Spitz and Labrador retriever was significantly (p9.7±0.5 v. RL and LL VHS in Mongrel dog was significantly (p9.7±0.5 v. Significant (p<0.05) differences in the VHS were observed among Spitz, Labrador retriever and Mongrel dogs, being higher for Labrador retriever followed by Spitz and Mongrel dogs. VHS in RL recumbency was significantly (p<0.001) greater than VHS in LL recumbency in all three breeds. LL and RL VHS correlated significantly with each other in Spitz (r=0.58; p=0.02), Labrador retriever (r=0.87; p<0.0001), and Mongrel dogs (r=0.93; p<0.0001). Significant (p<0.05) differences in the TD and TW were observed among Spitz, Labrador retriever, and Mongrel dogs. Non-significant effect of gender, body weight, and TD to TW ratio on the VHS measurement was observed in each dog breed. Conclusion: Breed-specific VHS reference ranges should be used for the objective measurement of heart size in dogs. Furthermore, the radiographic view should also be taken into consideration to avoid any erroneous interpretation of cardiac enlargement in dogs

Evaluation of serum mineral status and hormone profile in goats and some of their inter-relations

Aim: The present study was carried out with the objective to estimate the serum mineral status, and hormonal profile of goats in Kashmir valley. Materials and Methods: Thirty female goats (n=30) were selected randomly from three districts (ten from each district) of Kashmir valley. Serum minerals were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and hormones by radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique using gamma scintillation counter (I125 calibrated), at Nuclear Research Laboratory, IVRI, Izatnagar. Results: Mean&#177;SE value of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) was 10.46&#177;0.76, 5.12&#177;0.31, 2.11&#177;0.24 mg/dl respectively, whereas copper (Cu,) iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co) was 0.548&#177;0.094, 1.548&#177;0.173, 0.864&#177;0.211 and 0.027&#177;0.003ppm, respectively. Non-significant (p<0.01) difference was found in the serum mineral concentrations between and within the goat of different districts. Serum mineral concentrations in goat were in slightly deficient range. Mean&#177;SE value of serum estrogen (E2 ) in pg/ml, progesterone (P4), triiodothyronin (T3) and tetraiodothyronin (T4) in ng/ml of goat was 19.35&#177;0.45, 1.37&#177;0.141, 1.16&#177;0.163 and 31.09&#177;1.15, respectively. Steroid and thyroid hormone levels were towards the lower side of the normal range. Wide variations were noted in the correlations between serum minerals and steroid and thyroid hormones indicating diverse interrelations between minerals and hormones. Conclusion: Most of the animals showed deficient serum mineral status. Mineral deficiency affects hormone status and impairs production potential of animals. Based on these findings supplementation of mineral to goat of Kashmir valley is imperative. [Vet World 2013; 6(6.000): 318-320