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A total of 2617 bovines (1682 cattle and 935 buffaloes) of coastal districts (Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Valsad) of South Gujarat were screened for tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, the most economically important ectoparasite of bovines worldwide. Farmers chiefly relied on chemical acaricides (67.52%) to kill the ticks, and under chemical method 44.09, 24.17, 30.50 and 1.24 % animals had received cypermethrin, deltamethrin, ivermectin and fipronil, respectively, thus favouring the resistance. In adult immersion test (AIT), the median lethal concentration (LC50) was 144.23, 93.97, 141.67 and 57.89 ppm for deltamethrin in Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Valsad district, respectively. Resistance level was I in Valsad and II in other 3 districts for deltamethrin in AIT. In larval packet test (LPT), the median LC50 was 297.29, 126.81, 127.83 and 93.92 ppm for deltamethrin in Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Valsad district, respectively. Resistance level was III in Bharuch and II in other district in LPT.

An on-farm trial for 90 days was conducted at four tribal villages to assess the effect of chelated mineral mixture (CMM) supplementation on blood biochemistry as well as hormonal and mineral status, nutrient intake and reproductive performance of the anoestrus buffaloes (n=24). The animals selected were randomly divided into two groups of 12 animals each. The group T1 was the control group (farmer’s feeding schedule), and T2 treatment group (T1 + CMM @ 50 g/animal/day). Blood collection was done on days 0, 45, and 90 of the experiment from the animals of both the groups for assessment of blood biochemical, hormonal, and mineral status of the animals. Average DM, DCP, and TDN intake in anoestrus buffaloes calculated as per information collected from farmers were statistically similar among both the groups and were as per ICAR requirements of animals. Results revealed significant (p less than 0.05) improvement in hemoglobin, serum glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, progesterone, estradiol and macro (Ca, P) – micro (Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Mn) mineral status of chelated mineral supplemented group as compared to control animals. The number of days taken to come into oestrus in anoestrus buffaloes (51.22±3.78 vs 75.00±6.18 days for 9 vs 5 animals), as well as the cost of feeding (Rs. 5441 vs 8039), was also significantly (pless than 0.05) reduced upon supplementation of CMM as compared to control group. The control group recorded a 32.32% higher cost of rearing than the treatment group during the experimental period. The findings revealed the beneficial role of chelated minerals supplementation in improving the health, nutritional and reproductive status of anoestrus buffaloes.

The study was done on detection and prevalence of canine coronavirus (CCoV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) from the diarrhoeic dogs. Dogs presented with the diarrhoea and symptomatic illness, were tested for the CCoV and CPV infection. Diarrhoeic samples were directly processed for rapid diagnostic test using Immuno-chromatography based lateral flow assay test (LFA). It is a fast, rapid and specific for the CCoV and CPV detection. Out of total 109 samples processed by the LFA, 05 (4.58 %) were found positive for CCoV and 37 (33.94%) were positive for CPV. None of the samples showed concomitant infection of both the viruses. Age-wise prevalence of CCoV was found to be 7.93 (5/63) % in ≤3 months age group, and no positive case was found in other age groups. Similarly, the age wise prevalence of CPV was found to be 41.26 (26/63), 25.00 (9/26) and 20.00 (2/10) % in ≤3 months, 3 to 6 months and 6 to 12 months of age group, respectively. The prevalence of CCoV and CPV was found more in young puppies.

Among haemoprotozoan diseases of the animals, babesiosis is a tick-transmitted disease caused by protozoans of the genus Babesia and it is characterized by haemolytic anemia and fever, with occasional hemoglobinuria and death (Ristic, 1981). Among six species causing bovine babesiosis, B. bigemina and B. bovis are the most important in tropical and subtropical regions (Radostits et al., 2008). The one host tick Boophilus microplus is responsible for transmission of the disease in India, both by trans-stadial and transovarian routes (Taylor et al., 2007; Lefevre et al., 2010). We came across an unusual and interesting observation about the Babesia associated with the cerebral form of the disease, the “cerebral babesiosis” in a Gir bullock, hence reporting in this communication.