Effect of Time and Amount of Colostrum Feeding on Physiological Parameters and Health Scores in Surti Buffalo Calves

Background: Timely feeding of adequate colostrum to new born calf is important to ensure transfer of passive immunity to prevent several infections. Present study has evaluated effect of time and amount of colostrum feeding on physiological parameters and health scores in Surti buffalo calves. Methods: Based on amount and time of feeding colostrum after birth, 24 Surti buffalo calves were divided into four groups as T1 (7%; 0-4), T2 (7%; 4-8), T3 (10%; 0-4) and T4 (10%; 4-8). Physiological parameters (twice daily upto day 5) and naval, nasal, eye and faecal scores on day 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 were recorded. Lying behavior was recorded on day 2. Result: Significant (p less than 0.05) interaction between treatment and weeks and nonsignificant effect of treatment was observed. Calves that received colostrum late had significantly (p less than 0.05) higher faecal score as well as evening heart and respiration rate. Calves that received colostrum early had significant (p less than 0.05) higher lying time. Normal scores of naval, nasal, eye and faecal indicated good health of calves. It was concluded that early feeding of colostrum @ 7 or 10% body weight within 4 hours after birth is beneficial for optimum health in buffalo calves.

Identification of a New Serovar of Salmonella enterica in Mediterranean Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)

This case report describes for the first-time cases of severe gastroenteritis in water buffalo calves due to a new serovar of Salmonella enterica. The study was carried out on fecal matrix collected from live water buffalo calves that showed profuse diarrhea, severe dehydration and fever, exhibiting a systemic course. Culture and molecular investigations identified the pathogens isolated from intestinal contents as two Salmonella serovars, Salmonella enterica enterica O:35 and a new serovar of Salmonella enterica. The isolates showed multi-drug resistance. Timely diagnosis associated with a targeted antimicrobial treatment were found to be sufficient for the survival and recovery of the infected animals. Herd vaccines prepared from isolated pathogens were used to prevent further deaths of the calves.

Immunization with Brucella abortus S19Δper Conferred Protection in Water Buffaloes against Virulent Challenge with B. abortus Strain S544

Vaccination of cattle and buffaloes with Brucella abortus strain 19 has been the mainstay for control of bovine brucellosis. However, vaccination with S19 suffers major drawbacks in terms of its safety and interference with serodiagnosis of clinical infection. Brucella abortus S19∆per, a perosamine synthetase wbkB gene deletion mutant, overcomes the drawbacks of the S19 vaccine strain. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Brucella abortus S19Δper vaccine candidate in the natural host, buffaloes. Safety of S19∆per, for animals use, was assessed in guinea pigs. Protective efficacy of vaccine was assessed in buffaloes by immunizing with normal dose (4 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/animal) and reduced dose (2 × 109 CFU/animal) of S19Δper and challenged with virulent strain of B. abortus S544 on 300 days post immunization. Bacterial persistency of S19∆per was assessed in buffalo calves after 42 days of inoculation. Different serological, biochemical and pathological studies were performed to evaluate the S19∆per vaccine. The S19Δper immunized animals showed significantly low levels of anti-lipopolysaccharides (LPS) antibodies. All the immunized animals were protected against challenge infection with B. abortus S544. Sera from the majority of S19Δper immunized buffalo calves showed moderate to weak agglutination to RBPT antigen and thereby, could apparently be differentiated from S19 vaccinated and clinically-infected animals. The S19Δper was more sensitive to buffalo serum complement mediated lysis than its parent strain, S19. Animals culled at 6-weeks-post vaccination showed no gross lesions in organs and there was comparatively lower burden of infection in the lymph nodes of S19Δper immunized animals. With attributes of higher safety, strong protective efficacy and potential of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA), S19Δper would be a prospective alternate to conventional S19 vaccines for control of bovine brucellosis as proven in buffaloes.

The Clinical Effect of Xylazine Premedication in Water Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis) Undergoing Castration under General Anaesthesia

Castration is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in livestock. All methods of castration are associated with a significant degree of pain, affecting the patients’ welfare. Limited information on species-specific protocols in buffaloes is available. Considering the importance of this species and the scarcity of reports available, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different intramuscular doses of xylazine for premedication in water buffalo calves undergoing isoflurane maintenance anaesthesia for routine castration surgery. Twenty clinically healthy male water buffaloes undergoing bilateral orchiectomy were randomly assigned to two groups of 10 animals each: Group 1 was premedicated with xylazine 0.1 mg/kg bw i.m. and Group 2 was premedicated with xylazine 0.15 mg/kg bw i.m. Anaesthesia was induced by ketamine (2 mg/kg bw i.v.) and maintained with isoflurane-oxygen-air in both groups. The HR, RR, presence/absence of ataxia, sedation, depth of anaesthesia, muscle relaxation status, response to acoustic and tactile stimuli, eyelid reflex, extent of salivation and stimulus were evaluated every 5 min. Both protocols provided consistent sedation and were safe. Faster and more satisfactory sedation was recorded when xylazine was administered at 0.15 mg/kg bw i.m., leading us to recommend this dose for buffalo orchiectomy.

Efficacy of Clinically Used Anthelmintics Against Toxocariasis of Buffalo Calves in Bangladesh

Toxocariasis is a paramount parasitic disease having over 50% prevalence among newborn buffalo calves in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of clinically used anthelmintics and their subsequent effects on the hematological parameters and body weight in buffalo calves in commercial buffalo farms in coastal region. Thirty-two buffalo calves below 3 months of age with clinical Toxocara infection had been selected and treated with albendazole (ABZ), levamisole (LVM) and ivermectin (IVM). The EPG counts, hematological parameters and initial body weight of buffalo calves were recorded on the day of anthelmintic treatment (day 0). Fecal samples were collected on day 14 and 28 including hematological parameters and body weight were recorded on day 28 post-treatment. The efficacy (%) of anthelmintics were estimated by fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). The parameters like Hb, PCV, ESR, TEC, TLC were analyzed from the blood samples. The FECRT revealed 96.83% efficacy for IVM followed by 94.23% and 85.84% for LVM and ABZ, respectively. Anthelmintic treated calves showed significant (p<0.01) increase in Hb, PCV, TEC and body weight, and decrease in ESR and TLC as a result of worm expulsion from buffalo calves after 28 days of post-treatment. Among the tested anthelmintics, IVM was found to be more effective against toxocariasis in buffalo calves. This is a novel new information on anthelmintics efficacy in buffalo calves in Bangladesh. Further studies are imperative to explore the factors responsible for high prevalence of this deadly nematode in buffalo calves.

Antibody Response of Buffalo Calves to Different Levels of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Immunogen

Antibody response of buffalo calves to different levels of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus immunogen was investigated. Vaccine containing 106.2 units of immunogen/TCID50 of FMD virus (O, A and Asia-1) serotypes induced log2 (1.3± 0.4) units of anti-FMD O Complement Fixing Geometric Mean antibody (FMD O CFT-CGM) titer, log2 (1.4±0.3) units of anti-FMD A CFT-CGM titer and log2 (2.0±0.7) units of anti-FMD Asia-1 CFT-CGM titer. The vaccine containing 2x106.2 units of immunogen of each of the virus serotypes induced log2 (2.2±0.2) units of anti- FMD O CFT-CGM titer, log2 (2.1±0.25) units of anti- FMD A CFT-CGM titer and log2 (3.4±0.8) units of anti-FMD Asia-1 CFT-CGM titer. The vaccine containing 3x106.2 units of TCID50 of each of the virus serotypes induced log2 (5.3 ± 2.0) units of anti-FMD O CFT-CGM titer, log2 (4.6±1.9) units of anti-FMD A CFT-CGM titer and log2 (5.0±2.2) units of anti- FMD Asia-1 CFT-CGM titer. Moreover, buffalo calves (n=3) which were primed and boosted with 60 days interval using vaccine containing 2x106.2 units of immunogen of each of the virus serotype, showed log25.0 and log26.3 units of anti FMD O CFT-GMT antibody titer, log24.6 and log26.0 units of anti FMD A CFT GMT antibody titer, log25.6 and log26.0 units of anti FMD Asia-1 CFT GMT antibody titer, on 30 and 120 days post boosting. Antibody response of buffalo calves was directly proportional to amount of FMD virus immunogen serotypes in the vaccine.