Bluetongue vaccine for cattle launched

HYDERABAD:  

India’s first vaccine for bluetongue disease that is increasingly afflicting sheep and goat population across the country was launched by the veterinary biological company Indian Immunologicals Ltd here today.

Bluetongue is a viral disease, which has about 24 viral strains prevalent across the world.

However, in India, only five strains are mostly prevalent, but its incidence in the cattle population is increasing.

“The incidence rate (of this disease) is estimated at 50 per cent of the sheep and goal population in India, with the mortality rate touching almost 30 per cent. India has about 200 million sheep and goat population,” said K V Balasubramaniam, Managing Director of IIL, an arm of the National Dairy Development Board.

The incidence of this disease is much higher compared to other susceptible species, including camels, with several outbreaks reported from the sheep belt in southern and western States. There is no preventive mechanism till date and routine drugs are used for treatment.

The symptoms include fever and blue tongue.

Affordable pricing

IIL developed this vaccine in collaboration with Indian Council of Agriculture Research and Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.

“We took about three years to develop this vaccine. Although we are the first to come out with this vaccine, we still have kept the price at an affordable ₹5 per dose,” he told mediapersons here.

India would require about 60 million doses to vaccinate the vulnerable sheep and goat population.

IIL has developed the capacity to produce this requirement at its Hyderabad facility, which produced the first batch of three million doses.

The vaccine is given to four-month-old cattle population, followed by a booster dose three months later and one dose every year from then.

New Zealand unit

The company set up its New Zealand arm last month to produce bovine serum used for making vaccines.

“The new subsidiary (in New Zealand) will start commercial production by mid-2015 with a capacity of 300 tonnes per annum. We require about 200 tonnes for our vaccine making capacity. We will export the rest,” Balasubramaniam said.

Source:Internet

A career in veterinary sciences

What does it take to be an veterinarian? Not just the love for puppies and kittens, finds out Patricia Mascarenhas

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As an animal lover, you might want to spend all day hanging out with loving, licking, kindly animals. However, veterinarians are more than just dog and cat doctors. “We work with many different types of animals, these include birds, fish, rabbits, ferrets, rodents, and reptiles in addition to the traditional pets,” says Dr Sunetra Wadke Rane, Masters of Veterinary Sciences (MVSc), PetVet Veterinary Clinic.

Good health has become important not just for human beings but for pets and other animals as well. “People are open to the idea of having different kinds of pets leading to an increase in demand for veterinarians in India,” informs Wadke. Dr DA Kakar of the Bombay Veterinary College (BVC) agrees, “In 1886, when our college was established 35 students enrolled for the course, the number has now increased to 71.” Besides enrollment, the number of aspirants too is increasing. For example, this year 265 applicants were competing for the 71 seats. 

It is not just the pet owners who have led to an increase in demand for veterinary doctors. There are many private players taking up Veterinary and Animal Husbandry as an entrepreneurship today, particularly in areas of modern farming, biotechnology, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, vaccines, diagnostics, feed and value added animal products. “We have people coming in from dairy, fishery and poultry industries, pharmaceutical companies, public hygiene, government and private sectors,” informs Wadke.

The path to become a veterinarian is not easy. Veterinarians must obtain doctoral degrees from accredited schools of veterinary medicine. “An undergraduate course (BVSc & AH) of five years duration is a must,” says Kakar. To attain this degree an aspirant has to be not less than 17 years of age; he/she has to clear 10+2 years of schooling with physics, chemistry and biology as basic subjects and merit in MH-CET exam. The Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU) provides an admission form. Apart from this, there are a number of postgraduate diploma courses. “Post the bachelors, you can also pursue Masters in Veterinary Sciences (MVSc) followed by PhD,” he informs.  

“Our patients don't speak and you attend to canines, felines, exotic animals like rabbits, ferrets, reptiles, birds and the list goes on. Every species has a different anatomy and physiology and thus needs to be attended to differently,” explains Mugdha Kulkarni, MVSc (surgery and radiology), Prolife Speciality Vet Clinic. Aspirants must remember they are dealing with animals, some who are aggressive so one has to whole heartedly accept the bites, kicks and licks that your patients may shower on you. “That's what makes us different from a human medicos, a human patient would never enter a consult ready to bite the doctor,” laughs Kulkarni.

In this profession, the salary depends not only on experience and location but also the type of patients one treats. “If you choose to work at the grass root level worker or as budding private practitioner, your pay could be about Rs 15, 000 per month. However, with patience and perseverance and after years of being into practice and building the trust of your clientele, your practice can be rewarding,” informs Kulkarni.  

Although you will be caring for animals, you will be working closely with their owners. Maintaining a professional and caring manner is an essential part of the job. There maybe many challenges for a veterinarian, but for those who are dedicated to care for animals, it is well worth the effort. 

Source:Internet

Practitioner times : Those Critical One Hundred Days

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Practitioner times issue 04 from NATURAL REMEDIES PVT. LTD.

The 6th International Colloquium on Working Equids

Date : November 29-December 3 - 2010
Location: New Delhi, India

The 2010 International Colloquium on Working Equids will be a unique gathering where keynote speakers from the worlds of international development, social science, human health and education will interact with animal scientists, veterinarians, project managers and field workers from the world of working horses, donkeys and mules. The interdisciplinary approach is set to deliver a ground-breaking and thought-provoking conference that will use the theme of ‘Learning from Others’ to explore new approaches to benefit working animals and their owners in the developing world. There are 100 million working horses, donkeys and mules in the world. Ninety-five per cent of all donkeys and 60 per cent of horses are found in developing nations. The majority are owned by individuals who use them as their sole means of income. Working animals are integral to rural transport systems and food production, distribution and security.

Source:Internet

Regards,
Meena & Pooja

Career in Veterinary Pathology

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Career in Veterinary Pathology

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Govt plans new law to prevent cruelty against animals.

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday said it was planning to bring a new legislation with stiffer penalties and punishments to prevent cruelty against animals. The proposed bill is expected to replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.

Replying to a query in Lok Sabha, environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh said Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Animal Welfare Board of India Act, 1962, were meant to promote animal welfare and for the purpose of protecting animals from being subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering.

Responding to a question by BJP member Maneka Gandhi, the minister said, "We want to come with a comprehensive animal welfare Act with steep penalties. Because, as of today, it (penalty) is laughable." Maneka said the fine was as low as Rs 50.

On a related issue, Ramesh said his ministry would be issuing advisories to state governments to emulate those governments that had banned animal sacrifice. He, however, said the government would desist from asking for a ban as the issue was a "sensitive one".

"As far as banning animal sacrifice is concerned, this is a sensitive issue and I want to proceed with some caution," Ramesh said. "There are some states that have banned animal sacrifice and we shall certainly send advisories to all states to emulate those who have banned it," he added.

The minister also condemned games like bull fighting in some states. Jallikattu, or taming of the bull, which is popular in Tamil Nadu, was nothing but animal cruelty, the minister said while regretting the decision by the state assembly to recognise it. "Even Spain has banned bull fights, I don't understand why can't Tamil Nadu do so," Ramesh said.






Regards,
Pooja.M.V,
Coordinator






Source:Internet

30th WORLD VETERINARY CONGRESS 2011

Come on an awe-inspiring Congress Safari to South Africa in 2011.


WORLD VETERINARY CONGRESS 2011 IN CAPE TOWN, 10-14 October, promises to be the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the South African rainbow nation.

This prestigious event will welcome veterinarians, para-veterinarians, other health-care professionals and their families from Africa and around the world to South Africa’s premier tourist destination city.

The theme "CARING FOR ANIMALS: HEALTHY COMMUNITIES" lends itself to fulfilling a global need and sets the scene for a varied, stimulating, multi-session scientific and professional programme, to cater for the diverse needs of a multi-disciplined veterinary profession. With more than a century of organised veterinary science, South Africa has an important role to play in the dissemination of knowledge across the continent and the globe.

The focus will be on food production, safety and security as well as disease control in communities served by the veterinary profession. The continuing professional development needs of veterinary clinicians will also be comprehensively catered for. This will be the most extensive veterinary scientific showcase ever offered in Africa.

World Veterinary Congress 2011 will be held at the world-class Cape Town International Convention Centre, nestled at the foot of Table Mountain.

The social and accompanying-persons programme will include day trips in and around the breathtaking Cape Peninsula, flanked by the frigid Atlantic Ocean on the west and warm Indian Ocean on the east, as well as to world-renowned vineyards. Pre- and post-Congress tours guarantee a taste of the scenic splendour, cultural diversity and unrivalled wildlife heritage that South Africa can offer its visitors. All this, together with 320 days of sunshine per year will have you planning your next African adventure!

On behalf of the South African Veterinary Association, hosts of the 30th World Veterinary Congress and the Congress Organising Committee, I extend an invitation to come and experience the warmth and renowned hospitality of Nelson Mandela’s rainbow nation.


Regards,
POOJA.M.V,
Coordinator.
Source:Internet