Preface Continuing veterinary education is one of the important objective for all the practicing veterinarians in order to give 100% efficient treatment to the livestock. This book “Vet’s Ready Reckoner” has been written to provide not only basic and fundamental information on various aspects of livestock and canine practice which helps as a refreshing information but also includes latest information related to the field which will serve as a source of updated knowledge. The mission of the author will be successful if the reader especially all the practicing veterinarians get material benefit out of this book. The author invites any kind of constructive suggestion, addition, alteration and corrections for any error that may remain within the text to improve the book in future. The authors expresses sincere gratitude to all their friends and colleagues for their inspiration and valuable cooperation.

Veterinarians will be often required to mention the specific animal husbandry terms for various purposes like writing certificates for various schemes, postmortem, attending court of law in veterolegal cases etc. Hence this chapter aims in refreshing the vets with the common terms associated with different domestic animals and animal husbandry activities. 

1    Dental formulae and eruption of tooth 2    Ageing based on rings of the horn 3    General appearance of animal 4    Longevity of different animals

1    Ruminants 2    Canines

The selection of right dog for the required purposes like watching, hunting, guarding, showing, companionship and even animal associated therapies nowadays, warrants a detailed information on various dog breeds, like physical and other specific characteristics which may be different to each other. This  chapter  gives important characteristics of dog breeds and guidelines for buying a pup.

The basic knowledge of normal physiological values in different animal species is essential for selection of the animal, diagnosis of any abnormality if any and its correction. The chapter provides the normal physiological values viz temperature, pulse, respiration etc in different domestic animals.

1    Normal haemotological values 2    Blood biochemical values

The different biochemical values serve as an indicator of the correct health status, viz important organ functions,  the alteration in values if any, helps in identifying the specific organ damage and exact diagnosis of the  abnormal health condition or disease. Some of the important biochemical values of the animals, which may assist in diagnosing the specific disease  conditions are listed in this chapter.

The  information on normal reproductive traits in domestic animals like calving interval, age at first calving etc, is essential for getting the maximal reproductive efficiency of the animal by the farmer. It also helps in improving the reproductive efficiency of the animals by different required means viz nutrient/mineral supplementation, antibiotic, hormonal therapy etc.

The table gives the approximate date of parturition, based on the date of breeding/mating in the year as a easy ready reference table.

1    Vaccination schedule for cattle and buffaloes 2    Vaccination schedule for sheep and goats 3    Vaccination schedule for dogs 4    Deworming schedule for dogs and cats 5    Vaccination schedule for poultry 6    Vaccination schedule for broilers in different seasons/situations5

1    Disease diagnosis based on posture, gait appearance and clinical signs

1    Bovines 2    Canines

Fluid therapy plays an important role in emergency and critical care of  the malnourished, anemic, unhealthy and debilitated animals and as a supportive therapy in various disease conditions, accidents etc. The type, rate and quantity of fluids indicated for common abnormal conditions  in various animals are dealt in brief in  the following chapter.

Drugs acting on alimentary system Drugs acting on respiratory system Drugs acting on urinary system Drugs acting on genital system Drugs acting on musculoskeletal system Antineoplastic drugs Antimicrobials Antifungal Antiprotozoal Anthelmintics

Some of the Homeopathic remedies followed for common disease conditions of animals are listed in brief in the following chapter.

The usage of different pure chemicals and their combinations in treating various disorders of the livestock has been listed in this chapter.

The drug action can be adversely affected by the presence/concomitant administration of another drug/ agent, may be inhibiting its absorption, metabolism or excretion. Some of the drugs are incompatible with IV fluids, resulting in their inefficacy. The important drug interactions to be taken into consideration while administering a drug, are tabulated in this chapter.

1    Common diseases affecting livestock 2    Disease information 3    Diseases of skin 4    Diseases of muscuoskeletal system in canines

1    Large animals 2    Canines 3    Suggested antimicrobial/antifungal agents for intra-uterine administration 4    Commercial preparations of hormone(s) and recommended dosage protocol in cows 5    Drugs safe & contra indicated in pregnancy

1    General line of treatment of poisoning in animals 2    Systemic antidotes-dosage and method of treatment large animals 3    Small animals 4    Plant toxins 5    Zoo toxins

1    Ideal surgical pack 2    Nerve blocks 3    Commonly used pre-anaesthetics and anaesthetics

1    General post mortem examination and detection of date and time of death 2    Pathogenomonic lesions of different diseases 3    Livestock insurance 4    Pet-dog insurance

Laboratory investigation of the samples assist in diagnosing, confirming the cases including veterolegal cases. The type of material, quantity of specimens & preservatives used and the method of dispatch to the laboratory  is tabulated in this chapter.

1    Consent form for surgery 2    Consent form for euthanesia 3    Slaughter certificate 4    Wound certificate 5    Proforma for export certificate of dogs

1    Suggested fodder species for different regions 2    Package of practices for cultivated fodder crops 3    Estimation of agricultural by-products

References 1.    S.P.Pachauri, Canine Preventive Medicine, 1999, Nilay Publications, Pantnagar. 2.    The Merck Veterinary Manual IXth edition, 2006. Merck & Co. USA. 3.    Micheal. E. Peterson and Patricia. A. Palcot, Small Animal Toxicology, 2nd edition , 2006 Elsivier, Suanders. 4.     H.Richard Adams, Veterinary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 8th edition, 2001, Iowa State University Press, USA