Van cats are animals that often become the centre of attention due to their white hair, colourful eyes, and affectionate attitudes. However, it is nearly impossible to find research studies on the reproductive behaviours of Van cats. We conducted this study with the purpose of revealing the breeding efficiency properties and survival rates of Van cats. The study materials consisted of Van cats in the Van Cat Home of Y&uuml;z&uuml;nc&uuml; Yıl University&rsquo;s Van Cats Research Center. We determined the breeding efficiency properties using records obtained from 56 female cats over the course of four years. As a result of the study, we determined that the durations of oestrus, pregnancy, and lactation in Van cats were, respectively, 2.41&plusmn;0.09, 63.75&plusmn;0.27, and 98.45&plusmn;1.18 days. We also determined the average number of kittens per delivery and the mating per pregnancy as, respectively, 3.30&plusmn;0.19 and 13.71&plusmn;0.74. In this study, we recorded the presence of 56 delivering cats, with a total of 185 kittens, 22 of which were dead (11.89%), and an 88.11% survival rate (%). The most common delivery type was twin deliveries (30%), and the highest rate of stillbirths was 4.86% in quadruplet deliveries.

A retrospective examination of reproduction and survival rates of van cats

<div>Background: Growing demand for improving milk production and rising temperatures due to global warming has increased the thermal load on dairy animals. Physiological parameters such as respiration rate and body temperature mainly determine the adaptability of animals to climate stress. During genetic adaptation, Bos indicus cattle have acquired thermo tolerant genes and when exposed to heat stress conditions, the Bos indicus cattle have lower respiration rates and rectal temperatures than Bos taurus animals. The present study was aimed to study the effect of seasons on the physiological responses in Sahiwal and crossbred cows. 
 
Methods: A total of 50 crossbred cows maintained at Military dairy Farm, Secunderabad and 50 Sahiwal cows maintained at Livestock Farm Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, PVNRTVU were utilized for the present investigation. The study was conducted during summer (THI = 83.71&plusmn;0.01), rainy (THI = 71.37&plusmn;0.01) and winter (THI = 66.69&plusmn;0.01) seasons. Changes in respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) were observed in different seasons in Sahiwal and crossbred cows. 
 
Result: RR (breaths/ min) in Sahiwal cows during summer, rainy and winter were 28.56&plusmn;0.38, 23.38&plusmn;0.38 and 20.54&plusmn;0.38 respectively whereas RR (breaths/ min) in crossbred cows were 44.58&plusmn;0.38, 25.94&plusmn;0.38 and 21.90&plusmn;0.38 respectively. In Sahiwal cows RT (&deg;C) during summer, rainy and winter were 38.52&plusmn;0.03, 38.23&plusmn;0.03 and 38.13&plusmn;0.03 respectively whereas RT (&deg;C) in crossbred cows were 39.22&plusmn;0.02, 38.72&plusmn;0.03 and 37.80&plusmn;0.03 respectively. The magnitude of increase in RR, RT and HTC were found to be higher during summer compared to other seasons in both Sahiwal and crossbred cows. It was observed that Sahiwal cows are less sensitive to heat stress and are better able to regulate their body temperature than crossbred cows when environmental temperature increases during summer. The HTC values were lower in Sahiwal cows in all the seasons studied indicating better thermo tolerance when compared to the crossbred cows.</div>

Effect of Seasons on Physiological Responses in Sahiwal and Crossbred Cows

<div>The adaptability of kittens as indoor pets and the unique situation presented by Covid 19 pandemic led to a flourish in cat breeding and sales. This has led to an increased number of feline obstetric cases presented to veterinary clinical settings during the last two years. Dystocia in dogs is well referenced, but it has received less attention and documentation in cats. Hence, a retrospective study of obstetric emergencies in cats was made. This study reviewed the incidence, treatment and outcomes of 48 feline obstetric emergencies presented to University Veterinary Hospital, Mannuthy, Kerala during the calendar year 2021. The data was analysed and represented according to the presenting complaint, causes of dystocia as maternal or foetal, diagnostic modes, outcome to medical or surgical treatment adopted&nbsp; and&nbsp; exceptional reasons for obstetric emergencies in cats. Dystocia (n= 45), uterine torsion (n= 3), ectopic pregnancy (n= 2) and uterine prolapse (n= 1) were the obstetric emergencies recorded during this study. 75.56 per cent of feline dystocia were due to maternal factors and 24.44 per cent due to foetal factors and in three patients, uterine torsion was identified as the cause of dystocia. Medical management was successful in 45.71% and surgical management was adopted in 48.89% cases. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in cats identified with torsion of uterus, prolapsed uterus and ectopic pregnancies.</div>

Obstetrical Emergencies in Domestic Cats

<div>Background: Thoraco-lumbar spinal trauma frequently results in neurological dysfunction of varying degrees in domestic cats. The consequences may be permanent disability or death depending on severity and segment of spinal cord affected. Assessment of primary damage to spinal cord is important to prevent secondary damage and complications arising from neurological deficit. Since assessment of neurological dysfunction and its treatment in spinal trauma in cats is an evolving field, the present study was undertaken with an objective to record and associate epidemiological data and clinical examination findings at the time of presentation with clinical outcome on 60th post-treatment day in cats with thoracolumbar vertebral fracture and luxation, for a better clinical approach in this condition.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: 24 affected cats were assessed epidemiologically and clinically at the time of presentation. All the cats were treated either conservatively or surgically based on extent of neurological dysfunction and severity of injury on radiographic evaluation. Post-treatment observations was then correlated with epidemiological data and clinical findings to assess the clinical outcome. &nbsp; 
 
Result: In the present study, sub-adult semi-domicile cats were most affected and major cause was automobile accident. Presence of concomitant injuries (30%) affected recovery. Thoracolumbar spinal cord segment (T3-L3) was most affected (71%). Among 16 cats with unstable vertebral fractures, 5/6 cats recovered after surgical treatment and 2/10 cats recovered after conservative treatment. Survival and recovery was poor when degree vertebral canal displacement was more than 70% (10 cats). All 7 cats with grade 1 or grade 2 and one cat with grade 3 neurological dysfunction recovered after conservative treatment. 5 cats with grade 3 and 2 cats with grade 4 neurological dysfunction recovered after surgical treatment. Selection of surgical treatment provided better recovery in cats with unstable vertebral fractures and greater degree of neurological dysfunction.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Epidemiological and Clinical Studies in Cats with Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fracture and Luxation and Its Management</div>

Background: Big cats are widespread across the globe and India is also the host of this group of animals. Canine distemper virus (CDV), a morbillivirus that causes one of the most contagious and lethal viral diseases known in canids, has an expanding host range, including wild animals and its cases have also been observed in big cats. In such a situation, serological analysis of the biological samples may give significant information on the presence of diseases in a particular area. Sampling in big cats is often challenging hence in the present study, serum samples of big cats available in the laboratory were subjected to detection of antibodies against major viral infections including canine distemper.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Serum samples collected from Royal Bengal tigers and Indian leopards irrespective of age and sex of the animals were subjected to the serological analysis of canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine adenovirus (CAV) infections using commercially available dot-ELISA kit.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: Seroprevalence of antibodies against CDV and CPV infections in tigers and leopards was observed which indicated an exposure of these species to canine distemper and canine parvovirus infection in the ecosystem. Results also revealed constant seroprevalence of CPV infection throughout the study period whereas CDV seroprevalence was observed variable during this period. These findings also suggested significant presence of the viral pathogens in big cats.

Assessing Seroprevalence of Major Viral Infections in Big Cats

<div>Background: The study was conducted to unravel the consequences of abnormal lactation lengths (Extremely short, short, prolong and extremely prolong lactation length) on production and reproduction traits of crossbred cattle (Red Dane x Sahiwal x Holstein Friesian), which otherwise remains unutilized in routine breeding data analysis owing to normalization and standardization of lactation lengths.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The performance data of 2541 lactations of 1001 crossbred cattle, sired by 146 bulls over a period of 30 years maintained at the Livestock Farms of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana were used for this study. The data on production and reproduction traits were analysed using general linear model procedures based on extremely short (&lt;102 days), short (102-179 days), prolong (483 - 560 days) and extremely prolong (&ge; 560 days) lactation lengths on the basis of mean lactation length and its standard deviation.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Result indicated that the alteration of lactation lengths affected all important performance traits of crossbred cattle in contemporary as well as in next lactation. The values of 305 days milk yield, lactation milk yield, average fat (%), 305 days fat yield and lactation fat yield of contemporary lactation cycle were higher (P&le;0.05) for the extremely prolong lactation length and reduced for shorter lactations. Similar trend was seen for next lactation cycle of the animal having abnormal lactation length in previous lactation cycle for all traits except calf birth weight, whereas days to reach peak yield and fat yield traits were not significantly affected by lactation length classes. The preferred lactation length for crossbred cattle for optimum performance was concluded as 180 to 483 days ranging one standard deviation from mean lactation length, covering more than 72% of population; however, it needs further studies to break it into groups in terms of productive life and economical merits. Farmers should avoid breeding of animal having extremely short and short lactation lengths, as their production and reproductive traits are lower in successive production cycle.</div>

<div>Abnormal Lactation Lengths and its Consequences on Performance of Crossbred Cattle</div>

<div>Psychiatry is a specialized branch of medicine that studies behavioural disorders in humans and animals. In dogs and cats, behavioural problems are analogous to human psychiatric diseases, with the most common psychopathologies addressed being generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, separation anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The level of bizarre behaviours displayed by the pets varies due to a variety of factors such as hereditary, prenatal dam modification and events during their neonatal and socializing phase. The behavioural changes recorded in dogs and cats include trembling, vocalizing, urinating, soiling, defecating, salivating, hiding, destructiveness, aggression, fear and obsessive behaviours. It is critical to remember that other medical complications, that can produce similar behavioural changes, must be addressed for the animal&rsquo;s specific therapy. For the treatment of behavioural disorders in pets, different therapeutic agents (like Tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines and a typical antidepressants) are used together with the behavioural modification strategies.</div>

Behavioural Disorders in Dogs and Cats: A Review

<div style="text-align: justify;">Present study was aimed to improve poor quality crossbred bulls semen, as occurrence of poor quality ejaculates are one of the major problems in crossbred bulls. Antioxidants and its combination was tried to overcome such problems. Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Vitamin E+C were supplemented at dose rate of 1mg, 5 mM and 1mg + 5mM per ml respectively in split ejaculates to evaluate semen quality during preservation at refrigerated temperature and cryopreservation. The results showed that semen characteristics were better in antioxidant supplemented ejaculates. Total sperm abnormality were significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in antioxidant supplemented group. &nbsp;The seminal characteristics of crossbred bull semen showed significantly better (p&lt;0.05) performance on preservation, when fortified with Vitamin E as compared to Vitamin C alone as well as Vitamin E and C in combination. The performance of semen additives, were supportive to semen characteristics especially for Vitamin E, moreover fortification with Vitamin E+C was slightly superior to Vitamin C. It can be concluded that fortification of Vitamin E has beneficial role in semen quality improvement followed by Vitamin E+C and Vitamin C.&nbsp;</div>

Assessment of antioxidants for preservation of crossbred bull semen in Tris based extender

<div>Background: Kashmir Valley, one of the temperate regions of India, has experienced an exponential increase in the milk-production over the last decades. This may be mainly attributed to massive cross-breeding of &lsquo;Local Cattle of Kashmir Valley&rsquo; with the world-class dairy breeds like Jersey and Holstein-Friesian (HF), popularly known as Jersey-Crossbreds (JCB) and Holstein-Friesian Crossbreds (HFCB), respectively. However, no specific guidelines on their breed characteristics is available, which is crucial for their establishment, recognition and management. Precise and standardized morphological details are a primary requisite for application of advanced technologies like automation, Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the HFCB and JCB cows. 
 
Methods: Morphologic and morphometric traits of 600 and 447 cows respectively, reared in the Srinagar district of Kashmir, were studied in detatil as per the standard methods. The null-hypothesis set was that the two crossbreds do not differ from each other. 
 
Result: It was observed that two crossbreds differed significantly (p&lt;0.05) with each other in respect of the morphological and morphometrical traits like body size and weight. The study generated a baseline data on these two crossbreds, which is critical not only for their recognition, welfare and scientific management, but shall also act as a reference for global researchers to assess the results of crossbreeding superior dairy breeds in improving the genetic-merit of other breeds worldwide.</div>

Morphological and Morphometrical Studies on the Crossbred Cows under Temperate Climatic Condition of Kashmir Valley

<div>Background: The objective of this study was to find out the association of lactation numbers of crossbred cow with their serum antisperm antibody titre, if any.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Total 163 numbers of normal breeding crossbred jersey crossbred cows belong to various lactational groups maintained in the Instructional Livestock Farm, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara and various private cattle farms in Kamrup district of Assam, India were selected for the work. ELISA was carried out for detection of antisperm antibody (asp-abs) in the test sera. Data were analysed using Chi-square test. 
 
Result: In the present study, out of 163 females 94 (57.67%) animal were found to be positive reactors. The percentage of positive reactors could be detected in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and above (5th, 6th, 7th and 9th) lactational group of cows were 16 (72.73%),15 (50.00%), 23 (63.89%), 14 (43.75%), 26 (60.47%) respectively. The highest titre up to the extent of 1:320 was recorded in the sera of cows with 1st, 3rd and 4th lactations. A negative correlation (r = -0.42NS) between the numbers of lactation and 
positive reactors for antisperm antibody (asp-abs) is found in crossbred cows.</div>