CAMEL HEALTH

Research Programme

• Management of camel diseases through surveillance, sero-monitoring, prophylactic and control measures

Research Activities

• Epidemiological mapping of camel diseases in camel inhabitating states
• Economic impact of diseases on camel health and production
• Development and validation of diagnostics protocols for important camel diseases
• Research on feasibility and efficacy of contemporary alternate medicine (CAM) in camel
• Exploitation of camel immune system for diagnostic and therapeutic uses
• Molecular cloning & characterization of cameline cytokine genes
• Studies on neo-natal immunity in camel

Research Achievements

• In a field survey 80.3% camel population have been found positive for mixed nematode infection predominated by Haemonchus and Strongyloides sp. with faecal egg count between 75- 100
• Broad spectrum anthelmintis, viz. ivermectin at the rate of 1ml/50 kg b.wt. and fenbendazole orally have been found effective in reducing epg count.
• Hyalomma dromedary and H. anatolicum are the common tick infestations.
• 7.5% and 6.5% of camels of irrigated and non-irrigated area have been found infected with trypanosomiosis.
• Mouse inoculation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been found to be standard tests for detecting of cameline surra.
• Peroxidase and FITC coupled anti camel conjugates have been developed to be used in sero diagnosis of infectious diseases and other related purposes.
• Cultural examination and somatic cell count of milk samples revealed 34.40% sub-clinical infection in camel.
• Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium and Bacillus sp. have been isolated from sub-clinical mastitis milk samples.
• Considering overall efficacy, irrespective of the species of organism, 100% of isolates were found sensitive to Chloramphenicol, Cephalaxin, Amoxycilin and Amoxyclav.
• Mean serum Co and Cu concentrations varied significantly among negative, sub-clinical and non specific cases of mastitis either in terms of SCC or infection status.
• Daily feeding of Cu, Zn and Se for 30 days resulted in almost 40% lower infections of mastitis.
• Methonol extract of prosopis juliflora and punica granatom were 100% effective as antibacterial against mastitis isolates.
• Sarcoptic mange in camel was recorded as 46, 42 and 21%, respectively in irrigated, non-irrigated and organized farm. Highest infestation was noticed during September to December (59%), as compared to January to April (22%) and May to August (19%).
• More than 90% of ethnoveterinary practiexs used by camel owner for treatment were plant based.
• Candida albicon was isolated as causative agent for skin infection in camel calves of less than 1 yr. age.