PSSSB Veterinary Inspector cheat sheet

Ruminant stomach order: reticulum → rumen → omasum → abomasum; the abomasum is the true glandular stomach secreting HCl and pepsinogen.

Dental formula of adult cattle: 2(0/4 0/0 3/3 3/3) = 32 teeth; sheep/goat 2(0/3 0/0 3/3 3/3) = 32; pig 2(3/3 1/1 4/4 3/3) = 44.

Rumen epithelium is stratified squamous keratinized, non-glandular, with papillae; absorption of volatile fatty acids occurs across it.

Normal rectal temperature: cattle 38.0–39.0 °C, sheep 38.5–40.0 °C, goat 38.5–39.5 °C, pig 38.5–39.5 °C, dog 38.0–39.0 °C, horse 37.5–38.5 °C.

Heart rate ranges: cattle 60–80/min, sheep/goat 70–90/min, pig 60–90/min, horse 28–44/min, dog 70–120/min.

Rumen motility: 1–3 contractions per minute; A-sequence mixes and B-sequence eructates gas; rumination ~6–8 h/day.

Histology layers of tubular gut: mucosa (epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae), submucosa, muscularis externa, serosa.

Erythrocyte sizes: cattle ~5.5 µm, sheep ~5.0 µm, goat ~4.0 µm, dog ~7.0 µm - ruminant RBCs are among the smallest domestic species.

Respiratory pattern of birds uses air sacs (9–11) and unidirectional airflow; no diaphragm - ventilation by abdominal and thoracic muscles.

Total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestible crude protein (DCP) are the standard measures for Indian ration formulation; 1 kg TDN ≈ 4.4 Mcal digestible energy.

Maintenance DCP requirement for cattle ≈ 1 g DCP per kg metabolic body weight (W^0.75); maintenance TDN ≈ 30–35 g/kg W^0.75.

Rumen microbes require degradable nitrogen plus fermentable energy synchronously; urea should not exceed 1% of concentrate or 1/3 of total dietary N.

Crude fibre above ~18–20% in concentrate lowers digestibility; roughage:concentrate ratio for high yielders is about 60:40 to 50:50 on DM basis.

Calcium:phosphorus ratio in a balanced ration should be 1.5:1 to 2:1; wider ratios impair absorption and cause nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Anti-nutritional factors: gossypol in cottonseed cake, Lathyrus sativus (BOAA) causing lathyrism, tannins in oak, HCN in immature sorghum/jowar, aflatoxin from Aspergillus flavus in stored maize.

Silage making: wilt to 65–70% moisture, chop 1–2 cm, anaerobic fermentation to pH 3.8–4.2 dominated by lactic acid bacteria.

Water intake of cattle ≈ 3–5 L per kg dry matter intake, rising with milk yield and ambient temperature.

Bypass (rumen-protected) protein and fat are used to meet requirements of high-producing animals without excess rumen ammonia.

Heritability (h²) = additive genetic variance / phenotypic variance; high h² (>0.4) traits respond to individual selection, low h² traits (fertility) respond to family/records-based selection.

Repeatability sets the upper limit of heritability and predicts future records from past ones; selection index = weighted sum of information sources.

Breeding value estimated as EBV = h² (P − P̄); accuracy increases with number of progeny records (progeny testing).

Inbreeding coefficient F = Σ (1/2)^(n1+n2+1)(1+F_A) over common ancestors; inbreeding depression affects fertility and viability.

Oestrous cycle: cattle 18–24 d (mean 21), sheep 16–17 d, goat 18–22 d, pig 18–24 d, buffalo 21–23 d; oestrus duration cow 12–18 h, buffalo 24–36 h.

Gestation: cattle 280–285 d, buffalo 305–315 d, sheep 147–150 d, goat 150–152 d, pig 114 d.

Ovulation in the cow occurs about 10–12 h after end of oestrus; best AI time is 12 h after standing heat (am–pm rule).

Semen: bull ejaculate 4–8 mL, 800–1500 million sperm/mL; cryopreservation uses glycerol as cryoprotectant at ~7% and 0.25 mL straws.

Crossbreeding systems: two-breed terminal cross exploits heterosis; rotational cross retains 2/3 of heterosis; grading up to exotic blood in buffalo/cattle needs 5–6 generations.

Rumen fluid examination: pH 6.5–7.0 (normal), protozoa 10^5–10^6/mL; pH <5.5 with few protozoa indicates lactic acidosis.

Ketosis (acetonaemia) in cattle: hypoglycaemia, ketonuria, positive Rothera's test, sweet breath; treat with IV glucose and propylene glycol.

Milk fever (parturient paresis): hypocalcaemia (<7 mg/dL), recumbency, cold ears, positive response to slow IV calcium borogluconate.

Bloat treatment: trocarisation at left flank (rumen), stomach tube, anti-foaming agents (simethicone, vegetable oil); prevention by roughage and poloxalene.

Bovine mastitis diagnosis: California Mastitis Test (CMT) for somatic cell count, strip cup for clots; SCC >200,000 cells/mL milk indicates subclinical mastitis.

Peste des petits ruminants: fever, oral erosions, diarrhoea, pneumonia; diagnosed by RT-PCR or antigen ELISA; controlled by live attenuated vaccine.

Haemorrhagic septicaemia (Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2): peracute in cattle/buffalo, oedema of neck and brisket, diagnosed from blood smear bipolar organisms.

Blood smear examination: anaemia classified by PCV (cattle normal 24–46%), and by MCV/MCHC as macrocytic, normocytic or microcytic.

Brucellosis screening uses Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and confirmation by ELISA or isolation; vaccination with S19 or RB51 in cattle.

Xylazine is an α2-agonist sedative: cattle 0.05–0.1 mg/kg IM; causes rumen atony and salivation, so fast animals 12–24 h and keep head low.

Ketamine (dissociative) at 5–10 mg/kg IM with xylazine produces short surgical anaesthesia in cats; not used alone for visceral analgesia.

Preanaesthetic fasting: adult ruminants 24–48 h food and 12 h water to reduce bloat and regurgitation risk.

Local anaesthesia: 2% lignocaine plain, maximum safe dose in cattle ~10 mg/kg; adrenaline-containing solution prolongs block but is avoided in extremities and ring blocks.

Rumenotomy: standing left flank laparotomy under paravertebral or inverted-L block; rumen wall sutured to skin to prevent contamination.

Caesarean section in cow: left flank approach most common, avoid rumen; in buffalo and goat often right flank; in mare ventral midline.

Castration methods: open (scrotal) for young bulls, closed (bloodless) via elastrator in lambs, Burdizzo crush; antisepsis and tetanus prophylaxis essential.

Suture materials: catgut (absorbable, plain 7–10 d, chromic 14–21 d), polyglactin 910 (Vicryl, absorbable), nylon/silk (non-absorbable); monofilament reduces infection risk.

Wound healing phases: haemostasis → inflammation (0–3 d) → proliferation (3–21 d) → remodelling (up to months); primary intention when edges apposed.

Oxytetracycline dose in cattle 5–10 mg/kg; avoid in young animals (teeth/bone deposition) and in lactating animals due to residues.

Sulphonamides and trimethoprim act synergistically on sequential steps of folate synthesis; ratio 5:1 (S:T) is optimal.

Penicillin G procaine 10,000–20,000 IU/kg IM in cattle; withdrawal period in milk is 72 h; penicillin is ineffective against Gram-negative organisms.

Ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg SC in cattle; not for use in dairy animals producing milk for human consumption; causes GABA-mediated toxicity in Collies.

Atropine is contraindicated in ruminants (excess salivation, bloat) except for organophosphate poisoning; dose 0.1–0.2 mg/kg.

Organophosphate poisoning: muscarinic signs (salivation, miosis, diarrhoea), treat with atropine plus pralidoxime (2-PAM) early.

Nitrate/nitrite poisoning: methaemoglobinaemia, chocolate-brown blood; treat with 1% methylene blue at 1–2 mg/kg IV.

Lead poisoning: anaemia, blindness, GI signs; chelation with calcium disodium edetate (CaEDTA) or D-penicillamine.

Antidote pairs: warfarin → vitamin K1; arsenic → dimercaprol (BAL); copper → penicillamine; paracetamol (cats) → N-acetylcysteine; cyanide → sodium thiosulphate + sodium nitrite.

Gram-positive organisms stain purple due to thick peptidoglycan; Gram-negative pink with thin wall and outer membrane containing LPS endotoxin.

Anthrax: Bacillus anthracis, square-ended bacilli with capsule; do NOT open carcass (spores form); diagnose by blood smear, Ascoli test; vaccinate with Sterne spore vaccine.

Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium bovis, acid-fast bacilli; diagnosed by intradermal tuberculin test; zoonotic via unpasteurised milk.

FMD virus: Picornaviridae, Aphthovirus, 7 serotypes (A, O, C, Asia-1, SAT 1-3); no cross-protection between serotypes; vaccine must match field serotype.

Fasciola gigantica life cycle: snail intermediate host Lymnaea; metacercariae encyst on herbage; adult fluke in bile ducts; treat with triclabendazole 10 mg/kg.

Babesia bigemina is transmitted by Boophilus (Rhipicephalus) ticks and causes red-water fever; imidocarb dipropionate is the drug of choice.

Coccidiosis: Eimeria spp., bloody diarrhoea in calves/lambs; treat with amprolium or sulphonamides; prevention by hygiene and coccidiostats.

Pathology terms: necrosis = cell death with inflammation; apoptosis = programmed cell death without inflammation; metaplasia = reversible change of one mature cell type to another.

Ascariasis in pigs: Ascaris suum causes milk-spot liver, verminous pneumonia (thumps); eggs are thick-shelled and resistant.

Crossbred cattle age at first calving: 24–30 months; buffalo 30–36 months; calving interval target 12–13 months for cattle and 13–15 months for buffalo.

Lactation length in cattle ~305 days with 60-day dry period; peak yield at 6–8 weeks post-calving; persistency measured as monthly decline.

Clean milk production: fore-milk discard, wash udder, dry hand milking, stainless steel utensils, cool milk to 4 °C within 2 h.

Milk composition: cow ~3.5% fat, 8.5% SNF; buffalo ~6.5–7% fat, 9–9.5% SNF; colostrum contains 15–20% protein and high immunoglobulins.

Poultry incubation: chicken 21 days, duck 28, turkey 28, quail 17–18; incubator temperature 37.5–37.8 °C, humidity 55–60% setter and 70% hatcher.

Layer management: 18 h light at peak production, 15–16 h for growers; egg weight ~55–60 g; feed ~110–120 g/bird/day for layers.

Broiler target: body weight 1.8–2.0 kg at 35–42 days with FCR 1.6–1.7; vaccination against Newcastle disease (F-strain at day 7, LaSota later).

Culling criteria: repeat breeding (3+ services), low yield, chronic mastitis, lameness; buffalo fattening and dry period management improve herd economics.

Silage and hay storage: hay at <15% moisture; silo pit airtight; spoiled silage is a source of Listeria and Clostridia.

Extension teaching methods: individual (farm visit, telephone), group (demonstration, field day), mass (radio, TV, print, Kisan Call Centre).

Diffusion of innovations (Rogers): innovators → early adopters → early majority → late majority → laggards; adoption curve follows an S-shape.

Fixed cost = depreciation + interest on capital + insurance + taxes; variable cost = feed, labour, veterinary, breeding, utilities.

Gross margin = gross income − variable cost; net profit = gross income − total cost; benefit-cost ratio = total returns / total cost.

Depreciation: straight-line = (cost − salvage)/useful life; dairy cattle useful life 8–10 years, machinery 10 years.

Break-even point = fixed cost / (price per unit − variable cost per unit); break-even milk yield determines viability of a dairy unit.

Cost of milk production = total annual cost / annual milk yield; includes imputed costs of family labour and interest on owned capital.

Livestock insurance under national schemes (e.g., Livestock Insurance Scheme) covers death and permanent disability; premium subsidised for small farmers.

PRA tools in extension: seasonal calendar, transect walk, ranking, Venn diagram, focus group discussion.

Zoonoses classification: direct (rabies, brucellosis), cyclozoonoses (hydatid), metazoonoses (plague), saprozoonoses (anthrax, listeriosis).

Rabies: Lyssavirus, 100% fatal once symptoms appear; post-exposure prophylaxis = wound washing + vaccine ± rabies immunoglobulin (Category III bites).

Milk-borne zoonoses: tuberculosis, brucellosis, Q fever, listeriosis, salmonellosis; pasteurisation (63 °C/30 min LTLT or 72 °C/15 s HTST) prevents transmission.

Methylene blue reduction test (MBRT) and resazurin test assess raw milk bacteriological quality; MBRT >5 h indicates good quality.

Meat inspection: ante-mortem (behaviour, temperature, lesions) and post-mortem (lymph nodes, viscera); condemnation for tuberculosis, cysticercosis, anthrax.

Cysticercus bovis in cattle and C. cellulosae in pigs are zoonotic; meat with heavy infestation is condemned; freezing at −10 °C for 10 days kills cysticerci.

HACCP principles: hazard analysis, critical control points, critical limits, monitoring, corrective actions, verification, record keeping.

Standard plate count of milk > 2 × 10^6 cfu/mL indicates poor hygiene; coliforms indicate faecal contamination.

Slaughterhouse hygiene: lairage rest, ante-mortem inspection, segregation of sick animals, sterilised knives, clean water, proper effluent treatment.

Punjab state formed on 1 November 1966 by bifurcation of the erstwhile Punjab; capital Chandigarh (shared with Haryana).

Punjab has 23 districts (after creation of Malerkotla in 2021); official language Punjabi; state animal blackbuck, state bird goshawk (Baaz), state tree shisham.

Punjab's agriculture: wheat–rice rotation dominates; Punjab contributes a major share of central pool wheat and rice procurement; Green Revolution launched in 1960s with ICAR/PAU collaboration.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, founded 1962; Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, established 2006 - the state veterinary university.

Punjab culture: Bhangra and Giddha folk dances, Gurmukhi script, Baisakhi harvest festival, Sufi tradition of Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah and Waris Shah's Heer.

Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar, founded by Guru Ram Das; Jallianwala Bagh massacre 1919; Wagah–Attari border ceremony.

Five rivers of Punjab historically: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (Jhelum and Chenab now in Pakistan).

National livestock statistics: India ranks first in milk production; Punjab's per capita milk availability is among the highest in India.

Punjab livestock institutions: Punjab Livestock Development Board, Directorate of Animal Husbandry Punjab, and milk federations (Verka brand).