VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, TIRUNELVELI

The Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli was created on 22/06/2012 with the aim of identifying and controlling the parasitic diseases of livestock through quality education, sustained and fruitful research and result oriented extension activities. On staff are one Professor, one Associate Professor, two Assistant Professors, two Lab Technicians, two Attendants, one animal attendant and one sweeper cum attendant.

The department offers undergraduate courses like General Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary Helminthology, Veterinary Entomology and Acarology, Veterinary Protozoology in the III professional year of B.V.Sc. & A.H curriculum as Veterinary Parasitology (3+2) as per MSVE 2016 regulation. Computer aided teaching is imparted to undergraduate students for teaching Veterinary Helminthology, Veterinary Entomology and Acarology and Veterinary Protozoology. Three CD ROM’s were prepared for each subject comprising parasite photos, lesion, Lifecycle stages etc.

The department has a clear vision and focus to promote and strengthen the research activities in the thrust areas on Anthelmintic resistance detection assays, Phytochemicals for anthelmintic resistant nematodes of small ruminants, Herbal anticoccidial for control of chicken coccidiosis, and Molecular Diagnosis of haemoprotozoan diseases.

The department has Parasite’s Museum, Helminthology laboratory, Entomology and Protozoology laboratory, Research laboratory and experimental animal room. All the laboratories are provided with modular lab work table with in-built LED lighting facility for microscope viewing and equipped with equipment as per the norms prescribed by MSVE 2016 regulations to cater the needs of UG education in veterinary Parasitology. The noteworthy equipment is ALL-IN ONE Microscope [Phase contrast Microscope with Bright Field, Dark filed, Epiflourescent assembly, Photomicrography and Projection attachment (PC, LED TV & LCD projector) - NIKON Ci-L, Japan), Microhematocrit centrifuge, All quarts double distillation unit, Eye piece for double demonstration, and Eye piece comparison for camera lucida drawing.

Helminthology Laboratory is established with microscopic facilities to carry out common Helminthological diagnostic services like Faecal examination, Egg counting techniques, Faecal culture, Helminths Species identification and documentation, Special staining technique, Anthelmintic efficacy test, Anthelmintic Resistance Detection Assays, immunodiagnosis of metacestode infection like Hydatidosis, Cysticercosis etc.,

Entomology laboratory is facilitated with various on farm and off farm insects collecting equipment, preservation and documentation facilities, Dissection Microscope with latest dissecting equipments, Stereozoom microscope with camera, ALL-IN ONE Microscope containing Phase contrast Microscope with Bright Field, Dark filed, Epiflourescent assembly, Photomicrography and Projection attachment (PC, LED TV & LCD projector), are available. Entomological diagnostic services like Insect identification, Larva/Maggot identification, Skin scraping examination, Artificial fly rearing, Tick colony maintenance, in-vitro evaluation of various insecticides and acaricides for its efficacy and resistance etc., are being routinely carried out.

Protozoology laboratory is provided with disease diagnostic facilities like Faecal examination for protozoa, Blood smear examination for haemoprotozoan diseases, Rapid Special staining technique like Acridine Orange (AO) staining for haemoprotozoan/rickettsial infection, Modified Acid Fast staining for Cryptosporidial diagnosis, PM examination of chicken entrails and Coccidial species identification, Coccidial lesion scoring technique, Litter oocyst counting technique and forecasting, Evaluation of phytochemicals for anticoccidials, Anticoccidial efficacy test, Anticoccidial resistance studies are being carried out routinely at the laboratory.

The experimental laboratory animal house with facilities for maintaining experimental animals like mice, rat, pigeons, rabbit and chicken are available as per the approval of Institutional Animal Ethical Committee. Technical facilities for maintaining the organisms like Trypanosoma evansi, Toxoplasma gondii, Heamoproteus columbae, Trichomonas gallinae, Psorpotes cunniculi, Eimeria spp. etc., and preparation of Hyper immune serum are available on demand with prior approval of IAEC.

The department has an exclusive Parasite Museum having more than 650 specimens including 19 lifecycle models, 400 permanent micro prepared slides, 24 blow ups and reference charts arranged in 15 museum racks with in-built light and sliding glass doors for hands on training to students and farmers.

A gallery type Lecture hall of capacity to occupy 100 students with smart class (DIGISCHOOL) facility with short thro LCD projector on a touch screen board, Computer system with 5 in 1 speakers, True online UPS, Podium with in-built mike and speakers and ordinary classical chalk and black board teaching facilities, are being maintained by this department exclusively for first year students