VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NAMAKKAL

Objectives

• To fulfill the curriculum needs of UG and PG courses
• To undertake external funded/ private agency sponsored/ self financing research projects on parasitic diseases
• Screening of clinical samples received from Veterinary Hospitals and Veterinary University and Training Centres for parasite
• To advise farmers on the importance of parasitic infections and the methods to be adopted for effective control of the same

Modified Objectives

• Evaluation of plant extracts for control of parasitic diseases

Courses Offered

Undergraduate

• VPA 211     General Veterinary Parasitology and Helminthology   (3 + 1)
• VPA 221     Veterinary Entomology and Acarology   (1+1)
• VPA 222     Veterinary Protozoology (2+1)

Postgraduate

• VPA 601         Platyhelminthes of livestock  2+1
• VPA 602         Nemathelminthes and Acanthocephala of livestock 2+1 
• VPA 603         Arthropods as vectors and pathogens of livestock 3+1         
• VPA 604         Protozoan parasites of domestic        animals 3+1
• VPA 605         Immunoparasitology 1+1   
• VPA 606         Animal parasites transmissible to man 2+1 
• VPA 607         Parasites of poultry 2+1 
• VPA 608         Clinical Parasitological techniques 1+1 

Ph.D.

• VPA 801           Advances in Helminthology (2 +1)
• VPA 802          Advances in Entomology and Acarology(2+1)
• VPA 803           Advances in Protozoology (2+1)
• VPA 804           Advances in Immunoparasitology (2 +1)
• VPA 805           Tick borne blood Protista (1+1)
• VPA 806           Parasite Vaccines (1 +2)  

Infrastructure

• Fly Control lab was created under Part II Scheme for carrying out research in housefly control
• A shed with tick proof conditions was created for carrying out research on ticks and tick- borne diseases.
• Anthelmintic resistance laboratory was created for carrying out research on anthelmintic resistance against gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants.
• Departmental museum was strengthened

Equipmenst available

• One Binocular Research Microscope with photomicrography attachment (LEICA )
• One Binocular Research microscope ( Nikon )
• One Stereozoom microscope
• Deep freezer (-35° C)
• BOD incubator
• Sonicator
• Triple distilled water apparatus (QUARTZ)
• Incubator
• Hot air oven
• Electrophoresis apparatus
• Electronic balance
• Laminar air flow
• Liquid nitrogen container
• Projection Microscope with CCTV (Plasma TV) and LCD projector

Achievements

Education

• Reference Charts
  • Reference charts have been prepared for the course General Parasitology and Helminthology Veterinary Entomology & Acarology and Veterinary protozoology
• Computer aided teaching
  • Computer aided teaching is imparted to undergraduate students for teaching Veterinary Helminthology, Veterinary Entomology and Acarology and Veterinary Protozoology. 3 CD ROM’s were prepared for each subject comprising parasite photos, lesion, Lifecycle stages etc.
• Colour Atlas
  • A Colour Atlas of Veterinary Protozoology was compiled by the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, VC & RI, Namakkal using funds allotted under ICAR Development Grant. The Atlas is used by faculty in the Department of Veterinary Parasitology in Veterinary Colleges in India as a reference guide for teaching Veterinary Protozoology.
  • A digital atlas of Veterinary Protozoology was created by the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, VC & RI, Namakkal using funds allotted under ICAR Development Grant (2006). The same is available in the University, for sale. The atlas is the first of its kind in India.

Research

Some of the major research programmes in the department include house fly control, anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants, chicken coccidiosis and control of poultry ectoparasites. Nine research projects were completed and the details are given below.

Research Projects undertaken in the department

Outreach

In addition to teaching and research, the department provides clinical diagnostic services for the Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University Research and Training Centres, Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries located in Western Tamil Nadu.

Faculty from the department also give guest lectures regularly to academicians attending trainer’s training programme at Centre for faculty training in poultry at VC & RI, Namakkal, field veterinarians and to farmers during training Programmes organized by KVK and NSS unit of the College.

The department has published a Colour Atlas on Veterinary Protozoology for circulation among Parasitologists working in various Veterinary Colleges and a “Digital atlas of Veterinary Protozoology’ for the benefit of students.

The department has organized an ICAR sponsored Summer School in 2004 and a National Seminar on “Integrated Management of arthropod pests of livestock and poultry in the aftermath of global warming and climate change on 21st and 22nd, April 2004. The department has also organized training programmes to field veterinarians in 2002.

Current Focus

• Development of Entomopathogenic fungi incorporated baits for house fly control
• Neem as an alternative non chemical insect growth regulator for control of house flies
• Anthelmintic resistance detection assays
• Phytochemicals for anthelmintic resistant nematodes of  small ruminants
• Herbal anticoccidial for control of chicken coccidiosis

Faculty

• Dr. G.Ponnudurai, Professor and Head
• Dr. N.Rani, Assistant Professor
• Dr. K.Thangavel, Assistant Professor
• Dr. P.Anbarasi, Assistant Professor
• Dr. M.Sasikala, Assistant Professor