In Malaysia, helminthiasis due to strongyles such as Haemonchuscontortus and coccidiosis caused by Eimeria sp. have been reported to cause severe economic losses in small ruminants livestock industry. This paper reports the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasite infections on small ruminants situated in Seberang Perai Selatan district, Penang. Faecal samples were obtained from a total of 193 animals,randomly selected from 14 ruminant farms. The results of this survey indicates that helminthiasis and coccidiosis is rampant insheep and goat farms. The most common infections diagnosed were helminthiasis (77.72%) and coccidiosis (60.10%) followedby Moniezia sp. (5.18%). From this study, it shows that parasitic diseases can be managed by good animal husbandryin farms since high parasitic infections were observed in farms that were poorly managed based on nutrition, hygiene andbasic animal husbandry practices. The smallholders depended on health and extension services from the State Veterinary Department. A continuous monitoring of small ruminant farms by the Department of Veterinary Services will provide important information for assisting farmers with managing the spread of parasitic infections and maintaining the productivity of animals.

Ovary plays a vitalrole in the reproductive biology andbiotechnology of female animals. In thisstudy, both the right and left ovaries ofthe Black Bengal goat were collected fromthe slaughter houses of different Thanasin the Mymensingh district. For each ofthe specimens, gross parameters such asweight, length and width were recorded.Then they were processed and stained withH&E for histomorphometry. This studyrevealed that the right ovary (0.53 ± 0.02g) was heavier than the left (0.52 ± 0.02 g).The length of the right ovary (1.26 ± 0.04cm) was lower than the left (1.28 ± 0.02cm) but the width of the right (0.94 ± 0.02cm) was greater than the left (0.90 ± 0.03cm). The diameter of ovarian follicles inthe cortex was measured as primordial 39.6± 6.61 µm, primary single layer 54.0 ± 4.06µm, primary multi-layer 147.6 ± 11.04 µm,secondary with C-shaped antrum 449.5 ±75.71 µm and graafian 1.3 ± 0.20 mm. Inthe graffian follicle, the thickness of thegranulosa cell layer was 79.2 ± 11.04 µm,theca interna 75.76 ± 6.82 µm, theca externa130.07 ± 12.53 µm and the oocyte diameterwas 109.8 ± 5.75 µm. These results will behelpful to manipulate ovarian functions insmall ruminants

Increased emergence in microbial resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem globally. A retrospective investigation was made of antimicrobial resistance in a total of 2,345 Escherichia coli isolates from clinical cases submitted to Regional Veterinary Laboratory of Bukit Tengah, Penang, Malaysia between January 2000 and December 2015. Analysis using WHONET 5.6 revealed that resistance to ampicillin, norfloxacin and aminoglycosides was detected in isolates from poultry and pigs more often than ruminants. Resistant to colistin was higher in ruminants compared to other animal groups. Nor floxacin susceptibility was very high in isolates from ruminants, pet birds (82.2%) and zoo animals (88.6%). Isolates from pet birds had higher resistant rate to all of the antimicrobials tested compared to zoo and companion animals. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli isolates (29.25%, 684/2345) were detected in this study. Further efforts, for instance, national monitoring and surveillance, are required to quantify the exposure of animals to antimicrobial agents and resistant pathogenic or commensal bacteria in the animals and also its environment. Such useful information indeed will assist the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary practice; therefore, suppress the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in animals.

A study was conducted to identify the current status of Fasciolaand Paramphistomum infections in small ruminants in Terengganu. A total of 267 faecal samples from small ruminants were collected and subjected to sedimentation technique. Serum samples were diagnosed for detection of IgG antibody for Fasciola infection using sELISA method. Results showed that there were 4% of the goats positive with Paramphistomum eggs whereas Fasciola egg was not observed in any of the faecal samples. However, it was found that 89% of the serum samples from goats were positive with IgG antibody for Fasciola infection. Small ruminants in Terengganu were not infected with severe Fasciola and Paramphistomum infections yet the results obtained from this study will update the current status of the infections. This information will help the farmers and the Department of Veterinary Services to plan on management to maintain the animals’ health.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) a contagious and infectious disease in smallruminants. This report describes a case of CLA in a Boer cross goat infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The manifestation of abscess in the superficial lymph node presented as a mass ofapproximately 5 cm by 5 cm in diameter at the base of the ear. The mass was solid and non-movable upon palpation. The mass was incised and the caseous material was aspirated and sent to the bacteriologylaboratory where Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated. Thewound was cleaned and flushed with diluted chlorhexidine and iodine solutions daily. This procedure aids in the complete healing of the wound after a few weeks. However, the agent of the disease persistsin the animal in its entire life and culling is recommended to prevent the spread of the disease in the herd.

Parasitic helminth infections in small ruminants are prevalent in South East Asia (SEA), limiting productivity and causing major economic loss for farmers. The hot, wet, tropical climate all year
round favours trichostrongylid infections, predominantly haemonchosis in sheep and goats. Commercial large scale farms, with
more than 300 animals, as well as small holders or backyard farmers with less than 50 animals face the debilitating effects of haemonchosis when they graze their animals as effective worm control is often hampered by anthelmintic resistance. In Malaysia, frequent and indiscriminate use of anthelmintics in the past has resulted
in the majority of the small ruminant population facing resistance to one or more anthelmintics. Several alternative methods of worm control are being employed by farmers; the most important and effective being cut and carry or zero grazing, where the animals are kept in pens and grass is cut and fed. In Cambodia and Myanmar,
ruminants are still tethered or stall fed with minimal drug use. In Indonesia and Thailand, commercial goat and sheep farms are fast expanding to produce breeder stock for the SEA market. However, up to
75% of the small ruminant population is still traditionally managed by small scale farmers. In most of SEA, the McMaster method for faecal worm egg counts is the only diagnostic test used to assess helminthosis in ruminants. There is an urgent need to increase awareness and information on the need for testing faecal samples regularly before drenching, conducting faecal egg count reduction tests on a yearly basis, use of the FAMACHA technique to enable
selective treatment of individual animals. The use of alternative worm control methods to manage helminthosis will help promote effective ruminant production with reduced drug use and ncourage “green” farming methods. Extension of research on local bioactive plants which may have the potential to control helminthosis may also be beneficial in the longer term.

The small ruminant industry in Malaysia is plagued by several significant problems related to health and management. Due to the hot, wet tropical climate, parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases are rampant and conveniently spread and enhanced by poor management. The Veterinary Research Institute has initiated a working group to
identify and control critical diseases in small ruminants as an educational cum advisory programme for farmers on the lower economic rung so that productivity and profits may be heightened. Farms are attended to base on the complaint of high mortality and morbidity, whereby a complete and holistic approach to disease control is taken. All the farms sampled were in the vicinity of the laboratory
that is within 150 km radius. Samples collected were faeces, blood (serum and whole blood) and nasal swabs as well as water and feed samples. A questionnaire on the management practices as well as
history of the farm was recorded. Tests on all samples were conducted according to routine procedures. Results from this study
on 7 farms involving 175 goats and sheep revealed that the common parasitic diseases encountered are helminthiasis, coccidiosis and blood protozoans. More than 80% of the animals showed strongyle and coccidial infections. The prominent bacterial infections are Caseous Lymphadenitis (34.3%), Brucellosis (Brucella melitensis), Leptospirosis (1.7%), Melliodosis and QFever whereas the viral diseases are Caprine Arthiritis Encephalitis (1.1%) and Blue Tongue (15.4%). Early detection for these diseases is critical so that production losses can be minimised. Poor nutrition and hygiene is a contributing factor for the high incidence of disease in small
ruminants. Farmer awareness on latest farming methods and services provided also contributes to general wellbeing of animals. One of the outcomes of this programme is to create awareness and getting farmers to be independent and confident in problem solving with regards to management and disease in their herds.

Oestrosis is a worldwide myiasis infection caused by the larvae of
the fly Oestrus ovis (Diptera, Oestridae), that develops from the first to the third stage larvae. This is an obligate parasite of the nasal and sinus cavities of sheep and goats. The Oestrus ovis larvae elicit clinical signs of cavitary myiasis seen as a seromucous or purulent nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, incoordination and
dyspnea. Myiasis in an incidental host may have biological significance towards medical and public health importance if
the incidental host is man. This infection can result in signs of generalized disease, causing serious economic losses in sheep and goat reared for meat and dairy production. Due to the large numbers of small ruminants imported into Malaysia from countries which are endemic with oestrosis, precautionary measures should be exercised to prevent this infection from establishing here. In 2009, there was a report of respiratory distress (pneumonic sign) accompanied by high mortality in Damara sheep that was imported from Australia. Investigations showed the presence of Oestrus ovis larvae in affected
sheep. The post mortem was conducted in the field and the larvae were discovered in the tracheal region. The larvae was confirmed as Oestrus ovis using the appropriate keys for identification by Zumpt. The carcass showed pulmonary edema with severe congestion of the lungs accompanied by frothy exudation in the bronchus. There were also signs of serious atrophy (heart muscle) and mild enteritis
(intestine histopathological examination showed, there was pulmonary congestion and edema, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, renal tubular necrosis and myocardial sarcocystosis. The sheep also showed chronic helminthiasis and Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from organ specimens.Oestus ovis infection is rare in Malaysia, as such this case posed as an unusual case for investigation.

The objective of this study was to examine the nutritionally-related
blood metabolites; total protein and glucose levels in goats of Kinta and Hilir Perak districts. A total of eight farms were screened, involving a total of 220 animals. Serum samples were collected in plain tubes for total protein determination, while
plasma samples were collected in sodium fluoride tubes for glucose determination. Total protein and glucose determination were carried out using Idexx Vettest 8008 Blood Chemistry Analyzer. Results show
that goats in seven out of eight farms had malnutrition problems and poor body scores. Farmers were given advices based on the laboratory results obtained from this study.