The objective of the study was to establish the baseline values for blood and coagulation parameters in normal and healthy rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) of different ages and sexes. The samplepopulation consists of 40 rusa deer, divided into four groups of (i) juvenile males (ii) juvenile females (iii) adult males and (iv) adult females. The findings showed significant (p<0.05) higher values in erythrocyte count, calcium concentration and prothrombin time in the adult males compared to adult female rusa deer. On the other hand, the total protein concentration was significantly higher in adult females than adult male deer. No significant differences in blood or coagulation parameters were observed between sexes in the juvenile deer. Between age group, the adult deer had significantly higher mean cell volume, plasma protein and globulin concentration than juvenile rusa deer. Thus, it is necessary to take into account the age and sex of the rusa deer when using blood reference values for the diagnosis of diseases or health assessment.

A preliminary study on the effect of probiotics in fermented palm kernel meal (FPKM) and total mixed ration (TMR) to improve milk production in dairy cattle was carried out. TMR feeding enhances feed intake, improves the ecology of the rumen leading to stimulated microbial activity to digest more feed, and then finally increases productivity of the cows. Probiotics ofBacillus spp. was given through concentrate after a fermentation process for three days. The trial was carried out at the Dairy Unit, Veterinary Institute, Kluang, Johore. Twenty Mafriwal cows with low milk production were selected and divided into twoequivalent groups. Each group consisted of 10 cows. Group A were fed with TMR. Group B received TMR and 100 grams perhead/day FPKM (FPKM, probiotics Bacillus spp. and mollases). The cows were given TMR daily which consisted of 20 kg per headof fresh Napier grass, 5 kg per head palm kernel meal, 1 kg per head soya bean meal, 1 kg per head corn, 0.5 kg per head molassesand 0.5 kg per head of enalac. Feeding trial period was carried out for four weeks. Feed was given twice a day, morning and lateafternoon, meanwhile water was given adlibitum. Animals were given the same diet for seven days for an adaptation period.Milk was sampled twice a day for four weeks and were recorded accordingly. The average of daily and weekly milk productionwere calculated. The animals from Group B showed an improvement of milk production before trial to the fourth week from 5.2litres/head/day to 6.99 litres/head/day i.e. 14.80% to 34.44% as compared to Group A.

OBJECTIVE To investigate water intake and urine measures in healthy cats provided free-choice access to a nutrient-enriched water with (NWP) or without (NW) added poultry flavoring offered at 3 different volumes in addition to tap water (TW). ANIMALS 36 domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURES Control group cats (n = 4) received dry food with TW ad libitum throughout the study. Cats of the NW and NWP groups (n = 16/group) received the same food with TW only (period 1; 7 days) followed by TW and the assigned treatment ad libitum at 1X, 1.5X, and 2X the volume of TW consumed in period 1 during periods 2 (17 days), 3 (10 days), and 4 (10 days), respectively. Liquid consumption, food intake, and total water intake (from all sources) were measured; urine collected over 48 hours in each period was measured, and urine specific gravity (USG) was determined. Data were analyzed with mixed-effects models. RESULTS TW and food calorie intake were similar among groups in period 1; TW consumption by control cats did not differ during the study. Liquid consumed by drinking increased 18%, 57%, and 96% for the NWP group in periods 2, 3, and 4, respectively, with increases of 25% and 44% for the NW group in periods 3 and 4, respectively, compared with period 1 values for the same groups. Increased urine output and decreased USG were significantly associated with period and treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Increasing the volumes of NW or NWP offered to healthy cats led to increased free liquid consumption and was associated with greater urine output and dilution as measured by USG. Studies are warranted to determine whether these treatments provide health benefits for cats in need of greater water consumption.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of drinking nutrient-enriched water (NW) on water intake and indices of hydration in healthy domestic cats fed a dry kibble diet ad libitum. ANIMALS 18 domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURES Group-housed cats were assigned to tap water (TW; n = 9) or NW (9) groups. All cats received TW at baseline (days −7 to −1). No changes were made to the food-water regimen for the TW group. The NW group received NW instead of TW from days 0 through 10, then received TW and NW in separate bowls (days 11 through 56). Food intake was measured through day 10; liquid consumed by drinking was measured throughout the study. Blood and urine samples were collected at predetermined times for analyses; 48-hour urine collection (days 28 through 30 or 31 through 33) was performed to assess output volume and aid endogenous creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determination. Data were analyzed with linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS Baseline TW and calorie intake were similar between groups. The NW treatment was significantly associated with increased liquid consumption during the treatment phase. Mean urine output was significantly higher in the NW group (15.2 mL/kg/d) than in the TW group (10.3 mL/kg/d). Mean GFR (1.75 vs 1.87 mL/min/kg, respectively) did not differ between groups. Effects of treatment and time were each significant for urine specific gravity and osmolality and urine creatinine, phosphate, and urea nitrogen concentrations, with lower values for the NW group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that consumption of the NW can increase liquid intake and improve measures of hydration in healthy cats. These effects may offer health benefits to some cats in need of greater water consumption.

OBJECTIVE To determine effects of restriction feeding of a moderate-protein, high-fiber diet on loss of body weight (BW), voluntary physical activity, body composition, and fecal microbiota of overweight cats. ANIMALS 8 neutered male adult cats. PROCEDURES After BW maintenance for 4 weeks (week 0 = last week of baseline period), cats were fed to lose approximately 1.5% of BW/wk for 18 weeks. Food intake (daily), BW (twice per week), body condition score (weekly), body composition (every 4 weeks), serum biochemical analysis (weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16), physical activity (every 6 weeks), and fecal microbiota (weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16) were assessed. RESULTS BW, body condition score, serum triglyceride concentration, and body fat mass and percentage decreased significantly over time. Lean mass decreased significantly at weeks 12 and 16. Energy required to maintain BW was 14% less than National Research Council estimates for overweight cats and 16% more than resting energy requirement estimates. Energy required for weight loss was 11% more, 6% less, and 16% less than American Animal Hospital Association recommendations for weight loss (80% of resting energy requirement) at weeks 1 through 4, 5 through 8, and 9 through 18, respectively. Relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased and Bacteroidetes decreased with weight loss. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Restricted feeding of a moderate-protein, high-fiber diet appeared to be a safe and effective means for weight loss in cats. Energy requirements for neutered cats may be overestimated and should be reconsidered.

Palm kernel cake (PKC) has long been known to be an importantingredient for the formulation of animal feeds. However the recommended levels of inclusion seem to vary from one reporter to another. This factor is considered important especially when formulating feeds for nonruminant diets. The variation of its major constituents such as protein, fibre and fat contents is said to depend on the sources, oil removal technology and the efficiency of oil extraction from the kernel. For comparison,a set of compilation data of 300 local PKC samples from the past years on these basic nutritional constituents were studied.Majority of the samples analysed were from southern region of Peninsular Malaysia meant for animal feeds. Mean percentagevalues and their respective standard deviations were as follows; crude protein 16.1±1.65, crude fibre 19.3±4.22, crude ash5.9±2.48, ether extract 5.6±3.36, dry matter 91.3±2.65, and metabolisable energy 7.75 MJ/kg. The objective of the study was to observe the distribution pattern of these values compared to other surveys. From this study, the highest relative standarddeviation (RSD) reached 60% for ether extract, followed by ash 42.1%, and crude fibre 21.8%. From the variation point of view,periodical results for quality control of PKC must be initiated as an useful indicator for its accuracy of each diet formulation.

This study was done to assess oxidative stress and haematologicalparameters of twenty male goats aged between eight and 22 months of the West African Dwarf breed reared under twomanagement systems. Ten bucks were reared under an intensive system, and another 10 bucks reared under an extensivesystem were used. The Hb concentration obtained in both groups was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the intensively managedgoats (12.39±0.02 gm %) compared to the extensively managed group. The total erythrocyte count in intensive goats, 35.34±1.36×106/μl, was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the value recorded in the extensive group (30.01±1.41×106/μl). Therecorded leucocytes counts in intensive goats of 10.26±0.70×103/μl was significantly (p<0.05) lower than 12.38±1.23×103/μlrecorded in the extensively managed goat, while the calculated value of MCV in intensive goat (9.8±0.73 fl) was significantly(p<0.05) higher than the recorded value in extensive group. The obtained value of MCH was significantly higher (p<0.05) in theextensively managed goats. The recorded neutrophil value of 5.00±0.50×103/μl in extensively raised goats was significantly(p<0.05) higher than 3.70±0.20×103/μl obtained in the intensively raised group likewise the lymphocyte count of 5.60±0.08 ×103/μl in intensively raised goats was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the value obtained in the extensively raised goat. The neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the extensive versus the intensive group viz. 0.75±0.03 asagainst 0.67±0.04. In the extensive group a higher malondialdehyde (MDA) value of 2.30±0.07 ng/ml was recorded and this was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the corresponding value of 1.28±0.11 ng/ml obtained in the intensively managed goats. The recorded value of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase was significantly (p<0.05) higher in theextensive group than those on the intensive group. The fragility test of the extensively managed goats shifts more towards rightand was significantly (p<0.05) highest at a sodium chloride concentration of 0.2-0.7% in extensively managed goats. It can beconcluded from the present study that the biomarkers of oxidative stress were higher in the extensively than the intensively managed goats.