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.

Transabdominal ultrasonography has been popularly used in animal reproduction for the assessment of pregnancy status and foetal viability where as transvaginal method for pregnancy diagnosis is rarely used for pregnancy diagnosis in goats. The study was conducted in 74 Attappady Black goats from Government Goat Farm, Attappady and Livestock Research Station, Thiruvizhamkunnu to evaluate the accuracy of trans-vaginal methods and to identify the fetal characteristics from day 20 to 75. Transvaginal ultrasonographic examination was performed using endocavity transducer with frequency of 6.5 to 8 MHz. Observations were made in all the pregnant does at three different stages of pregnancy i.e., 20-35 days, 35-55 days and 55-75 days. Does were diagnosed as pregnant from the observation of gestational sac, embryo or foetus, embryonic or foetal heartbeat, placentomes or foetal skeleton. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy along gestation period were 98.03, 92.3, 96.15, 96 and 95.62%, respectively. It is concluded from the present study that transvaginal ultrasonography can be used for herd pregnancy diagnosis at early stages from day 20 to 45 of pregnancy diagnosis in goats.

OBJECTIVE To determine titers of serum antibodies against 3 genotypes of bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (BPI3V) in unvaccinated ungulates in Alabama. ANIMALS 62 cattle, goats, and New World camelids from 5 distinct herds and 21 captured white-tailed deer. PROCEDURES Serum samples were obtained from all animals for determination of anti-BPI3V antibody titers, which were measured by virus neutralization assays that used indicator (reference) viruses from each of the 3 BPI3V genotypes (BPI3V-A, BPI3V-B, and BPI3V-C). The reference strains were recent clinical isolates from US cattle. Each sample was assayed in triplicate for each genotype. Animals with a mean antibody titer = 2 for a particular genotype were considered seronegative for that genotype. RESULTS Animals seropositive for antibodies against BPI3V were identified in 2 of 3 groups of cattle and the group of New World camelids. The geometric mean antibody titer against BPI3V-B was significantly greater than that for BPI3V-A and BPI3V-C in all 3 groups. All goats, captive white-tailed deer, and cattle in the third cattle group were seronegative for all 3 genotypes of the virus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that BPI3V-A may no longer be the predominant genotype circulating among ungulates in Alabama. This may be clinically relevant because BPI3V is frequently involved in the pathogenesis of bovine respiratory disease complex, current vaccines contain antigens against BPI3V-A only, and the extent of cross-protection among antibodies against the various BPI3V genotypes is unknown.

OBJECTIVE To use MRI and CT to compare the amount of tissue damage (soft tissue and bone) to the heads of goats after administration of a nonpenetrating or penetrating captive bolt. ANIMALS Cadavers of twelve 1- to 5-year-old mixed-breed goats that had been euthanized with an overdose of pentobarbital as part of an unrelated study. PROCEDURES Cadavers were randomly assigned to receive a nonpenetrating (n = 6) or penetrating (6) captive bolt. The head of 1 cadaver was imaged via CT and MRI. The muzzle of a device designed to administer either a penetrating or nonpenetrating captive bolt was then placed flush on the dorsal midline of each head at the level of the external occipital protuberance (poll) and aimed downward toward the cranialmost portion of the intermandibular space, and the assigned bolt was administered. Heads were removed, and CT and MRI of each head were performed. After imaging, each skull was transected along the sagittal plane to permit gross evaluation of central nervous tissue and obtain digital photographic images. In addition, 1 head that received a nonpenetrating captive bolt was further evaluated via blunt dissection and removal of adnexa from the external surface of the calvarium. RESULTS MRI, CT, and dissection of skulls revealed severe skeletal and soft tissue damage after impact with the penetrating and nonpenetrating captive bolts. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The nonpenetrating captive bolt appeared to cause damage similar to that of the penetrating captive bolt in the cranium and soft tissues of the head in caprine cadavers. This damage suggested that administration of a nonpenetrating captive bolt as described here may be an acceptable method of euthanasia in goats.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard of care in human medicine for gall bladder disease. Although infrequently reported in veterinary literature, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an option for uncomplicated gall bladder disease in canine patients. Due to the risk of cystic duct ligature slippage or clip dislodgement, we wanted to explore the use of a LigaTie; a novel absorbable medical device modeled after a cable tie. Our object was to describe the use of the LigaTie in a caprine cadaveric study of cholecystectomies as a model for canine patients and demonstrate the leak pressure of the cystic duct compared with cholecystectomies performed with 2 large endoscopic hemoclips. Samples of caprine gall bladder, liver, and cystic duct were collected. The cystic duct was ligated with either 2 large endoscopic hemoclips or a LigaTie. Maximum cystic duct pressure was recorded. Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the maximum cystic duct pressure achieved for cystic ducts ligated with 2 large endoscopic hemoclips or the LigaTie (P = 0.865). No leakage was observed from the cystic duct, hemoclip, or LigaTie site in either group. Supraphysiologic pressures were achieved in both groups and high pressure occlusion of the infusion pump determined the maximum intraluminal pressure achieved. Based on these results, the LigaTie may provide advantages in minimally invasive surgery, especially when considering ligation of a friable or thickened cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Future in vivo studies are warranted to determine minimally invasive maneuverability, tissue interaction, complications, and outcomes.

A total of 65 Pasteurella multocida were isolated and identified from various animal’s samples received by Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) during the period of 2014 to 2016. These animals comprises of cattle, goat, pig, chicken, duck and rabbit. The serogroup of Pasteurella multocida were carried out using designation system of Carter’s capsular typing and molecular serogrouping method. Based on cases submitted to VRI, the prevalence of pasteurellosis in Malaysia ranging from 1.0% to 3.2% (2014 to 2016). It is low compared to previous reports and the pattern of predominant serogroups and animal hosts were found to be changing every year. In 2014, 80% (12/15) of the isolates were Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type D where all were isolated from goats. In 2015, the predominant serogroup changed to Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type A with a prevalence rate of 40.6% (13/32) which were mostly isolated from duck and cattle. While for Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type D, the prevalence in 2015 reduced to 21.9% (7/32) compared to the previous year and it was isolated from various animal species. Interestingly, in 2015 there was one isolate of Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type B isolated from goat with no reported history of outbreak. In 2016, the prevalence of Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type A increased to 72.2% (13/18), with a high percentage (92.3%) infection in young calves showing clinical signs with high mortality and morbidity in infected farms. Furthermore, during these 3 years of study, 3 isolates of Pasteurella multocida serogroup F were also identified each from pig, goat and chicken, respectively. In conclusion, this study revealed that pasteurellosis had become sporadic in Malaysia and the distribution of serogroups were diverse in all species of animal with no definitive host.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess nutrient intake, digestibility and nitrogen (N) retention in goats fed ensiled maize stover (EMS) when supplemented with snake bean (Bobgunnia madascariensis) pod meal (BMM). Materials and methods: Eight local goats (21&plusmn;2 Kg) in individual metabolic cages were divided into two groups. One group received a 100 gm BMM daily supplement to basal diet (EMS+50 gm maize bran), while the other group did not receive any supplement. The experimental design was a 2x2 switchback with 7 days of adaptation and 5 days of sampling of orts, feces and urine. Feed intake was recorded and total fecal collection was done to analyze digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), as well as N balance. Results: Goats receiving BMM supplement had higher (P<0.05) intake and digestibility of the analyzed nutrients than the group without supplementation. BMM supplementation also significantly increased N intake and fecal N output, compared to those without supplementation. BMM-supplemented goats had significantly better N retention than those without supplementation. Conclusion: Thus, supplementing BMM to goats fed EMS induced a higher (P<0.05) intake and digestibility of nutrients as well as better N retention. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(2.000): 168-174]

Objective: This study envisages dynamics and factors affecting fecal oocyst counts (FOC) in natural infection in goats in semi-arid India. Materials and methods: A total of 1152 fecal samples from Jamunapari goats in semi-arid India were collected, processed and examined for fecal oocysts over a period of 3 years for prevalence and severity of the disease through FOC using modified Mc Master Technique. The log transformed FOC data on 912 animals from 59 sires were used for subsequent analyses for genetic and non-genetic factors affecting FOC. Fixed effects included were years of collection (1-3), seasons of collection (summer, rainy, winter), sex (male, female), age group (0-3, >3-6, >6-12, adults). Least squares analysis of variance for fitting constant was applied to data set. Results: The overall prevalence of coccidian infection in goats was 86.71%(n=999/1162). Highest incident was found in winter season (91.74%) and >6-12 M age (97.95%). Eimeria arloingi and E. ninakohlyakimovae were the most frequently occurring species. The heritability of FOC was found to be 0.06&plusmn;0.06. The effect of sire on FOC was not significant; however, effects of animal age, year, season of collection and sex on FOC were found to be significant. Conclusion: Coccidiosis in goats is seasonally occurring disease, most commonly affecting animals of less than one year age. FOC in coccidiosis affected animals is lowly inherited trait for selection of goat against this disease. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(1.000): 52-57]

Objective: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2015 to estimate the prevalence of anti-toxopalsma antibodies in sheep and goats in El-Gadarif state. Material and methods: A total of 400 serum samples comprising of 200 sheep and 200 goats were collected and tested by Toxo-latex agglutination test and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Results: The overall sero-prevalence was 52.0% (n=208/400) using Toxo-latex agglutination test and 45.7%(n=42/92) and 27.2%(n=25/92) using iELISA in sheep and goats, respectively. Furthermore, the sero-prevalences among the two investigated species and the two age groups were statistically similar but were different between localities, breeds and sexes. In the univariate analysis, species (P=0.028) and locality (P=0.001) were associated with Toxo-latex agglutination test positive status. Additionally, species (sheep) and locality (Al-Fao, Al-Hawatah, and West El-Gadarif) had increased odds of being Toxo-latex agglutination test positive in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the prevalence of anti-toxopalsma antibodies is relatively high and there was no between-species variation in sero-positivity. These findings warrant further investigations to estimate the burden of the disease and the likelihood of zoonotic transmission. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(2.000): 207-213]