A total of 204 rodents comprising of 14 species were identified from four different habitats namely urban, forest, paddy field and coastal. The Gombak forest reserve habitat was found to be ideal
for the survival of 11 different rodent species. Maxomys rajah, Leopoldamys sabanus and Sundamys muelleri were the predominant rodent species distributed in the Gombak forest. Rattus ratus diardii was found mainly in the urban, paddy field and coastal habitat (67.1%). Morphological measurements of the rodents trapped from the four habitats did not show any major changes.

Four types of products made from Neem namely, neem leaf decoction, neem capsule, neem fresh juice and neem extract were given to 4 groups of goat for a period of 10 weeks to evaluate the effectiveness of these products in controlling natural gastrointestinal helminth infection. During the course of the study, faecal egg counts, Packed Cell Volume and FAMACHA readings were
monitored weekly. Results of feeding these products were variable when compared to untreated control animals, however, a 40-60% worm control was observed. Further testing is required to fine tune these
products for use in the field especially where anthelmintic resistance deems drugs to be ineffective.

The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of dourine from imported horses using Complement Fixation Test. Dourine is classified as a OIE listed B disease (OIE Terrestrial Manual 2008) where equines are mainly susceptible to it and it had occurred in many countries such as Africa, the Middle East, South America and South-eastern Europe. Malaysia regularly imports Australian horses for the equestrian sector which encompasses activities such as racing and endurance as well as other recreational or leisure activities in Malaysia. As such, awareness towards this disease is important during importation of horses to avoid dourine embark into Malaysia. A total of 288 horse sera samples obtained from animal quarantine stations and private stables were examined for dourine by complement fixation test. Results showed serologically negative results for dourine with all the samples tested.

PCV-2 associated disease and related losses occur commonly in high health status herds. With the advent of PCV-2 vaccines, these losses can be successfully reduced. In this study, there was a significant reduction (48%) in the mortality rate of the vaccinated pigs when
compared to the non-vaccinated pigs. Vaccination was conducted at day 21. In the vaccinated group, mortality was reduced from 5.25 % to 2.73%. This data indicates that the implementation of a PCV2 vaccination program can reduce the mortality rate of high health status pigs in Malaysia.

The rapid method for predicting palm kernel cake quality with near infrared reflectance spectroscopy was investigated. Chemical tests for moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, total digestible nutrients (TDN), nitrogen free extract (NFE), metabolisable energy (ME), calcium and phosphorous were time
consuming and involve high cost. This technology can save considerable time by testing all the parameters simultaneously;
however accurate calibration of the equipment is essential. Near infrared (NIR) partial least square (PLS) regression models for determination of several palm kernel cake quality parameters were
developed from NIRFlex Model N-500 (Buchi). In general, reliable prediction results were obtained for the TDN (SEP = 0.85 r2 = 0.99), NFE (SEP = 0.42 r2 = 0.97) and crude protein (SEP = 0.57 r2 = 0.98)
PLS regression models.

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.

This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the
effectiveness of Neem leaf extracts, Azaridachta indica, an indigenous medicinal plant, against helminths of goats. Two extracts were prepared with distilled water using two different techniques; that is, the Neem leaves Water Extract (NLWE) and decoction of Neem
leaves(NLD). This study was carried out using 20 goats from a government farm in Perak. The two extracts showed variable degrees of efficacy in naturally infected goats, as measured by faecal egg count. Further evaluation is required to establish the efficacy.