The emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in 2004 draws attention to the safety of rearing edible bird nest swiftlets within the vicinity of human dwellings in urban areas. There is also concern on the safety of the product itself. Convenient sampling of edible bird nest swiftlets (A. fuciphagus and A. maximus) was conducted by the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry from September 2004 until June 2011. A total of 137 samples
were collected from four premises and two natural caves in four locations, namely Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan and Penampang. The samples were collected for Egg Innoculation Tests for H5N1 and Newcastle Disease (ND). All samples yielded negative results for both diseases.

The experimental trial of six weeks was undertaken on 90 broiler chicks divided into three groups. Control (To) group was fed standard broiler diet and T1 and T2 groups were provided same broiler diet supplemented with 300 and 500 mg of Spirulina per kg feed, respectively. Mean live body weight of six weeks of the experiment and live weight at the end of experiment were found to be significantly (P0.05) higher in Spirulina supplemented T1 and T2 groups of broilers than that of control (To) group. Comparatively better mean weekly weight gain and feed efficiency were also observed in Spirulina supplemented groups (T1 and T2)with decreased feed consumption as compared to control (To) group of broilers.

The world widely distributed infection by Rhodococcus equi usually leads to pneumonia and associated respiratory signs. This study is aimed at detecting the occurrence of this pathogen in selected horse farms. A total of 12 R. equi isolates from few samples (13.89%) were successfully obtained from soil and faeces collected from two selected farms. However, based on the vapA gene classification, only one virulent R. equi isolate was identified.

A number of studies have measured collagen fibers and collagen
deposition in wound healing process with advances imaging techniques. However, these are performed by complicated methods and need specific tools. In search of the easier ways in routine histopathological laboratory, collagen measurement and staining pattern of wound healing process were observed in wounded skin of Sprague Dawley’s rat by using two different stains which are standard haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and modified Masson’s
trichrome staining (MT). The comparison between these staining in wounded tissues was made to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of both staining in wound healing study for 21 days postwounding. Tissues which stained with MT staining was then evaluated its collagen re-organization and density by using polarized light microscope with the aid of image analyzer software. Results showed that tissues stained with standard H&E could not be used to measure and differentiate the collagen deposition which is contradictory to MT staining. Wounded tissue stained with MT staining has showed a clear view of collagen fibers deposition
and re-organisation compared to H&E staining. This finding could validate the using of modified MT staining which leads to accurate histopathological analysis and observation in wound healing study.

This paper reports on the laboratory animal population in the
Laboratory Animal Unit, Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Ipoh from 2005 to 2010. Laboratory Animal Unit is a complementary unit which serves to supply laboratory animals to all diagnostic and research units in VRI. The objective of this unit is to breed and produce laboratory animals such as rabbits, mice, rats, guinea
pigs and hamsters for research projects as well as diagnostic and biological activities. The unit also supplies laboratory animals to
private agencies, universities and schools. There are 6 species of laboratory animals in VRI namely rabbit (New Zealand Breed), guinea pig (Hartlay Strain), hamster (Golden Syrian), white mice (Swiss Albino), BALB/c mice and Sprague Dawley Rat. Management of the animals includes breeding, fertility, production and disease monitoring. Generally, white mice bred well and had a high population
from 2005 to 2010 compared to the other laboratory animals due to their short gestation period and large litter size. With the higher current demand for laboratory animals, the production of the unit is
expected to increase.

A biogas plant is an anaerobic digester that produces biogas from organic materials such as animal waste, sewage slurry, vegetable waste and others. The Department of Veterinary Services had developed a small-scale biogas plant at a commercial dairy farm
in Semenyih, Selangor. The objectives of this project were to promote green technology and zero waste concepts on animal farming as well as to mitigate adverse effects on the environment due to unsystematic management of animal waste disposal. The biogas produced was used as fuel for biogas lamp, biogas stove, biogas water heater, biogas rice cooker and 1 kW biogas generator. The generator was connected to the distribution board in order to supply electricity to a few switch sockets and lighting system for farm use. A biogas plant in an animal farm is one of the green technology applications because it not only produces renewable gas and generates
electricity but also minimises greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Furthermore, the residual solid waste
produced at the end of the process can be dried to be used as organic fertiliser.

Rodents particularly those belonging to the Muridae family in Malaysia have been well studied because of their medical and economic importance. Much of the work on rodents has been focusing on the identification of endo and ecto parasites. Parasites in rats (Murids) particularly helminthes belonging to the Nematoda family have been described by many workers for more than a century. This
paper is an attempt to compile 50 papers on rodent nematodes that has been published in various scientific journals over the last
100 years in Malaysia. It is hoped that this literature overview on rodent nematodes will come useful as a reference material for the budding parasitologist and biology scientist.

Mite Liponyssoides sanguineus and louse Polyplax spinulosa are reported ITomrat (Rattus norvegicus) for the first time from Puducherry.

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.

A beef feedlot production decision support system (DSS) was developed based on Microsoft® Excel. The DSS comprises of three modules i) an ingredient database ii) a least-cost ration formulation module and iii) beef growth simulation module. The program uses empirical equations developed for tropical beef to simulate nutrient requirements and daily body weight gains based on the formulated feed ration. The formulated least cost ration can be pasted automatically into the growth model to evaluate performance and economic viability. The growth model calculates nutrient available and computes body weight gain on a daily basis, summates weight gain and stops at the targeted body weight. The data output include i) days to reach target body weight, ii) cumulative feed consumed, iii) anticipated average daily gain, iv) total cost of feed (concentrates and grass), and v) gross profit per cattle. If a portion of the feed is fed as grass, then the model also computes the pasture land required in hectares, based on the forage species
chosen. It is anticipated that the developed model can assist cattle entrepreneurs and farmers in the development of the beef cattle industry in Malaysia.