Meat sheep production in most countries relies on grazing and profitability (gross margin per ewe and per year) is low. Profitability is in part based on the level of numeric productivity (number of lambs produced per ewe and per year). Numeric productivity depends on fecundity and survival rates of ewes and lambs. These survival rates are extremely variable from one farm to another. These variations are detrimental to sustainability of the farms. We will study the mortality rates of ewes and lambs and other health related traits, taken as indicator in meat sheep farms in different locations-plain or semi-mountain areas (34 farms) in relation to gross margin taken as an indicator of economical sustainability as well as other markers of sustainability. We constructed a method for evaluating sustainability based on the above mentioned parameters in the field of production, animal health, and economics. It was based on two step procedure: first, selection of farm parameters using clustering methods, second ranking farms on sustainability using principal component analysis with an orientation obtained by the incorporation in the analysis of two virtual farms (high and low sustainability) constructed on a choice of sustainability for each parameter. This choice of sustainability is flexible and dependant on the views of stakeholders and may modify the ranking of farms. The scale of sustainability we proposed was tested in relation to the management of the farm (organic or conventional) and location (plain or semi-mountain areas): the semi-mountain farms were more sustainable than plain farms and organic farms were often, but not always, more sustainable than conventional farms. The method can be easily applied to any animal production.

Meat sheep production in most countries relies on grazing and profitability (gross margin per ewe and per year) is low. Profitability is in part based on the level of numeric productivity (number of lambs produced per ewe and per year). Numeric productivity depends on fecundity and survival rates of ewes and lambs. These survival rates are extremely variable from one farm to another. These variations are detrimental to sustainability of the farms. We will study the mortality rates of ewes and lambs and other health related traits, taken as indicator in meat sheep farms in different locations-plain or semi-mountain areas (34 farms) in relation to gross margin taken as an indicator of economical sustainability as well as other markers of sustainability. We constructed a method for evaluating sustainability based on the above mentioned parameters in the field of production, animal health, and economics. It was based on two step procedure: first, selection of farm parameters using clustering methods, second ranking farms on sustainability using principal component analysis with an orientation obtained by the incorporation in the analysis of two virtual farms (high and low sustainability) constructed on a choice of sustainability for each parameter. This choice of sustainability is flexible and dependant on the views of stakeholders and may modify the ranking of farms. The scale of sustainability we proposed was tested in relation to the management of the farm (organic or conventional) and location (plain or semi-mountain areas): the semi-mountain farms were more sustainable than plain farms and organic farms were often, but not always, more sustainable than conventional farms. The method can be easily applied to any animal production.

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 To determine the pharmacokinetics of terbinafine in little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) infected with Pseudogymnoascus destructans. ANIMALS 123 bats from a P destructans–infected hibernation site in Virginia. PROCEDURES 3 bats were euthanized and necropsied to confirm the presence of P destructans within the population. The remaining 120 bats were systematically assigned to 6 groups (20 bats/group). Bats in each of 3 groups received 6, 20, or 60 mg of terbinafine/kg, SC, once daily for 10 days. Bats in another group received 200 mg of terbinafine/kg, SC, once daily for 5 days. Bats in 1 group received the terbinafine vehicle solution (0.1 mL/kg, SC, once daily for 10 days). Bats in the remaining group did not receive any treatment. Following the treatment period (days 1 through 10), bats were housed in a hibernation chamber and monitored daily until euthanasia on day 42, 75, or 109. Tissue specimens were collected from all bats as soon as possible after death or euthanasia to determine terbinafine concentration. Within each group and tissue type, terbinafine concentration data were pooled, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental methods. RESULTS Adverse neurologic effects and a high mortality rate before day 10 were observed in bats that received the highest terbinafine dose (200 mg/kg) but not those that received lower doses. Presumed therapeutic terbinafine concentrations (≥ 2 μg/g) were maintained in skin and wing for at least 30 and 6 days in bats that received the 60 and 20 mg/kg doses, respectively, but were not achieved in most bats that received the 6 mg/kg dose. Tissue terminal half-life ranged from 14 to 22 days. Terbinafine concentration in hair was positively correlated with that in skin and wing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated terbinafine doses > 6 but < 200 mg/kg should be further evaluated for the treatment of P destructans–infected bats. Collection of serial hair specimens may represent a noninvasive method for monitoring terbinafine concentration in treated bats.