The aim of the study was to present cases of botulism in animals found in Poland in 2019–2021. The analytical laboratory diagnosis and difficulties that occurred in the interpretation of the results are described. From 2019 to 2021, samples of serum, intestinal content, liver, spleen, kidney, faeces, wet feed, dry feed, ensilage, water and mixed samples of internal organs associated with 10 suspected animal botulism cases were sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute. Samples were analysed using a mouse bioassay and culture methods in combination with ntnh and bont gene detection. Among the ten putative botulism cases, only four (40%) were confirmed in the laboratory on the basis of the detection of botulinum toxin (BoNT) or the ntnh or bont genes. The remaining six (60%) were determined as probable despite observable characteristic clinical signs. The diagnosis of botulism in animals is a very difficult task, made so by the heterogeneity of Clostridium botulinum strains and possible loss of toxinogenicity during laboratory processing or the potential degradation of toxins. Laboratory diagnosis is a complex and problematic process which should utilise different prescribed methods for specific types of sample.

A 20-year-old gelding suffering from 10 months of relapsing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the penile sheath wastreated with a natural remedy as surgical intervention was not successful. A daily application of herbal ointment healed theulcer within 21 days. No relapse of ulcer was observed 3 months post heal.

A study was carried out to report the phylogenetic analysis of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensisby using molecular techniques from samples submitted to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Bukit Tengah.In this study, identification and genetic characterization of Brucella isolated samples using molecular analysis based on IS711 sequence between localisolates and foreign countries accesses in GenBank was done successfully. A total of 31 samples were isolated for Brucella species and then were amplified byPCR, directly sequenced and compared genetically to published sequences which were obtained from GenBank. The most common Brucella species that was found in both bovine (76.5%) and caprine (85.7%) through diagnostic samples in Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Bukit Tengah, was Brucella melitensis. PCR and sequencing were confirmed positive with 76.5% for Brucella melitensis, 23.5% for Brucella abortus and 23.5% for mixed infectionfrom the total of 17 bovine samples. In caprine, the detection of Brucella melintesis and Brucella abortus showed 85.7% and 21.4% respectively meanwhile total mixedinfection showed 21.4%. These clustering between local isolates of Brucella melitensis were phylogenetically related to other Asian countries such as Singapore,Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The Neighbour Joining Analysis clustered the Brucella abortus local isolates for both bovine and caprine were most closely related to India,Iran, Italy and USA. Interestingly, all the isolates within Malaysia have a close relationship (>95%) with the low level of genetic diversity. When local isolates arecompared to GenBank data, it gives an indication on the possible sources of these infections. Eventually, it will improve the import and export policies to controlbrucellosis in Malaysia.

This study was conducted to investigate the high mortality of young lambs in two sheep farms in Pekan, Pahang over a period of 3 years. Samples from postmortem of 1,451 lambs below one year of age by a farm veterinarian were submitted for laboratory diagnosis at the Bacteriology Section of the Regional Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Kuantan. Escherichia coli is the most commonly recorded bacteria with 161 lambs diagnosed in 2013. In 2014 and 2015, there was a decrease in occurrence of E. coli related deaths, with 120 and 75lambs respectively. A total of 25% of the cases showed Escherichia coli positive by culture on blood agar and MacConkey agar, and confirmed by biochemical tests. A total of 21% of the cases were positive for staphylococcus sp, 3% and 6% for Streptococcus sp and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. Other bacteria were isolated in 45% of the cases. It was further noted that a total of 285 lambs between the ages of one to four months of age followed by 58 lambs (20%) less than one month old had E.coli isolation. It is also noteworthy that there were 10 lambs with E.coli infection in one to fourteen day-old lambs during the 3-year period from January 2013 to December 2015. This information was collated as a result of routine diagnosis of field cases submitted and with the intention of highlighting the common pathogens causing high mortality in local small ruminant farms so that preventive action may be taken for future farming ventures. E. coli infections or Colibacillosis is an important finding and indicator of poor management including poor nutrition, hygiene and environmental contamination which can reduce animal immunity and render it susceptible to other infections.

Detection of autoantibody, complement, or both bound to RBC is an essential requirement for unequivocal diagnosis of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs. An enzyme-linked antiglobulin test was adapted for laboratory diagnosis of this disease. The refinement and routine use of this assay have allowed further observation of the pathogenesis of the disease process. In particular, degree of hemolysis can be related to the degree of RBC sensitization associated with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and this correlation is highest for IgG autoantibody. Results indicate that autoantibody isotype might have an important role in the hemolytic process.

A total of 23,322 specimens collected between 2014 and 2017, froma total of 2,592 cases, were received in Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh (VRI) from various states in Malaysia and testedfor common bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases in pigs. The highest occurrence of isolated bacteria from 771 samples whichtested positive were Salmonella (47.38%) and Escherichia coli (15.68%), followed by Staphylococcus (6.62%), Streptococcus (5.57%), Klebsiella pneumonia (4.88%), Pseudomona (3.38%), Acinetobacter (3.14%), Aeromonas (2.79%), Enterobacter (2.44%), one each of Bacillus and Pasteurella multocida (1.74%), Enterococcus (1.39%) and Corynebacterium (1.05%). 1.74% of each bacteria detected were Moxarella, Aspergillus, Burkholderia andChromobacterium. Positive samples tested by ELISA was Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) (9.15%), Aujezsky disease virus (ADV)(5.37%), porcine cirvo-virus-2 (PCV2) (5.09%) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (4.52%). Positive amples tested by the molecular test wasPCV2 (1.62%), PRRSV (1.32%) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) (0.4%). Serology tests were conducted on 11,305 samplesand reported positive for Brucella suis (15.32%), Brucella abortus (0.62%), Brucella melitensis (0.85%), and melioidosis (0.05%). Parasitology analyses on 99 samples. revealed presence of 10.1% coccidia and 1% each of helminths and Sarcocystis. Within the 4-year period, there were no positive samples for porcine parvovirus (PPV), Nipah virus, swine influenza virus (SIV), and bacteria of Johne’s disease and leptospirosis. Continuous assessment is required to establish a comprehensive baseline data of swine diseases in Malaysia.

Ginger, about one year old domestic shorthaired cat with paresis was reported with constipation. Enema and laxatives prior to presentation was not effective. On palpation of the abdomen, a long tubular mass was palpated in the left caudal abdomen. Radiographic diagnosis of the megacolon was made and a subtotal colectomy was planned for the cat. A ventral mid-line celiotomy was made to explore the abdomen. Exploration revealed ascending, transverse and descending colon including the caecum found to be markedly distended due to faecal stasis. Following standard technique, a subtotal colectomy was performed. The cat recovered well after surgery without any complication. The owner reported that Ginger was doing well but died about seven months after surgery. Carcass was not available for necropsy. By clinical examination, diagnostic investigation and surgical exploration, other causes of megacolon were ruled out. The cat was about one year old with a short duration of illness. Without a definite history and by ruling out other causes, neurologic trauma was attributed as the probable cause of constipation and megacolon in the present case.

In the Malaysian environment horses are primarily used in sports activities such as racing, endurance, dressage and show jumping as well as in recreational pursuits and police work. Recently, the Perak Turf Club witnessed the death of a four-yearold thoroughbred mare which was given enrofloxacin injection as treatment and was regularly dewormed and vaccinated againstequine influenza, Japanese encephalitis and tetanus. Post-mortem examination of intestinal contents revealed presence of worms. The sample was then sent to the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Perak for morphological identification of the worm. The worm was identified as Parascaris equorum. Thus, awareness ongastrointestinal parasites should be raised especially by recommending improved management practices such as proper manure disposal and deworming procedures to control parasite infestations as well as good management and nutrition.

In Malaysia, helminthiasis due to strongyles such as Haemonchuscontortus and coccidiosis caused by Eimeria sp. have been reported to cause severe economic losses in small ruminants livestock industry. This paper reports the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasite infections on small ruminants situated in Seberang Perai Selatan district, Penang. Faecal samples were obtained from a total of 193 animals,randomly selected from 14 ruminant farms. The results of this survey indicates that helminthiasis and coccidiosis is rampant insheep and goat farms. The most common infections diagnosed were helminthiasis (77.72%) and coccidiosis (60.10%) followedby Moniezia sp. (5.18%). From this study, it shows that parasitic diseases can be managed by good animal husbandryin farms since high parasitic infections were observed in farms that were poorly managed based on nutrition, hygiene andbasic animal husbandry practices. The smallholders depended on health and extension services from the State Veterinary Department. A continuous monitoring of small ruminant farms by the Department of Veterinary Services will provide important information for assisting farmers with managing the spread of parasitic infections and maintaining the productivity of animals.