OBJECTIVE To determine effects of 2 tiludronate administration protocols on measures of lameness in horses with navicular syndrome (NS). ANIMALS 12 horses with bilateral forelimb NS. PROCEDURES Horses were randomly assigned to receive tiludronate (1 mg/kg), diluted in 5 L of isotonic electrolyte solution and delivered through a jugular vein catheter (systemic treatment group; n = 6), or tiludronate (0.1 mg/kg), diluted with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution to a total volume of 35 mL and delivered into the lateral digital vein of each forelimb with an IV regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) technique (IVRLP group; 6). Mean peak vertical ground reaction force (pVGRF) measured with a stationary force plate and subjective lameness scores (SLSs) were recorded before (day −1) and at predetermined time points after tiludronate administration on day 0. Mean pVGRFs (standardized as percentage body weight of force) and mean SLSs for the most lame forelimb and for both forelimbs of horses in each group were compared with day −1 values to determine treatment effect. RESULTS Mean pVGRF for both forelimbs and for the most lame forelimbs of systemically treated horses were significantly increased on days 120 and 200, compared with day −1 results. No significant difference in mean pVGRF was observed for IVRLP-treated horses. The SLSs were not improved at any time point following systemic treatment and were improved only on day 120 following IVRLP. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Tiludronate (1 mg/kg, IV) as a single systemic treatment appeared to be beneficial for horses with NS, but no horses were judged as sound during the study period. Additional research on IVRLP with tiludronate is needed before this method can be recommended.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of the major equine acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) in inflammation of equine intraarticular tissues. SAMPLE Articular chondrocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from 8 horses (4 horses/cell type). PROCEDURES Chondrocytes and FLSs were stimulated in vitro for various periods up to 48 hours with cytokines (recombinant interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, or a combination of all 3 [IIT]) or with recombinant SAA. Gene expression of SAA, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and −3, and cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR assay; SAA protein was evaluated by immunoturbidimetry and denaturing isoelectric focusing and western blotting. RESULTS All cytokine stimulation protocols increased expression of SAA mRNA and resulted in detectable SAA protein production in chondrocytes and FLSs. Isoforms of SAA in lysed chondrocytes and their culture medium corresponded to those previously detected in synovial fluid from horses with joint disease. When exposed to SAA, chondrocytes and FLSs had increased expression of IL-6, SAA, and MMP3, and chondrocytes had increased expression of MMP-1. Chondrocytes had decreased expression of cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Upregulation of SAA in chondrocytes and FLSs stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines and the proinflammatory effects of SAA suggested that SAA may be involved in key aspects of pathogenesis of the joint inflammation in horses.

OBJECTIVE To compare regional proportions and spatial distributions of volumetric bone mineral density (BMDv) of the palmar aspect of the distal epiphysis of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) in limbs with or without a condylar fracture from Thoroughbred racehorses. SAMPLE McIIIs from cadavers of Thoroughbred racehorses with (n = 6 bones) and without (8) a condylar fracture. PROCEDURES BMDv and spatial distributions of BMDv in peripheral quantitative CT images of the distal epiphysis of McIIIs were quantitatively assessed with spatial analysis software. Relative proportions of voxels within 9 threshold categories of BMDv and spatial statistics for BMDv distribution were compared between fractured and nonfractured limbs. RESULTS No significant differences in BMDv characteristics were identified between fractured and nonfractured limbs, although fractured limbs had a lower proportion of voxels in the BMDv thresholds 700 to < 800 mg/cm3 and 800 to < 900 mg/cm3 but a higher proportion of voxels in the BMDv threshold 1,000 to < 1,100 mg/cm3 for the central condylar region of the medial condyle. Results of spatial analysis reflected the response of bone to race training rather than differences between fractured and nonfractured limbs. In both limb groups, uniform clusters of low BMDv with areas of high BMDv were identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE BMDv characteristics of the distal epiphysis of McIII reflected training load, and fracture characteristics were subtle. Serial imaging techniques in conjunction with detailed training data are required to elucidate the onset of the pathological response to load in horses.

A study was carried out to analyse the efficacy of neem leaf powder, administered in a capsule against coccidiosis in young goats as well as to identify the species of coccidia found in a selected private farm in Sungai Siput, Perak. A total of seven Eimeria spp were found, in faecal samples from the experimental goats, namely; E. arloingi,E. hirci, E. alijevi, E. christenseni, E. jolchijevi, E. ninakohlyakimovae and E. caprina at a rate of 40%, 23%, 14%, 7%, 5% and 2% respectively. Two types of treatment for coccidiosis, herbal and synthetic, were given to 24 young goats for a period of 8 weeks to evaluate the effectiveness of a herbal product, that is the neem leaf powder capsule, a product of the Veterinary Research Institute.Results show that there is no significant differences (p>0.01) between neem capsule treatment and a synthetic drug (sulphurbased) treatment in treating coccidiosis infection. This study shows that neem leaf powder can be an effective substitute for controlling coccidiosis in goats

A preliminary study of nearinfraredreflectance spectroscopy (NIRS)for the feasibility of analytical monitoring ofamino acids and total protein compositionsin edible bird’s nest (EBN) was conducted.The training (n=134) and validation sets todevelop the equations were built with localunprocessed EBN samples sourced fromdifferent states of Malaysia. The regressionmethod employed was modified partialleast-squares (MPLS). The values ofstandard error for cross validation (SECV)and the coefficient of determination (r2)of the calibrations of these constituentsfor use to predict of amino acids in EBNwere determined, but with a low predictiveability. To find an acceptable accuracyfor each constituent is to increase thenumber of training samples. The findings,however, showed a potential alternativefor the implementation of near-infraredreflectance spectroscopy technology inthis field of analysis.

Stress is commonly used to describe the detrimental effectsof a variety of conditions surrounding animals on their health performance. Environmental stress causes an increasein oxidative stress and an imbalance in antioxidant status. Oxidative damage increases in stressed poultry when the plasma antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, E, folic acid, and zinclevels declined. Stress factors in birds involve many elements of the transport processes which may be detrimental to the birds. These factors include alteration in atmospheric temperature, poor handlingby man, removal of feed and water (starvation), high ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH). Other factors incude vaccination, disease conditions such as coccidiosis, novelty,confinement, motion, noise, microthermal core within the vehicle and the use of inappropriate vehicles. Live birds of all ages are being transported mainly by roads to their various destinations and across different ecological zones throughout the year. Mortality increaseswith journey length. The adverse effects of these factors and their combinations may range from mild discomfort and aversion to death. This review was aimed at providing comprehensive information on the role of vitamin C in combating stress factors in poultry with the view of exploring its potentials for future research undertaking.Information compiled in this review were obtained from search engines such as Elsevier, Pubmed, Springer, Medline, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and a library search for articles published in peerreviewedjournals. 100 to 200 mg/kg feed of vitamin C is capable of converting stress factors in poultry and thereby improving the productivity.

The objectives of the present study were to determine the infection rate of equine piroplasmosis (EP) in horses and ponies in Kelantan,Malaysia and compare the microscopic examination with competitive enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) test as methods for diagnosis of EP. 306 blood samples were randomly collected from equids including 148 horses and 158 ponies in various districts of Kelantan, from September 2013 to March 2014. Based on microscopic examination of the staining blood smears, the infection rates ofTheileria equi, Babesia caballi and of both infections in horses were 19.59%, 25% and 8.78% respectively, whereas in ponies theinfection rates were 14.55%, 19.62%, and 5.69% respectively. Based on cELISA test, the infection rates of T. equi, B. caballi and of both infections in horses were 50.67%, 62.16% and 33.10% respectively,whereas in ponies, the infection rates were 51.89%, 63.92% and 35.44% respectively. No significant difference were observed between equids species associated with a seroprevalence of T. equi, B. caballi andof both infections (P≤ 0.05). According to the Kappa value there was no compatibility between microscopic examination and cELISA on the diagnosis of T. equi, B. caballi and of both infections which were 0.235, 0.013 and 0.080 respectively. In conclusion, the current results for this research work indicate that equine piroplasmosis is widespread in Kelantan, Malaysia and cELISA test is more efficientthan microscopic examination for diagnosis of EP.

Different types of skin lesions and their distribution in dogs withrecurrent pyoderma along with haematobiochemicalfindings were recorded in this study. Dogs with recurrent superficial pyoderma revealed papules, pustules, crusted papules, erythema, alopecia,crusts, scales, plaques, hyper-pigmentation and pruritus. Dogs affected with recurrent deep pyoderma had symptoms like papules,pustules, cellulitis, ulcers, crusted papules, nodules, fistulous tracts, alopecia, scale formation, crusts, hyper-pigmentation,erosions and furunculosis, pain and edema. The major locations of lesions for recurrent superficial pyoderma included lateral abdomen, lateral thorax and dorsum, axilla, groin, hind limb, foot, neck and fore limb and head. Lesions of recurrent deep pyoderma were predominantly observed over dorsum and lateral abdomen followedby head, neck, hind limb, lower abdomen, axilla and groin, forelimb and lateral thorax. Haemato-biochemical findings revealed leucocytosis, increased in absolute neutrophil count, eosinophil count and high serum cholesterol levels. Affected dogs also had decreased haemoglobin concentration, total erythrocyte count and serum albumin levels.

Splenic abscess is an uncommon condition in dogs. A 10-year oldGerman Shepherd dog was presented to the small animal medical unit of the University Veterinary Hospital, Mannuthy, with the history of anorexia. Abdominal palpation revealed splenomegaly and onultrasonography a circumscribed mixed echogenic mass was noticed within splenic parenchyma. Post-mortem examination of the spleen and histopathology of the splenic lesion was consistent with splenicabscess.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. It belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa, subclass Coccidiasina and family Sarcocystidae. The Felidae family is thedefinitive host for this disease where the parasites undergo a sexual cycle of replication (oocysts). In this study, cat faeces were collected from private clinics around Johore Bahru, Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 61 samples were tested using microscopy to detect for presence of T. gondii oocyst via two methods; namelythe Modified Kato-Katz with Kinyoun staining and Sheather’s sugar floatation methods. The results showed that 40.98% of the faecal samples tested were positive for T. gondii oocysts. These two methodswere successfully used in diagnosing toxoplasmosis in cats in this study. Morphological approaches for Toxoplasma oocysts identification have been neglected in recent years, due to the upsurge of moreprecise technologies. This study suggests that this modified technique could be introduced for screening and detection of oocysts excreted in faeces of suspected animals of the Felidae family.