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.

Nematodes resistant to anthelmintics are of increasing concern to sheep farms in Malaysia. Thus to ascertain the degree of anthelmintic resistance in the sheep population, faecal egg count reduction (FECR) trials were conducted on sheep in the Veterinary Institute, Kluang. A total of 60 weaned sheep were selected and divided into six (6) equivalent groups. Group A was treated with ivermectin, Group B with Closantel, Group C with Fenbendazole, Group D with Levamisole, Group E with Cydectin and the remaining 10 were untreated controls. Faecal samples were collected from each sheep before treatment and repeated on day 14, 30, 45 and 60 post treatment. The worm egg counts were estimated by using McMaster’s method. The population of worm was classified as resistant if the adjusted percentage reduction was less than 90%. It is concluded that only levamisole can be used for helminthiasis control. The results showed that worms at the Sheep Unit of the Veterinary Institute, Kluang was suspected to be resistant to Ivermectin, Closantel and Cydectin. The worm population showed total resistance to fenbendazole. The strongyle population is mainly made up of 80% Haemonchus contortus and 20% of species were Oesophagostomum and Bunostomum.

Natural herbal remedies have been long used to control common parasitic infections in livestock. The effectiveness of two plant products was tested on goats with helminthiasis. A study was carried out in a commercial goat farm near Sg. Siput, whereby Azadirachta indica (neem) decoction and leaf extract as well as Jacaranda filicifolia (Jacaranda) leaf extract were fed orally to 3 groups of goats that previously with strongyle egg counts range from 587 to 1650 egg per gram (EPG) for a period of 5 weeks. In this study, theJacaranda Leaves Water Extract (JLWE) showed the highest number of fecal egg count with 2585 EPG at the end of study. All treatments showed reduced percentage of packed cell volume from 23% to 21%,which was not significant. However, there was no difference in the composition of strongyle larvae in the goats. The results show that neem decoction was effective in reducing faecal egg count but the Jacaranda leaf extract and neem leaf extract were not effective in reducing faecal egg counts in goats. Further work is required to assess the efficacy of these herbal products for worm control in goats.

This report describes the parasitological and pathological information retrieved from the samples submitted to Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Bukit Tengah, Penang (MVKBT) followingan episode of histomoniasis in a small scale poultry farm. Liver and ceca from two dead turkey birds, water (n=5) and freshwater snails (Pomacea sp, n=7) were stored between 4°C to 10°C until analyzed. Soil samples (n=7) were preserved in 5% formalin and kept at room temperature prior to further testing. The soil samples were filtered through laboratory test sieves before the filtrates at each level were examined using direct microscopy. Portions of the liver were processed using routine paraffin technique for histopathological examination and found positive for Histomoniasis. Results from direct microscopy of the liver samples revealed Schistosoma mansoni ova, Sarcocystis sporocysts and Fasciola sp. Heterakis sp ova were detected from cecal content. Four out of seven soil samples were positive for Sarcocystis sporocysts, Coccidia oocyst, Strongyles ova and nematod larva. Water and freshwater snail samples were negative for cercaria of Schistosoma mansoni. This case was concluded as Histomoniasis, Sarcocystosis and helminthiasis with incidental finding of Schistosoma mansoni.

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.

This paper reports the relationship between mixed infections ofstrongyles with fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood and FAMACHA in experimental sheep in VRI. The third larval stage (L3) of strongylid nematode were fed orally to two experimental sheep. Each animal was given 3 ml L3 or equivalent to 3000 larvae. Faecal samples were then collected weekly for a 10 week duration. The FAMACHA scale for anemia estimation was used and blood collection through ear tip was also done twice a week to measure the packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood. The results show that the PCV decreases while faecal egg counts increase over the study period.The FAMACHA scale also increases with time indicating a progressive anemia with the decreasing PCV. As helminth infections are common in small ruminants, the effects of anemia are critical parameters to be monitored in any flock as this will determine its productivity in terms of mortality and morbidity.

Oestrosis is a worldwide myiasis infection caused by the larvae of
the fly Oestrus ovis (Diptera, Oestridae), that develops from the first to the third stage larvae. This is an obligate parasite of the nasal and sinus cavities of sheep and goats. The Oestrus ovis larvae elicit clinical signs of cavitary myiasis seen as a seromucous or purulent nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, incoordination and
dyspnea. Myiasis in an incidental host may have biological significance towards medical and public health importance if
the incidental host is man. This infection can result in signs of generalized disease, causing serious economic losses in sheep and goat reared for meat and dairy production. Due to the large numbers of small ruminants imported into Malaysia from countries which are endemic with oestrosis, precautionary measures should be exercised to prevent this infection from establishing here. In 2009, there was a report of respiratory distress (pneumonic sign) accompanied by high mortality in Damara sheep that was imported from Australia. Investigations showed the presence of Oestrus ovis larvae in affected
sheep. The post mortem was conducted in the field and the larvae were discovered in the tracheal region. The larvae was confirmed as Oestrus ovis using the appropriate keys for identification by Zumpt. The carcass showed pulmonary edema with severe congestion of the lungs accompanied by frothy exudation in the bronchus. There were also signs of serious atrophy (heart muscle) and mild enteritis
(intestine histopathological examination showed, there was pulmonary congestion and edema, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, renal tubular necrosis and myocardial sarcocystosis. The sheep also showed chronic helminthiasis and Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from organ specimens.Oestus ovis infection is rare in Malaysia, as such this case posed as an unusual case for investigation.