Total solids content in milk is measured to ensure the quality of fresh milk. In Malaysia, The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) monitors the quality and safety of fresh milk from the dairy farm to milk processors through the Milk Collection Centre (MCC). The aim of this study is to assess the quality of milk produced by dairy farmers from four MCCs in Perak based on the milk’s total solids content. This parameter was used to grade fresh milk into Grade A, Grade B and Grade C, and used by DVS of Perak state for milk pricing. The Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) had received a total of 2397 samples of fresh milk from MCCs in Perak in the year 2018. Statistical analysis showed that the mean total solids content in milk from the four MCCs were significantly different (p<0.05) (Sg. Siput: 13.26%, Tapah: 12.60% Parit 12.87% and Taiping 12.99%). Overall, about 69.17% of samples were that of Grade A, 24.81% were Grade B and 6.02% were Grade C. This study showed that Sungai Siput MCC was the main contributor for Grade A milk while Taiping MCC was the highest contributor of Grade C milk. The result of this study also indicated that milk produced by dairy farmers in Perak was of good quality, yet there are still the needs for improvement in providing constantly high quality of milk.

Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically important, contagious poultry viral disease reported across the globe. No recent reports on ND circulating in Malaysia. Therefore, the aim of the study is to characterize 16 Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) isolated from chickens in Malaysia in the year of 2019. All isolates were genotypically analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers specific to the viral fusion (F) protein gene. Analysis of the F protein cleavage site’s deduced amino acid sequences revealed that from the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates, three of them were virulent with two different motifs of 112RRQKRF117 and 12RRRKRF117 while other isolates were avirulent. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that three isolates were grouped in genotype VII, five in genotype I while eight in genotype II. All genotype VII isolates were clustered under sub-genotype VII.2 (VIIh and VIIi) which is the same strain causing previous outbreaks in Malaysia. Therefore, findings in this study demonstrated that there is no new introduction of NDV genotypes in Malaysia. However, farms should implement biosecurity measures at strict level as well as executing continuous monitoring and surveillance of the disease as these implementations would help them to conduct proper preventive measures and control of panzootic viruses in future.

Cost of feed is one of the primary stumbling blocks for goat farming in Malaysia. Stage feeding was introduced as a method to formulate feed at minimum cost based on the requirement of different stages of production to improve overall farm productivity. A study was conducted to evaluate 5 feeding rations formulated based on the requirements of different production stages on Katjang-Boer crossbred. Ration formulated of creep feed (CF) for a period of 101d, starter grower (SG) (70d), grower finisher (GF) (98d), flushing feed (FF) (97d) and maintenance feed (MF) (155d) were compared with commercial feed (CCF and CMF) as control. Results showed a significantly higher (P<0.05 preweaning bodyweight of 12.83 ± 3.61 kg in CF at 101 days of age. Post weaning also achieved significantly higher bodyweight (P<0.05 of 22.20±2.78kg and 31.5±4.67 in SG (223 days) and GF (361 days) of age respectively. Feed cost per kg gain obtain in CF (RM5.68), SG (RM9.03) and GF (RM6.57) were lower compared to CCM of RM6.14, RM10.27 and 12.99 respectively. FF showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) of 67.01 ± 14.42 g while MF was able to maintain body weight at minimum cost. Stage feeding proved to be able to meet nutritional needs through significantly higher body weight in CF, SG, GF and FF as well as lower feed cost per kg gain rendering it as a more economical option.

Information on the nutritional content of animal feed is very important in improving milk production and the quality of milk produced. Data on the nutrition and nutritional quality of feed given to livestock are not comprehensively evaluated and recorded in any dairy farms in Johore. The objective of this study is to determine the nutritional content of selected feedstuffs, with production and quality of milk in selected dairy farms in Johore. Data were collected from 94 dairy farms during field visits through face-toface interviews. Feed samples collected were dairy cattle pellet, Napier grass, palm kernel cake, palm kernel expeller, soybean hull, corn, cassava peel and agricultural waste. Proximate analysis was performed using standard AOAC methods. The result of this study found that 67.0% of dairy farmers in Johore use Napier grass as the main source of fodder. The survey showed that 46% of the farmers in Johore give a suitable quantity of Napier grass based on body weight, while for milk production, the survey showed that 54 dairy farms in Johore produce less than 100 litres/day, 18 farms produce 101-200 litres/day, 12 farms produce 201-300 litres/day, and 10 farms produce more than 300 litres/day. The overall status of dairy farms in Johore shows that 60% of the farms produce an average of 5.1-10 litre milk per cow per day in which 92.5% of milk samples collected had acceptable Total Dissolved Solid values indicating good quality of milk production.

Bluetongue (BT) is an arthropod-borne viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV). It has been reported in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world which raises significant socioeconomic concerns for international trade in animals and animal products. However, recent and updated information related to the current prevalence of BT in Malaysia is limited. The last holistic report was reported during BT outbreaks in the year of 1990s. This study aims to determine the current status of seroprevalence of BT among ruminants in Malaysia from 2013 to 2019. A total of 9,787 serum samples from buffalo, cattle, deer, goat as well as sheep were received from January 2013 until December 2019. All these serum samples were subjected to Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) test to detect the presence of antibodies towards BTV. The overall status of BTV was 20.18 % (1,975/9,787), with 56 % (14/25) in deer, 46.4 % (428/922) in cattle and 35.7 % (60/168) in buffalo. Positive BT antibodies were detected in young animals (<6 months) with 30.60 %, while 23.61 % in adult animals (>2 years). The results of this study revealed that BTV is still circulating at low level in domestic and wild ruminant livestock animals in Malaysia. It is suggested that this disease needs close monitoring to prevent possible outbreaks in the future.

A study on the prevalence of endoparasites of rats was conducted at the Laboratory Animal Facility and Management (LAFAM), UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam. The fecal samples were collected from a total of 187 laboratory rats which included 112 Sprague-Dawley and 75 Wistar rats. The fecal samples were examined by direct smear technique and fecal floatation technique. From the total of 187 fecal samples examined, 35.83 % were found positive for endoparasites. Prevalence of endoparasites was higher in Wistar (54.67 %) compared to Sprague-Dawley rats (23.21 %). The most prevalent nematode parasites were Syphacia muris (68.66 %) followed by Syphacia obvelata (26.87 %). The prevalence of these parasites emphasizes the needs of careful monitoring in the LAFAM and therapeutic measures when necessary.

The advantages of ventral and flank approaches for ovariohysterectomy (OHE) in terms of wound healing rate when compared to each other are still understudied. The effects of different OHE approaches on the wound healing rates of cats in Selangor, Malaysia were investigated. A total of 50 female cats were randomly included in this study. They were divided into the ventral-approach group (n=25) and the flank approach group (n=25). The wound healing rates and possible complications that could arise from the surgery in all cats were monitored daily from Day 1 until Day 7 post-surgery. Data were analysed using Independent T-test. Overall, the incision site wound healing rate in cats from the flank-approach group was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in cats from the ventral-approach group (72.55 ± 3.48 % vs. 59.91 ± 3.34 %; mean ± SEM). Complete healing of the incision site was observed in 12 % of cats from the flank-approach group as compared to 8 % of cats from the ventral-approach group. However, 8 % of cats from the ventral approach group had post-surgery complications whereas the flank-approach group had none. Results from the alternative approach may be attributed to reduced accessibility and contamination of the incision site during recovery

Locally, venison is considered as a premium and exotic meat, as it is not commonly found in fresh food markets and grocery stores. Despite its limited availability, demand is always high in its niche market, especially during festive seasons which highly escalate the price. However, as an expensive delicacy, deer meat is highly susceptible to fraudulent substitution and adulteration. Authentic deer meat are currently only recognized by consumers based on their own experience, meat texture, and taste which can be quite subjective. To assist in authenticating local deer meat in the market and protect consumers from fraudsters, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis can be carried out to distinguish between venison and other animal meat and products. Farmed venison in Malaysia are mostly from the species Rusa timorensis while Rusa unicolor is bred in the wild. Here, we detailed a newly developed conventional PCR method that is able to detect R. timorensis and R. unicolor based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) in a single run, thus providing a simple and more accurate alternative in venison authentication.

An intact male, 2.5 kg, 1 ½ years old Domestic Long Hair (DLH) cat was brought to the University Veterinary Clinic, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan with the complaint of inability to stand and inappetence since it was hit by a car a day before presentation. Physical examination and radiography revealed multiple fractures including fracture of the pubis, fracture of the left ischium and fracture of the right femoral neck. There was also a left sacroiliac fracture-luxation. The cat was stabilized with intravenous fluid using normal saline, analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic drugs. The sacroiliac fracture-luxation was repaired using a lag screw. The surgical site developed swelling due to seroma formation post operatively, where a drainage tube was placed which necessitated daily wound cleaning and dressing. The cat was able to ambulate with satisfactory weight bearing of the hind limbs at 10 days post-surgery and four weeks later, the cat demonstrated improvement in gait. At 5-months post-surgery, the cat was completely back to its normal gait and ambulation normally.

Recently, diagnostic cases of Mycoplasma screening from feline kept rising. In 2018, there were two cases in felines that were positively diagnosed as Mycoplasma co-infection in which one of the two cases was due to mycoplasmosis. Diagnosis of mycoplasmosis was based on isolation and identification using biochemical testing. Mycoplasma was successfully isolated from both cases. Based on the feline death case, the result indicated that Mycoplasma gateae was isolated from the blood-stained trachea sample. In contrast, none was isolated from the lung. As the infection was associated with other microorganisms, this case concluded that the cause of death of the cat was due to Parvovirus with secondary infection of Mycoplasma gateae.