Recently, Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV) cases have been reported in many countries worldwide. FAdV is a contagious agent associated with inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) and hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) in chickens. It belongs to the Aviadenovirus genus of the family Adenoviridae. The virus is classified into five species (A to E) and further divided into 12 serotypes. Depending on the serotypes, they have diverse characteristics of virus that can either be pathogenic or nonpathogenic strain. From the viewpoint of epidemiological as well as vaccine development, it is very important to detect FAdV strains. Previous studies have been conducted on molecular research, but the continuity of this study in Malaysia has been limited. This study aims to identify the serotype classification of five Malaysian FAdV isolates obtained from field outbreaks during 2017-2019. In this study, polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were conducted based on Hexon gene. Results from the nucleotide sequence analysis discovered that the five isolates showed high similarity with FAdV-8b strains. High bootstrap values in phylogenetic analysis supported the clustering of the Malaysian FAdVs isolates into FAdVs species E. Consequently, the result of this study contributed important information on the epidemiology and culminated in the importance of control strategies against FAdV infection in Malaysia.

Infection with gastrointestinal helminths has been a key factor affecting profitable animal production globally. Pig production in Nigeria has been adversely affected by presence of endoparasites. However, type of husbandry system can affect the prevalence of the parasites, thus, there is a need for this study to look at the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the production of pigs in this tertiary institutional farm in Southwestern Nigeria. Faecal analysis for intestinal helminths was conducted on the pigs using saturated sodium chloride floatation technique. One hundred and fifty faecal samples were taken with only Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp and Trichuris spp ova identified in single and mixed infection. The overall prevalence rate was 20%. Mixed infections remained more dominant (15.31%) with Ascaris suum having the highest occurrence as a single infection (3.33%), followed by Oesophagostomum spp (2%) and Trichuris spp (1.33%). Females had higher prevalence of nematode infection (14.67%) compared to males (5.33%). Comparing breeds, Large White had 14.67% prevalence of nematode infection which is higher than that of Duroc (5.33%). Weaners had no presence of helminths, whereas growers had the highest prevalence (9.33%), while piglets and adults had the same prevalence of nematode infection (5.33%). One of the factors that affect good productivity in pig farming is low presence of helminthes. Pork eaters are hereby encouraged to buy their meat from institutional farms as they produce safer meats for consumption.

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.

To investigate premium palm kernel cake (PKC) based diet’s effect on amino acid digestibility, this study conducted a feeding trial. Four groups of 150 day-old broiler chickens in every group were given four isocaloric diets using these formulation: Diet 1 - commercial feed for both starter and grower phase Diet 2 - broiler feed that contains 30% PKC for starter phase + commercial grower, Diet 3 - commercial starter + broiler feed that contains 45% PKC for grower phase (and Diet 4 - broiler feed that contains 30% PKC for starter phase + broiler feed that contains 45 % premium PKC for grower phase. During the experiment’s day 31, bird faeces’ samples were collected based on group diets in order to estimate the availability of amino acid as well as the digestibility of amino acids using balance experiment. Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography with photo-diode array detector was used to analyse amino acid. The findings showed no significant difference in digestibility of amino acids with p<0.05 in the feed broiler chickens’ comparison with commercial feed in terms of different levels of PKC based diet. This study shows that by including 30-45% premium PKC in poultry diet, it could contribute as protein source in broiler feed production with suitable supplementation of essential amino acid. Further studies are encouraged to combine the analysis of excreta, ileal digesta and growth performance in order to achieve more concrete findings.

Information on common diseases is important for effective disease control and management programme. This paper aims to identify the common equine parasites infection diagnosed in Peninsular Malaysia using existing laboratory data system records from government veterinary laboratories. Equine data were analysed on the basis of disease diagnoses, states, types of programme, and breed from January 2014 to December 2018. For this purpose, laboratory data from parasitology unit in six (06) Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) laboratories across Peninsular Malaysia were compiled and a total of 7,123 samples sent to the laboratories during the time period were analysed. A total of 623 samples (8.75 %) were positive of 7 different endoparasites, with helminthiasis recording 4.45 % and protozoan infections recording 4.28 %. Monitoring programme recorded second highest number of samples received (33.58 %) but with highest positive samples (6.96 %), while import programmes had the highest number of samples received but with only 0.62 % of the samples were recorded positive. State of Johore (7.97 %) had the highest number of horse positive sample followed by Perlis (0.24 %) and Pahang (0.21 %). Thoroughbred were breed with the highest number of samples received (66.31 %) with 7.28 % were positive. In conclusion, this study provides an idea of prevailing equine common parasite status in Malaysia as per handled in the DVS laboratories, as DVS continues to emphasize horse health by conducting disease screening primarily associated with import and export programmes as well as conducting disease monitoring to ensure sustainability of the industry

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.

Napier Pakchong (Cenchrus purpureus cv. Pakchong) is another cultivar of Napier grass which was introduced from Thailand. This cultivar is mostly adapted for local soil conditions in Malaysia, has high yield and relatively high protein content making Napier Pakchong suitable for ruminant feeding. This experiment was carried out to determine the dry matter yield and nutritive values of Napier Pakchong at three different cutting ages (6ᵗʰ, 7ᵗʰ and 8ᵗʰ weeks old). All plots underwent a standard preparation and basal fertilizers during grass establishment. The cutting treatments were carried out 3 times at the 6ᵗʰ, 7ᵗʰ and 8ᵗʰ weeks. After each harvest, the rates of maintenance fertilizer used were NPK 150:60:100 (kg/ha/year). The harvested forage was weighed and sent for dry matter yield and proximate analysis. The data were analysed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the programme of SAS (Package Version 9.4). The difference between treatment means was measured by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5 % level of significance. The data showed that dry matter yield production increased in line with the cutting interval. Crude protein (CP) value declined as the harvesting interval increased. Even though the CP value declined, the CP percentage still fulfils the protein requirements for ruminants. It is suggested that Napier Pakchong harvested at 7th to 8th weeks due to optimum dry matter yield and nutritive value.

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

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of Breeding Soundness Examination (BSE) and sperm quality for bull fertility screening by using Brahman bulls. A total of 17 Brahman bulls were sampled from the Department of Veterinary Services’ farm at Pusat Ternakan Haiwan (PTH) Ulu Lepar, Kuantan, Pahang, with age ranging between 2 to 7 years old. All candidates had undergone BSE and sperm quality test. All the data collected were analysed using SPSS software. The average age of the Brahman in this study was 55.06±14.37 months with 36.53±3.21 cm of scrotal diameter. The average libido score recorded for Brahman bulls in this study was 5.35±1.90. The minimum libido score was two (2) while the maximum score was seven (7). For sperm quality traits, the average parameter recorded for Brahman bulls were as follows: 54.41±20.15 % (sperm motility), 62.94±26.94 % (live sperm) and 49.40±8.53 % (normal sperm). The minimum and maximum score for sperm motility was 10 % and 80 %, respectively. For live sperm, the minimum score was 10 % and maximum score was 80 %. Meanwhile, normal sperm had a minimum score of 30 % and a maximum score of 65 %. The bull that fulfilled the requirements of the screening can be assigned as a superior bull for breeding program, thus making fertility screening a useful tool in monitoring potential breeder of the farm.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 is contagious and fatal to humans. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant concerns on food safety and security are rising due to potential interspecies transmission. As such, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 on imported meat and animal parts is carried out and reported in this study to safeguard food safety and security. Overall, none of the 225 samples from various livestock (buffaloes, cattle, goat and pig) imported from seven countries were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from July 2020 to November 2021. This study finding serves as a baseline data for SARS-CoV-2 in imported meat and animal parts. Notably, this study accentuated the importance of active surveillance to prevent zoonosis and to safeguard food safety and security.