The aim of this study is to determine the phytochemical constituent of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam (Jackfruit) and its effectiveness as an alternative for the anthelmintic treatment of parasitic nematodes in ruminants. Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam leaves were used to test on L3 nematode larva harvested from fecal culture. There are four species of parasitic nematodes identified, namely: Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus sp., Cooperia sp., and Oesophagostomum sp. Haemonchus contortus was found to be the most dominant, followed by Trichostrongylus sp., Cooperia sp., and Oesophagostomum sp. The phytochemical test of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam leaves was revealed to possess alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, tripertenes and steroids. These components were shown to be effective at causing paralysis and deaths of parasitic nematode in the larval motility assay, where 100 % of the nematodes tested were killed below 6 hours at 5.0 mg/ml concentration; and inhibit migration in the larval migration assay, where migration of the larva was completely inhibited in 2 hours using 2.0 mg/ml concentration. The results suggest that Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam leaves can be used as an alternative for the anthelmintic treatment in goats and sheep.

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.

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.

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.

Liquid manures stored produce a significant amount of methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) gas from biological anaerobic fermentation. Studies carried out to evaluate a potential biological cover on inhibiting gases emission and simple cover design to overcome the high cost of biogas production on covered lagoon types that are available on the market. The agriculture waste from rice straw, cocopeat, hay, and sawdust were used as biological covers in reducing CH4 emission and NH3 volatilisation from ruminant slurries. During ninety days of the undisturbed storage period, immediate reduction of CH4 and NH3 gases fluxes were observed after the application. Rice straw and coco peat were found to effectively reduce the emission of CH4 and NH3 between 45.5% and 56.9%. Other biological cover showed a slightly lower reduction on NH3 volatilisation and much lower in CH4 inhibition percentage (28-29%). Covering method was found to be suitable with Malaysia’s climate in reducing greenhouse gas emission from slurry manure.

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.

An exposure assessment was conducted to quantitate tetracyclines (TCs) in chickens and the risk estimates were calculated using deterministic and probabilistic approaches. The results revealed that through deterministic approach, estimated daily exposure to TCs resulted in children aged 1<y<3 and 4<y<6 (0.05919 and 0.03946 μg/kg bw/day), followed by adults (0.02847 μg/kg bw/day) and children aged 7<y<10 at 0.02631 μg/kg bw/day. Based on the probabilistic approach, dietary exposure of Malaysian adults to TCs was estimated to range from 0.00174–0.35209 μg/kg bw/day. In comparison, for the children group, the estimated exposure was higher in age 1<y<3 at 0.0137 – 1.9845 μg/kg bw/day followed by children aged 4<y<6 and 7<y<10 at 0.00718 – 1.3967 μg/kg bw/day and 0.00834 – 0.91841 μg/kg bw/day respectively. However, the estimated risk calculated for all groups was <10 % ADI. These indicate that toxicological risk with regard to the consumption of chicken meat could not be considered as a public health problem, but the result can be supportive for the safety authorities to engage policies in managing any potential risk. The occurrence of high concentration of TCs residues in small samples still warrants closer monitoring and management of the use of TCs in chicken farms in Peninsular Malaysia.

The poultry industry is the most advanced and independent among livestock industry in Malaysia with over 100 percent self-sufficient level (SSL) since 2004. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) has launched National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0) in October 2021. One of the objectives is to increase the poultry’s SSL to 140.2 % by 2030, an increase from 104.10 % in 2020. The objective of this study was to analyze the production cost of selected commercial broiler farms in Malaysia. The scope of the study was to evaluate the economic assessment of broiler production in order to understand the industry widely and also to identify which segments along the production line need to be improved and at the same time to ensure that this industry remains competitive and productive. Production cost data were obtained from selected commercial broilers via questionnaire forms. The result showed that the average broiler production cost is RM4.40/kg. Small farms have higher total average cost per kg, which is RM4.70, followed by commercial scale farms at RM4.43 and medium-scale farms at RM4.29, respectively. Feed cost contributes 66 % of the total production cost of whole expenditure followed by day-old chick’s cost, 19 %. The average profit estimation is RM0.65/kg based on RM5.05/kg for the ex-farm price of live poultry.

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.

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.