Fifteen (15) guinea pigs were experimentally infected with Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae serovar Lai strain
Langkawi, a new strain that was isolated from a human leptospirosis patient. Hematoxylin and Eosin ((H&E) staining
showed haemorrhages, congestion and oedema in all internal organs examined (lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys) with
inflammatory cell infiltration characterized by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages. Hydropic degeneration and
cell necrosis were also common in our findings. Leptospires were detected starting Day 2 p.i by silver staining and
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Rise in antibody titres started on Day 5 p.i and leptospiral DNA was
detected beginning Day 3 in the kidneys and Day 5 in the liver by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. The
findings illustrated the pathogenesis of leptospirosis in guinea pigs which disclosed them as a suitable animal model for
demonstration of clinical symptoms of leptospirosis and pathological changes after being infected with Leptospira
icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Lai strain Langkawi, particularly pulmonary haemorrhages, a leading cause of mortality
in human leptospirosis.
This report describes the complications of obstructive urolithiasis in the lower urinary tract causing urinary bladder rupture in a Jamnapari buck. A 3-year-old Jamnapari buck was presented with the complaint of stranguria, subsequent anuria and a progressively distended abdomen for the past three days. Upon physical examination, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate were increased. Uroliths could be felt within the urethra in the ventral abdomen region. A urolith was removed via amputationof the urethral process, but the patency of the urethra could not be established. Transabdominal ultrasound revealed anechoic areas around the bladder, and the bladder was relatively small for a urinary obstructed goat. The bladder wall was thickened and shadow of sludge was observed within the bladder. Abdominocentesis was done and fluid analysis revealed that it was a haemorrhagic effusion. Blood results revealed renal disease, liver disease, muscle injury and haemoconcentration. Retrograde cystourethrogram revealed no urolithswithinthe urethra but there was leakage of the contrast agent from the bladder into the peritoneal cavity. The final diagnosis was complete blockage of the lower urinary tract leading to bladder rupture. Exploratory laparotomy was done and emergency cystorraphy was planned. Due to the poor condition of the urinary bladder with presence of septic peritonitis, the goat was euthanised.
Two cases of diaphragmatic hernia in cats caused by road traffic accident were undiagnosed during the initial presentation. Both cats showed no evidence of respiratory distress and clinicians did not notice the diaphragmatic hernia on thoracic radiographs. Later on, both cats showed signs of dyspnea and diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed with repeated thoracic radiograph and ultrasound. Diaphragmatic hernia is rather common in veterinary practice, however, its diagnosis can be clinically challenging. This case report highlights the importance to re-evaluate and monitor the patient closely after the traffic accident. Repeated radiograph, different diagnostic modalities and techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography and positive contrast peritoneagraphy should be used in order to diagnose the diaphragmatic hernia conclusively.
Pelvimetry is the measurement of the dimensions of the pelvis, measured internally or externally, and is typically conducted with the aid of a pelvimeter. Intrapelvic dimensions, namely the intrapelvic height and width, are used to calculate pelvic area which has a moderate to high degree of heritability. Pelvic area measurements are associated with calving difficulty and have been used by producers to select for heifers to be included in their breeding herd.
The mirror self-recognition (MSR) is a behavioral technique to determine whether an animal has the ability to
identify themselves in front of a mirror. A Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) was selected from Zoo Negara
Malaysia and an acrylic mirror is placed outside of the cage to observe interaction of the animal to the mirror. This
study showed that the bear’s behaviour was inconsistent due to the inability of the animal to recognize its own
reflection after exposure to the close and open mirror tests. These results suggest that when keeping Malayan sun bears
in captivity, putting a mirror as enrichment may promote communication and familiarity between conspecific.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive joint disease leading to the destruction of joint structures, which in turn causes severe and chronic pain to the patient. Since OA is a troubling and disruptive disease, numerous researches have been done into diagnosing this disease, both in the early and the late stages of the disease. Diagnostic modalities such as radiography, computed-tomography (CT), micro-computed tomography (µ-CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used in OA research. Not only that, more advance measurements and criteria have been established to standardize OA research. Currently, the OA research has been delving into proteomic studies to search for potential disease biomarkers. Biomarkers such as urinary C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type 2 (uCTX-II) and cartilage oligometric protein (COMP) have shown potential to be both diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. For this review paper, the developments in diagnostic modalities are discussed focusing more on proteomic and biomarker studies.
A comparative study of nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of selected local plants, Macaranga sp.and Mallotus sp.was carried out and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was used as control.The results obtained from proximate analysis revealed that there were significant difference (P
This study was conducted to evaluate the meat quality of Dorper sheep weaned at different ages. 3 cuts of sirloin from 3 animals in each treatment groups were used in this study. 9 lambs were grouped into 3 different weaning groups (G1,G2, G3) of 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively. G3 was served as control group based on current practice. When the animals reached the age of 270 days, 3 out of 9 lambs from each of the treated groups were slaughtered for meat quality analysis. Results from this study shows no significant (P
A 4-year-old, male local dog was referred to University Veterinary Hospital-Universiti Putra Malaysia (UVH-UPM) due to
dyspnoea and ascites. Full diagnostic investigations inclusive of blood haematology, serum biochemistry, blood smear examinations
for haemopathogens, heartworm antigen test, thoracic and abdominal radiography and echocardiography were conducted. A
diagnosis of severe heartworm disease was made from the positive heartworm antigen test, the presence of heartworms on
echocardiography and the accompanying advanced clinical findings. This was the first case of right-sided heart failure due to severe
heartworm disease with concurrent pulmonary hypertension diagnosed in UVH-UPM from which the moribund dog was
successfully stabilised during hospitalisation.
Leptospirosis is recognised as one of the leading zoonotic diseases and rodents have been implicated as one of the natural reservoirs of the disease. The Malayan porcupines (Hystrix brachyura) which are also a rodent could possibly be a carrier of leptospiral organisms. This study was conducted to determine the serological prevalence of leptospiral infection among captive Malayan porcupines and to disclose the possibility of porcupines as a reservoir for leptospiral infection. Fifty serum samples were obtained from the Malayan porcupines kept in captivity at the Wildlife Conservation Centre, Sungai Dusun, Malaysia. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed on the serum samples to detect the presence of agglutinating antibodies to a panel of 16 Leptospira serovars (Australis, Autumnalis, Ballum, Bataviae, Canicola, Celledoni, Djasiman, Hardjobovis, Hardjopratjino, Hebdomadis, Hurstbridge, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Javanica, Pomona, Pyrogenes and Sejroe). From the serological test, 18% (n=9/50) of the Malayan porcupines tested had leptospiral antibodies to serovars Javanica (8%), Hurstbridge (4%), Ballum (2%), Celledoni (2%) and Hardjoprajitno (2%). It is seen that this study disclosed a high prevalence of leptospiral infection in the Malayan porcupines tested and indicated that the Malayan porcupines could possibly be a source of leptospirosis to other animals including humans and that they might play an important role in the epidemiology of leptospiral infection in the country.
Reptiles, which included snakes, chelonians (turtles, tortoises), iguanas and lizards, have been reported as important reservoirs
for Salmonella. In Malaysia, reports on Salmonella in reptiles are not many. A search for works in Malaysia on salmonellae in
reptiles found 28.0% chelonians, 27.5 - 61.0% snakes, 26.5 – 36.0% lizards and 31.0% house geckos carried Salmonella. The
prevalence in some countries worldwide which included the United States of America, Brazil, Japan, Nigeria and few others were
shown. The public health risk of the presence of salmonellae particularly in pet reptiles are discussed.
Forty-eight canine mammary tumours (CMT) diagnosed at the Histopathology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, were reviewed retrospectively. Two control groups, one comprising all other cases involving female dogs
and another group comprising only cases of neoplasia involving female dogs diagnosed in the laboratory over the same period of
time were used for comparisons in this study. Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were used to determine association between
the factors and the risk of CMT. Thirty-nine (81.3%) of the tumours were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, 8.3% (n=4) each, were the
diagnoses for squamous cell carcinoma and mixed cell tumour. Adenoma had 2.1% (n=1). The prevalence of canine mammary gland
tumours in this study is 39%. When CMT cases were compared with all other cases, significant association was observed with adult
dogs (p = 0.032, logistic regression 0.012) and intact dogs (p = 0.009, logistic regression, 0.003). When CMT cases were compared
with neoplasia cases, significant association was observed with pure breeds (p = 0.025) and intact dogs (p = 0.000034, logistic
regression 0.00042). This study found that pure breed dogs, intact dogs and older dogs ( > 5years) have higher odds of having CMT
in Malaysian dog population.
Rats are the maintenance host for leptospirosis and are the source of the infection to humans and animals. To eradicate leptospirosis, then the maintenance hosts should be eliminated. This is not possible, particularly when it involved wildlife like rats. A good alternative then is to impose biological control on the rat population which is a safe and pragmatic approach. The environment is the indirect source of infection and in tropical countries; recreational areas are often the place foroutbreaks of leptospirosis. Claims that leptospires survive for months in the environment probably is not true. The “top up” or daily excretion of leptospires from the maintenance hosts particularly rats make it appears that the leptospires survived for months in the environment. The good news is that although there are many infected rats in the cities, there were hardly any reports of outbreaks of leptospirosis in urban areas. Outbreaks of leptospirosis tend to be in the countryside particularly in recreational areas, where infection is easily transmitted through the conjunctiva or mucous membrane of the upper respiratory or gastro-intestinal tract through water activities.
The livestock industry has been relying merely on chemically synthesized antibiotic for eye infections as sprays and ointment. A natural remedy from Curcuma spp. has been tested for efficacy in curing keratoconjunctivitis and uveitis. A severe case of uveitis has been cured within 7 days, with impaired vision restored. These results are observations of a preliminary study conducted in a goat with uveitis.
A 6-year-old intact Persian cat was presented for the primary complaint of inappetence and weight loss. Irregular surface of
kidneys was palpated during physical examination. Abdominal radiograph findings were indicative of renomegaly. Ultrasonography
revealed multiple anaechoic structures within the renal parenchyma. The cortex, medulla and renal pelvis were unable to be
differentiated. Both radiographic and ultrasonographic findings were suggestive of polycystic kidney disease. Blood test revealed
normochromic, normocytic anaemia with azotaemia whereas urinalysis findings were hypostenuria and proteinuria, consistent of
chronic kidney disease due to polycystic kidney. Ultrasound is a useful antemortem diagnostic tool to diagnose polycystic kidney
disease in cats.
A case report of pneumonia and egg retention in a river terrapin was presented in this paper. A 20 year-old river terrapin (Batagur baska) was presented with complaint of coughing with blood discharge, wheezing breathing and inappetance. Plain radiograph showed both right and left lung lobes were consolidated due to pneumonia 90% and 70%, respectively. Tentative diagnosis of pneumonia due to opportunistic bacterial infection of Chromobacterium sp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides was made in this case based on bacterial isolation and response to antibiotic and antiinflammatory drugs. Enrofloxacin and flunixin meglumine were administered from Day-1 to -5. Enrofloxacin was then changed to gentamicin since it showed resistance in those bacteria. No clinical changes were observed. Gentamicin was given at rate 2.5 mg/kg once a week intramuscularly and prednisolone 2 mg/kg once on Day-6 given intramuscularly, showed a response on Day-10 of hospitalisation with the evidence of reduction in lung consolidation by almost 90% clear of lung lobes from pneumonia. Sixteen thin-shelled eggs were also observed in the coelomic cavity on radiographic images. Active laying season, prolonged laying period and the history of laying only two eggs a week before presenting to hospital gives a highly suggestive diagnosis of egg retention syndrome. To encourage laying, the terrapin was given a daily parenteral calcium supplement, oxytocin 5 IU/kg intramuscularly (Day-10 hospitalisation) and was released for sunbath and to sand twice daily. The eggs were completely laid on Day-11 and the overall terrapin condition was greatly improved 2 weeks post-hospitalisation.
An adult male Malayan box turtle was diagnosed with foreign body obstruction of fishing hook. Upon presentation, the animal
had pale mucous membrane and fishing line protruding out from the oral cavity. Diagnosis of foreign body ingestion was based on
plain radiograph where the fishing hook was evidenced on the lateral and ventrodorsal radiographic view. Plastron osteotomy
surgical removal was performed after endoscopy guided forcep removal failed. Procedures were carried out under the injectable
anesthesia using a combination of ketamine and xylazine hydrochloride. Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and parenteral fluid therapy
was given pre and post-surgically as medical treatment and stabilisation.
A tourist was infected with a new strain of leptospires namely, Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae serovar Lai strain Langkawi, when he was on vacation in Langkawi, Malaysia. The leptospiral strain was successfully isolated from the patient in the Netherland. In this study, the bacteria were retrieved from Holland and inoculated into fifteen guinea pigs in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to determine its pathogenicity. The main clinical symptoms in the guinea pigs were decreased appetite and jaundice. Blood profile showed high neutrophil, lymphocyte, PCV, RBC, haemoglobin, leukocyte and thrombocyte counts. Besides that, enhancement of electrolytes such as sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and potassium (K) was also noted. Biochemical examination showed an increase alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and bilirubin levels. Albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT), blood urea, total protein and creatinine were low values. Histopathological examination under haematoxylin and eosin staining showed evidence of haemorrhages, congestion and oedema in all organs, with inflammatory cell infiltration characterized by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages. Hydropic degeneration and cell necrosis were also common in the findings. Leptospires were detected from Day 2 p.i by silver staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Rise in antibody titre was seen as early as Day 5 p.i and leptospiral DNA was detected by PCR in the kidneys and liver on Day 3 and Day 5, respectively. The findings were indicative of leptospirosis. This study demonstrated that guinea pigs are a suitable animal model to illustrate the clinical symptoms and pathological changes seen following infection with Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Lai strain Langkawi. In general, the symptoms and changes seen in leptospirosis are similar to viral infections and the information and data from this present study would help differentiate infection due to leptospires from that of viral infection. Leptospiral infection has often been misdiagnosed to be viral infection such as influenza and dengue which have similar signs and symptoms as leptospirosis.
Clinically healthy pets may carry zoonotic pathogens and shed them, thus act as potential public health threat. Small, exotic animals are gaining popularity as pets which include iguanas, turtles and sugar gliders. Salmonellosis is an important disease affecting human and animal populations worldwide. It is reported that sugar gliders are becoming popular pets among young Malaysians, not only are they cute and adorable but are easily carried around. Of 35 pet sugar gliders and 17 from a breeder, 15% were positive for salmonellae and the serovars identified were Salmonella enterica serovar Albany (62.5%) and Salmonella enterica serovar London (37.5%). Staphylococcus spp. (41.0%) were most frequently identified from oral mucosae, followed by Enterococcus faecalis (17%), Streptococcus viridians (15.0%), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (13.0%) and Enterococcus faecium, Pasteurella spp., Staphylococcus delphini and Escherichia coli (2.0–4.0%). The close interaction between infected pet sugar gliders and their owners poses public health risk. Breeders with infected animals present direct risk to pet shops and pet owners.
Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) such as multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli are important pathogens associated with nosocomial infections in both human and animal health care facilities. Surfaces of inanimate objects in health care facilities can serve as sources of infection. However, studies on prevalence of these pathogens in veterinary settings are lacking in the country. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the occurrence of A. baumannii and E. coli and the occurrence of MDR isolates on surfaces of inanimate objects in veterinary health care facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In this study, swab samples were taken from 65 surfaces of inanimate objects that included door knobs, examination tables, labcoats, stethoscopes and weighing scales. The swab samples were cultured and all isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test. The study revealed that the occurrence of A. baumannii was 9.23% and 5 out of 6 (83.33%) A. baumannii isolates were classified as MDR. However, no E. coli was isolated. In conclusion, surfaces of inanimate objects can be a source of MDR A. baumannii in veterinary health care facilities that is of animal and public health concern.