Sleeping patterns of horses in selected local horse stables in Malaysia

Horses typically spend between from 4 to 15 hours a day in standing rest and anywhere from minutes to several hours lying down. Horses that have less sleep due to prolonged activities will result in health deterioration and poor welfare. From the literature search and from the authors' knowledge, the study on the sleeping patterns of domesticated horses in stable management in the tropics has not yet been explored. Thus, the aim of this study was to understand the sleeping patterns of selected local stabled horses in Malaysia. This study was conducted in 3 different stables around Klang Valley, Malaysia. Five healthy adult gelding Thoroughbred horses with body condition score of 3 out of 5 were selected randomly from each stable. The horses experienced the same daily activities and exercised for approximately 4 hours every day where they were used for riding activity. An observational cohort study method was used in this study. Each horse's sleeping patterns were observed for 72 hours. The time frame was divided into 12 hours a day for 6 days, continuously. In the present study, horses tended to sleep only during the night. The stable horses spent about 57.00 ± 25.00 min/24 h in sternal recumbency; 8.00 ± 6.00 min/24 hours in lateral recumbency; and 3.40 ± 0.70 minutes in each stay apparatus position before shifting weight to the other hindlimb. The implication of these findings will allow equine practitioners to understand the different sleeping patterns of horses to maintain the horses' welfare and performance

Suspected neonatal isoerythrolysis with concurrent Actinomyces hyovaginalis in a foal

Objectives: This case report aimed at diagnosing and instituting timely intervention to avert Neonatal Isoerythrolysis with concurrent infections in foals. Material and Methods: Baby Dokki is a one day old, filly, foal, pony cross, weighing about 20kg. She is managed in a stable with its dam. Baby Dokki was found dead a day after her birth. Post mortem examination revealed a generalized jaundice in the mucous membrane, muscles and aorta. Besides that, the synovial fluids were also thicken and yellowish. As well, the large intestine contains very hard greenish fecal material obstructing the rectum. Softer yellowish fecal material was found to be impacted dorsal to the hard fecal material. Results: Furthermore, the bacteriology result divulged the presence of Actinomyces hyovaginalis. In addition, blood was also collected from the mare and the stallion to check for blood compatibility. Conclusion: Thus, the case was diagnosed as suspected neonatal isoerythrolysis with concurrent Actinomyces hyovaginalis infection

Determination of drinking water and wastewater quality in cattle farms

Water plays an important role in any livestock production system as it as an essential medium for animal metabolism as well as an important cleaning medium. It is important that the quality of the drinking water is maintained at a certain level so as to lessen the possible adverse effects on the animals. According to the National Water Quality Standards, any water source with a classification of Class III and less is deemed suitable for animal consumption. At the same time, most cattle farms in Malaysia do not do proper treatment of their wastewater before releasing them into water bodies such as drains, rivers and lakes. In this study 7 cattle farms were selected and both drinking water and wastewater samples were collected for analysis. The water samples were analysed in-situ and at the lab for the following 15 parameters; dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, electrical conductivity, turbidity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solid, total dissolved solid, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate, phosphates, total coliform, iron and magnesium content. The results were then compared with the National Water Quality Standards and the overall classification for each water sample was decided. The results for drinking water were as follows; 1 (14.29%) Class II, 2 (28.57%) Class III, 2 (28.57%) Class IV and 2 (28.57%) Class V. Meanwhile, all the wastewater samples were categorized as Class V

Infection of reproductive system of buffaloes and cattle with Pasteurella multocida: a review of pathophysiological alterations

Serotypes B: 2 and E: 2 of Haemorrhagic septicaemia found in Asia and Africa cause an economically important disease that affects cattle and buffaloes. The disease has a feature of short clinical course and high morbidity and mortality rates. However, animals surviving HS are usually characterized by decrease productivity. There is paucity of knowledge in the involvement of the reproductive system and its organizer hormones in animals afflicted with HS. Therefore, this review aimed to gather information and provide more details on reproductive pathophysiology and its modifications in buffaloes and cattle as a result of P. multocida B: infections

Clinical management of acute otitis externa concurrent with auricular myiasis in a doe

This case report described the clinical management of otitis externa concurrent with myiasis in a doe. Briefly, intravenous fluid therapy was instituted and the infected wound was thoroughly washed with a diluted hydrogen peroxide and a combination of diluted hibiscrub, diluted iodine, acriflavin and beavate. Topederm® was applied topically for one week. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg, IV was administered once daily for three days to reduce inflammatory reaction and Ivermectin (1 mL/50kg) was given subcutaneously once. The prognosis was good and there was improvement in the wound healing and the overall condition of the animal one week after treatment. The farmer was advised to ensure the practice of good management hygiene and also employ the use of insect repellents in and around the farm

Cytokines (IL 1β and IL 6) responses in non-pregnant does infected with corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis following intradermal route of infection in chronic state

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) which commonly affects sheep and goats. The disease remains as a major disease causing economic loss to the small ruminant industries. There is little information related to responses of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 in the chronic states. This study was designed to determine the serum concentrations of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 (pg/mL) in non-pregnant does experimentally inoculated with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis via intradermal route in chronic form. Eighteen non-pregnant healthy Katjang does aged 2 years old were divided randomly into two groups. The control and the treatment groups consist of nine does each and were kept for 3 months. The control group was inoculated with PBS solution while the treatment group was inoculated intradermally with C. pseudotuberculosis. Serum samples were collected every 3 days (72 hours) for 3 months (2064 hours). The present study showed significant increase in IL-1β (278 ± 19.19 pg/mL) after 1day (24 hours) of post infection (p<0.0001) which decreased sharply (98.31 ± 19.19 pg/mL) after 5 days (120 hours) of post infection (p = 0.9293) and attained a significant concentration (217.43 ± 19.19 pg/mL) after 3 months (2064 hours) of post infection (p<0.0048) in does challenged with C. pseudotuberculosis compared to the control group. In contrast, the concentration of IL-6 increased significantly (p<0.0001) to (56.43 ± 1.98 pg/mL) in 2 months (1392 hours) of post infection and then decreased significantly (p<0.0001) to concentration of (22.18 ± 1.98 pg/mL) in 3 months (2064 hours) compared to the control group. In conclusion, the present study indicate that the importunity of C. pseudotuberculosis is associated with persistently high concentrations of IL-1β and low concentration of IL-6 which, when interpreted, could severely contribute to pathological vicissitudes and injury of organs and tissues in the chronic stage of C. pseudotuberculosis infections

Diagnostic and therapeutic management of clinical case of suppurative pre-scapular lymphadenitis in a bull

A 4 year old Jersey-Friesian cross bull was presented to the Universiti Veterinary hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia with a ruptured abscess on the right pre-scapular lymph node. The wound was dressed with diluted Hibiscrub® (Chlorhexidine gluconate 4.0%) and povidone iodine. Initial treatment includes Penicillin Streptomycin at 16mg/kg, intramuscularly. Bacterial isolation and sensitivity results revealed the presence of Staphylococcus shleiferi spp shleiferi and Arcanobacterium pyogenes. Both were resistant to gentamycin, penicillin G, sulfazole and streptomycin, but susceptible to tetracycline. The treatment was substituted with oxytetracycline 9mg/kg for 3 days based on the antibiotic susceptibility result. The wound was monitored and observed to have completely healed after 10 days post treatment

Incidences and veterinary clinical management of postpartum diseases among domestic cows and does in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The postpartum period is a time that is characterised by an increased risk of developing parturition related diseases and disorders by the dam. These may affect production in affected animals. Thee objective of this study was to determine the incidences and methods of clinical management of postpartum diseases among farm animals within the Klang Valley in Selangor, Malaysia. Primary data were obtained from a four-year (January 2013 to December 2017) farm record from sixteen (16) cattle and goats mixed farms. Postpartum diseases and disorders made up 3.4% (53/1550) of total diseases and disorders recorded for cows and does. Out of the 53 cases of postpartum diseases and disorders recorded, the followings were observed; metritis (24.5%), vaginal prolapse (22.6%), pyometra (20.8%), retained placenta (15.1%), uterine prolapse (9.4%), endometritis (5.7%) and uterine tears (1.9%). Most of the recorded postpartum cases were seen in cattle (83.0%) than in goat (17.0%) populations. More postpartum diseases and disorders were seen in younger cows (56.8%) as compared to older cows (43.2%). Similarly, more cases were seen in older does (66.6%) as compared to younger does (33.4%). Furthermore, a higher frequency of postpartum diseases was observed in animals during their rst parturition (77.4%) than in animals during their second (17.0%) or third parturition (5.6%). Flunixin meglumine and oxytetracyclines administered via the uterus were frequently used in clinical management of postpartum diseases. However, a detailed and strict follow up of the cases were lacking (52.8%). This study shows that postpartum diseases are quite common in primipara ruminants in the Klang Valley. Although conventional methods of managing postpartum cases in the Klang valley yielded satisfactory outcomes, there is need for compliance on detailed follow up therapy to avoid cases of treatment failures in affected animals

Clinical case of caseous lymphadenitis in a goat: case management

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) a contagious and infectious disease in small ruminants. This report describes a case of CLA in a Boer cross goat infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The manifestation of abscess in the superficial lymph node presented as a mass of approximately 5cm by 5cm in diameter at the base of the ear. The mass was solid and non-movable upon palpation. The mass was incised and the caseous material was aspirated and sent to the bacteriology laboratory where Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated. The wound was cleaned and flushed with diluted chlorhexidine and iodine solutions daily. This procedure aids in the complete healing of the wound after a few weeks. However, the agent of the disease persists in the animal in its entire life and culling is recommended to prevent the spread of the disease in the herd

Management of avulsion wound in a calf: a case report

A male Jersey calf weighing 50kg was presented to the University Veterinary Hospital, University Putra Malaysia with an open non-bleeding contaminated wound situated at the caudo-lateral aspect of carpal joint of the left forelimb. The calf was apparently stable and alert and on examination there was extensive damage to the skin around the wound area. Based on the physical examination and history, the case was diagnosed as that of an avulsed wound. The affected area was cleaned, debrided and lavaged with 0.05% diluted chlohexidine diacetate and Ilium Dermapred®. It was then bandaged after spraying with woundsarex spary; a fly repellant/antiseptic spray. Positive response of the calf to the treatment was noticed within two weeks of treatment. Daily wound dressing, debridement and topical antibiotic treatment was adequate in treatment of non-infected avulsion wound. In order to prevent the occurrence of such type of injuries, it is recommended that farmers should keep animal premises clear of injurious materials such as wire fences, metal sheets, or other sharp objects and stray dogs. Young animals should be segregated from adults to protect them from physical injuries