A case report of wet form Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in a domestic short hair cat

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a fatal disease of cat exists in two major forms namely effusive and noneffusive form. FIP is caused by mutated form of Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) classified under the genus of Alphacoronavirus. Despite common prevalence of FIP in Malaysia, further diagnosis remain challenging due to the complexity of the disease which often required multiple findings to confirm the disease. This case report highlights the progressive wet form of FIP in a male domestic short hair cat named Cromox presented to the Post Mortem Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Manifestation of distended abdomen, icterus and flu was shown before the cat died. Post-mortem and histopathology analysis of affected organs were performed and since FIP was suspected, RT-PCR against polymerase gene of FCoV was carried out. The post mortem examination revealed generalised icterus at sclera, gums and integuments, straw colour peritoneal fluid and congestion of kidney and liver. Histopathology analysis showed infiltration of mononuclear cells in liver, pulmonary edema and renal desquamation. Meanwhile, RT-PCR and partial sequencing analysis showed evidence of positive Feline Coronavirus which was closely related to the FCoV from China and Netherland. Hence, the cause of death of Cromox was confirmed due to FIP infection. Only supportive treatment can be given to the FIP affected cat since the disease is usually fatal. Vaccination against FIP is not recommended and avoiding the sick cat to share litterbox in the multihousehold cat has been proven to be an effective way to prevent the occurence of FIP

Retrospective study on the pathological changes and bacterial isolations in small ruminants diagnosed with pneumonia

The cause and type of pneumonia in small ruminant have not been reported in Malaysia. Hence, it is imperative to investigate the incidence and type of pneumonia commonly observed in small ruminants. This investigation was carried out on 94 pneumonic cases involving 299 small ruminant carcasses presented for necropsy at the Department of Veterinary Pathology & Microbiology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, during a 10-year period between 2008 and 2017. The gross and histopathology lesions and the associated bacterial isolations were obtained from the records. The specific type of pneumonia was diagnosed by histopathological examination of selected lungs tissues, using standard techniques. The results of the bacterial isolates (n=134) revealed Escherichia coli (29.1%), Pasteurella spp. (17.1%), Klebsiellapneumoniae (15.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (6.7%) and Mannheimia spp. (5.9%) as common isolates. The gross lesions of pneumonic lungs included congestion, consolidation and exudation. Three types of pneumonia were identified based on the histopatholological examinations, which were suppurative bronchopneumonia 71 (75.53%), fibrinous bronchopneumonia 7 (7.45%), interstitial pneumonia 3 (3.19%) and others 13 (13.93%)

On-farm evaluation of growth and reproductive performance of timorensis deer kept in Taman Pertanian Universiti, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the health and reproductive performances of timorensis deer kept in Field 16, Taman Pertanian Universiti. The farm was built with the aim of being a model farm for teaching, public exhibition, and a model for farmers. This study involved all timorensis deer kept at the farm. Available farm records between 2011 and 2014 were collected and analysed. However, the age at first fawning, mean birth weight (kg), fawning intervals, litter size, age at first parturition and parturition interval (months) could not be analysed since the records were not kept. Most fawning occurred between October and December each year with apparent peak in December. The mean fawning percentage for the past 4 years was 60% while the average rate of mortality was low (0.05) difference between the average monthly ADG every year. The risk factors particularly the monthly rainfall showed significant (p<0.05) negative correlation with the monthly ADG but positive correlated with monthly rate of fawning (p<0.05). Therefore, there might be a breeding season within the mild dry months of February to March that resulted in fawning season in the rainy months of October to December. Thus, the farm should recognize these seasons to take appropriate actions in preparing hinds for breeding and farmhands in handling fawning

Mixed bacterial septicaemia in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

A 3-year-old, male, bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was sent for necropsy to Veterinary Post Mortem Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia with a history of two days anorexia and watery faeces. Necropsy was conducted and organ samples were sent for bacterial isolation, as well as histopathology. At necropsy, the carcass was in fair body condition with minimal visceral and subcutaneous fat stores. The eyes were sunken with pale and dry skin. There was generalized severe congestion of the right lung, which was slightly dilated and contained thick, purulent exudate mixed with blood. Liver and kidneys were moderately congested. Detailed histopathologic investigation of the lung revealed severe mixed mononuclear and granulocytic inflammation. Marked vascular congestion with presence of exudates which consisted of eosinophilic proteinaceous coagulum mixed with heterophils in the air passageways. The exudates expanded the interstitium and lower airway. Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, and Klebsiella pneumonia were isolated from the lung, liver and kidney samples. In consideration of the macroscopic, histological findings and bacterial isolation, the bearded dragon was diagnosed to have died of a mixed bacterial septicaemia. Infectious agents are a major disease problem among reptiles, with bacterial infections being responsible for the majority of morbidity and mortality of cases, and commonly causing septicaemia

A cross sectional study on the cross contamination through white coats

White coats are known to be potential transmitting agents of microorganisms including multi-drugs resistant organisms. Most studies that advocate this viewpoint analyzed cross sectional based on results taken from the white coats in the hospitals. Far less is known about the acknowledgement of the community regarding this issue and the effect on their thoughts of handling it. This study is conducted mainly to find out the public’s awareness on the cross contamination through&nbsp; white coats. Furthermore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the association between the sociodemographic factors (age, gender, ethnicity, education levels etc.) with the awareness status regarding cross contamination of the white coats among public respondents. Other than that, this study helps in determining the best way to reduce cross contamination through white coats. This information may be useful to Public Health Malaysia

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection in a great dane puppy: a case report

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a major disease affecting young pups with high contagiousness and mortality worldwide. Unvaccinated pups between 6 weeks to 6 months are most susceptible to CPV infection. It manifests into enteritis and myocarditis forms. Classical signs of enteritis form include acute onset of vomiting, haemorrhagic diarrhoea, and pyrexia. A case of unvaccinated 3-month-old female Great Dane puppy was presented with complaints of hematemesis, hematochezia and shooting diarrhoea. A tentative diagnosis of CPV was made. It was humanely euthanised due to chronic body weight loss and poor response to treatments. Post-mortem examinations revealed congested lung with frothy exudate, whitish plaques on heart coronary groove, thickened intestinal mucosa, and generalised reddening in the liver and kidneys. Microscopic changes revealed interstitial pneumonia with edema, lymphocytic myocarditis, viral enteritis with villous atrophy, and liver congestion. A faecal samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method revealed positive result for parvovirus. Based on pathological and PCR findings, it was definitively diagnosed with CPV infection. The chance of its survival without aggressive treatment remains low. Treatment and management are still limited to supportive care without existing agent-specific treatment. Therefore, CPV infection should be controlled and prevented by providing vaccination to the pups from the age of 6 weeks

Parosteal Osteoma in a green iguana: a veterinary case report of medical and surgical management

This case report describes the clinical and surgical management of submandibular tumour in a 7 years old female Green Iguana weighing 1.55kg and intensively raised. Physical examination revealed that the iguana had a mass on the ventro-lateral aspect of the head measuring 4 cm x 3 cm in diameter with 7% dehydration. The iguana was placed on lactated ringer solution to correct for dehydration and to stabilize it prior to surgery. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count and serum biochemistry. Impression smear was made from the mass for cytology in addition to radiology diagnosis. Clinical findings based on complete blood count and cytology revealed leucocytosis, lymphocytosis, monocytosis with eosinopenia and presence of clusters of round to spindle shape cells with coarse chromatin embedded in pink cellular matrix. Based on the physical and clinical examination findings, the case was tentatively diagnosed as mesenchymal cell tumour and surgical removal of the tumour was recommended with adequate post-operative care