Series of clinical cases and management of histopathologically diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is frequently seen as an invasive cutaneous tumour that can be fatal in animals. In this case series, the clinical management of histopathologically diagnosis of SCC in three different individuals of African pygmy hedgehogs is described. In two of the cases presented, the tumours were presented as an oral mass on the gingiva, which were ulcerative and septic. Lumpectomy was performed in both cases and histopathology revealed encapsulated mass composed of neoplastic cells showing squamous differentiation arranged in islands with presence of keratin pearls, intercellular bridges and frequent mitotic figures which are typical features of squamous cell carcinoma. Following lumpectomy, the two hedgehogs were discharged but were later found to developed ocular lesion and anorexia before they were found dead. In the third case, SCC was diagnosed on the phalanges of the 3rd and 4th digits and surgical resection was successfully performed in this case and post-surgical complications were not recorded. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumours in African pygmy hedgehogs. In this case series, three cases of SCC were diagnosed using histopathology which two of the cases had predilections in the oral cavity while the third one only involved the digits

Self-recognition in a young chimpanzee

Animal cognition refers to the mental capabilities and the memory of an animal. The cognitive function also provides the evidence of self-awareness, which describe as to distinct of oneself as an individual separate from the environment and other individuals. The mirror self-recognition (MSR) test or mark test is a behavioural technique introduced by psychologist, Gallup, G. in 1970s which to determine whether non-human possess the ability of self-recognition. Therefore, the objective of this study is to measure and analyse the self-recognition of a young chimpanzee. Animal was selected (n=1; Pan troglodytes) from Zoo Negara Malaysia and the acrylic mirror (60x84cm: A1 size) was placed outside of the cage. The animal also was marked with odourless non-toxic white paint for MSR test. Open mirror and mark test behaviour were recorded using a video camera for a week and all data were analysed using the ethogram procedure. Theoretically, animal that are considered to be able to recognize themselves in a mirror typically through four stages of behaviour such as social responses, physical inspection, repetitive behaviour and realization of seeing themselves. Result showed that the animal has positive MSR in an open mirror test. However, the animal does not show self-recognition towards the mark, which indicates to negative MSR. Several factors such as bar cage, insufficient lighting, and reduce in mark colour may cause the animal not to act towards the mark. Therefore, further research is needed to understand the real capability of the chimpanzee in recognising itself. The understanding of cognitive ability as an effort to help the animals such as management and in program to re-establish populations of endangered or threatened species

Clinical management of parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) concurrent with moderate pneumonia in a goat: a clinical veterinary case report

Objective: Gastro-enteritis is a parasitic disease caused by the nematode species which is considered as an important parasite in Malaysia. This case report described the management of Parasitic Gastro-enteritis concurrent with pneumonia in goat. Materials and methods: The Jamnapari cross goat aged two years and weighing 40 Kg was presented to the Universiti Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia with the history of diarrhea and depression. The goat was examined physically. Blood and fecal samples were collected for complete blood count, serum biochemistry analysis and parasitological examination. Standard treatment plan was applied for the correction of the the problem. Results: Physical examination findings revealed the goat was in poor body condition, dull and depressed. Wet and dry fecal traces were observed around the groin region. The temperature was slightly elevated (39.5°C), the heart rate was increased (160 b/min) while other parameters were within normal range. Upon auscultation of the thoracic region, moderate crackle lung sound was determined. Visual observation of the nasal cavity indicated a bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge. The hemogram result revealed evidence of a normocytic normochromic anemia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia with left shift and monocytosis. Serum biochemistry revealed increases in gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), sodium, chloride, creatine kinase (CK), and hyperglobulinemia. Fecal examination revealed increased in Strongyle egg count of about 2,700 eggs per gram of feces using the Modified Mcmaster technique. From the history, physical examination and laboratory findings the goat was diagnosed with clinical parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) concurrent with moderate pneumonia infection. The therapeutic plan for this case were 45 mL of kaolin-pectin (30 mL/Kg body weight) orally SID for 3 days as anti-diarrhea, 12 mL Levamisole (12 mg/Kg bwt) was administered orally once as anthelminthic, fluid therapy was instituted using 1.5 L of Lactated Ringers’ solution once via intravenously. Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (1 mL/16 Kg bwt) was administered intramuscularly SID for 3 days. Conclusion: Follow up examination of the goat a week post treatment indicated a good prognosis as the nasal discharges were cleared, diarrhea stopped and the goat was active. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(3.000): 307-310

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

Molecular detection of Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Trypanosoma evansi and first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia in crossbred KedahKelantan x Brahman cattle

Background: Serious disease outbreaks in cattle are usually associated with blood pathogens. This study aims to detect blood pathogens namely Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and Trypanosoma evansi, and determine their phylogenetic relationships and haemato-biochemical abnormalities in naturally infected cattle. Methods: Molecular analysis was achieved by PCR amplification and sequencing of PCR amplicons of 18SrRN of Theileria species, 16SrRNA genes of Anaplasma and Mycoplasma species, MPSP genes of T. orientalis and T. sinensis, MSP4 gene of A. marginale, 16SrRNA gene of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, and RoTat1.2 VSG gene of Trypanosoma evansi, in sixty-one (61) clinically ill Kedah Kelantan x Brahman cattle in Pahang, Malaysia. Results: A total of 44 (72.13%) cattle were infected with more than one blood pathogen. Theileria species was the blood pathogen with the highest molecular detection rate (72.13, 95% CI 59.83–81.81%). Nucleotide blast analyses of all sequences demonstrated high degree of molecular similarity (98–100%) in comparison with their respective reference sequences. Analysis of 18SrRNA gene sequences of Theileria species and 16SrRNA gene sequences of Anaplasma species revealed Theileria sinensis and Anaplasma platys respectively as additional species detected inthese cattle. MPSP-PCR analysis was conducted for further confirmation of T. sinensis. The blood picture of eight infected cattle groups revealed poikilocytosis, anisocytosis, rouleaux formation and degenerative left shift. High mean erythrocyte fragility values were common in infected cattle groups. Anaemia of the macrocytic normochromic type and spherocytes were observed in the T. evansi and Anaplasma platys + Theileria sinensis double species co-infected cattle group. Normocytic normochromic anaemia was observed in the T. sinensis infected cattle group. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum liver and kidney parameters, total protein, globulin, total and unconjugated bilirubin and decreased albumin values were observed in the T. evansi infected cattle when compared to clinically healthy cattle. Conclusion: We present the first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia (TSABA) in Malaysian cattle. Because of the high occurrence of bovine theileriosis and detection of A. platys, there is an urgent need for appropriate preventive and control measures against these blood pathogens

Seroprevalence and factors associated with Toxoplasma Gondii, Neospora caninum, and Besnoitia besnoiti infections in cattle and goats in Selangor, Malaysia

Apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Besnoitia besnoiti are widely recognized as causes of production diseases in ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the serological occurrence of T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. besnoiti in cattle and goats from smallholder farms in Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 19 farms by collecting 404 bovine (n = 225) and caprine (n = 179) serum samples, which were then essayed for T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. besnoiti antibodies using commercially available ELISA test kits. Farm data and animal characteristics were documented, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. The seroprevalence of T. gondii at animal and farm levels in cattle was 5.3% (95% CI 1.2-7.4%) and 36.8% (95% CI 22.4-58.0%), respectively. Animal-level seropositivity for N. caninum was 2.7% (95% CI 0.4-4.2%) and 5.7% for B. besnoiti (95% CI 1.3-9.4%) with corresponding farm-level seropositivity of 21.0% and 31.5%, respectively. For the goat samples, a high animal- (69.8%; 95% CI 34.1-82.0%) and farm-level (92.3%) seropositivity was recorded for T. gondii, but was relatively lower for N. caninum antibodies, at 3.9% (95% CI 1.5-6.2%) and 38.4% (5/13). The factors associated with T. gondii seropositivity were older animals (above 12 months) (OR = 5.3; 95% CI 1.7-16.6), semi-intensive farms (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.3-6.2), the presence of either dogs or cats (OR = 3.6; 95% CI 1.1-12.3), a large herd size (>100 animals) (OR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.4-10.0), and a single source of replacement animals (OR = 3.9; 95% CI 1.6-9.6). These findings are vital in developing effective control measures against these parasites in ruminant farms in Selangor, Malaysia. More national epidemiological research is required to elucidate the spatial distribution of these infections and their potential impact on Malaysia's livestock industry