Mannheimiosis in a Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis): a case report and a herd analysis

Mannheimiosis and pasteurellosis is an important respiratory tract disease in cattle, sheep, goats and other ruminants. This article describes the first case of pneumonic and septicaemic mannheimiosis and pasteurellosis in a herd of Rusa timorensis and Dama dama deer. A Rusa timorensis stag showed constant reduction in body weight and was found dead on the 30th May 2016. Severe pulmonary hepatisation and multiple pulmonary abscessation along with emaciation and evidences of traumatic injuries were observed at post-mortem. Diagnosis of pneumonic and septicaemic mannheimiosis with concurrent colisepticaemia was made based on the bacterial culture. A retrospective study on deer from the same herd revealed occurrence of respiratory infection leading to death. Review of other cases from the animal from the same herd revealed that respiratory infections is a problem within this particular herd with transportation, bullying, poor nutrition and inclement weather being some of the important stress factors leading to respiratory infection. Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica were the two main important organisms in these cases, along with concurrent infection by Escherichia coli and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Other stress factors such as occurrence of El Niño and natural behaviour such as rutting in deer leading to manifestation of the disease in the herd were highlighted. Potential approaches to manage stress with the interest of rutting season were also discussed. This report is the first reported case of septicaemic mannheimiosis in a deer

Non-invasive measurement of progesterone and cortisol metabolites in the faeces of captive female Rusa unicolor at Zoo Negara, Malaysia and its reproductive and stress behaviour

Sambar deer are listed as vulnerable and are bred in captivity under governmental management. The success of captive breeding programs varies, and the underlying causes are unclear. The advantage of using non-invasive faecal samples to obtain hormonal profiles without the animal being sedated or restrained has not been tested in sambar deer. This experiment was aimed to study the reproductive and stress behaviours of sambar deer and to measure the levels of reproductive and stress hormones in captive female sambar deer via a non-invasive procedure using faeces samples. Data on reproductive and stress behaviour were collected from six sambar deer for six months. Behaviours were recorded by instantaneous sampling method using direct observation. The reproductive and stress hormones in faecal samples were analysed using ELISA procedures. There are differences in frequency of certain reproductive behaviours recorded within different sessions of data collections while stress behaviour was in the low count and no huge difference in frequency between different sessions. Progesterone metabolites showed some trend of high concentrations in July and started to drop at the end of July till the end of December with constantly negative concentrations. Sambar deer in Zoo Negara can be considered not in stress due to low reading of cortisol concentration even though there was a presence of visitors. In future, it is important to make sure the faecal samples for hormonal analysis are collected daily to look for the pattern of the oestrus cycle in sambar deer

Digital massage for semen collection, evaluation and extension in Malaysian estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Study in semen of the estuarine crocodiles is limited partly due to the lack of knowledge on the semen collection method and their reproductive biology. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the possibility of semen collection via digital manipulation of the penis. Four matured male crocodiles kept in the same enclosure were physically restrained for semen collection. The collection was done in January 2015 during crocodiles mating season. Mean (± SEM) seminal volume, mass movement, pH, sperm concentration, general motility, forward movement, rotating and vibrating movements measured were 0.55 ± 0.12 ml, 2.75 ± 0.48, 7.13 ± 0.24, 396.88 ± 43.41 × 106 sperm/ml, 45 ± 17.56%, 37.13 ± 5.12%, 9.56 ± 5.38% and 53.13 ± 1.92% respectively. The most important sperm abnormalities that requires further investigation is the cytoplasmic droplets which was 28.25 ± 2.29%. Sperm motility trend was best preserved in extender made up of 0.01 M PBS with 5% egg yolk. Sperm stored 4 °C in this extender had survived longer than the other two extender which was 11 days. There is a unique trend in the spike of spermatozoa motility post 48 h in chilled condition however the cause of such pattern is still unknown. Semen collection by digital manipulation of the penis was adequate in obtaining semen and the semen characteristics of the estuarine crocodile are described

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

A preliminary study on semen collection, its evaluation, and testicular and sperm morphometries in the wild proboscis monkey (Nasalis Larvatus)

Introduction: The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is an endangered species with a declining population. This article describes the first successful attempt at sperm collection and evaluation, and the testicular and sperm morphometries of the wild proboscis monkey in Sabah, Malaysia. Material and methods: Eight semen collection procedures using electro-ejaculation and digital manipulation were conducted in three wild adult male proboscis monkeys. A total of 21 ejaculates were collected. The testicular biometry was measured with the aid of ultrasonography. Sample evaluation included semen volume and pH and sperm concentration, viability, and abnormality. The sperm morphometry was undertaken using phase contrast microscopy. Results: The mean (±SD) total testicular volume of these animals was 5.77 cm3 (±1.58). Semen collection by electro-ejaculation resulted in an 84% success rate, while digital manipulation did not result in any ejaculation. Each animal showed different semen characteristics, where the volume was 5-540 μL, pH 8-9, and sperm concentration 0.041-83.00 ×106/mL. The percentage of abnormal sperm was high at 76.8% (±89.60), largely due to midpiece abnormality. Normal sperm had a spherical head and long tail with a head : midpiece : tail length ratio of 1 : 2: 8. Conclusion: The social status of these animals may contribute to the generally low quality of the semen. The techniques and data from this study are useful for future conservation and application of assisted reproductive technology in this species

Growth and reproductive performance of the indigenous Kedah-Kelantan (KK) cattle: a review

Kedah-Kelantan (KK) cattle plays a significant role for beef industry in Malaysia. KK cattle is a well-adapted local breed reared by traditional farming system with low quality feeds. KK cows normally produce a calf per year, which attracts farmers for commercial production. Currently, KK cattle is playing an important role for profitable beef production in Malaysia since the imported exotic breeds, crossbreds, and synthetic breeds of cattle could not perform to their full potential for sustainability of the livestock industry in the country. Consequently, nowadays, importance of the unique Malaysian beef breed (KK) has been increasing gradually in consideration to the changing climatic situation and adaptibility. Meanwhile, it is required to know the productive and reproductive performance of KK cattle for a further long term sustainable breeding program. As such reviewing growth performance, age at puberty and maturity, semen quality, scrotal biometry, libido efficiency, conception rate, service per conception, and calving interval are fundamental. There exist limited systemic studies and in-depth reviews based on these key reproductive, growth characteristics, and indexes for KK cattle. Therefore, reproductive key parameters of KK cattle were reviewed with the aim of understanding the challenges on the production of KK cattle and to suggest possible strategies to alleviate those challenges

Determination of breeding seasonality in rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) stags via serum testosterone profiling

Breeding seasonality in mammals is influenced by the environmental changes and the endocrine response of the animals to that changes. Comprehension in breeding seasonality enables better reproductive management consequently maximizing the reproductive potential of the stags. Despite that, the study in breeding seasonality in Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) is still scarce. Five healthy and matured stags were selected for this experiment. Semen were collected using electroejaculator at a monthly interval from April to September 2012. Semen motility is determined using a percentage. Meteorological data were obtained from the nearest weather station located in Petaling Jaya. Serum was utilized for the radioimmunoassay determination of serum testosterone profile. The warmest condition was in June and it’s coolest in November of 2012. There was a strong, positive correlation between testosterone concentration and general motility (p<0.05) with a correlation coefficient, rs = 0.943. Meteorological data alone; temperature, relative humidity and rainfall are insufficient to determine the breeding seasonality in Rusa deer, bearing no significant correlation with serum testosterone concentration and sperm motility. Rusa deer stags is reproductively active from April to July, low in August and starts to rise again in September. Therefore, this study demonstrates that breeding seasonality in Rusa deer stags can be determined via serum testosterone profiling

Semen collection in Rusa timorensis under general anaesthesia by using Ketamine-Xylazine: clinical study

There is a scarcity of information for a reliable and safe protocol for semen collection in R. timorensis. The induction of general anesthesia by Ketamine-Xylazine in both intravenous and intramuscular routes provides valuable information for the practicality of the procedure. Five healthy and matured Rusa timorensisstags, aged more than 3 years, weighing an average of 68.5 ± 2.4 kg were selected for this experiment. General anaesthesia was conducted by using a combination of Ketamine and Xylazine at the dosage of 2mg/kg, and 1mg/kg respectively in both intramuscular and intravenous routes. The procedure was performed from April to November 2012 resulting in 30 collections. The physiological parameters included were respiratory rate, heart rate and temperature before, during and post-procedure. The onset, recovery and total time are significantly different between IV and IM route at 5.13 ± 0.88 min, 7.47 ± 1.61 min, 18.67 ± 1.47 min, and 11.67 ± 1.44 min, 11.73 ± 1.03 min and, 29.07 ± 4.01 min respectively. Meanwhile, there is no significant difference in the duration time of anesthesia between IV and IM route at 15.27 ± 3.03 min and 17.40 ± 3.55 min respectively. Both routes provide the same success rate and yield the same semen quality, however, the intravenous route is desirable due to fast induction and recovery time. General anaesthesia is integral for the restraining of wild cervidae, intravenous route of drug administration should be considered for semen collection in Rusa deer