Bilateral radial hemimelia and multiple malformations in a kitten

Hemimelia is a congenital disease of complete or partial absence of one or more bones. The most important hypothesis is that radial agenesis is a consequence of neural crest injury. Treatment selection depends on the degree of the deformity and the reduction of limb function. This report describes a case of bilateral radial hemimelia and multiple malformations in a kitten aged 2 months treated conservatively with splint bandage, until bone maturity. The re-evaluation was performed 4 years later.     

Zinc deficiency in sheep and goats: three field cases

Zinc deficiency was diagnosed in 2 flocks of sheep and a herd of goats. Alopecia and eating of wool were observed. Skin lesions were hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis. Abnormal hoof growth and a closed stance with arched back and bowed hindlimbs were seen. Anorexia, depression, and foot soreness diminished quickly after zinc supplementation. Skin lesions healed and hair and wool growth resumed. A cause for the deficiency could not be established.     

Grayanotoxin poisoning in three goats

Six Nubian goats were exposed to an azalea branch (Rhododendron indica) at the Riverbanks Zoological Park in Columbia, South Carolina. The following day, 3 of the 6 goats were referred to the veterinary hospital of the Riverbanks Zoological Park with bloat, profuseregurgitation, and signs of depression, intermittent head pressing, and fine muscle tremors in the hind limbs. The goats were treated with magnesium hydroxide, activated charcoal, and lactated Ringer's solution and recovered within 24 hours. Definitive diagnosis of grayanotoxin exposure was accomplished by use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of urine and fecal samples. Rhododendron spp are members of the Ericaceae (Heath) family and may contain grayanotoxins, which exert toxic effects by binding to sodium channels in cell membranes and increasing the permeability of sodium ions in excitable membranes. Rhododendron poisoning should be considered in animals with clinical evidence of gastrointestinal tract irritation, cardiac arrhythmias, and neurologic signs.     

Transabdominal ultrasonographic findings in goats with paratuberculosis

This study describes the transabdominal ultrasonographic findings in 54 goats with confirmed Johne’s disease (JD). Compared with the control group (0.8 ± 0.4 mm thick), the test group presented with mild (2.8 ± 0.2 mm), moderate (4.2 ± 0.4 mm), and severe (6.9 ± 1.1 mm) thickening of the intestinal wall. The most outstanding ultrasonographic findings were pronounced enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes in 49 goats. In 36 goats, the enlarged lymph nodes showed a hypoechoic cortex and a hyperechoic medulla. In 7 goats, the cortex and medulla were hypoechoic. In 5 goats, the cortex and the medulla could not be differentiated. In the remaining cases, the cortex and medulla contained small hypoechoic lesions. Necropsy findings included enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes in 52 goats and thickening of the small intestinal wall in 30 goats. Compared with the postmortem results, the antemortem ultrasound sensitivity in detecting intestinal wall thickness and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes was 80% and 94%, respectively.     

Use of the Ilizarov method of distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of radial hemimelia in a dog

A 6-month-old female crossbred dog with unilateral radial hemimelia was treated with a circular external fixator. During the first surgery, the dog underwent transverse osteotomy through the distal ulnar physis and rotation of the distal ulnar fragment (epiphysis) together with the forepaw in a lateral direction to achieve contact with the end of the proximal ulnar segment (shaft of the ulna); a circular external fixator was then applied. After removal of the fixator, a cast was applied. The initial intent was to preserve mobility of the ulnocarpal joint; however, the joint fused naturally. A second surgery was performed to lengthen the ulna by use of distraction osteogenesis. An Ilizarov external fixator was used, and the ulna was lengthened 25 mm. During the third surgery, osteotomy of the distal portion of the ulna was performed to treat residual deviation of the forepaw. The surgical treatment resulted in satisfactory use of the limb and a better quality of life.     

Histopathologic findings in Brucella abortus-infected, pregnant goats

Twenty-eight pregnant goats in midgestation were exposed to a bovine pathogenic strain of Brucella abortus to determine the histologic changes associated with infection. Does were necropsied 0 to 7 days or 4 to 6 weeks after delivery of aborted, stillborn, or live, full-term fetuses. Aborted and stillborn fetuses were necropsied within 16 hours of delivery. Selected, paired tissue specimens were collected for histologic and bacteriologic examination. An avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunostaining procedure was used to detect Brucella antigen in tissue section. Histologic changes were evident in specimens from infected does and aborted fetuses. Postpartum does had endometritis, lymphoid hyperplasia in lymph nodes and spleen, and lymphocytic mastitis. The most prominent finding in aborted fetuses was an interstitial pneumonia. Lesions in does and fetuses were similar to those described in Brucella-infected cows and fetuses; however, lesions were less consistently observed in goat fetuses than has been observed in bovine fetuses. Brucella antigen was detected by immunoperoxidase staining within the cytoplasm of placental chorioallantoic trophoblastic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and uterine epithelial cells. Also, stained brucellae were free in placental and fetal vascular lumens and in the interstitium of autolyzed fetal tissues.     

Ventricular septal defects in three familially-related female Saanen goats

SUMMARY Ventricular septal defects were diagnosed in 3 familially-related Saanen goats, a 4-year-old doe and 2 female kids aged 18 weeks, by clinical examination, electrocardiography, phonocardiography and thoracic radiography. Findings were contrasted with those from 3 clinically normal goats. Cardiac catheterisation was attempted on the 2 affected kids before euthanasia. Blood pressure tracings and selective contrast cardioangiography successfully demonstrated the defect in one case, but the other died shortly after anaesthetic induction. The adult goat, suspected paternal grand-dam of the affected twins, died without premonitory signs at 4.5 years of age. Necropsy confirmed the diagnosis in all 3 cases.     

Clinical findings and treatment of listeriosis in 67 sheep and goats

This paper describes the clinical findings and treatment of 67 sheep and goats with listeriosis. In 55 of them the diagnosis was made on the basis of the typical signs, which included vestibular ataxia, circling, head tilt and unilateral cranial nerve deficits, but in 12 animals a definitive diagnosis was made only after postmortem examination. The most significant haematological and biochemical findings were a high haematocrit in 16 animals, a high concentration of total protein in 33, a high concentration of bilirubin in 39 and a high concentration of urea nitrogen in 28 animals. Twenty-eight of the animals had a metabolic acidosis. Thirty-nine animals were treated with antibiotics, intravenous sodium chloride and glucose solutions and sodium bicarbonate. Ten of them survived and the others were euthanased because their condition deteriorated. Of the 10 that survived, nine were able to stand when they were first examined and one was in lateral recumbency. Of 15 animals treated with chloramphenicol, one survived; of 11 animals treated with oxytetracycline, two survived; and of nine animals treated with gentamicin and ampicillin, six survived.     

Cardiomyopathy, endocarditis valvularis thromboticans and pericarditis traumatica in cows--clinical and echocardiographical findings in three cases

The clinical, echocardiographical and pathomorphological findings of cows with either cardiomyopathy, endocarditis valvularis thromboticans and pericarditis traumatica are described. Based on these examples the use of echocardiography for improved diagnosis is presented.     

Radiological features of 80 cases of diaphragmatic rupture

The films from 80 cases of diaphragmatic rupture in the dog and cat over a 10 year period were examined. The most common findings were loss of the cupola and masking of the cardiac shadow. Identification of the stomach or intestine in the thorax made the diagnosis straightforward. However, in some animals these organs were not visible and there was considerable accumulation of free pleural fluid. The use of barium contrast studies and post drainage films were unable to confirm the presence of a rupture in all cases with inconclusive plain film findings. The identification of a rupture was only made by exploratory surgery in these animals.     

Sarcocystosis in goats: clinical signs and pathologic and hematologic findings

Clinical sarcocystosis was studied in 37 goats after inoculation with graded doses of sporocysts of Sarcocystis capracanis. Eight uninoculated goats served as controls. Clinical response varied with the dose. Goats inoculated with 10-40 million sporocysts died between 11 and 13 days after inoculation (DAI), from interstitial pneumonia, vasculitis, and necrosis of mesenteric lymph nodes. All goats inoculated with 100,000 or 1 million sporocysts died between 19 and 23 DAI; clinical signs were anorexia, fever (40-41 C), anemia, and weight loss. Four of 4 goats inoculated with 50,000 sporocysts and 1 of 4 inoculated with 10,000 sporocysts died 24, 28, 39, 68, and 61 DAI, respectively. Goats inoculated with 1,000 sporocysts and uninoculated goats remained clinically normal. After day 18 and before day 68, packed cell volume and hemoglobin content decreased to as low as 11% and 3.6 g/dl, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase and lactic dehydrogenase activities were inconsistently increased. Blood urea nitrogen and bilirubin values were increased, reaching as high as 63 mg/dl and 10 mg/dl, respectively. Histologically, thymic atrophy, vasculitis, hepatitis, cholangitis, myocarditis, generalized myositis, and encephalomyelitis were the main microscopic findings. The cause of the anemia in goats that died after day 19 was not determined.     

Effects of treadmill exercise on sweating in three breeds of goats

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sweating responses of three breeds of goats to exercise at 30 degrees C. DESIGN: Factorial experiment with two goats of each of three breeds exercised for 60 min at 3 km/h and 30 degrees C on 6 days. PROCEDURE: Two mature females of the Anglo-Nubian, Saanen and Toggenburg breeds were used. Rectal temperature, respiration rate and sweating rate at three sites were recorded every 20 min during six replicates of exercise at 48 h intervals on a treadmill. RESULTS: Respiration rate varied with time and breed (P < 0.01) and increased from 20 +/- 2 breaths/min to 135, 195 and 260/min after 60 min exercise in Anglo-Nubian, Saanen and Tottenburg goats, respectively. Bread differences in rectal temperature were small but significant (P < 0.001), and mean values increased from 38.9 degrees C before exercise to 39.7 degrees C after 1 h exercise. The breed x sites interaction for sweating was significant (P < 0.01). On the rump breed differences in sweating rate were not significant. On the loin, Toggenburg goats started to sweat most rapidly and reached maximal values of 80.2 +/- 10.6 g/m2/h after 20 min and then decreased to 70.0 +/- 4.3 g/m2/h at 60 min. Sweating rate on the ear was highest in Toggenburg goats, followed by those of Saanen and Anglo-Nubian goats (P < 0.05), but the differences were small (7 g/m2/h); peak values of 67.3 to 76.1 g/m2/h were recorded after 20 min. CONCLUSION: Respiration and sweating rates increased significantly during exercise in all three breeds of goats, but breed differences were marked only for respiration rate. The goats sweated more on the rump than on the loin on ear, with peak values after 40 min of exercise.     

Ophthalmic examination findings in adult pygmy goats (Capra hicus)

Objective To document normal ophthalmic findings and ocular abnormalities in captive adult pygmy goats. Animals studied Ten healthy adult pygmy goats (five male, five female; 5–11 years of age; 26–45 kg body mass) underwent complete ophthalmic examinations. Procedure Direct illumination, diffuse and slit‐beam biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, IOP measurements and Schirmer tear tests were performed. TonoVet^® rebound tonometry, followed by topical application of 0.5% ophthalmic proparacaine, and Tono‐Pen XL^® applanation tonometry were performed in each eye to obtain estimates of IOP. Results Ophthalmic abnormalities included corneal scars and pigmentation, incipient cataracts, lenticular sclerosis, and vitreal veiling. Mean STT values were 15.8 mm/min, with a range of 10–30 mm/min. Mean IOP values were 11.8 mmHg for TonoVet^®‐D, with a range of 9–14 mmHg; 7.9 mmHg for TonoVet^®‐P, with a range of 6–12 mmHg; and 10.8 mmHg for Tono‐Pen XL^®, with a range of 8–14 mmHg. Conclusions Ophthalmic examination findings in adult pygmy goats, including normal means and ranges for STT and IOP measurements, using applanation and rebound tonometry, are provided.     

Three cases of non-displaced radial fracture in horses

Three horses with non-displaced fractures of the radius were examined. The affected animals showed a sudden onset of severe forelimb lameness with swelling of the antebrachium. Two cases had associated wounds on the medial aspect of the distal radius. The diagnoses were confirmed on radiographic examination. All three cases were treated conservatively by box rest. In one case slight further displacement of the fracture occurred three weeks after the initial injury but all the fractures went on to heal. The three horses returned to work but two were limited to light ridden exercise.     

Ultrasonographic and echobiometric findings in the eyes of Saanen goats of different ages

Objective  To determine ultrasonographic and echobiometric findings in the eyes of goats of different ages. B and A mode ultrasonography was performed in 55 healthy Saanen goats (110 eyes) of ages 45 ( n  =   15), 180 ( n  =   20), and 549 days ( n  =   20).
Procedures  Transcorneal ultrasonography was performed after instillation of a topical anesthetic and application of acoustic transmission gel on the 20-MHz linear transducer tip. The transducer was placed in a longitudinal position until optimal B scan images, according to echoes of A mode images, were obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out to compare the echobiometric readings among subjects ( P  <   0.05).
Results  The aqueous and vitreous humors of the goats, as well as the lens cortices and nuclei, appeared anechoic. The cornea, anterior and posterior lens capsule, sclera, and iris appeared hyperechoic and generated peaks on the A mode. Ocular measurements between the right and left eyes, as well as between male and female goats were not significantly different among subjects of the same age ( P  =   1.00). All dimensions evaluated increased significantly with age ( P  <   0.01).
Conclusions  The ultrasonographic appearances of goat eyes were very similar to those of other animal species. The cornea, anterior chamber, lens, vitreous chamber, and axial globe length increased with age in the Saanen breed of goats. Knowledge of the normal appearance and ocular dimensions of goat eyes facilitates the use of ultrasonography in the evaluation of ocular disease in Saanen goats.     

Serologic and reproductive findings after a herpesvirus-1 abortion storm in goats

CASE DESCRIPTION: An abortion storm occurred in a goat herd, resulting in 75 aborted kids and 1 neonatal death from December 2004 to February 2005. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Aborted fetuses ranged from being premature to past term. Laboratory findings in 4 of 5 aborted fetuses were consistent with herpesvirus abortion. A virus that yielded positive results with a fluorescent antibody test for bovine herpesvirus-1 was isolated and identified as caprine herpesvirus-1 (CpHV-1) via DNA sequence analysis. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Many does that aborted were rebred for kidding in late summer. Most of the young wethers born in 2005 were sold; however, all of the young does were kept for breeding in fall. In November 2005, all 241 goats in the herd were tested for antibodies against CpHV-1 to identify goats that had seroconverted during the outbreak. No complications attributable to CpHV-1 were identified during kidding in 2006. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of serologic findings, infection with CpHV-1 was not associated with reduced reproductive success in the subsequent breeding.     

A retrospective study of hepatic abscesses in goats: pathological and microbiological findings

Post-mortem examination of 658 goats showed that 17 (2.5%) exhibited hepatic abscesses. The following bacteria were isolated: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (58.9%), Escherichia coli (11.8%), Corynebacterium sp. (11.8%), Pasteurella haemolytica (5.9%), Proteus sp. (5.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (5.9%). Hepatic abscesses occurred more frequently in adult animals. Eleven of the 17 goats (64.7%) were older than 12 months of age. Four goats (23.5%) were 12 months of age and only two (11.8%) were less than 1 year of age. All of the goats with hepatic abscesses were in poor nutritional condition and the abscesses were invariably associated with accompanying pathological disorders at other body sites.     

Conservative management of minimally displaced radial fractures in three horses

Minimally displaced, spiral, radial fractures were diagnosed in three adult horses. Two horses had open fractures and in one horse the fracture was closed. A diagnosis was made on radiographs taken 24 h, 5, and 9 days after the fracture. There was minimal displacement of the fracture fragments despite the considerable time which had elapsed between fracture and diagnosis and an unfavourable prognosis with internal fixation, so conservative therapy was the preferred method of treatment. One horse developed a sequestrum and draining sinus, which was treated surgically under general anaesthesia 3 months after diagnosis of the fracture. Other complications were minimal and transient. Two horses were being used for pleasure riding 12 months after fracture and one horse was pasture sound at 8 months.