Morphology of the Air Sacs (Sacci Pneumatici) in the Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca)

The aim of the study was to describe the air sacs of the rock partridge. The sacs of 15 adult birds were cast by injection of latex via the trachea and then corroded with 30% KOH at 40 degrees C. The morphology of the sacs was in general similar to that of other avian species described in the literature. There were, however, significant characteristics such as an additional subcutaneous diverticulum of the cranial thoracic sac and a caudally pointing diverticulum of the cervical sac located between the lungs.     

High seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the Pyrenees (NE Spain)

Antibodies to Neospora caninum were determined in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the Pyrenees, north-eastern Spain. Sera from 53 red foxes (29 male and 24 female) were tested using a Neospora agglutination test (NAT). Seroprevalence at dilutions of 1/40, 1/80 and 1/160 was 69.8%, 47.2% and 7.5%, respectively. Sex differences were significant only at a dilution of 1:40. The high seroprevalence observed in red fox suggests that this species is highly exposed to N. caninum in this area.     

Malignant haemangioendothelioma (angiosarcoma) in the dog

During the period from January 1969 to January 1975, twenty-five cases of malignant haemangioendothelioma were found in the course of routine post-mortem examinations. One case was observed in the period 1949–1952. The two periods are compared with respect to age, breed and sex of dogs examined.
The Alsatian was represented significantly more than other breeds (eleven out of twenty-five cases) and particularly in cases involving the right atrium (seven Alsatians in a total of eleven cases).
The post-mortem findings and histology are described. It is suggested that there are three groups of cases, namely, primary spleen, primary right atrium and primary at some other site.     

Malocclusions in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Malocclusions are a misalignment or incorrect positioning of the teeth when the upper and lower jaws close. These are poorly described in the koala and can result in irregular mastication which can have lifelong effects on body condition and oral health. A total of 370 koalas from two populations in Queensland (295) and one in South Australia (75) were examined for malocclusions. The prevalence of malocclusions in South Australian free‐ranging koalas, captive Queensland koalas and Queensland free‐ranging koalas was 39% (44), 30% (29) and 22% (29) respectively. Four types of malocclusion were identified based on severity of misalignment of the incisor/canine region, types 1, 2, 3 and 4. Maxillary overbite measurements of the molariform teeth were determined and these anisognathic values were then used to describe malocclusions within familial relationships in captive colonies. Captive koalas with a malocclusion had narrower mandibular width that ranged between 0.5 and 1% less than the normal measurements. The specific malocclusions reported in this study affected individuals by leading to tooth rotation, mobility and erosion with inefficient mastication of food and vegetation compaction. These changes increased the oral cavity pathology, by placing animals at risk of periodontal disease. There was evidence of familial links to malocclusion types in captive animals. Therefore captive breeding recommendations should consider known koala malocclusion traits to minimise their effect on future generations.     

An outbreak of encephalitis in pigeons (Columba livia) in the Canary Islands (Spain)

An encephalitic disease in pigeons, characterized by paralysis of extremities, torticollis, head tremor, and diarrhea, is described. The negative titers in the hemagglutination tests, the presence of Feulgen-positive intranuclear inclusions in the cells of the granular layer of the cerebellum and the fibroblast culture, and the presence of viral particles with an icosahedral-herpetic morphology and a diameter of 100-170 nm all indicate that the etiology of this outbreak may be related to the encephalitis caused by herpesvirus, at present diagnosed only in Iraq and some African countries.     

Comparative anatomy of the radial sesamoid bone in the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), the brown bear (Ursus arctos) and the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Since we have clarified the manipulation mechanism using the radial sesamoid (RS) in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), our aim in this study is to examine the position, shape and function of the RS morphologically, and to observe the attachment to the RS of the M. abductor pollicis longus and the M. opponens pollicis in the other Ursidae species. So, we focused on the carpus and manus of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in this study. The RS was tightly articulated to the radial carpal, and could not adduct-abduct independently of the radial carpal. The M. abductor pollicis longus tendon and the M. opponens pollicis belly were attached to the RS, independently. In the polar bear, the deep concave and the flat surface were confirmed in attachment area for these two muscles. The morphological relationship between the RS and the M. abductor pollicis longus and the M. opponens pollicis in the two species of bears were essentially consistent with that in the giant panda. It also demonstrated that the manipulation mechanism of the giant panda has been completely based on the functional relationship between the small RS, and the M. abductor pollicis longus and the M. opponens pollicis in Ursidae species.     

Arterial vascularization of the uropygial glands (Gl. uropygialis) in the rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) living in Turkey

This study aims to observe the morphological characteristics of the uropygial gland (Glandula uropygialis), specifically the arterial vascularization, in rock partridges (Alectoris graeca) living in Turkey. Coloured-latex-injected animals were dissected and the gland and related arteries were observed. Mostly, the fourth paired caudal segmental arteries (Aa. segmentales caudales) arising from the median caudal artery (A. mediana caudae) were specified as the uropygial gland arteries. These arteries, in turn, gave the following rami: the muscular ramus (Ramus muscularis) to the levator coccygeus and lateral caudal muscles, the lateral ramus (Ramus lateralis) to the lateral coccygeus muscle and a small ventro-lateral division of the caudal component of the gland, and the medial rami (Ramus medialis) to the dorsal surface of the gland.     

Cervical spondylomyelopathy (wobbler syndrome) in the Boerboel

The Boerboel is a South African large-breed dog resembling a Bullmastiff. The records of Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital were searched for dogs that had presented, between 1998 and 2003, with symptoms indicative of wobbler syndrome and had undergone survey radiographic and myelographic studies. Ten cases fitted the inclusion criteria. Dogs presented within the first 2 years of life, often with acute onset of symptoms. All presented with pelvic limb and 6 with concomitant thoracic limb ataxia or paresis. Treatment varied and included none (4), prednisolone (2), and dorsal laminectomy (2). Two dogs were euthanased at the time of diagnosis. The breed appears to be affected with a form of spondylomyelopathy that comprises bony malformation of cervical and/or thoracic vertebrae. In 8 dogs, malformations were evident on survey radiographs and were characterised by enlarged, irregular articular facets and associated medial deviation of the pedicles. These changes resulted in axial compression of the spinal cord best seen on ventrodorsal or dorsoventral myelographic studies. Multiple vertebrae were affected in some dogs and lesions were not confined to the caudal area of the cervical spine. Three dogs were alive and without symptoms at follow-up. Four were euthanased as a result of the disease and 1 died as a result of post-operative complications. Two additional dogs presenting with wobbler clinical signs are also described. One had medial deviation of the T5 and T6 caudal pedicles and 1 dog suffered from multiple cervical articular facet synovial cysts.