A Rare Case of Deradelphus Cephalo‐Thoracoomphalopagus in Lamb

Male cross‐breed lamb conjoined twins were sent for examination. The twins came from a farm located in the outskirts of Palermo. The twins were spontaneously delivered and found dead by the farmer. X‐ray examination and necropsy were performed. The deformity was identified as deradelphus cephalo‐thoracoomphalopagus. This condition has never been reported in veterinary literature. Our case reports of male conjoined twins characterized by two separated hearts with their own pericardial sacs and two separated livers. These findings represent a rare condition in conjoined twinning.     

EMBRYONIC DUPLICATIONS IN SHEEP

Twenty-seven embryonic duplications were examined during a 3-year investigation into the causes of perinatal lamb mortality. Twenty of the 27 were anomalous twins with 19 being conjoined (diplopagus 9 and heteropagus 10). The various duplications were: haloacardius acephalus 1, diprosopus 2, dicephalus 2, dipypus 3, diprosopus dipygus 1, syncephalus dipygus 1, pygopagus parasiticus 1, heteropagus dipygus 3, melodidymus 6, polyury 4, penile duplication 2, and bilateral otognathia 1. Four lambs were living and the time of death of the others was: parturient 8, and post-parturient 15. Average dry weight of the lambs was 3.35 kg (range 1.59 to 5.45 kg). Breed distribution was: Merino 77.8%, Crossbred 14.8%, Dorset Horn 3.7%, and Corriedale 3.7%. The caudal region was involved in 10 of the conjoined twins (52.6%), anterior region in 7 (36.9%), and both anterior and caudal regions in 2 (10.5%). Associated defects were present in 70.4% of the 27 lambs, the most common being atresia ani.     

A field study of watery mouth: clinical, epidemiological, biochemical, haematological and bacteriological observations

More than 500 cases of watery mouth in newborn lambs were recorded in 11 flocks and a detailed examination was performed in more than 200 cases. The condition occurred predominantly in lambs aged 24 to 48 hours. The incidence in a flock varied from 1 per cent to 24 per cent and the mortality in affected lambs varied from 7 per cent to 83 per cent. A bacteraemia was found in 38 per cent of the affected lambs. There were no consistent abnormalities of clinical biochemistry or haematology. Watery mouth was more common in twins and especially in triplets than in single lambs. In twins the highest incidence of watery mouth was recorded in lambs born to ewes in poor body condition. Antibiotic given orally within 15 minutes of birth greatly reduced the incidence of watery mouth.     

Canine conjoined twinning: A pathoanatomical study of a Lhasa Apso symmetrical cephalothoracopagus

A female pair of conjoined twins of the Lhasa Apso canine breed was subjected to tomographic and anatomical examinations. The twins had only one head and neck. The two ribcages were joined, extending to the umbilicus, with duplicated structures thereafter. They had three thoracic limbs and two pelvic girdles with four limbs, as well as a number of abnormalities in their internal organs. The data obtained were compared with the rare canine cases reported so far and with human cases.     

Thoraco-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Chamois-coloured domestic goat kids

Conjoined twins have been observed in a wide range of mammalian and non-mammalian species; they are considered to be more common in bovine, less frequent in sheep and pig and extremely rare in horse and goat. A pair of female conjoined twins was delivered from a 2-year-old Chamois-coloured domestic goat. Post-mortem examination revealed two identical and symmetrical twins, fused from the manubrium sterni to the region just caudal to the umbilicus. The rib cages were conjoined in the ventral plane with a single set of pericardial, pleural and peritoneal cavities. Internal examination revealed the presence of a common diaphragm and a single enlarged liver. Within a single central pericardium, two malformed hearts were present. Reports on this type of congenital duplication in goats have not been found in the literature. Thoracopagus and thoraco-omphalopagus are the most common types of conjoined twins in human beings and are associated with the highest mortality because of the frequent incidence of complex cardiac anatomy.     

Successful reduction of a monozygotic equine twin pregnancy via transabdominal ultrasound‐guided cardiac puncture

In horses, twin pregnancy is pathological and represents a potentially life‐threatening condition to the mare and foal. Twinning occurs in approximately 2% of pregnancies. Of these, the majority of cases are dizygotic twins, resulting from 2 ovulations and monozygotic twins are rare. A 12‐year‐old Quarter Horse mare was presented for breeding management with shipped cooled semen and embryo transfer. Seven days post ovulation, a single late morula/early blastocyst was recovered and transferred immediately to a recipient mare. Thirty‐six days after transfer, transrectal ultrasound examination revealed the presence of 2 embryos. A transcutaneous reduction of one of the fetuses was performed successfully at 128 days of gestation. This report is the first to describe a successful reduction of monozygotic twins by transcutaneous ultrasound‐guided cardiac puncture.     

A case of craniothoracopagus (monocephalus thoracopagus tetrabrachius) in a dog

This report describes a case of craniothoracopagus (moncephalus thoracopagus tetrabrachius) twin puppies in Ibadan, Nigeria. The conjoined twins were given birth to by a 7-year-old bitch that was usually allowed to stray away from home in search of food. Deformities of the cardiovascular, digestive musculoskeletal, respiratory and urinary systems are reported. This is probably the first report of craniothoracopagus twinning in a dog.     

Dicephalic Parapagus Conjoined Twins in a Large Fruit‐eating Bat,Genus Artibeus (Chiroptera,Phyllostomidae)

Conjoined twinning is an embryological anomaly rarely reported in wild mammals and with only two previous records in Chiroptera. Here, we report a case of dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins in the Neotropical phyllostomid genus Artibeus. These twins are males and present separated heads and necks, but a conjoined trunk with an expanded upper thoracic region. They developed two complete forelimbs and two complete hindlimbs, all laterally to the trunk. There is a volume in the upper midback and between the heads that resembles a third rudimentary medial forelimb, but X‐ray images only suggest the presence of medial skeletal elements of the pectoral girdle (clavicle and scapulae) in this region. The X‐ray images also show that vertebral columns run separated from head until the base of lumbar region, where they form a single structure. Using ultrasound images, we detected the presence of two similarly sized and apparently separated hearts. The accumulation of study cases like this will help in the understanding of patterns and process behind this phenomena, and collection material plays a key role in this context.     

Deradelphous Cephalothoracopagus in Kittens

Cephalothoracopagus is a very rare form of conjoined twins and is characterized by fusion of heads and thoraxes with two separate spines, limbs and pelves. The aim of this study was to describe a case of female cephalothoracopagus kitten puppy. The most important gross findings involved the external body and some of the internal organs. Radiological features revealed main developmental abnormality of the head, spines and thorax. Authors discuss the pathogenic mechanisms of this condition, infrequently reported in veterinary practice, pointing out the importance of embryonic duplications commonly associated with dystocia.     

A case of conjoined cephalopagus twinning in an ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Conjoined twinnings have been reported in most domestic animal species and in some avian species. Cases of conjoined twins have not been reported in the ostrich so far. A hybrid Blue neck x African black male ostrich conjoined twinning was born at the end of artificial egg incubation and died spontaneously 24 h after the hatching. It was frozen and sent to the Unit of Veterinary Pathology of the University of Messina for gross examination. The most important gross findings involved the external body and most of the internal organs. On the basis of the duplication, the conjoined twins were classified as a cephalopagus. Radiological features included: development of one head containing a single brain, two spinal cords, deviated vertebral columnae with fusion of the two first cervical vertebrae. In one twin, the synsacrum was absent as well as portions of the vertebral column. Grossly, both twins showed two upper and lower limbs each. The gastro-enteric apparatuses of the twins were not completely developed and fused at different levels. One liver and one heart localized in the centre of the conjoined twins were observed. The authors conclude that the possible causes of the malformation could be related to a genetic factor.     

A MUCOSAL DISEASE VIRUS AS A CAUSE OF ABORTION, HAIRY BIRTH COAT AND UNTHRIFTINESS IN SHEEP

A condition in Australian sheep resembling border disease was transmitted by the inoculation of pregnant ewes with material from affected lambs. This material contained mucosal disease virus (MDV). Twenty-two lambs comprising 6 from uninoculated control ewes, together with 11 with hairy coats and 5 with normal coats from inoculated ewes, were observed from 7 to 182 days after birth. Nine of the lambs from inoculated ewes died during the experiment from a variety of causes. Glial cell abnormalities were observed in control and affected lambs, but only 4 of the 11 hairy lambs were judged to have abnormal glial cells. There were no consistent histopathological findings indicative of MDV infection. MDV was recovered from tissues of all 11 hairy lambs, but not from any of the lambs with normal coats. The hairy lambs appeared to be immunologically tolerant to the virus. Susceptible sheep in contact with the hairy lambs were infected with MDV. It is suggested that a condition in Australian lambs characterised by hairiness of the birth coat and poor viability is due to foetal infection with a mucosal disease virus.     

Conjoined twin calves: a case report and cytogenetic considerations

A case of bovine embryonic duplication is described. The genetic sex of each of the conjoined twin calves was determined mainly as a result of ambiguity in the phenotypic sex of one of the twins. Chromosome analysis was based on fibroblast cultures initiated from skin tissue. Although genetically isosexual and therefore indicative of monozygosity, an alternative origin for isosexual twinning is highlighted. The probable etiology of the conjoined twinning is discussed.     

Epitheliogenesis imperfecta in lambs

In a herd of 23 ewes of the White Alp breed, a congenital epitheliogenesis imperfecta was observed in five twin-births. All lambs originated from the same father. Except in one case, only one of the twins was affected. Characteristic lesions were epidermal defects between the coronary groove and the carpal/tarsal joint, exungulation, and defects in the buccal mucosa (cheeks, palatum durum, tongue). After removal of the ram from breeding, no more abnormalities were observed.     

Effect on the ewe and lamb of low zinc intake throughout pregnancy

Throughout pregnancy, 30 primiparous Finn cross ewes were given a low Zn (less than or equal to 1 ppm) semi-purified diet. A 100-g hay supplement was fed three to seven times/week. Supplemental Zn (20 ppm) was provided in the drinking water of 14 ewes. At parturition, lambs were removed from ewes before suckling. Viable lambs not taken for tissue analysis were given 200 ml cow colostrum and raised on an artificial feeder. Throughout gestation, unsupplemented (-Zn) ewes gained less weight and had lower plasma Zn levels than Zn-supplemented (+Zn) ewes. One -Zn ewe was not pregnant, three aborted, one resorbed, one delivered mummified twins at term and two delivered malformed lambs. Average weight of lambs born to -Zn ewes d 136 or later (excluding mummified twins and one weighing less than 20% as much as its twin) was 1.8 +/- .6 (SE) kg. Only three lambs born to -Zn ewes were vigorous enough to put on the artificial feeder; none survived. One +Zn ewe was not pregnant. Of 23 lambs born to the remaining +Zn ewes, five were used for tissue analysis, two lambs of triplets were born dead, twins born d 138 died at birth. One twin died 6 d after birth. The 14 remaining lambs were weaned in good health. Average birth weight of +Zn lambs was 3.3 +/- 1.0 kg. Increased salivation was seen in -Zn ewes after 6 wk of low Zn intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Twin pregnancies following transfer of single embryos in three mares: A case report

Spontaneous development of identical or monozygotic twins is a rare event in the horse. Monozygotic twins develop after division of a single embryo. This report documents three cases in which twin embryos developed following surgical transfer of a single morula stage embryo into the uterus of a synchronized recipient mare.     

Conjoined twin calves: A case report and cytogenetic considerations

Summary

A case of bovine embryonic duplication is described The genetic sex of each of the conjoined twin calves was determined mainly as a result of ambiguity in the phenotypic sex of one of the twins. Chromosome analysis was based on fibroblast cultures initiated from skin tissue.

Although genetically isosexual and therefore indicative of monozygosity, an alternative origin for isosexual twinning is highlighted The probable etiology of the conjoined twinning is discussed.     

Skeletal abnormality of sheep: clinical radiological and pathological account of occurrence of dwarf lambs

Details are given of the clinical, radiological and pathological appearance of dwarf lambs. Twenty-seven of 110 lambs born were affected, occurring as singletons, twins or one of a pair of twins. All affected lambs were dead within a few minutes of birth. They were short and plump with a domed head and shortened nose, short paddle-like limbs, a narrow thorax and swollen abdomen. The defect involved chondrocyte dysplasia, producing defective endochondral ossification and the presence of abnormal cartilage in the respiratory tract. No specific genetic or environmental cause was identified.     

Cervical and Thoracic Vertebral Malformation ("Weak Neck") in Colombia Lambs

The purpose of this study is to describe a developmental defect of the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae in 11 purebred Colombia lambs. The lambs were either affected at birth, or developed the condition within the first 18 days of age. Cervicothoracic kyphosis, with a compensatory cervical lordosis and ataxia were common; 8 lambs had abnormal head posture, characterized by inability to lift the head from the ground. One lamb had rigid head and neck, and had to move the entire body to look to the left or right. Neurological signs included ataxia, tetraparesis, diminished conscious proprioception, and increased patellar and triceps reflexes. One lamb had inspiratory stridor because of compression of the trachea in the area overlying the abnormal vertebrae (cervical vertebrae 6 [C6] and 7 [C7]). Radiographic and pathological abnormalities included malalignment and malarticulation of the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic spine, rounded cranioventral margins in the bodies of vertebrae C7 and T1, wedging of the intervertebral disc spaces between C6 and T1 vertebrae, and hypoplasia of the dens. Pathological changes in the soft tissues included hypoplasia of the cervical epaxial and hypaxial musculature, with associated focal areas of myodegeneration. Mild Wallerian axonal degeneration, compatible with a mild cord compression syndrome, was found in 3 lambs in the cervicothoracic spinal cord adjacent to the vertebral anomalies. The concentrations of copper and selenium in blood, plasma, or tissues were normal in 10 of 11 lambs. All but one of the lambs in which pedigree information was provided were genetically related. Siblings born as twins to 5 of the affected lambs were normal, but both lambs from one twin pregnancy were affected. Owners reported that breeding stock had been shared among the ranches. Because of the close familial relationships of the affected lambs, the condition is suspected to have a hereditary basis.     

Incomplete caudal duplication in a puppy: gross and radiological observations

Caudal duplication is a rare type of conjoined twinning. The aim of this case report is to describe a case of caudal duplication in a male crossbreed puppy. The puppy was macroscopically and radiographically examined after death. External features included a supernumerary limb projecting from the perineum, complete lack of tail, anal atresia, double penis and absence of scrotal sacs. Internal examination showed anomalies involving the intestine and the urinary system. At x-ray examination, the supernumerary limb showed features similar to that of the normal right hindlimb but showed absence of fibula and tibia and presence of three metatarsi and phalanges. The authors discuss the pathogenic mechanisms of this condition, infrequently reported in veterinary practice, pointing out the importance of embryonic duplications commonly associated with dystocia.     

Serum Enzymes in Pregnant Ewes and Their Newborn Lambs on a Vitamin E-Deficient Ration

A two-years experiment has been performed to investigate the effect of a vitamin E-deficient diet to pregnant adult ewes and their newborn lambs. 18 ewes and 28 lambs have been tested with serum enzyme determinations, and the conclusions drawn are based upon the serum enzyme values. Adult pregnant ewes do not develop increased serum enzyme values on a vitamin E-deficient winter diet, unless a supplement of cod liver oil is given. The lambs from ewes given a vitamin E-deficient ration, show a heavy increase of the serum enzyme values after 2 to 4 weeks of age. This seems to be more pronounced in twins than in single lambs. Even with very high serum enzyme values in lambs, clinical symptoms of muscular dystrophy may be scarce, and the enzyme levels may decline without treatment. Turning out to pasture causes a rise in serum enzyme values in lambs during the first 5 days. Within 12 days at pasture the values become almost normal. Histological examination of skeletal muscle tissue from lambs very high in serum enzymes, may show only small pathological changes.