Mannosidosis in Galloway calves

Mannosidosis was diagnosed in four stillborn Galloway calves and an autolyzed full-term fetus from experimental matings of carrier animals. Gross lesions were moderate internal hydrocephalus, and pallor and enlargement of the liver and kidneys and arthrogryposis. Histologic changes in the central nervous system of each calf were marked foamy vacuolation of the cytoplasm of neurones in the cerebral cortex, thalamus and brainstem, and vacuolation of the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Spheroids were common throughout the brain and there was also consistent severe foamy cytoplasmic vacuolation of renal tubular epithelial cells and hepatocytes. The activities of alpha-mannosidase, the lysosomal enzyme whose activity is deficient in mannosidosis, and activities of five other lysosomal enzymes were compared in brain, liver, and kidney tissues of three mannosidosis-affected calves and normal calf tissues. Tissues from the affected calves had a marked deficiency of alpha-mannosidase activity compared with the normal tissues; the greatest deficiency was in the liver (99%) and brain (98%). Activities of the other lysosomal enzymes were elevated in the affected tissues compared with normal. Mannosidosis is a lysosomal storage disease that results from a defect in glycoprotein metabolism and affects man, Angus and Angus-related breeds of cattle, such as Murray greys, and the cat. The congenital disease is caused by an inherited deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-mannosidase, and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Mannosidosis was recently reported in a number of aborted and stillborn Australian Galloway calves from an experimental breeding trial. This is more detailed account of the histological and biochemical results obtained during the trial.     

Hepatic lipodystrophy of pedigree Galloway calves

Hepatic lipodystrophy has been recognised in pedigree Galloway calves since 1965. Between 1975 and 1984 15 cases from five farms were examined. The calves initially appear normal and in good bodily condition but invariably die by five months of age. The characteristic clinical and neurological changes lead to body tremors, opisthotonus, and dyspnoea before the animals become recumbent and die. On postmortem examination the most significant finding in all cases was an enlarged, pale and mottled liver weighing up to 2.75 kg. Limited histopathological examinations of the brain and liver revealed changes suggestive of hepatic encephalopathy. Exhaustive investigations of the farms failed to reveal any significant findings and the small number of cases made it impossible to determine whether the disease was genetically determined; limited evidence suggests that a 'storage disease' cannot be excluded.     

Tibial hemimelia, meningocele, and abdominal hernia in Shorthorn cattle

Six genetically related Shorthorn calves were affected with the tibial hemimelia syndrome. The lesions included bilaterally malformed or absent tibia and abdominal hernia in all animals, a long shaggy haircoat, retained testicles in males, and meningocele in three animals. The malformations were similar to those described previously in Galloway calves. Pedigree analysis demonstrated a mechanism by which a recessive allele in a homozygous state could be responsible for the disorder. The condition in these calves was considered the result of a recurrence of a genetic mutation affecting a putative hemimelia locus.     

An epidermolysis bullosa in a Galloway calf

A congenital skin disease characterised by mild erosion and ulceration of areas exposed to trauma was seen in a 3-day-old Galloway Calf. Bilateral, almost symmetrical erosions were Seen On the cheeks, 'PPer and lower lips, nasal plane, hard palate and dorsal surface of the tongue. There was also loss of skin and ulceration from anterior areas of the carpi, upper fetlocks and coronary band of both fore and hindlimbs.     

An epidermolysis bullosa in a Galloway calf

Abstract A congenital skin disease characterised by mild erosion and ulceration of areas exposed to trauma was seen in a 3-day-old Galloway Calf. Bilateral, almost symmetrical erosions were Seen On the cheeks, 'PPer and lower lips, nasal plane, hard palate and dorsal surface of the tongue. There was also loss of skin and ulceration from anterior areas of the carpi, upper fetlocks and coronary band of both fore and hindlimbs.     

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.     

Radiological findings in three cases of paraxial radial hemimelia in goats

Hemimelia is a congenital abnormality characterized by the absence of a portion of the normal structures in a limb. Hemimelia is classified as transversal and paraxial and is related to genetical and environmental factors. This article shows the radiological findings observed in three different cases of paraxial hemimelia occurred in goats (radial agenesia, absence of the portion of the distal epiphysis of the radius and anomalous radius with ulnar hypoplasia). Possible causes related to these abnormalities are discussed.     

Tibial fractures

Tibial fractures are common in small animal practice. As with other appendicular fractures, the patient's age, fracture location, and fracture type must be considered thoroughly. While methods for tibial fracture repair are similar to those used for appendicular fractures elsewhere, there are some unique considerations, both anatomically and functionally, that must be contemplated before repair. The following article will review the incidence of tibial fractures, tibial fracture types, and options for tibial fracture management and treatment. The use of external fixators, orthopedic bone plates, open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF), and external coaptation will be discussed. An emphasis will be placed on the most common types of tibial fractures, as well as those best suited for repair by general practitioners of veterinary medicine. Three case based examples will follow the overview.     

Anencephaly in calves

Anencephaly occurred in four calves and was characterized by cranioschisis, absence of the diencephalon with the cerebral hemispheres and rostral midbrain, various forms of eye defects, and relatively normal development of caudal brain stem, cerebellum and spinal cord. Amorphous dysplastic vestiges of the cerebral tissue protruded into the cranial defects. Morphologic features varied but were essentially similar. The cerebellum was absent in one case. Anencephaly in calves at least those we observed and defined in this study is localized defect confined to the brain, eye and skull. No spinal defect was observed in the calves.     

Lysozyme in calves

Relatively high lysozyme concentrations, depending on age, were recorded from intestinal content, spleen, liver, kidney, lung, lymph nodes, and mucosa of calves. Yet, only minor quantities of lysozyme were found in blood serum or plasma and in granulocytes. Physicochemical characterisation, precipitation, using polyclonal antisera, and crosswise neutralisation of lysis reaction were likely to suggest occurrence of immunological relationship reactions as well as differences between organ lysozymes, on the one hand, and intestinal lysozymes, on the other.