Biochemical parameters following capture myopathy in one Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx).

Twenty-three biochemistry parameters and hematocrit were followed during 10 days in a 13 months old Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) during capture myopathy. An increase was found in bilirubin, creatine-kinase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels, but not in potassium level. Most of the parameters analyzed were the first given for this species.     

Ultrastructural morphology of lymphocytes of the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

An ultrastructural study on the lymphocytes from peripheral blood samples from 20 healthy adult Arabian oryx (Oryx leucocoryx) was undertaken. Small lymphocytes ranged in size from 2–3.5 µm and exhibited the typical repertoire of organelles found in small lymphocytes of other animals but showed no evidence of azurophilic granules. Medium-sized lymphocytes were 5–6.5 µm in diameter and occasionally demonstrated azurophilic granules. Microvilli were a common finding of lymphocytes. Of particular interest was the presence of multivesicular bodies, which have previously only been described in human lymphocytes. Both small- and medium-sized lymphocytes of the Arabian oryx were smaller than those reported for other animals. Small lymphocytes exhibited short, thick microvilli, whereas medium-sized lymphocytes had long thin microvilli, a single nucleolus and occasionally azurophilic granules and multivesicular bodies.     

Ultrastructural observations on the platelets of the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

An ultrastructural study on the platelets from peripheral blood samples from 20 healthy adult Arabian oryx (Oryx leucocoryx) was performed. Characteristic was the extreme polymorphism of both the platelets, as well as their alpha granules. They vary in size from 100 to 800 nm in diameter and their numbers typically are less than those reported for humans and other animal species. Also, the alpha granules in contrast to those of humans and animals, such as the Arabian tahr, do not have nucleoids. Typically, the oryx platelets exhibit only 1–2 electron‐dense bodies per cell and they lack an open canalicular system. Of particular interest is the presence of Type I multivesicular bodies, which have previously only been described in human megakaryocytes and are hypothesized as being intermediate development stages of alpha and dense granules.     

XY male pseudohermaphroditism in a captive Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx).

A 2-yr-old Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) was presented for evaluation of abnormal genitalia and infantile behavior. The oryx had a penis and a scrotum, but testes were not palpable within the scrotum or inguinal canal. The total serum testosterone for the individual was lower than in age-matched males of the same species. Surgical exploration showed markedly hypoplastic intra-abdominal gonads, which demonstrated both testicular and uterine tissue on histologic examination. After karyotype analysis, the individual was classified as an XY male pseudohermaphrodite. This condition resembles two human intersex syndromes: embryonic testicular regression syndrome and partial gonadal dysgenesis syndrome, which occur in familial lines.     

The hairy lizard: heterothermia affects anaesthetic requirements in the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

Objective

To study the effect of heterothermia on anaesthetic drug requirements in semi-free ranging Arabian oryx and to assess the temperature quotient (Q₁₀) of oxygen consumption.

Spongiform encephalopathy in an arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and a greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)

Clinical, pathological and epidemiological details of scrapie-like encephalopathies are described in an arabian oryx and a greater kudu. Clinical signs included ataxia and loss of condition with a short, progressive clinical course (22 and three days, respectively). Histopathological examination of the brains revealed spongiform encephalopathy characteristic of that observed in scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). It seems probable that these cases have a common aetiology with BSE. Scrapie-like spongiform encephalopathies have now been described in five species of exotic artiodactyls in Britain indicating a, hitherto inapparent, wider range of ruminant species as natural hosts for these diseases.     

Morphological Characteristics of the Placenta and Umbilical Cord of Arabian Mares Foaling in the United Arab Emirates

A total of 127 normal placentas from Arabian mares resident in the United Arab Emirates were examined. The mean linear dimensions of the placenta were, on average, 84% of those previously recorded for the placentas of the Thoroughbred. Significant differences in the size of the allantochorion between primigravid and multiparous mares were seen only in the linear dimensions of the body portion. The pregnant horn was more commonly on the right than left side of the uterus (P = .01; 74/127; 58%). Cord attachment was primarily at the base of the two placental horns (112/127; 88%), with the remainder showing anomalies from this position. The mean (±SEM) total length of the umbilical cords was 62.2 ± 1.2 cm, being composed of the allantoic portion (29.7 ± 0.9 cm) and amniotic portion (32.5 ± 0.6 cm), which averaged 53 ± 0.01% of the total length. The amniotic portion was usually, but not always, longer than the allantoic portion (79/127; 62%). Longer cords were associated with a greater proportion of allantoic length. An enlarged yolk sac remnant (YSR) was present in 16/127 (13%) placentas. Cords with YSRs displayed a significantly longer allantoic portion than those without (P = .02). The total cord length was not correlated with the weight or area of the allantochorion or amnion, any linear measurement of the allantochorion, gestation length, the month of foaling, parity of the dam, or birthweight or sex of the foal. The purpose for which the mare was bred (i.e., racing or showing) influenced the cord length, those of show mares being significantly longer.     

The prevalence of Salmonella infections in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the United Arab Emirates.

One hundred and eighty-seven salmonella strains were isolated from 4006 samples collected from camels in the United Arab Emirates between 1987 and 1991. One hundred and sixty-five (4.3%) strains were isolated from 3801 faecal and 22 from 205 organ samples of 62 autopsied camels. In total, 28 different serotypes were identified with S. saintpaul being the most frequent (69), followed by S. frintrop (31) and S. hindmarsh (15). Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from only two faecal specimens. All salmonellas isolated from faecal samples originated from carrier camels, and those isolated from organs were secondary findings. The camels from which salmonella organisms were found died from diseases other than salmonellosis. Most of the S. saintpaul isolates originated from one herd suffering from Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxaemia which suggests that salmonella infections may predispose camels to clostridial enterotoxaemias.     

Vegetative endocarditis in a scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah).

Streptococcus uberis was cultured from vegetative endocarditis lesions in a scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) from the Parc de la Haute Touche, France. This is the first reported single isolation of S. uberis from an oryx with vegetative endocarditis leading to fatal congestive heart failure.     

Histomorphological description of papilloma in calves in the United Arab Emirates

The present study was carried out on biopsy material from papillomatous overgrowths of 17 calves in the United Arab of Emirates. Grossly, the lesions appeared as small and large wart-like overgrowths and were distributed all over the body, but more strongly concentrated in the skin of head, neck, legs, and thorax. Histological investigations revealed actively growing epithelial cells and presence of a large number of pale cells. The paleness was commonly due to degenerative changes in such cells. The cytoplasmic inclusions considered to be abnormal keratinized material, while small intranuclear, eosinophilic inclusion bodies were found in the stratum spinosum.     

Physiological effects of etorphine, acepromazine and xylazine in the scimitar horned oryx (Oryx dammah)

Scimitar horned oryx (Oryx dammah), kept under confined and unconfined conditions were immobilised with etorphine in combination with acepromazine or xylazine or both, and with xylazine alone. Both groups of animals were successfully sedated with etorphine and xylzine, with or without acepromazine, although hypothermia and mild hypoxaemia and a fall in packed cell volume were frequently noted. Xylazine alone produced a dose dependent degree of sedation in semitame subadult animals kept in confinement, but only slight depression in their wild, unconfined counterparts. If xylazine was not included in the immobilising mixture induction was traumatic and full sedation not achieved. Heart rates and arterial pressures (systemic and pulmonary) were also monitored but no remarkable changes were noted. The only abnormalities in blood biochemistry were raised aspartate transminase and creatine kinase. Ruminal regurgitation could be a major problem if endotracheal intubation was not achieved early in the procedure.     

Prevalence of Faecal Pathogens in Calves of Racing Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the United Arab Emirates

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Effect of foodstuff contamination by aflatoxin on the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Twenty young female adult one-humped racing camels (Camelus dromedarius) kept in camps scattered outside Al Ain city and aged between 3- and 6-years-old, died after a short clinical illness. Affected camels were dull, inappetant and pyrexic, with submandibular oedema and enlargement of submandibular lymph nodes. Of 100 camels within the camps, 31 showed clinical signs. At necropsy examination, the liver of dead animals appeared yellowish, enlarged, congested and friable. The main hepatic histological findings were centrolobular necrosis, haemorrhages and cellular vacuolation. Aflatoxins were detected in sera, liver, ruminal contents and in feed ingested by affected animals. Sera of symptomatic and recovered camels also showed increased levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminases, glutamic pyruvic transaminases, aspartate transaminases, gamma glutamyl transaminases, glucose, urea nitrogen, phosphorus and total iron. Decreased levels of albumin, calcium, cholesterol and triglycerides were also observed. It was probable that aflatoxicosis was responsible for clinical signs and subsequent death of the camels. The need for suitable and appropriate storage conditions of animal feed to prevent fungal growth and aflatoxin contamination is highlighted.     

Bumblefoot and lack of exercise among wild and captive-bred falcons tested in the United Arab Emirates

In the 1990s, bumblefoot posed a major health problem to the falcons in the United Arab Emirates. This retrospective study based on statistical field research showed that in captivity wild falcons need a training frequency of twice a day to reduce the bumblefoot morbidity rate. In this context, they responded very well to free flight in aviaries during the molting season. In contrast, captive-bred falcons did not show a highly significant difference regarding training frequencies. Wild falcons tested fed with pigeons, bustards, and ducks suffered significantly less from bumblefoot compared with those fed a diet of quail. Apart from the disease-reducing impact of beef and mice, captive-bred falcons tested did not show any significant difference regarding the influence of diet on the bumblefoot occurrence.     

Genomic Tandem Repeat Analysis Proves Laboratory‐Acquired Brucellosis in Veterinary (Camel) Diagnostic Laboratory in the United Arab Emirates

We report a case of a 64‐year‐old veterinarian working in a state camel veterinary laboratory who was diagnosed with and treated for acute brucellosis with complicating epididymo‐orchitis. Genomic tandem repeat analysis (MLVA‐16) revealed identical Brucella strains in patient cultures and from different dromedary milk samples positive for Brucella melitensis, thereby confirming the diagnosis of a laboratory acquired infection. The case illustrates the high (airborne) infectivity of brucellosis in laboratory settings and the need to implement vigorous bio‐safety measures in veterinary laboratories handling camel specimen diagnostic veterinary laboratory.     

Blood-gas, acid-base and haematological values in horses during an endurance ride.

The effects of prolonged strenuous exercise on arterial and venous oxygen tension, carbon dioxide tension, pH, bicarbonate, standard bicarbonate, base excess, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total plasma protein were studied in 36 horses during a 100 km endurance ride. There were significant changes in many parameters when pre-ride values were compared with both mid-ride and end of ride values. The prominent changes were the development of dehydration and a metabolic alkalosis. At the mid-ride sampling time those horses with higher heart rates had a greater degree of metabolic alkalosis than those with lower heart rates. The first 4 horses in the race completed the ride with speeds between 322-330 m/min and demonstrated a metabolic acidosis.