Preliminary evaluation of prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in Boerboel dogs

Hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) are developmental diseases that affect large breed of dogs disproportionately. Despite the large size of Boerboel dogs, there are no breed prevalence for HD and ED in Nigeria. This study provides preliminary information about HD and ED prevalence in Boerboels. Twenty Boerboels of both sexes were evaluated. Ventrodorsal radiographs of the hip joint and flexed lateral radiographs of elbow joint were made from each dog, using digital technology. Hip grading was done using the Fédération Cynologique Internationale system (World Canine Organization), assigning grades ranging from A - E. Elbow radiographs were graded based on the International Elbow Working Group criteria, and scores ranging from 0-3 were assigned. Prevalence of HD and ED were expressed as percentages. Age and sex difference were compared using a chi square test. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Mean age of the dogs at the time of radiography was 2.4 ± 0.4 years. Seven (35%) Boerboels had normal hips, while thirteen (65%) had HD. Fifteen (75%) Boerboels had normal elbows, while five (25%) had ED. Five (25%) Boerboels with HD were males, while 8 (40%) HD diagnoses were in females. Two (10%) Boerboels with ED were male, while three (15%) were female. There was no significant (p ˃ 0.05) association between the sex and age of the dogs and distribution of HD and ED, or between sex and concurrent presence of HD and ED in Boerboels. In conclusion, HD prevalence in Boerboels (65%) is higher than that of ED. Further research on hip and elbow disease of African large dogs is indicated.Keywords: Boerboel, Dogs, Dysplasia, Elbow, Hip, Prevalence, Radiograph

Jejunal linear foreign body obstruction in a three year old female Boerboel

A three year old Boerboel bitch was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, FUNAAB with complaint of lethargy and inappetence. Clinical signs observed included abdominal tenderness, watery bloody stool and palpable intestinal mass. Blood sample was obtained for complete blood counts, while transcutaneous abdominal ultrasound and lateral abdominal radiograph were also performed. Result of complete blood count showed severe neutrophilic leukocytosis. Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasound revealed dilated bowel loop containing a hyperechoic structure in the lumen, while radiographic contrast examination of the intestine revealed distended bowel loop and a radiopaque foreign body in the jejunum. Based on the findings, a tentative diagnosis of intestinal obstruction was made and an exploratory laparotomy was scheduled. After pre-anaesthetic medications with 3mg/kg intramuscular injection of 5% tramadol, 0.04mg/kg intramuscular injection of 0.1% atropine and 0.5mg/kg intramuscular injection of 2% Xylazine, anaesthesia was induced with a loading dose of 4mg/kg intravenous injection of 1% propofol and maintained with constant infusion of propofol at the rate of 0.12mg/kg/min. During laparotomy, the obstructed region was identified and enterotomy revealed the foreign body to be an ingested plastic bottle cap. Following removal of the foreign body, moderate inflammation of the segment of the intestine around the obstruction site was observed, necessitating the need for resection of the intestine to be performed and anastomosis using an end to end technique. The dog recovered without any complications after one week of postoperative antibiotic therapy and fluid administration. Prompt diagnosis of intestinal foreign body in dogs followed by appropriate selection of anaesthetic protocol and surgical technique with adequate intensive post-operative follow-up is essential for successful management.Keywords: Dog, Foreign-body, Jejuno-ileal, Intestine, Obstructio

Diagnosis and surgical management of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in a 5-month-old female Boerboel puppy

A five-month-old female Boerboel puppy presented with a rapidly expanding fibrous growth around the canine tooth of the right maxilla was diagnosed as having acanthomatous ameloblastoma based on findings from skull radiography, cytology of fine needle aspiration, biopsy and histopathology of resected growth. Lateral radiograph of the skull revealed moderate osteolysis of the maxilla with presence ofun-erupted maxillary canine teeth. Cytology of fine needle aspirate from the growth showed clusters of epithelial cells that were  hyperchromatic and showing palisade arrangement. The mass was surgically resected using diathermy instrument following general anaesthesia using combination of intramuscular injection of xylazine (0.5mg/kg), and intravenous injection of propofol (4mg/kg). Post-operative management included Ibuprofen suspension (100mg) administered for 3-days, intravenous vincristine (0.5mg/m2 ) once weekly and oral cyclophosphamide (50mg) was administered twice weekly for six weeks. Histopathology of the growth showed odontogenic epithelium embedded in pulp ectomesenchyme. Features of odontogenic epithelium include palisading epithelium with anti-basilar nuclei and centrally located cells having features of stellate reticulum. This is probably the first reported case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in a Boerboel puppy that was successfully managed. Keywords: Acanthomatous, Ameloblastoma, Boerboel-puppy, Chemotherapy, Odontoi

A comparatives study of some Hematology and Biochemical parameters of clinically healthy Alsatian and local dogs

The effect of breed on serum biochemistry and hematological parameters of clinically healthy dogs was studied by collecting blood from the cephalic vein of ten (10) Alsatian and ten (10) local dogs. The parameters evaluated were not significantly different between the two breeds

Case report - Achondroplastic Syndrome in a West African Dwarf Lamb

A three week old, male, West African Dwarf (WAD) lamb presented with disproportionate hind limb was diagnosed of having achondroplastic syndrome by physical and radiological examination. Physical examination showed the right hind limb was deformed at the level of the tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges. Radiological examination showed that the tarsal bones were small and laterally compressed, while the lateral sesamoid bone was absent. The right metatarsal bones were rudimentary while the phalanges were only represented by soft tissue structure. The serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transarninase (ALT) were higher in the achondroplastic lamb than the normal flock mate used as control. Based on the radiographic findings, it was concluded that ectrodactyly was the only feature of the achondroplastic syndrome in the lamb

Short Communication: Erythrocyte sedimentation rates and leukogram changes in canine model of osteoarthritis

Summary: Inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) have been evaluated in humans with osteoarthritis (OA). However, there has been no record of evaluation of ESR during OA in dogs. Changes in erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and leukogram functions were evaluated following experimental knee osteoarthritis (OA).Ten dogs of both sexes with (mean weight = 12.4 ± 1.8kg) were used. Experimental OA was induced in the right knee, using the groove model and confirmed radiographically using evidence of joint space narrowing and presence of osteophytes. Gait was assessed subjectively and scores (GAS) were assigned. Blood was obtained fortnightly for the determination of ESR, total white blood cell (tWBC), neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, while knee radiographs were obtained fortnightly for twelve weeks. Radiographic scores (RAS), GAS, ESR and leukocyte parameters between the different time points were compared with ANOVA. Correlation between parameters was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation. A “P” value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Both ESR and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio increased from week 0 to week 12 of OA. However, tWBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts did not differ significantly. Both GAS and RAS increased up to week 4 and 6 of OA respectively. Erythrocyte sedimentation rates was significantly (p= 0.033) and positively correlated (r=0.793) with N/L ratio, but negatively and slightly correlated (r= -0.843) with GAS. There was no significant correlation between ESR and RAS. It was concluded that both ESR and N/L ratio might be useful in monitoring progression of OA in dogs.Keywords: Canine, Osteoarthritis, ESR, Neutrophil

Increasing ketamine dose enhances the anaesthetic properties of ketamine-xylazine-midazolam combinations in growing pigs : short communication

The influence of increasing the dosage of ketamine on anaesthesia induced by a combination of ketamine, xylazine and midazolam in pigs was determined by assessing the onset of action (OAN), duration of analgesia (DAN), anaesthesia time (ANT), and recovery time (RCT) in 10 growing pigs (Mean weight: 18.2 ± 1.65 kg) receiving either 10 mg / kg intramuscular (i.m) injection of 10 % ketamine, 2 mg / kg i.m injection of 2 % xylazine and 0.25 mg / kg i.m injection of 0.1%midazolam (K10XM) or 20 mg / kg i.m injection of ketamine and 2 mg / kg i.m injection of xylazine and 0.25 mg / kg i.m injection of 0.1 % midazolam (K20XM). In addition, the heart rates (HR), respiratory rates (RR) and rectal temperatures (RT) were determined immediately after drug administration and at 10 minute intervals over a period of 60 minutes. Analgesia was assessed by the response of the pigs to artery forceps applied at the interdigital space. Recovery was determined as pigs' ability to stand without ataxia. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM while anaesthetic indices were compared using Student's t-tests. AP value of 0.05 was accepted as significant in all cases. In this study, both the OAN and RCT were significantly (P < 0.05) shorter in K10XM (1.4 ± 0.2 min; 7.8 ± 2.2 min) than in K20XM (2.2 ± 0.2; 18.6 ± 1.4 min) respectively. Similarly, the duration of anaesthesia was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter in K10XM (55.4 ± 8.4 min) than in K20XM (92.0 ± 13.6 min). The pigs that received K20XM combination had analgesia of duration of 41.4±12.6 min while those that received K10XM combination had no analgesia. However, the HR, RR, and RT were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between K10XM and K20XM. It was therefore concluded that the lower dose ketamine combination is better for the induction of anaesthesia, while the higher dose ketamine combination is preferable for surgery of short duration in pigs

Case report - Achondroplastic syndrome in a West African dwarf lamb

A three week old, male, West African Dwarf (WAD) lamb presented with disproportionate hind limb was diagnosed of having achondroplastic syndrome by physical and radiological examination. Physical examination showed the right hind limb was deformed at the level of the tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges. Radiological examination showed that the tarsal bones were small and laterally compressed, while the lateral sesamoid bone was absent. The right metatarsal bones were rudimentary while the phalanges were only represented by soft tissue structure. The serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transarninase (ALT) were higher in the achondroplastic lamb than the normal flock mate used as control. Based on the radiographic findings, it was concluded that ectrodactyly was the only feature of the achondroplastic syndrome in the lamb