Radiographic morphometry of the Foot in clinically normal Donkeys (Equus asinus)

Radiography of the foot is considered a golden standard technique enables the veterinarians to render a subjective evaluation of the foot in donkeys. The current study aimed to characterize objectively the baseline radiometric data of normal forefeet in donkeys to assess both of the nature and extent of anatomical changes occurring in foot affections. Lateromedial and dorsopalmar radiographic examination were performed on 48 forefeet of 24 clinically normal donkeys of both sexes. Four angles and 10 morphometeric distances were measured in latromedial radiographs and 10 morphometric measurements were measured in dorsopalmer radiographs. All hoof components appeared in the radiographic films were described and morphometric measurements were reported as minimum and maximum values, mean ± standard deviation (SD). The study presented a descriptive reference data for morphometric radiographic parameters of the forefeet from lateromedial and dorsopalmer radiographs in clinically normal donkeys, to assess any changes in hoof conformation and biomechanics associated with hoof affections

Sarcoids in Donkeys: Common Types and Available Treatment

Different forms of equine sarcoids were recorded in 100 donkeys admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital- Assiut University and to Veterinary Units that belong to Assiut Governorate during the period from 2008-2010. In each animal, different data including: (types, size, multiplicity and anatomical location) were recorded., Histopathological examination, surgical and nonsurgical techniques for treatment of sarcoids were applied. Results of this study showed 123 sarcoid lesions classified into: Fibroblastic (87); nodular (21); verrucous (9); mixed (6). Treatment of sarcoid varied in results according to the seat and type of lesion. Injection of the sarcoid by live attenuated Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine was the best treatment in case of preocular sarcoid lesions.

Ultrasonographic Characterization of Ocular Structures in Mules (Equus mulus)

Healthy eyes with good vision were important to any animal, to safely exist in their environments, for quality of life, and to successfully compete for food. The aim of present study was to set normal values for biometric intraocular dimensions in healthy mules for the right and left eyes in males and females. The study was conducted on clinically healthy mules (n=40) which were classified into two groups; male (n=20) and female mules (n=20). Complete clinical examination and ultrasonographic characterization of ocular structures were carried out for all clinically healthy mules. Biometric intraocular dimensions of the right eye and the left eye included anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial globe length (AGL), central lens thickness (CLT), lens pole diameter (LPD) and vitreous chamber depth (VCD), were described using ocular ultrasonography. It also showed normal intraocular structures of the right eye and the left eye that included, anterior chamber (AC), cornea (C), iris (I), lens (L), optic disk (OD), optic nerve (ON), retinochoroid unit (RCU), retrobulbar fat (RF), retrobulbar muscles (RM) and vitreous body (VB). Ocular ultrasonography reported no significant variations for biometric intraocular dimensions of the eye between male and female mules as well as between right and left eyes either in male mules or in female mules. The study reported normal values for ultrasonographic biometric intraocular dimensions of the right and left eyes in clinically healthy male and female mules

Clinical and Behavioral Changes Associated with using Xylazine only or Xylazine-epinephrine Combination for Caudal Epidural Analgesia in Cattle

In recent years, various anaesthetic agents and mixtures had been evaluated for caudal epidural analgesia in cattle with a variety of results. Caudal epidural analgesia is a routine and established technique for a variety of surgical and obstetrical procedures in cattle and might depend on the volume of local analgesic. The objective of the present work to compare between the analgesic efficacy of xylazine alone and that of Xylazine-epinephrine combination in caudal epidural analgesia through studying the clinical and behavioral changes as well as estimating degrees of ataxia, sedation and analgesia in cows throughout monitoring their efficacies pre-epidural (Minute 0) injection or post-epidural injection (Minutes 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180). The study was conducted on clinically healthy non-pregnant cross cows (n=20). They were classified into two equal groups. The first one received epidural injection of 0.05 mg/kg xylazine and thus was referred as Xylagr. The second group was epidurally treated through injection of combination of 0.05 mg/kg xylazine and Epinephrine and thus was referred as Xyla-Epingr. All animals were subjected for through clinical examination as well as monitoring of different degrees of ataxia, sedation and analgesia parameters. There was no statistically significant difference in the onset of analgesia between xylazine epidural injection (11.85±1.25 minutes) and xylazine with epinephrine (12.01±1.05 minutes). Epidural administration of xylazine with epinephrine produced a significantly longer duration of analgesia (161±7.62 minutes) than that produced by epidural injection xylazine alone (136.20±7.13 minutes). Administration of xylazine alone resulted in mild to moderate sedation with mild ataxia, as well as cutaneous analgesia for the perineal region while xylazine with epinephrine produced mild sedation without ataxia, as well as cutaneous analgesia for the perineal region. The study concluded the higher efficacy of xylazine-epinephrine combinations as a caudal epidural analgesic drug compared with that of xylazine alone. Xylazine-epinephrine combination has more rapid onset of recovery from signs of ataxia and sedation than xylazine alone, which make it more suitable than xylazine in cattle as an intraoperative and postoperative analgesia.

Ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in Egyptian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with traumatic pericarditis

Traumatic pericarditis (TP) remains a serious problem facing bovine producers; particularly in the developing countries; causing severe economic losses. This study was carried out on 47 buffaloes including; control buffaloes (n = 20) and buffaloes with TP (n = 27) at Assiut governorate, Egypt. All animals were subjected to thorough clinical examination, whole blood profiling, blood serum biochemical assays, and radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. The recorded ultrasonographic findings included; the contractility, contour and shape of the reticulum, shape and size of the heart and spleen involvement. All data were statistically analysed. Buffaloes with TP showed lymphocytic leucocytosis, increase in serum activities of AST, hyperproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Radio-opaque metal foreign bodies, cardiomegaly and loss of the normal cardiac shape and contour were the most common radiographic findings in the diseased buffaloes. Ultrasonographically, the diseased buffaloes showed either acute pericarditis (n = 10) or chronic suppurative pericarditis (n = 17). Complete cessation of reticular contractions (0/3 min) and displacement of the reticulum from the diaphragm by a distance about 2.6–4.5 cm were the most common ultrasonographic findings of both types of pericarditis. In addition, the reticulum had uneven contour and the heart showed characteristic changes in its size, shape and contractility that was either accelerated or reduced. Reticular abscesses and peritoneal effusions were also imaged in all diseased buffaloes. In acute TP; the affected heart was enlarged with strong and clear cardiac contractions. Accumulation of hypoechoic fluids interspersed with echogenic deposits of fibrin within heart tissue and pericardium was observed. In chronic suppurative pericarditis, cardiomegaly, thickening of the cardiac wall and loss of the characteristic recognisable heart shape were the common ultrasonographic findings. Accumulation of hypoechoic fluids (usually pus) interspersing with echogenic deposits of fibrin within the pericardium, ventricles, atria and valves was also observed. In conclusion, ultrasonography with the aids of other diagnostic tools such as clinical findings, laboratory analysis and radiography has a high efficacy in evaluation of diseased buffaloes with TP. Keywords: Cardiomegaly, Peritoneal effusions, Reticular abscess, Splenic abscess, Suppurative pericarditis, Traumatic reticuloperitoniti

Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker

Abstract Background Chemical castration of male animals is an alternative to surgical castration for inducing azoospermia, consequent sterility. Intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate has been used for chemical castration in several animal species. However, its application to equine species, such as donkeys, has yet to be reported. This study aimed to evaluate the use of zinc gluconate for the chemical castration of male donkeys and to compare its effectiveness relative to routine surgical castration. For this purpose, investigations of serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone levels, testicular ultrasonographic echogenicity, and histopathological findings were performed. Methods Fourteen clinically healthy adult male donkeys were randomly and equally divided into two groups. The donkeys in group I (n = 7) underwent surgical castration. The donkeys in group II (n = 7) received intra-testicular zinc gluconate injections. The donkeys were kept under close clinical observation for 60 days. Abnormalities in donkey behavior and gross alterations in the external genitalia were recorded daily. Serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were measured 15 days before the start of the treatment and 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after treatment. The testicles of group II donkeys were evaluated ultrasonographically. At the end of the study, the testes were removed and histologically examined. Results Serum testosterone levels significantly declined compared to pre-castration levels in surgically castrated donkeys (group I), but donkeys exposed to chemical castration (group II) showed a non-significant reduction in testosterone levels. Donkeys in the surgical group had considerably lower serum AMH levels. In contrast, there was a non-significant (p > 0.05) increase in AMH levels in the chemical group compared with the pre-sterilization level. In addition, ultrasonographic examination revealed that the testicular echo-density had changed, as observed by a few scattered hyperechoic regions throughout the entire testis parenchyma. The histopathological investigation confirmed the presence of necrosis of the spermatogenic epithelium, increased thickness of the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules, marked interstitial fibrosis, and shrinkage of the seminiferous tubules. Furthermore, syncytial giant cells were present in the lumen of seminiferous tubules and were associated with Sertoli cell vacuolation. Donkeys subjected to chemical castration (group II) had orchitis, as confirmed histopathologically. Conclusion Intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate resulted in histopathological and ultrasonographic testicular changes in adult male donkeys, which may affect their reproductive potential. However, it did not significantly alter serum testosterone or AMH levels, indicating that it cannot be used as a substitute for surgical castration in male donkeys

Role of insulin, insulin sensitivity and abomasal functions monitors in evaluation of the therapeutic regimen in ketotic dairy cattle using combination therapy with referring to milk yield rates

Background: Ketosis is one of the most critical metabolic disorders that occur in dairy cows after parturition due to negative energy balance (NEB) around calving. Aim: The study evaluated a specific therapeutic regimen of ketosis in Holstein dairy cattle by using combination therapy including hormones, corticosteroids, propylene glycol, and vitamin B12 as well as the use of milk yield rates, insulin, insulin sensitivity, and abomasal functions monitors as diagnostic biomarkers for the recovery of ketotic cows either pre-therapy (0 days) or post-therapy (7 and 14 days). Methods: This study was conducted on ketotic cattle (n=20) belonged to different dairy farms in Cairo and Giza governorates, Egypt. The diseased cows were undergoing clinical and biochemical investigations for the estimation of serum insulin. Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (RQUICKI) and abomasal functions monitor mainly serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen, and chloride. Results: The milk production rates, cost: benefit analysis ratio, and benefit of the dairy farm in ketotic animals were significantly increased post-treatment. An improvement of insulin sensitivity was stated as serum insulin, and RQUICKI were remarkably increased in post-therapeutic ketotic cows. Monitors of the abomasal function revealed abomasal functions improvement through the significant elevation of blood gastrin and a substantial reduction in serum pepsinogen due to treatment. Conclusion: the study revealed high efficacy of the applied therapeutic strategy regime. It led to a high recovery rate and a very low relapse rate for ketosis. An improvement in milk yield rates, insulin sensitivity, and abomasal function monitors was reported. Hypoinsulinaemia was still reported, however, serum insulin was improved

Role of insulin, insulin sensitivity, and abomasal functions monitors in evaluation of the therapeutic regimen in ketotic dairy cattle using combination therapy with referring to milk yield rates

Background: Ketosis is one of the most critical metabolic disorders that occur in dairy cows after parturition due to negative energy balance around calving. Aim: The study evaluated a specific therapeutic regimen of ketosis in Holstein dairy cattle by using the combination therapy including hormones, corticosteroids, propylene glycol, and vitamin B12 as well as the use of milk yield rates, insulin, insulin sensitivity, and abomasal functions monitors as diagnostic biomarkers for the recovery of ketotic cows either pre-therapy (0 days) or post-therapy (7 and 14 days). Methods: This study was conducted on ketotic cattle (n = 20) belonged to different dairy farms in Cairo and Giza governorates, Egypt. The diseased cows were undergoing clinical and biochemical investigations for the estimation of serum insulin. Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (RQUICKI) and abomasal functions monitor mainly serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen, and chloride. Results: The milk production rates, cost: benefit analysis ratio, and benefit of the dairy farm in ketotic animals were significantly increased post-treatment. An improvement of insulin sensitivity was stated as serum insulin, and RQUICKI were remarkably increased in post-therapeutic ketotic cows. Monitors of the abomasal function revealed abomasal functions improvement through the significant elevation of blood gastrin and a substantial reduction in serum pepsinogen due to treatment. Conclusion: The study revealed high efficacy of the applied therapeutic strategy regime. It led to a high recovery rate and a very low relapse rate for ketosis. An improvement in milk yield rates, insulin sensitivity, and abomasal function monitors was reported. Hypoinsulinaemia was still reported, however, serum insulin was improved