4 research outputs found
Technique for the collection of clear urine from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
Urine samples can be a very useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of animal health. In this
article, a simple technique to collect urine from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was
described, based on a similar unpublished technique developed for the American alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis) using a canine urinary catheter. With this technique, it was possible
to collect relatively clean urine samples from Nile crocodiles of different sizes using canine
urinary catheters or small diameter stomach tubes. Based on the gross anatomical features
of the cloaca of the Nile crocodile, it was confirmed that urine accumulates in a chamber
consisting of the urodeum and coprodeum. Faecal material is stored temporarily in the very
short rectum, which is separated from the urinary chamber by the rectocoprodeal sphincter.The Norwegian
Council for Higher Education’s Program for Development,
Research and Educationhttp://www.jsava.co.zamn201
The post-occipital spinal venous sinus of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) : its anatomy and use for blood sample collection and intravenous infusions
The post-occipital sinus of the spinal vein is often used for the collection of blood samples
from crocodilians. Although this sampling method has been reported for several crocodilian
species, the technique and associated anatomy has not been described in detail in any
crocodilian, including the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). The anatomy of the cranial neck
region was investigated macroscopically, microscopically, radiographically and by means of
computed tomography. Latex was injected into the spinal vein and spinal venous sinus of
crocodiles to visualise the regional vasculature. The spinal vein ran within the vertebral canal,
dorsal to and closely associated with the spinal cord and changed into a venous sinus cranially
in the post-occipital region. For blood collection, the spinal venous sinus was accessed
through the interarcuate space between the atlas and axis (C1 and C2) by inserting a needle
angled just off the perpendicular in the midline through the craniodorsal cervical skin, just
cranial to the cranial borders of the first cervical osteoderms. The most convenient method
of blood collection was with a syringe and hypodermic needle. In addition, the suitability
of the spinal venous sinus for intravenous injections and infusions in live crocodiles was
evaluated. The internal diameter of the commercial human epidural catheters used during
these investigations was relatively small, resulting in very slow infusion rates. Care should be
taken not to puncture the spinal cord or to lacerate the blood vessel wall using this route for
blood collection or intravenous infusions.The
Norwegian Council for Higher Education’s Programme for
Development, Research and Education (NUFU 08/02) and
the Royal Netherlands Embassy in South Africa (Prof. Nico
Visser).http://www.jsava.co.zaam2014ab201
The post-occipital spinal venous sinus of the Nile crocodile (<i>Crocodylus niloticus</i>): Its anatomy and use for blood sample collection and intravenous infusions
The post-occipital sinus of the spinal vein is often used for the collection of blood samples from crocodilians. Although this sampling method has been reported for several crocodilian species, the technique and associated anatomy has not been described in detail in any crocodilian, including the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). The anatomy of the cranial neck region was investigated macroscopically, microscopically, radiographically and by means of computed tomography. Latex was injected into the spinal vein and spinal venous sinus of crocodiles to visualise the regional vasculature. The spinal vein ran within the vertebral canal, dorsal to and closely associated with the spinal cord and changed into a venous sinus cranially in the post-occipital region. For blood collection, the spinal venous sinus was accessed through the interarcuate space between the atlas and axis (C1 and C2) by inserting a needle angled just off the perpendicular in the midline through the craniodorsal cervical skin, just cranial to the cranial borders of the first cervical osteoderms. The most convenient method of blood collection was with a syringe and hypodermic needle. In addition, the suitability of the spinal venous sinus for intravenous injections and infusions in live crocodiles was evaluated. The internal diameter of the commercial human epidural catheters used during these investigations was relatively small, resulting in very slow infusion rates. Care should be taken not to puncture the spinal cord or to lacerate the blood vessel wall using this route for blood collection or intravenous infusions
Technique for the collection of clear urine from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
Urine samples can be a very useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of animal health. In this article, a simple technique to collect urine from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was described, based on a similar unpublished technique developed for the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) using a canine urinary catheter. With this technique, it was possible to collect relatively clean urine samples from Nile crocodiles of different sizes using canine urinary catheters or small diameter stomach tubes. Based on the gross anatomical features of the cloaca of the Nile crocodile, it was confirmed that urine accumulates in a chamber consisting of the urodeum and coprodeum. Faecal material is stored temporarily in the very short rectum, which is separated from the urinary chamber by the rectocoprodeal sphincter