Anatomy and imaging features of the dew claws of the water buffalo and cow

Background: Dew claws of ruminants are rudimentary of 2 and 5 digits and usually do not have functional action. Most studies about the dew claws were done on the diseases and shape-abnormality. Objectives: Because no comprehensive study has been done on the normal features of dew claws, especially in the water buffalo which is an important animal in Khouzestan, this study was performed on anatomy and radiology of the dew claws in the water buffalo and cow

Methods: 136 dew claws from 11 water buffaloes and 6 cows were examined morphologically, morphometrically, and radiologically and their similarities and differences were clarified

Results: Morphologic result showed that the dew claws were prismatic in shape; their bases were attached to skin at the level of the palmar or plantar surfaces of the fetlock joints. They had two bony ossicles in most cases as proximal and distal ones, but the ossicles in lateral dew claws of thoracic limb in the water buffalo were 3 in number. Proximal ossicles of the water buffalo were dumbbell-shaped, and were irregular or drop-shaped in the cow. Distal ossicles were nearly similar to the third phalanges of the main claws which were pyramid-shaped in water buffalo and triangle-shaped in the cow. Morphometrically, the measurements of the hoof and bony structures of the dew claws in the water buffalo were muchgreater than those of the cows

Conclusions: Although dew claws in both animals morphologically shared some similarities, there were morpho- metrically significant differences between the dew claws of the water buffalo and the cow. Being larger than the structures in the water buffalo may provide better adaption in static and dynamic of the animal in soft and swamp grounds. Radiologically, the best view for examination of dew claws and their elements was oblique view

effects of fasting on some biochemical factors of liver, serum and clinical signs in cattle

Fasting is an alternative method to induce anorexia. The biochemical factors of liver and serum and clinical signs were measured and documented in five non-lactating, non-pregnant cows following eight days of fasting. Five crossbred, non-lactating, and non-pregnant cattle were used in this study. They were fasted for 8 days_ total food deprivation; however, they had free access to water. Liver biopsies were carried out one day before food deprivation [day 0] and 8 days after food deprivation by ultrasound-guided biopsy. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein before and during fasting. The concentrations of triglyceride [TG], total lipids, glycogen, phospholipids, and total protein in liver and NEFA, BHBA, TG, total cholesterol, glucose, total lipid, APO A1, and APO B in blood serum were measured and compared. The results of this study showed that fasting for 8 days reduces respiratory rate by 52% and heart rate by 12.5% and has no significant effect on rectal temperature. The concentrations of the liver triglyceride [TG] and glycogen significantly increased [p=0.046] and decreased [p=0.007] on day 8, respectively. There were no significant differences in the content of liver phospholipids [p=0.83], total lipids [p=0.29], and total protein [p=0.23]. The serum concentrations of NEFA and BHBA increased significantly [p=0.008] at the end of fasting period. No significant differences in the concentrations of serum TG [p=0.057], total cholesterol [p=0.93], glucose [p=0.108], total lipid [p=0.27], APO A1 [p=0.762], and APO B [p=0.92] were noticed on days 0 and 8. The results of the present study showed that fasting, like anorexia [as a result of diseases], induces fat mobilization from adipose tissue in response to the induced negative energy balance

[Comparative study of prostatic dimensions by plain radiography, urethrocystogra-phyand necropsy]

The Prostate gland is the major accessory gland in male dogs. Prostate disease is a common problem in older intact male dogs. The aim of this study was to determine prostatic dimensions by plain radiography and urethrocystography in dogs and compare them with actual sizes. Plain radiography and urethrocystography were performed on 10 intact young adult male dogs. After necropsy length, width, height, volume and weight of prostate glands were measured. All statistical analyses paired t test, linear regression and correlation coefficient were performed. Prostate glands of 9 dogs could be evaluated with urethrocystography and reliable length and height of prostate gland were measured. Means of prostatic length and height were smaller than their actual sizes but still had significant correlation [p<1=0.05]. Equations between prostatic and actual lengths and depths in urethrocystography were L=0.91 x l + 0.57 [R[2] = 0.84] and Z= 1.36 x z - 0.79 [R[2] = 0.76] respectively. The results of this investigation were showed that urethrocystography could be used for prostatic measurement. This method can be as a reliable technique, whenever ultrasonography can not be performed

First report of Pasteurella dagmatis isolation from a bitch urine in Iran

Pasteurella species are commensal bacteria of the respiratory airways and oronasal cavity of animals. In this study, we report an unusual case of Pasteurella dagmatis isolation from dog urine with uroliths. An 11-year-old female dog was admitted to the Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz University complaining of abdominal pain, hematuria, dysuria and stranguria. In clinical and radiological examinations, it was found that abdomen was distended due to urinary bladder obstruction with uroliths. Pasteurella dagmatis was isolated from urine specimen collected by cystocentesis. Finally, uroliths were removed by surgery. Appropriate antibiotic treatment with cephalexin caused improvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. dagmatis presence in dog urine

Radiographic findings of hypertrophic osteodystrophy in a mongrel puppy

A three-month-old male native puppy with lameness, metaphyseal swelling, pain, depression, inappetence and variable pyrexia was diagnosed as having hypertrophic osteodystrophy [HOD] based on radiologic examination. The hemogram and biochemical profiles were within normal limits. Radiologic examination revealed a radiolucent zone in the metaphyses and a radiopaque band near the physes of the appendicular long bones. Periosteal new bone formation was seen around of the distal metaphyses of the radii, ulnae and tibiae. Currently, there is no specific treatment for HOD. The condition of puppy was improved following restriction of activity, confinement to small well-padded area, administration of high-quality diet and anti-inflammatory drug [aspirin, 10 mg/kg PO q12h for two weeks]. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report of HOD in mongrel puppies in Iran

[ clinical use of combined cancellous bone graft and bone marrow on the induced tibial bone defect in dogs]

To evaluate the induction of osteogenesis of combined autogenous cancellous bone graft and bone marrow in experimental midshaft tibial bone defect. Experimental study. Seven adult mixed-breed dogs with an average age of 1.57 years and an average weight of 22.57 kg. the animals were randomly divided in to experimental [n=5] and control [n=2] groups. In each dog a bone defect [2.5 cm] was created on the midshaft of left tibia and fixed by plate and screws. In the experimental group, tibial bone defect was filled with autogenous cancellous bone and bone marrowo. These matter were harvested from the iliac crest and the medullary canal of the femur, respectively. In the control group, the defect was not filled. Postoperative clinical assessment including measurement of body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and evaluation of the degree of lameness was done. Moreover, radiographic assessment of bone based on the process of bone healing periosteal reaction and soft tissue swelling were done before surgery, immediately after surgery and then 1,2,3,5,9,13 and 17 weeks after surgery. The degree of lameness in experimental group was lesser than the control ones from the day 12 to 49 [p<0.05]. Significant difference was observed in the degree of soft tissue swelling between two groups at the week 5 [p<0.05]. Moreover, difference of the periosteal reaction was not significant between two groups. The degree of bone healing process was significantly greater in the experimental group compare to control [p<0.05]. While clinical union was seen in the experimental group up to 100% [n=4] and 75% [n=1], it was not seen in the control group. The result of this study showed that the autogenous cancellous bone and bone marrow can be a reliable method for filling of 2.5 cm segmental tibial bone defect in dog. In this regard, healing of the higher size of bone defect needs to be further investigated

Clinical, radiological and ultrasonographical findings after ileocystoplasty in dog

To assess the outcome of ileocystoplasty basedon clinical, radiological and ultrasonographical findings. experimental study. Five adult mixed breed dogs, weighing between15 and 25kg. Partial cystectomy with immediateaugmentation ileocystoplasty was performed. Clinicalsigns were observed and recorded up to day 45.Reconstructed bladders were evaluated by radiology andultrasonography on days 25 and 45. Clinically the animals had a normal appetite andbehavior. No digestive or voiding problems, intestinalobstruction and no urinary leakage, infection and urinaryincontinence were observed. A mark edge at the borderlinebetween the original bladder and the ileal segment, thethickening of the suture line at the graft area, lack ofnormal distention in the ileal segment in comparison withoriginal bladder and presence of floating echogenic smallparticles in the neobladder were dominant findings basedon radiological and ultrasonographical evaluations. Onedog died 10 days after operation. Ultrasonographyrevealed urinary leakage and presence of liquid inabdomen before die and necropsy showed peritonitis andneobladder perforation. Although ileum is one of the best parts ofgastrointestinal tract for augmentation cystoplasty butperforation of the reconstructed bladder remains the rarecondition with relatively high mortality rate