[Surgical repair of distal femoral fracture in a wild gray wolf [Canis lupus]]

A 3-year-old wild gray wolf was referred to the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences of Shiraz University with a history of car accident. The radiographic examination showed supracondylar distal femoral fracture in right leg. The wolf was pre-medicated by acepromazine followed by induction of anesthesia using a combination of diazepam and ketamine. Anesthesia was maintained by halothane. The fracture was reduced, the first pin was bent based on anatomical curvature of the femoral shaft and inserted from lateral epicondyle and drove proximally. The second one was inserted from medial epicondyle as a cross pin. For further stabilization, a bone plate was contoured to curve from the shaft onto the condyle and applied on lateral surface of the distal femur. The joint capsule and incision site was closed. Postoperative radiograph showed good pin placement and bone reduction. Cage rest and restricted activity was accomplished for 8 weeks. Postoperative follow up revealed no complication and the wolf was allowed to return to its domain area of wilderness four months after surgery. In conclusion, using a combination of different fixation techniques can result in successful fracture repair in wild animals

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of the retained semen straw in the uterus of a repeat breeder cow

A 6-year-old lactating Holstein cow with a history of repeat breeding syndrome [failed to conceive after three artificial inseminations [AI] with fertile semen] was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University. According to the history, neither abnormal clinical signs, nor uterine discharge had been observed subsequent to AI. The cow had shown signs of oestrus on a cyclic and regular basis. On rectal examination, no palpable object was detected inside the uterine horns, however, transrectal ultrasonographic examination revealed a hyperechoic straw-shape object in the left uterine horn. Left-flank laparotomy was performed and after exposure of left uterine horn, the palpated straw was removed through a small hysterotomy incision. Postoperative follow-up did not show any complication. No attempt was made to inseminate the cow after operation as it was not the farmer's plan to get the cow in calf

Congenital penile urethral aplasia in a 4-day-old bull calf

A 4-day-old Holstein bull calf with considerable oedema of the belly [water belly] was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University. The owner did not observe any urination since birth. Rupture of the urethra was suspected. Perineal urethrotomy was performed. Subsequently, catheterization of urethra revealed the obstruction near the external urethral orifice. Urethrotomy showed a three cm long rupture of urethra proximal to the penile orifice. Surgical exploration showed the penile urethral aplasia which confirmed by histopathological findings. Permanent perineal urethrostomy was the surgical treatment of choice. Fluid and antibiotic therapy were administrated postoperatively. Postoperative follow-up showed a healthy calf without any signs of water belly