Dorsolumbar epidural analgesia in water buffalo: anaesthetic assessment and anatomical studies

Anesthesia of the flank region of ten native buffaloes was accomplished through the dorsolumber epidural technique by using two different doses [4ml and 5ml] from anesthetic mixture containing xylazine hydrochloride [2%] and lidocaine hydrochloride [2%]. Computed tomography and gross dissection were done for the thoraco-lumber region to show the special structures in this area. The results showed that, the anaesthetized area and the duration of analgesia in both sides of the flank region were wider and more prolonged at dose 5 ml than at 4 ml from the mixture. The CT showed that the epidural space at the lumbar region is enlarged and the widest part found at the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. There is no inter-arcuate space between the last two thoracic vertebrae while the space was found between the last thoracic and the first lumbar vertebrae and continues between all lumbar vertebrae. Grossly, the last thoracic and first lumbar spinal nerve rootlets are nearly centered on the intervertebral discs between the last thoracic and the first lumbar vertebrae and between the first and the second lumbar vertebrae respectively. The second, the third, the fourth and the fifth lumbar spinal nerve rootlets are displaced cranially to extent, which the rootlets of the second and third lumbar spinal nerves are nearly located in the caudal portion of the canal of the second and third lumbar vertebrae respectively. Furthermore, the fourth lumbar spinal nerve rootlets are nearly located in the central part of the canal of the fourth lumbar vertebra, while the fifth lumbar spinal nerve rootlets appeared in the cranial portion of the canal of the fifth lumbar vertebra. The study illustrated that dorsolumber epidural anesthesia was easy to perform in buffaloes and consume low dose from anesthetic drug which save cost, time and effort. Moreover, adding of xylazine hydrochloride to the local anesthetic will promote its anesthetic properties in addition to the sedative effect needed in such conditions

Cyclopia of goat: micro and macroscopic, radiographic and computed tomographic studies

Cyclopia is a rare unusual anomaly in which the anterior brain and the midline mesodermal structures develop anomalously. The orbital region is grossly deformed, resulting in the formation of a central cavity [pseudo orbit] with absence of nasal cavity. In the present study, a newly born male goat showing true cyclopia was examined grossly, radiographically, CT and histologically. The head was small and severely deformed with a hydrocephalus on the forehead. The upper and lower lip were present but small. The upper jaw was short due to the absence of the os incisivum and the deformity of the maxilla. A well marked malformed was present. The lower margin of the mandible was strongly curved and carries a prominent ventral peak. The maxilla was reduced. The frontal, lacrimal, nasal, premaxilla vomer bones, the orbit and nasal septum were absent. The dura mater was developed but the falex cerebri was absent. Only one eyeball was present and large with a thick optic nerve. There was only one optic nerve and there was no evidence of optic chiasma Cerebrum was poorly developed and there was no formation of cerebral hemispheres. The eye showed histologically some blood capillaries found in the substantia propria of the cornea. The retina showed areas of normal lamination, whereas in other areas, especially near the site of optic disk, it was replaced by numerous neuronal rosettes. These finding support the hypothesis that the craniofacial malformation in holoprosencephaly result from a developmental disturbance of the mesoderm at the rostral end of the notochord