Percutaneous aspiration-injection-reaspiration (PAIR) for the treatment of abdominal cysts: Initial report in sheep and goat.

Percutaneous aspiration-injection-reaspiration (PAIR), also called sclerotherapy, is a minimally invasive, inexpensive and safe technique for the treatment of abdominal cysts in humans. A study was planned to evaluate the feasibility of this procedure in the management of abdominal cysts in sheep and goat. Adult ewes (n = 5) and one doe (n = 1) found to have abdominal cysts (one cyst/animal) on repeated survey ultrasonography (USG) were included in the study. The animals were restrained in standing position. A hypodermic needle (G-18) securely attached to a 10-mL Dispovan syringe was carefully passed under ultrasound guidance into the abdominal cyst in all these animals. Depending on the size of the cyst, 1.0-5.5 mL fluid was aspirated, and 0.5-2.0 mL of 20% hypertonic saline solution infused. The needle was thereafter kept in situ for 10 min. The maximum possible volume of the cyst content was reaspirated and the needle withdrawn. On day 7, sclerotherapy was repeated in five animals showing no appreciable reduction in cyst size by USG. USG was repeated on days 30 and 90. All the cysts except one responded to PAIR during this period. From this study it can be concluded that sclerotherapy using hypertonic saline (20%) is a minimally invasive, inexpensive, effective and safe interventional ultrasonographic technique for the treatment of abdominal cysts in sheep and goats. However, the procedure needs further evaluation after using different sclerotic agents of varying concentrations and duration of their retention in the cysts in a sufficient number of animals with cysts.

Successful laparoscope-assisted orchiectomy in three cryptorchid sheep.

Three adult Corriedale cryptorchid sheep were subjected to laparoscope-assisted orchiectomy of the retained testicles. One (n = 2) or both (n = 1) the testicles were missing in their scrotal sac and inguinal regions. Ultrasonography was used to locate the retained testicles and their distance from the abdominal surface. The animals were restrained in dorsal recumbency and Trendlenburg posture under lumbosacral epidural anaesthesia using 2% lignocaine hydrochloride. Two laparoscopic ports were created in the caudal abdomen adjacent to the retained testicles. They were identified by their ovoid shape, white glistening surface (Tunica albuginea) and typical vasculature. Laparoscope-assisted exteriorization of the testicles after enlarging the ports, ligation of their blood supply and resection of the spermatic cord was performed successfully. The scrotal testes in two rams were then subjected to routine Burdizzoo castration. The laparoscopic port sites healed without complications and all the animals continued to do well subsequently. From this case report, it is concluded that in sheep the laparoscopy; a minimally invasive procedure can confirm abdominal retention of testicle/s and may also be used for their retrieval in a single sitting. Although total laparoscopic procedure is expected to reduce the incision size further but requires advanced laparoscopic instruments and expertise.

Livestock feed resources availability, feeding practices, and nutrient balances in high Himalaya (Gurez) valley of Kashmir.

Assessment of the ruminant livestock feed sources availability, existing feeding practices, and nutrient balances was embarked at different zones of Gurez valley of Kashmir in two major seasons (summer and winter). A baseline survey was conducted to obtain the information in three zones, viz., Lower, Middle and Upper Gurez. The study was carried out in three villages in each zone where seven farmer families per village were selected randomly for the study. A total of 63 households owning livestock were interviewed to collect the information and the samples of available animal feeds and fodders fed during the seasons for chemical analysis. Daily nutrient intakes were calculated and compared with the standard requirements to determine the nutrient balances of livestock during the seasons. The main crops cultivated only during summer season were pulses (98.41%), maize (95.24%), and potatoes (90.48%), while few farmers in Lower and Middle Gurez also sow oats (42.86%) and had apple orchards (17.46%), the by-products and wastes of which were utilized as livestock feeds. The only fodder crop cultivated throughout Gurez was maize. During winter, due to very harsh climatic conditions, no agricultural activities are being carried out, as such greenery perishes from the scenario. Feed resources availability to the livestock varied according to the season. Animals relied mainly on natural grazing resources available overabundant during summer and remained undernourished due to very limited feed resources during winter when completely stall-fed. Most of the farmers offered tree foliage (92%) and practiced concentrate feed (86%) supplementation to their animals particularly during winter season (96%). Farmers (87%) were preparing concentrate feed at home by blending ingredients available with them. Only 6% of the farmers supplemented the diet of animals with mineral mixture. Nutrient intakes through different feed resources were in excess during summer, while non-availability of green fodder during winter leads to considerable nutritional deficit in quantity, as well as quality. It is concluded that lack of technical know-how among the animal rearers regarding livestock feeding strategies and winter season feed/fodder scarcity are the major constraints that limit livestock productivity. It is therefore suggested that there is a dire need for nutritional innovations to increase fodder production as well as adoption of fodder conservation and feeding strategies for ensuring year-round availability of animal feeds if sustainable livestock production is to be met in the high Himalaya Gurez valley of Kashmir.

Comparison of radiography and ultrasonography for diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia in bovines.

The present study was conducted on 101 animals suffering from thoracoabdominal disorders; out of which twenty seven animals (twenty six buffaloes and one cow) were diagnosed with diaphragmatic hernia based on clinical signs, radiography, ultrasonography, and left flank laparorumenotomy. Radiography alone confirmed diaphragmatic hernia in 18 cases (66.67%) with a sac-like structure cranial to the diaphragm. In 15 animals the sac contained metallic densities while in three cases a sac-like structure with no metallic densities was present. Ultrasonography was helpful in confirming diaphragmatic hernia in 23 cases (85.18%) and ultrasonographically reticular motility was evident at the level of 4th/5th intercostal space in all the animals. B+M mode ultrasonography was used for the first time for diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia in bovines and the results suggested that ultrasonography was a reliable diagnostic modality for diaphragmatic hernia in bovines.