An unusual case of thoracic ectopia cordis in a Toggenburg Goat and its three-dimensional images constructed with X-ray computed tomography.

A two-day-old female Toggenburg goat with thoracic ectopia cordis (EC) was diagnosed via radiography and computed tomography. The goat was born with EC, defects of the sternum and a supra-umbilical abdominal wall, but without the presence of Cantrell's syndrome. Necropsy and histopathological findings indicated the affected kid had malformation of the heart with an enlarged left ventricle. The findings showed the heart (9 x 5 x 5 cm) stayed outside the thorax, and was covered by a semitransparent membrane. This report is the first to describe a case of thoracic EC in a goat whose sternum was not developed fully and was not connected to the ribs. It is also the first paper to describe three-dimensional images of this condition constructed from computed tomography scans.

Spread and impact of the Schmallenberg virus epidemic in France in 2012-2013.

BACKGROUND: The Schmallenberg virus (SBV) emerged in Europe in 2011 and caused a widespread epidemic in ruminants.In France, SBV emergence was monitored through a national multi-stakeholder surveillance and investigation system. Based on the monitoring data collected from January 2012 to August 2013, we describe the spread of SBV in France during two seasons of dissemination (vector seasons 2011 and 2012) and we provide a large-scale assessment of the impact of this new disease in ruminants. RESULTS: SBV impact in infected herds was primarily due to the birth of stillborns or deformed foetuses and neonates. Congenital SBV morbidity level was on average moderate, although higher in sheep than in other ruminant species. On average, 8% of lambs, 3% of calves and 2% of kids born in SBV-infected herds showed typical congenital SBV deformities. In addition, in infected herds, farmers reported retrospectively a lower prolificacy during the vector season, suggesting a potential impact of acute SBV infection during mating and early stages of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lack of available control and prevention measures, SBV spread quickly in the naive ruminant population. France continues to monitor for SBV, and updated information is made available online on a regular basis [http://www.plateforme-esa.fr/]. Outbreaks of congenital SBV are expected to occur sporadically from now on, but further epidemics may also occur if immunity at population level declines.

Surgical correction of congenital entropion in related Boer goat kids using a combination Hotz-Celsus and lateral eyelid wedge resection procedure.

Five related Boer goat kids (≤4 months of age) were presented to the University of Missouri, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MU-VMTH) with epiphora and blepharospasm of several weeks duration and commencing prior to 1 month of age in all animals. Clinical examination confirmed euryblepharon and entropion bilaterally in two females and one male and unilaterally in two female kids. Deep stromal corneal ulceration was present in two eyes, and corneal granulation tissue and fibrosis were present in half (5/10) the affected eyes. A combination Hotz-Celsus and lateral eyelid wedge resection procedure was performed on all affected eyelids. Recheck examinations and long-term follow-up confirmed resolution of the entropion, preservation of normal eyelid conformation, and restoration of ocular comfort. Pedigree analysis ruled out sex-linked and autosomal dominant inheritance patterns; a specific mode of inheritance could not be determined. The Boer goat breed may be at increased risk for the development of entropion. This cases series represents the first report of entropion in the caprine species.

Congenital neosporosis in goats from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Congenital Neospora caninum infection was diagnosed in two Saanen goat kids from two distinct herds with a history of abortion and weak newborn goat kids in the Southern region of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The first kid was weak at birth, had difficulty to rise and was unable to nurse. Gross lesions of porencephaly and hydrocephalus ex vacuo were seen. Multifocal necrosis, gliosis and non-supurative encephalitis were observed in the brain. Several parasitic cysts with a thick wall that reacted strongly only with polyclonal antiserum to Neospora caninum were seen in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and cerebellum. The second kid was born from a Neospora caninum seropositive mother that aborted in the last pregnancy. It was born without clinical signs. The diagnosis of neosporosis was based on antibody titer of 1:800 to N. caninum by indirect fluorescence antibody test obtained from blood collected before the goat kid ingested the colostrum and Neospora caninum DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced from placenta. This is the first report of neosporosis in goats in the southeast region of Brazil.

Anatomical exploration of a dicephalous goat kid using sheet plastination (E12).

A dicephalous, 1-day-old, female goat kid was presented for anatomical study. Epoxy plastination slices (E12) were used successfully to explore this condition. They provided excellent anatomic and bone detail, demonstrating organ position, shared structures, and vascular anatomy. Sheet plastination (E12) was used as an optimal method to clarify how the two heads were united, especially the neuroanatomy. The plastinated transparent slices allowed detailed study of the anatomical structures, in a non-collapsed and non-dislocated state. Thus, we anatomically explored this rare condition without traditional dissection. The advantages of plastination extended to the preservation at room temperature of this case for further topographical investigation. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first published report of plastination of a dicephalous goat.

Hereditary xanthinuria in a goat.

A 2-year-old mixed breed goat was presented for a 1-day history of anorexia and 1 week of weight loss. Serum biochemistry disclosed severe azotemia. Abdominal ultrasound examination showed decreased renal corticomedullary distinction, poor visualization of the renal pelves, and dilated ureters. On necropsy, the kidneys were small, the pelves were dilated, and the medulla was partially effaced by variably sized yellow nephroliths. Histologically, cortical and medullary tubules were distended by yellow-brown, multilayered crystals. Stone composition was 100% xanthine. Exonic sequencing of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MOCOS) identified 2 putative pathogenic variants: a heterozygous XDH p.Leu128Pro variant and a homozygous MOCOS p.Asp303Gly variant. Variant frequencies were determined in 7 herd mates, 12 goats undergoing necropsy, and 443 goats from genome databases. The XDH variant was not present in any of these 462 goats. The MOCOS variant allele frequency was 0.03 overall, with 3 homozygotes detected. Hereditary xanthinuria is a recessive disorder in other species, but the XDH variant could be causal if the case goat is a compound heterozygote harboring a second variant in a regulatory region not analyzed or if the combination of the XDH and MOCOS variants together abolish XDH activity. Alternatively, the MOCOS variant alone could be causal despite the presence of other homozygotes, because hereditary xanthinuria in humans often is asymptomatic. Ours is the first report describing the clinical presentation and pathology associated with xanthine urolithiasis in a goat. The data support hereditary xanthinuria, but functional studies are needed to conclusively determine the causal variant(s).

Occipitoatlantoaxial malformation in an adult goat.

An occipitoatlantoaxial malformation was diagnosed in a 1-year-old Murciano-Granadina goat. At clinical examination, the head and cranial part of the neck were deviated to the right. Clinical signs of spinal cord or brain disease were not observed. At necropsy, morphological abnormalities were seen in the craniovertebral junction and cervical vertebrae, characterized by a firm attachment and incomplete articulation between the occipital bone and the atlas, and scoliosis in the cervical regions. The definitive diagnosis was bilateral asymmetrical occipitoatlantoaxial fusion with rotation of the atlas and atlantoaxial subluxation. To the authors' knowledge, this case report is the second occipitoatlantoaxial malformation described in a goat and the first description in an adult goat.

Partial facial duplication (diprosopus) in a goat kid.

The anatomical and clinical features of a live-born diprosopic goat kid are described. The kid had two faces with two eyes each, two complete oral cavities and nostrils and two ears. Caudal to the neck, the kid grossly appeared normal. Both mouths of the kid showed synchronous suckling motions. Elevated respiratory and heart rates were recorded and the temperature was subnormal. Radiological examination showed a single trunk and vertebral column, normal limbs, two sets of jaws, three orbits, and contrast radiography revealed a single patent oesophagus. There was maxillary and mandibular duplication resulting in two faces. There was a cleft palate. The oropharyngeal regions of each face merged to form a single laryngopharynx and oesophagus. There was a single brain with hypoplasia of the cerebellum. The left and right cerebral hemispheres were fused rostrally, and there was duplication of the optic chiasma and the pituitary gland. The olfactory tract was absent and the superficial origins of most of the cranial nerves were not discernible.

A case of congenital left brachium agenesis (amelia, brachiomelia monobrachium) in Sahel goat ecotype.

This rare case of amelia in a doe-goat was observed in Tarka local government area, Benue State, middle belt region of Nigeria. The congenital deformity consisted of complete agenesis of the affected fore limb; the defect is commonly unilaterally manifested. The present congenitally impaired goat was approximately one and a half years old, and was a second kiddling of a normal multiparous dam. The left fore limb was grossly vestigial in development, while the homologous right hoof was splayed; the hind limbs were anatomically normal. Radiographs revealed morphological aberrations in intergumentary, skeletal, vascular, nervous systems and musculature of the affected limb. Sahel goat is alien to this developmental syndrome and this is to the best of our knowledge--the first case report of left sided brachial agenesia, (amelia) in a doe-goat of this breed. By season of occurrence, the hypothesis of interplay between genetics, climate and environment at large in the pathogenesis of this hereditary anomaly is raised and supported by the abundance of phytoteratogens in alternative diets in the dry seasons. The condition is compatible with life but may contribute to reproductive and economic loss in farms.

Congenital sarcocystosis in a Saanen goat.

Sarcocystis schizonts were seen in histologic sections of the brain of a stillborn Saanen goat from Australia. The organism was located in endothelial cells of blood vessels, divided by endopolygeny, and reacted with anti-S. cruzi polyclonal rabbit serum in an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemical test.

[Use of copper oxide wire particles (Copinox) for the prevention of congenital copper deficiency in a herd of German Improved Fawn breed of goat]. / Einsatz von Kupferoxid-Boli (Copinox) zur Prävention des kongenitalen Kupfermangels in einer Herde Bunter Deutscher Edelziegen.

In a herd of German Improved Fawn breed of goat in the year 2000 neonatal kid losses due to congenital copper deficiencies were observed. To clarify the problems and to prevent losses in the next breeding season serum copper levels of 10 dams and four control Boer goats were investigated at four time points during one year. Additionally ten kids of the following year were sampled and the serum copper levels were studied. Immediatly after parturition and 8 weeks later the dams showed low serum copper levels (10.4 +/- 11.1 micromol/l, 5.7 +/- 2.9 micromol/l resp.). At the end of the pasture season an increase of serum copper could be measured (19.3 +/- 16.0 micromol/l). To prevent enzootic ataxia due to congenital copper deficiency, the dams were treated with copper oxide wire particles in the next late gestation. At this time point serum copper concentrations started to decrease (18.5 +/- 8.4 micromol/l). The re-examination 3 month later demonstrated an increase of the serum mean copper concentrations up to 23.4 micromol/l in the dams and to 16.2 micromol/l in the kids. The serum copper levels were significantly higher compared to the levels the year before. Big variation of the serum copper levels in the control Boer goats occurred during the year, but no clinical symptoms of copper deficiency could be observed. The copper levels in the grass and soil samples were 6.8 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg dry substance, respectively. A secondary copper deficiency based on cadmium could be excluded through the low levels of soil samples. The contents of sulphur and molybdenum were not determined. The results indicate that the German Improved Fawn breed of goats suffered from a primary copper deficiency due to the inefficient mineral supplementation. The administration of Copinox in the last third of the gestation leads to a continious raising of the copper concentrations in the serum and is suited to prevent ataxia due to congential copper deficiency in neonatal kids.

Congenital portosystemic shunts and hepatic encephalopathy in goat kids in California: 11 cases (1999-2012).

Between 1999 and 2012, 11 cases of congenital portosystemic shunts (cPSS) resulting in hepatic encephalopathy were diagnosed in goat kids necropsied at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System and at the Department of Pathology, Immunology & Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis. Affected animals included 6 females and 5 males of various breeds including Boer (5/11), Nigerian Dwarf (1/11), Saanen (1/11), Toggenburg (1/11), and mixed-breed (3/11) aged between 1.5 months and 11 months, submitted live (2/11) or dead (9/11) for necropsy. The most frequent clinical signs in these goats were ataxia, blindness, tremors, head bobbing, head pressing, seizures, circling, weakness, and ill thrift. Bile acids were measured in 2 animals, and were elevated in both cases (134 and 209 µmol/l, reference interval = 0-50 µmol/l). Necropsy findings were poor to fair body condition. Grossly, the livers of 4 animals were subjectively small. Microscopic lesions included portal spaces with increased numbers of arteriolar profiles and hypoplastic or absent portal veins, diffuse atrophy of the hepatic parenchyma with the presence of small hepatocytes and, in some cases, multifocal hepatocellular macrovesicular vacuolation. In the brain and spinal cord of all animals, there was bilateral and symmetric spongy degeneration affecting the cerebrum, mesencephalon, cerebellum, brainstem, and cervical spinal cord. In all cases, the brain lesions were consistent with hepatic encephalopathy. Congenital portosystemic shunts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young goats with a history of ill thrift, and nonspecific neurological signs.

Histopathological and biochemical findings of congenital copper deficiency: are these similar to those of caprine arthritis-encephalitis?

This study was done after identifying animals with a twisted carpal joint in goat herd. These included a kid goat walking on its articulus carpii and a newborn goat with a stiff leg. Necropsies of the diseased goats revealed swollen carpal joints that were twisted backwards. Arthritis was observed during microscopic examination of the carpal joints. Very low levels of eosinophil, leucocyte, and lymphocyte cell infiltration were found in the central nervous system and meninges. Serum copper levels were significantly decreased in most of the animals. All of these results led us to diagnose the animals with swayback disease.

Immunohistochemical observations on TSH secreting cells in pituitary glands of goat kids with congenital goitre.

Pituitary glands of normal-termed stillborn goat kids with congenital goitre and normal-termed stillborn goat kids without congenital goitre were examined macroscopically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Thyroid glands of these animals were also examined grossly and microscopically. The pituitary glands of kids with goitre were larger than those of normal kids, and on histopathological examination there was hyperplasia of the acidophil cells in the ventral part of the glands. However, it was impossible to distinguish thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting cells from other acidophil cells in sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin (HE). Red granules were observed in the cytoplasm of these hyperplastic cells in periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained sections. Sections were also immunostained with an antibody against TSH using the streptavidin-biotin peroxidase technique. Immunohistochemistry revealed TSH-secreting cells to have increased in number in the pituitary glands of kids with congenital goitre because of the extensive proliferation when compared with those of normal kids. The present study indicated that the presence of multiple fetuses (twins or triplets) may be a predisposing factor for congenital goitre.