Modified tube cystostomy technique for management of obstructive urolithiasis in small ruminants: procedure and outcome in 17 sheep and goats.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical technique and clinical outcome of small ruminants treated for obstructive urolithiasis using a modified tube cystostomy (MTC) technique. ANIMALS: 15 goats and 2 sheep treated with an MTC between March 2018 and February 2023. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Animals were diagnosed with obstructive urolithiasis on the basis of history, physical examination, and ultrasonographic examination. An MTC was performed with sedation and a local block. Postoperative medical management was instituted to help reestablish urethral patency, and Foley catheters were removed after successful urination. RESULTS: Animals were hospitalized an average of 3 nights (range, 0 to 14 nights). Complications included urine spillage in the abdomen and accidental deflation of the Foley balloon. Six animals were euthanized due to poor prognosis or failure to regain urethral patency. Foley catheters were removed an average of 15.7 days postoperatively in animals that regained urethral patency. Long-term (> 1-month) follow-up was available for 8 animals, with an average postoperative survival time of 19.4 months (range, 1 to 58 months). Four animals were lost to long-term follow-up. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This MTC technique is an effective means of catheterizing the urinary bladder in small ruminants. It can be performed under field conditions and serve as a standalone procedure for providing temporary urine egress. Patient size is limited by the length of the introducer, and an intact, distended urinary bladder and plan for reestablishing urethral patency are important considerations.

When dermatologic diseases are devastating: differentiating common endemic conditions in the United States from sheep and goat pox.

This article provides information to help US-based practitioners develop differential diagnoses for, and recognize foreign animal diseases associated with, dermatologic lesions in small ruminants. Sheep and goat pox are currently considered foreign animal diseases (in the United States) and may cause lesions similar to other endemic diseases of small ruminants including orf, ulcerative dermatosis, bluetongue, and dermatophilosis. Any cases involving unusual dermatologic lesions associated with high morbidity and/or mortality warrant reporting to governmental authorities including USDA APHIS or state regulatory veterinarians for herd or flock investigations. Vigilance on the part of livestock veterinarians and small ruminant producers is of paramount importance in preventing the entry and spread of economically devastating foreign animal diseases.

Diagnosis and management of obstructive urolithiasis in miniature pigs.

This article provides information to assist practitioners in the diagnosis, medical, and surgical management of obstructive urolithiasis in miniature pigs. The article focuses primarily on pigs managed as pets because production swine rarely undergo intensive treatment for urolithiasis. As much as possible, the information in this article is based on published literature, but given the limited number of publications addressing obstructive urolithiasis in pigs, some information is based on the authors' clinical experience. Medical and surgical management of obstructive urolithiasis of pigs is often similar to management in ruminant and small animal species, but differences in swine anatomy, handling, and temperament create unique challenges. Pigs tend to be more difficult to restrain and examine than other livestock and often require heavy sedation or anesthesia to facilitate physical examination and basic diagnostic procedures. Because pigs are monogastrics, some oral treatments used in small animals may be used effectively in pigs. Clinicians should follow AMDUCA and consult the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank prior to extralabel drug use because pet pigs are still considered a major food-producing species in the United States.

Evaluation of the 4-point regional nerve block using 2% lidocaine in sheep.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a single 4-point regional nerve block using 2% lidocaine administered distal to the fetlock of sheep with a single distal limb lameness will result in analgesia of the digits. ANIMALS: Eighteen adult ewes with a single limb lameness originating from distal to the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint were enrolled in the study. PROCEDURES: Digital lameness was confirmed and scored based on clinical examination. Pain associated with digital lesions was assessed in triplicate using a pressure algometer to quantify mechanical nociceptive threshold. The same procedure was repeated on the contralateral limb as a control, and maximum force and time to response recorded. A 4-point regional nerve block was performed using 8 mL of 2% lidocaine. Mechanical nociception was again applied in triplicate to both limbs as described above, by a blinded investigator. Following appropriate medical treatment, the ewe was released and lameness scoring repeated.Median values for pressure and time to withdrawal were determined for affected and control limbs, and differences between pre- and post-lidocaine block measures were compared using Friedman's ANOVA test. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to compare lameness score pre- and post-block. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. MAIN FINDINGS: Application of the 4-point block resulted in a change in pressure required to elicit withdrawal (F-value 17.7; P < 0.0001) as well as time to withdrawal (F-value 20.4; P < 0.0001), for the affected limb as compared to the control limb. Lameness scores decreased following the block (Signed-rank statistic 85.5; P < 0.0001). PRINCIPAL CONCLUSION: The 4-point nerve block resulted in anesthesia of the distal limb in sheep in this clinical model.

Évaluation du bloc nerveux régional en quatre points avec de la lidocaïne à 2 % chez le mouton. OBJECTIF: Déterminer si un seul bloc nerveux régional en quatre points utilisant de la lidocaïne à 2 % administrée distalement du boulet d'un mouton présentant une boiterie d'un seul membre distal entraînera une analgésie des doigts. ANIMAUX: Dix-huit brebis adultes avec une boiterie d'un seul membre provenant de la partie distale de l'articulation métacarpo/métatarsophalangienne ont été incluses dans l'étude. PROCÉDURES: La boiterie digitale a été confirmée et notée sur la base d'un examen clinique. La douleur associée aux lésions digitales a été évaluée en triple à l'aide d'un algomètre à pression pour quantifier le seuil nociceptif mécanique. La même procédure a été répétée sur le membre controlatéral en tant que témoin, et la force maximale et le temps de réponse ont été enregistrés. Un bloc nerveux régional en quatre points a été réalisé avec 8 ml de lidocaïne à 2 %. La nociception mécanique a de nouveau été appliquée en triple exemplaire aux deux membres comme décrit ci-dessus, par un chercheur en aveugle. Suite à un traitement médical approprié, la brebis a été relâchée et le score de boiterie répété.Les valeurs médianes de la pression et du temps de retrait ont été déterminées pour les membres affectés et les membres témoins, et les différences entre les mesures du bloc avant et après le bloc de lidocaïne ont été comparées à l'aide du test ANOVA de Friedman. Le test de Wilcoxon (signed-rank) a été utilisé pour comparer le score de boiterie avant et après le bloc. Le seuil de signification statistique a été fixé à α = 0,05. PRINCIPAUX RÉSULTATS: L'utilisation du bloc à quatre points a entraîné une modification de la pression requise pour déclencher le retrait (valeur F 17,7; P < 0,0001) ainsi que du temps de retrait (valeur F 20,4; P < 0,0001), pour les membres affectées par rapport au membres témoins. Les scores de boiterie ont diminué après le bloc (statistique de Signed-rank 85,5; P < 0,0001). CONCLUSION PRINCIPALE: Le bloc nerveux en quatre points a entraîné une anesthésie du membre distal chez le mouton dans ce modèle clinique.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Traumatic exungulation in cattle: ten cases (1993-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical findings, treatments, and outcomes for cattle with complete traumatic exungulation. ANIMALS: 10 bovines. PROCEDURES: Record databases of 2 teaching hospitals were searched to identify cattle treated for traumatic exungulation between January 1993 and December 2018. Information about signalment, clinical signs and findings, treatment, and outcome was extracted from the records or obtained by telephone communication with the owner. RESULTS: Records for 5 bulls, 4 heifers, and 1 cow with a median age of 2 years (range, 1 day to 10 years) and weight of 379.1 kg (range, 30 to 909.1 kg) were reviewed. Duration of clinical signs ranged from ≤ 24 hours to 3.5 days. Five of 7 animals had a lameness score > 3/5. Complete exungulation occurred in 6 medial digits (3 hind limbs and 3 forelimbs) and 5 lateral digits (1 hind limb and 4 forelimbs); 1 calf had complete exungulation of both digits of a forelimb. Treatments included bandaging (n = 9), antimicrobials (9), anti-inflammatories (8), hoof block application to the adjacent digit (7), regional anesthesia (6), cast application (4), curettage of the third phalanx (3), regional antimicrobial perfusion (1), and local application of antimicrobial-impregnated beads (1). All 7 cattle with long-term (≥ 9 months) information available returned to their intended function; 6 had no residual lameness, and 3 required regular corrective trimming of the affected digit. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested the prognosis for long-term survival and return to intended function is fair to good for cattle with complete exungulation.

Investigation of neonatal disorders in New World camelids and factors associated with death during and after hospitalization of affected crias.

OBJECTIVE: To assess signalment, clinical findings, and treatments for New World camelids (NWCs) hospitalized for evaluation and treatment of neonatal disorders and investigate associations between these factors and death during and after hospitalization. ANIMALS: 267 NWCs ≤ 30 days of age. PROCEDURES: Medical records of a veterinary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed to identify NWCs admitted for evaluation and treatment of neonatal disorders between 2000 and 2010. Signalment, physical examination data, diagnostic findings, treatments, and outcomes were recorded. Factors were examined for association with death during hospitalization and the overall hazard of death by use of multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analysis, respectively. RESULTS: The sample comprised alpacas (n = 255) and llamas (12). Median age at admission was 3 days, and median hospitalization time was 2 days; 208 of the 267 (77.9%) neonatal NWCs survived to hospital discharge. Factors associated with increased odds of death during hospitalization included prematurity or dysmaturity, hypothermia, sepsis, toxic changes in neutrophils, and undergoing surgery. The odds of death during hospitalization also increased as anion gap increased. After discharge, 151 of 176 (85.8%) animals had follow-up information available (median follow-up time, 2,932 days); 126 (83%) were alive and 25 (17%) had died. Prematurity or dysmaturity, congenital defects, sepsis, oxygen administration, and undergoing surgery as a neonate were associated with an increased hazard of death; the hazard of death also increased as serum chloride concentration at the time of hospitalization increased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested the prognosis for survival during and after hospitalization is good for most NWCs hospitalized because of neonatal disorders.

Regional and Distant Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Male Castrated Llama: A Case Report.

A 19-year-old male castrated llama presented with a 3-year history of tooth root abscesses and an osseous mass on the left mandible. Surgical excision of the affected teeth and mass was performed, and histopathologic review indicated that the mass was an oral squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was admitted to the hospital again 4 months later in severe respiratory distress with submandibular edema, and bicavitary effusion. Necropsy results revealed regional and distant metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in a Domestic Yak.

Owners of a juvenile domestic yak elected bilateral ovariectomy to prevent future reproduction. The yak was noted to be healthy at presentation. Both ovaries were removed using a laparoscopic approach as follows: after induction and maintenance of general inhalant anesthesia, 15 degrees Trendelenburg positioning was required to view the ovaries. Ovariectomy was conducted within a surgical time of 50 minutes. Due to the small ovarian size, portal enlargement was not necessary for removal. Mild hemorrhage from the left ovarian pedicle was controlled with application of a vessel-sealing device. Postoperative complications were not encountered during hospitalization. At 12 months following surgery, the yak was healthy, and the owner was highly satisfied with the procedure. The described approach was successful for performing laparoscopic ovariectomy in a juvenile yak. Positioning for surgery was similar to other small ruminant species. Further case enrollment is needed to optimize the surgical approach and better describe clinical outcomes.

Combined tube cystostomy and urethrotomy for the treatment of urethral obstruction due to urolithiasis in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the treatment of goats with urethral obstruction secondary to urolithiasis by combining tube cystostomy and urethrotomy. ANIMALS: Eight male goats. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. METHODS: Medical records (September 2012-September 2017) of male goats treated for obstruction secondary to urolithiasis with tube cystostomy and urethrotomy were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, history, physical examination findings, diagnostic results, perioperative treatments, operative details, hospitalization duration, intraoperative and postoperative complications, urolith analysis, and time to restoration of urethral patency. Long-term follow-up (>12 months) was obtained by email or telephone interviews of owners or by clinical examination. RESULTS: Seven of eight goats were castrated males of various of breeds. All goats were tachycardic with urethral pulsation at admission. Uroliths were composed of calcium carbonate in four goats and silica in one goat. All goats regained urethral patency during hospitalization, and all were discharged alive from the hospital. Seven goats were alive at long-term follow-up. Postoperative complications included persistent urethral obstruction requiring a second urethrotomy 2 days postoperatively, premature dislodgement of the bladder catheter and jejunal obstruction secondary to adhesions, and recurrence of obstructive urolithiasis within the proximal perineal urethra requiring a second surgery 8 months later (1 each). Long-term outcome was good, with urethral patency beyond 12 months in six of eight goats. CONCLUSION: Combining tube cystostomy and urethrotomy restored urethral patency in goats with urethral obstruction from uroliths. Although none of the complications seemed directly related to the urethrotomy, formation of abdominal adhesions and recurrence of urolithiasis affected long-term outcomes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Uroliths that do not dissolve in acidic urine may be more frequent in some practices. The combined approach of tube cystostomy and urethrotomy appears to successfully restore urethral patency with promising long-term outcomes.

Frontal sinusitis in adult beef bulls: 18 cases (1999-2014).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize frontal sinusitis unrelated to standard dehorning procedures in adult beef bulls. ANIMALS: 18 beef bulls > 2 years of age treated for frontal sinusitis at a veterinary medical teaching hospital between May 1999 and May 2014. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed. Information obtained for each bull included signalment, history, findings from physical examination and diagnostic procedures, treatment, and survival to discharge. Long-term follow-up (≥ 1 year) was obtained from owners by telephone. RESULTS: 18 bulls were included, and 17 were bucking bulls. Median age and duration of signs were 4.5 years and 23 days, respectively. The most common owner complaints were nonspecific signs (eg, separation from the herd, hypo- or anorexia, and weight loss; n = 10) and suspected horn or sinus infection (7). Only 8 bulls had nasal discharge, and only 7 of the 17 bulls for which the rectal temperature was recorded were febrile. Results of radiography indicated frontal sinusitis in 12 of 13 bulls, with increased opacity of the affected sinus (n = 11) noted most commonly. Seventeen bulls were discharged from the hospital alive. Long-term follow-up was obtained for 14 bulls, including 13 bucking bulls. All 14 bulls recovered fully, and 9 of the 13 bucking bulls performed well after treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that frontal sinusitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in beef cattle examined for nonspecific clinical signs and that, with appropriate treatment, the prognosis is good for long-term survival in affected beef cattle.

Evaluation of prognostic indicators for goats with pregnancy toxemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate potential prognostic indicators for does with pregnancy toxemia (PT) and their offspring. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 56 does. PROCEDURES: Medical records were searched to identify does with PT. Signalment, history, clinical signs, examination findings, treatments, number of offspring present, and duration of hospitalization for does as well as outcome (death vs survival to hospital discharge) for does and their kids were recorded. Variables of interest were examined for association with outcome by contingency table analyses. RESULTS: Boer goats were overrepresented, compared with the general population of goats for the facility in the last year of the study. Most (15/36) does had appropriate body condition scores. All pregnancies involved twins (11/56), triplets (37), or quadruplets (7). Neutrophilia (26/26) and hyperglycemia (32/40) were common in does. Most (39/56) does survived to hospital discharge. Does with high BUN concentration and those with serum bicarbonate concentration < 15 mEq/L were more likely to die than does without these findings. Forty-nine does survived to delivery of offspring; survival to discharge for these does was positively associated with outcome of their offspring. Among offspring of dams that survived to their delivery, twins had a higher survival rate than quadruplets. Death was more likely for offspring delivered by cesarean section than for those delivered vaginally. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested Boers were more likely to develop PT than goats of other breeds in the population examined at the study hospital. In contrast with other studies, hyperglycemia was common in affected does. Further research is needed to confirm associations with outcome identified in this study.

Clostridial Abomasitis and Enteritis in Ruminants.

Clostridial abomasitis and enteritis are important alimentary diseases observed in all domestic ruminant species. These diseases most commonly result from overgrowth of Clostridium perfringens types A, B, C, D, and E with the associated release of bacterial exotoxins that result in necrosis of the abomasal or intestinal mucosa. Clostridium difficile may also be associated with enteritis in calves but is much less common than disease caused by C perfringens. This article reviews the causes, pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of clostridial gastrointestinal diseases in ruminants. Particular emphasis is given to describing the various forms of disease and treatment of individual cases.

Pharmacokinetics of ampicillin-sulbactam in serum and synovial fluid samples following regional intravenous perfusion in the distal portion of a hind limb of adult cattle.

OBJECTIVE To describe concentration-over-time data for ampicillin and sulbactam in the digital and systemic circulations and synovial fluid (SYN) of cattle following a single injection of ampicillin-sulbactam as a regional IV perfusion (RIVP). ANIMALS 6 healthy adult nonlactating Jersey-crossbred cows. PROCEDURES The right hind limb of each cow was aseptically prepared. A tourniquet was applied around the midmetatarsal region, and 1.0 g of ampicillin with 0.5 g of sulbactam in a combined formulation was administered as an RIVP into the dorsal common digital vein (DCDV). Blood samples from the DCDV and jugular vein and SYN samples from the metatarsophalangeal joint of the prepared limb were collected immediately before and at predetermined times for 24 hours after RIVP. One blood sample was obtained from the abaxial proper plantar vein of the lateral digit of the prepared limb 0.25 hours after RIVP. Serum and SYN ampicillin and sulbactam concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS Mean ± SD maximum concentration of ampicillin in SYN and serum obtained from the abaxial proper plantar and jugular veins was 1,995 ± 1,011 µg/mL, 5,422 ± 1,953 µg/mL, and 2.5 ± 1.6 µg/mL, respectively. Corresponding serum and SYN concentrations of sulbactam were lower but followed the same pattern over time as those for ampicillin. Synovial fluid ampicillin concentration remained above 8 µg/mL for a mean time of 18.9 hours. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Potentially therapeutic concentrations of ampicillin were achieved in regional serum and SYN samples; SYN concentrations remained at potentially therapeutic values for > 12 hours following RIVP of 1.5 g of ampicillin-sulbactam in the hind limb of healthy cows.

Retrograde catheterization of the urinary bladder in healthy male goats by use of angiographic catheters.

OBJECTIVE To identify and evaluate 3 types of angiographic catheters for retrograde urinary bladder catheterization in healthy male goats. ANIMALS 12 sexually intact yearling Alpine-cross bucks. PROCEDURES Three 5F angiographic catheters of the same length (100 cm) and diameter (0.17 cm) but differing in curvature at the tip were labeled A (straight tip), B (tip bent in 1 place), and C (tip bent in 2 places). During a single anesthetic episode, attempts were made to blindly pass each catheter into the urinary bladder of each goat. Order of catheters used was randomized, and the veterinarian passing the catheter was blinded as to catheter identity. The total number of attempts at catheter passage and the total number of successful attempts were recorded. RESULTS Catheter A was unsuccessfully passed in all 12 goats, catheter B was successfully passed in 8 goats, and catheter C was successfully passed in 4 goats. The success rate for catheter B was significantly greater than that for catheter A; however, no significant difference was identified between catheters B and C or catheters A and C. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE 2 angiographic catheters were identified that could be successfully, blindly advanced in a retrograde direction into the urinary bladder of healthy sexually intact male goats. Such catheters may be useful for determining urethral patency, emptying the urinary bladder, and instilling chemolysing agents in goats with clinical obstructive urolithiasis.

Congenital isolated cleft mitral valve leaflet and apical muscular ventricular septal defect in a Holstein calf.

A 5-week-old Holstein heifer calf presented for emergency treatment of signs referable to gastrointestinal disease and hypovolemic shock. Fluid resuscitation uncovered clinical signs of primary cardiac disease and echocardiography revealed multiple congenital cardiac defects. Malformations included a cleft anterior mitral valve leaflet resembling an isolated cleft mitral valve and an apically-located muscular ventricular septal defect. The echocardiographic and postmortem findings associated with these defects are presented and discussed in this report.

Nephroureterectomy and ureteroneocystostomy in an alpaca with bilateral ectopic ureters diagnosed by computed tomographic excretory urography.

OBJECTIVE: To report diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence in a female Huacaya alpaca. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMALS: Female intact Huacaya alpaca (n = 1) METHODS: Computed tomographic (CT) excretory urography and vaginourethrography were performed to diagnose the cause of urinary incontinence. RESULTS: Bilateral ectopic ureters and left hydronephrosis and hydroureter were diagnosed. Left nephroureterectomy and right ureteroneocystostomy were performed with subsequent resolution of clinical signs. Pyelonephritis was identified by culture of the resected left kidney. CONCLUSIONS: CT excretory urography was helpful in the diagnosis of bilateral ectopic ureters in an alpaca and provided information for surgical planning. Surgical repair by ureteroneocystostomy and unilateral nephroureterectomy was successful in resolving clinical signs.

Bacteremia in the pedal circulation following regional intravenous perfusion of a 2% lidocaine solution in cattle with deep digital sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether pedal bacteremia develops following regional IV perfusion (RIVP) of a 2% lidocaine hydrochloride solution in cattle with deep digital sepsis (DDS) and to determine which bacterial pathogens are most commonly isolated from the pedal circulation. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. ANIMALS: 9 adult cattle with DDS in 10 limbs and 10 healthy adult cattle with no evidence of lameness or digital infection. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were obtained aseptically from the dorsal common digital vein immediately following tourniquet application and 30 to 60 minutes after aseptic RIVP with a 2% lidocaine solution. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures were performed on all samples collected. For cattle with DDS, clinical examination with or without debridement of digital lesions was performed after RIVP. RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from pedal blood prior to RIVP in 1 cow with DDS and after RIVP and examination with or without debridement in that cow and 4 additional cattle with DDS. Bacteria were not isolated from any blood sample obtained from the healthy cattle. Of the 8 bacterial isolates identified, 5 were gram-positive facultative anaerobes. Cattle with DDS were significantly more likely to develop bacteremia in the pedal circulation than were healthy cattle following RIVP. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that bacteremia may be present in the pedal circulation before and following RIVP and examination with or without debridement in cattle with DDS. Thus, systemic or local antimicrobial treatment might be warranted prior to or concurrently with RIVP in cattle with DDS.

Cantharidin toxicosis in 2 alpacas.

Two adult alpacas were presented for recumbency and reluctance to rise. Cantharidin toxicosis was suspected based on clinical and ancillary diagnostic findings. The diagnosis was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of gastric contents and urine. Despite medical treatment, neither alpaca survived. Blister beetle toxicosis has not been previously described in camelids. Challenges in treatment of affected ruminants or pseudoruminants are noted.

Toxicose à la cantharidine chez 2 alpagas. Deux alpagas adultes ont été présentés pour décubitus et une réticence à se lever. La toxicose à la cantharidine a été soupçonnée en se fondant sur des résultats diagnostiques cliniques et auxiliaires. Le diagnostic a été confirmé par chromatographie en phase gazeuse et spectromètre de masse du contenu gastrique et de l'urine. Malgré un traitement médical, les deux alpagas n'ont pas survécu. La toxicose aux cantharides n'avait pas été décrite antérieurement chez les camélidés. Les difficultés du traitement des ruminants ou des pseudoruminants sont signalées.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).