Normal radiographic and ultrasonographic appearance of the adult dromedary camel tarsus (one humped camel).

Six cadaver pelvic limbs were obtained from clinically sound dromedary camels and examined radiographically and ultrasonographically using a 7.5 MHz convex transducer. Radiographic examination was performed in dorsoplantar, lateromedial, dorsolateral-plantaromedial oblique and plantarolateral-dorsomedial oblique projections, and the bony structures and articulations of the tarsal joint were outlined. The tarsus was ultrasonographically investigated in four planes (dorsal, medial, lateral and plantar), and each plane was scrutinized in four levels (calcaneal tuber, tibial malleoli, base of calcaneus and proximal end of metatarsus) in both transverse and longitudinal views. Limbs were examined grossly, frozen at -20°C and sectioned. Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings correlated well with the gross anatomy and frozen sections. The normal appearance of bony and soft structures of the tarsus described in this study provided basic reference data for ultrasonographic and radiographic investigations of tarsal disorders in the dromedary camel.

Computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy of the normal dromedary camel tarsus (one humped camel).

The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed computed tomographic (CT) anatomic reference for the dromedary camel tarsus. Six cadaver pelvic limbs, obtained from three clinically and radiographically sound dromedary camels, were scanned in both soft tissue and bone windows starting from the calcaneal tuber towards the proximal metatarsus. Limbs were frozen at -20°C and sectioned transversely via an electric bone saw. The CT images were evaluated and correlated with their corresponding cryosections. The resulting images provided detailed anatomic features for bones, joints and soft tissue components of the tarsus and are intended to serve as a basic reference for the CT scanning of the dromedary camel tarsal pathology.

Abortions, stillbirths and deformities in sheep at the Al-Ahsa oasis in eastern Saudi Arabia: isolation of a bluetongue serogroup virus from the affected lambs.

A wave of abortions, stillbirths and deformities in sheep occurred at the Al-Ahsa oasis in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia in the second half of 1999. The abortions were recorded in August and September and stillbirths and deformities in neonates were observed in October. Adult sheep were clinically normal. A virus was isolated in chicken embryos, adapted to Vero cell culture and further identified as bluetongue (BT) virus. The virus isolated was not neutralised by the Akabane virus. Reference hyperimmune serum against antibodies to BT virus detected in the sera of the dams gave positive results for BT but negative results for both Akabane and bovine viral diarrhoea virus. It was concluded that the outbreak was caused by a virus of the BT serogroup. The authors present the clinico-pathological and epidemiological situation of the disease outbreak.

An eruptive moderate form of camelpox infection in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Saudi Arabia.

An eruptive moderate form of camelpox infection is reported in camels aged three to four years from the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. The clinical signs were moderate in nature (between the 'mild' and the 'severe' form). The morbidity rate was 100% while the case fatality rate was 0%. Camelpox virus was isolated and identified using electron microscopy and serological analysis.

A dicephalic goat with other defects.

A case of dicephalus was reported in a black-coat female goat kid which survived for 18 h. The head was joined at the level with the axis. The trunk was single and the kid stood on four legs. The goat had duplication of the oesophagus, the heart, the lungs, the spleen and the liver. The associated defects were in the form of polycystic kidneys, unilateral atlanto-occipital fusion and pervious urachus.

Ectopic mammary tissue in the vulva of goats.

Ectopic mammary tissue was described in ten goats belonging to the Nubian and Syrian breeds. This consisted of multiple cavitations containing white milky fluid, which greatly resembled milk in colour, odour and composition. Histologically, the tissue was composed of alveoli lined by cuboidal epithelium and contained pinkish staining secretion. Surgical removal of the tissue was achieved without complications.

Bilateral scrotal hysterocele in an intersex goat.

A bilateral scrotal hysterocele is described in a male pseudohermaphrodite goat. The surgically removed tests were devoid of spermatogenic cells. Serum androgens showed normal levels before surgery but dropped following removal of the gonads.

Squamous cell carcinoma in sheep in Saudi Arabia.

Squamous cell carcinoma was recorded in 22 Nadji and 3 Maeimi sheep aged 3-6 years, of which 22 were females. Sixteen tumours involved the eyes, 7 occurred in the skin at different body sites, one developed in the ear and another in the rectum. In five cases secondary deposits were seen in the lymph nodes, nasal passages and upper lip. Surgical treatment was successful in the early stages of tumour development, but in advanced cases recurrences were noted. Histologically the tumours were typical for squamous cell carcinoma and most of them were well differentiated. Solar radiation was pointed out as a possible factor in the aetioloy of the tumour.

Genital bovine papillomavirus infection in Saudi Arabia.

Genital bovine papillomavirus infection was observed for the first time in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. The disease involved 1 female and 2 male 2-4-year-old crossbred cattle. Fibropapillomas (warts) were limited to the prepuce and vulva. Electron micrographs of thin sections of the lesions revealed the presence of intranuclear viruslike particles. Using a broadly cross-reactive rabbit polyclonal antiserum directed against papillomavirus group-specific antigens, the infection was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded tissues to be due to a papillomavirus. Staining with a series of monoclonal antibodies of various specificities indicated that the virus was bovine papillomavirus type 1. Attempts to propagate the virus by inoculation of tumor homogenates onto chorioallantoic membranes of chicken embryos were unsuccessful.

Aetiology of an actinomycosis-like abscess in cattle.

Arachnia propionica was isolated from an abscess resembling actinomycosis in a four-year-old crossbred cow. The properties of the organism were described in comparison with closely related organisms.

A functioning udder in a male goat.

A functioning udder is described in a 7-year-old Nubian male goat. The defect was not observed in any of his several off-spring. His semen had few dead sperm and his serum testosterone level was low. The udder was removed surgically. Histologically, the udder showed dense connective tissue lobules composed of acinar or tubulo-acinar structures and the teat orifice had no muscle sphincter.

Intersexuality in goats.

Six cases of intersex goats were investigated. Five of these animals had testicular tissues (testes) situated prepubically inside a skin pouch. The testicular tissues of the sixth goat were attached to the sides of the urinary bladder. All of the four animals that were studied by radiography, surgical exploration and/or pathology had uterine tubular structures but no ovarian tissues were found in them. Thus at least four of these goats were male pseudohermaphrodites.

Malignant melanoma in goats: a clinico-pathological study.

The clinicopathological features of 62 cases of malignant melanoma in goats in Sudan are described. The tumours occurred most frequently in grey or brown goats. The predilection site was the perineum. The tumour invaded locally and metastasized through lymphatics and blood vessels. Surgical excision of the tumour was followed or preceded by lymphadenectomy in some cases. The tumour was highly malignant and carried a poor prognosis. Possible aetiological factors are discussed.

Chronic obstructive mastitis in the camel. A clinicopathological study.

Unilateral chronic mastitis in three she camels was due to obstruction of the teat canal by keratin. This lead to dilatation of the ducts, retention of milk and secondary bacterial infection. The teat canals and dilated ducts were lined by stratified squamous epithelium. There was excessive periductal fibrosis. Pasteurella hemolytica was isolated from one animal and Staphylococcus aureus from another. The fluid from the third animal was sterile. The condition was treated successfully by surgical amputation of the affected halves of the udder.

Disturbance in the growth of the tibia and femur in dogs.

The clinical and radiographic features associated with premature cessation of the growth of the tibia (four) and femur (eight) in 12 dogs are described. Surgical correction of the resultant deformity was possible in only a few cases. Trauma was thought to be the cause of the local growth plate disorder.