Fibropapillomatosis in a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Trinidad.

A case of fibropapillomatosis in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is described. This appears to be the first confirmed report from Trinidad. The animal had multiple external tumours but there was no macroscopical or microscopical evidence of internal lesions.

Fibropapillomatosis in a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Trinidad.

A case of fibropapillomatosis in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is described. This appears to be the first confirmed report from Trinidad. The animal had multiple external tumours but there was no macroscopical or microscopical evidence of internal lesions.

Bovine epigastric heteropagus in Trinidad and Tobago: a case study

Congenital duplications are common causes of dystocia in farm animals, especially in cattle. Heteropagus or conjoined asymmetric twins can be differentiated into a dominant and a parasitic twin, which can be classified further by the development of the parasitic twin and its anatomical attachment to the dominant twin (autosite). In epigastric heteropagus, the parasitic twin is attached to the autosite in the epigastric area. Epigastric heteropagus is a very rare condition in all species, but it has previously been reported in human beings (Chadhaand others 1993). There have been no reports of heteropagus in cattle in Trinidad and Tobago, and there is a paucity of information on bovine epigastric heteropagus in the literature. Reports of congenital abnormalities in Trinidad include craniopagus in a calf (Isitor and Adogwa 1992), perosomus elumbus in a goat (Cazabon and others 1994) and cephalothoracopagus in sheep (Cazabon and Adogwa 2003). The interest in congenital abnormalities lies mainly in the aetiology and its implications, such as genetic defects and environmental toxins. This short communication describes the firstcase of epigastric heteropagus in cattle reported in Trinidad and Tobago.

Suspected ketorolac toxicosis in a dog

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also have analgesic and anti-pyretic properties. Ketorolac tromethamine (ketorolac) is a potent NSAID which is used mainly for its analgesic properties in humans. Ketorolac is also available as a registered veterinary pharmaceutical product in Trinidad. Off-label use of NSAIDs in dogs has been documented and is occasionally used in small animal practice in Trinidad. Six days after the treatment with ketorolac tablets (5 milligram) once daily for five days, a 20 kilogram (kg) mixed breed female dog was presented to the Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, Trinidad. A grave prognosis was given based on the clinical signs of anorexia, hematemesis, very pale mucous membranes, melanoma and lateral recumbency. The animal was euthanised and submitted for necroscopy. Severe hemorrhage (140 millilitres) from gastric ulcerations, and multi-focal hepatic necrosis was found on necroscopy. Histopathology reinforced the hypothesis of ketorolac toxicosis causing gastric ulceration. Also noteworthy was a predominantly lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate accompanying a peri-acinar hepatic necrosis. Ketorolac is conjugated by the liver to an inactive metabolite and excreted by the kidney. Data from human and canine studies have consistently recorded gastric ulcerations as a side effect of this drug. Concurrent hepatic disease may have prolonged its duration of activity, thereby increasing the incidence and/or the severity of side effects. Contra-indications for the use of this drug in humans and animals include renal disease, cardiac disease, concurrent gastro-intestinal ulceration, dehydration and shock, but not hepatic disease/insufficiency (AU)