The effect of general anaesthesia with isoflurane and halothane on serum concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in healthy dromedary camels was determined. Six healthy female camels were premedicated with xylazine and anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and maintained with either isoflurane (isoflurane group, n=6) or halothane (halothane group, n=6). A washout period of 2 weeks was allowed between the two anaesthetic protocols. Nine blood samples (T0-T8) were obtained from each camel in heparinised tubes to determine arterial and venous blood gases and pH, and in plain tubes to obtain serum for cTnI analysis. Blood samples were collected immediately before anaesthesia (T0), 20min after xylazine administration (T1), 20min after ketamine administration (T2), 60min of inhalation anaesthesia (T3), 40 and 80min during recovery (T4 and T5) and 24, 48 and 72h after recovery (T6-T8). In isoflurane group, serum cTnI concentrations did not rise above 0.04ng/mL. On the other hand, in halothane group, serum cTnI concentrations increased markedly after 40 and 80min of recovery to be 0.20 and 0.47ng/mL, respectively. Serum cTnI concentrations remained significantly elevated at 24h and 48h after recovery. Comparing halothane group to isoflurane group, mean serum concentration of halothane cTnI was significantly higher at 40 and 80min of recovery and at 24h and 48h after recovery. In conclusion this study proved that halothane has marked effect on cardiomyocytes in healthy camels compared to isoflurane. Therefore, the use of halothane should be restricted in camels with suspected cardiac diseases.

The following case report describes the diagnosis and surgery of bilateral polydactyly of unknown origin in a dromedary camel. A two-year-old, 290 kg, intact female camel was admitted for surgical removal of bilateral supernumerary digits associated with the medial aspects of the metacarpi and proximal to the fetlock joints. Radiographic examination revealed bilateral polydactyly with complete fusion of metacarpal bones. Surgery consisted of an osteotomy of surplus metacarpal bones combined with amputation of the supernumerary digits. The follow-up at 12 months after surgery revealed a sound camel with an excellent cosmetic outcome.

The purpose of this study was to establish puncture techniques of the forelimb joints in dromedary camels. Ten clinically healthy female camels, 6-9 years old, were used in this study. Two camels were euthanized, preserved with 10% formalin solution and used to determine the appropriate site/sites for puncturing the joints. In addition, barium sulfate was intra-articularly injected for contrast radiography to determine the joint capsule outlines. Joints of the forelimbs were aseptically punctured in the remaining eight camels. In general, puncturing of the interphalangeal, fetlock, intercarpal, and radiocarpal joints was very easy (grade 1) compared to the puncturing of the shoulder and elbow joints (grade 2). The approaches and puncture techniques were established for each joint as well as for contrast radiography, and are described in detail. The approaches for camels are somewhat different from those for horses and cattle. In conclusion, puncturing and contrast arthrography of the forelimb joints could be performed in adult dromedary camels and could be of clinical relevance in the diagnosis and treatment of some joint disorders.

Of 222 infertile Arabian mares, unilateral ovarian enlargement was detected in three cases. Ultrasonography suggested the presence of ovarian tumours. Blood samples were taken for hormonal analysis, and the mares underwent surgery for ovarian exploration. Ovarian specimens were processed for microscopic examination. On histopathology, an adult-type granulosa cell tumour (GCT), a mixed germ cell tumour and a lowgrade Sertoli cell tumour were diagnosed. The GCT (6.5 cm in diameter) was rounded and cystic, with a central hypoechogenic area. The ovarian tissue was entirely replaced by polygonal neoplastic cells. The mixed germ cell tumour (15.3 cm in diameter) was hard and non-homogeneous. The ovary contained insular patterns of round, oval or spindle cells with myxomatous and hyalinised stroma. The stroma also contained osteoid tissue. The ovarian low-grade Sertoli cell tumour (19×20 cm) was a solid, fairly round homogeneously echogenic structure. The ovarian tissue was completely replaced by aggregated tubules lined by Sertoli-type cells surrounded by abundant fibrous stroma. The three types of tumours secreted relatively low levels of estradiol 17β and progesterone, whereas the level of inhibin-B was extremely high in the case of the Sertoli cell tumour. In conclusion, this study described three types of ovarian tumours causing infertility in Arabian mares. Furthermore, the Sertoli cell tumour is described here for the first time in mares.

Of 222 infertile Arabian mares, unilateral ovarian enlargement was detected in three cases. Ultrasonography suggested the presence of ovarian tumours. Blood samples were taken for hormonal analysis, and the mares underwent surgery for ovarian exploration. Ovarian specimens were processed for microscopic examination. On histopathology, an adult-type granulosa cell tumour (GCT), a mixed germ cell tumour and a lowgrade Sertoli cell tumour were diagnosed. The GCT (6.5 cm in diameter) was rounded and cystic, with a central hypoechogenic area. The ovarian tissue was entirely replaced by polygonal neoplastic cells. The mixed germ cell tumour (15.3 cm in diameter) was hard and non-homogeneous. The ovary contained insular patterns of round, oval or spindle cells with myxomatous and hyalinised stroma. The stroma also contained osteoid tissue. The ovarian low-grade Sertoli cell tumour (19×20 cm) was a solid, fairly round homogeneously echogenic structure. The ovarian tissue was completely replaced by aggregated tubules lined by Sertoli-type cells surrounded by abundant fibrous stroma. The three types of tumours secreted relatively low levels of estradiol 17β and progesterone, whereas the level of inhibin-B was extremely high in the case of the Sertoli cell tumour. In conclusion, this study described three types of ovarian tumours causing infertility in Arabian mares. Furthermore, the Sertoli cell tumour is described here for the first time in mares.

Objective was to evaluate halothane as an inhalation anaesthetic after premedication with xylazine and induction with ketamine in camels. Six healthy, adult female dromedary camels were used as prospective controlled study. Camels were premedicated with xylazine (0.2 mg/kg, IV). Twenty minutes later, anaesthesia was induced with ketamine (2 mg/kg, IV) and was maintained with halothane in 100% oxygen. Onset and duration of anaesthesia were recorded. Rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen haemoglobin saturation, and systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure were measured before and 20 min after administration of xylazine and then every 10 min until recovery. Lead II electrocardiogram was used to constantly monitor camels for presence of arrhythmias. Depth of anaesthesia was determined by recording reflexes. Venous and arterial blood samples were taken for haematological examination and blood gases and pH, respectively, at the same intervals. Results revealed a significant decrease in respiratory rate after xylazine and ketamine administration and significant decrease in rectal temperature and arterial blood pressure during halothane anaesthesia. A noticeable increase in the heart and respiratory rates was observed during halothane anaesthesia if compared to xylazine/ketamine values. However, the percentage of oxygen haemoglobin saturation and arterial pO2 increased significantly with significant decrease in arterial pH during halothane anaesthesia. There were non-significant changes in the CBC values. The quality of anaesthesia was good in the majority of camels and recovery ranged from marginal to excellent. In conclusions, halothane resulted in good maintenance of anaesthesia and marginal to excellent recovery in dromedary camels. Precautions should be taken to avoid ruminal regurgitation. Oxygen administration is recommended during early recovery.

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The present work was carried out on 20 specimens of both sexes of Nile catfish in order to observe the morphological and histological as well as the fine structure of fundic gland region of the stomach. The present study demonstrated the presence of folded mucosa in the fundic region of the stomach and its surface epithelium was lined by simple columnar mucosecretory cells. The lamina propria contained simple tubular branched glands. The fundic glands were made up of oxyntico-peptic cells. The glandular cells were positive to PAS and negative to Alcian blue and showed strong positive activity for acid phosphatase. The electron microscopic examination revealed that the oxyntico-peptic cells contained a dense tubulovesicular system that may participate in hydrochloric acid production, in addition to the extensive presence of mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi complex is involved in the formation of secretory or zymogen granules. Oval to round- shaped enteroendocrine cells were scattered among the glandular and superficial columnar cells, which stained positive to Grimelius stain. The glands were surrounded by collagenous fibers and smooth muscle fibers