Objectives of this study were to record, classify and describe cutaneous and ocular neoplasms of sheep and goats as well as their diagnosis after surgical excision, and to determine the link of tumor occurrence with breed, sex, age, fleece or coat color, and tumor location. Clinical cases (n = 104) of tumors (sheep = 89, goats = 15) were presented for surgical treatment. Sheep and goats with tumors were subjected to detailed study including breed, age, sex, and fleece or coat color of the animal, case history, gross and microscopic appearance of the tumor, surgical treatment, and postoperative care. Five different types of tumors were diagnosed in sheep and goats namely; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant melanoma, lipoma, fibroma, and fibrosarcoma. Mixed tumors in the form of SCC with melanoma were also recorded. Tumors were frequent in females and were observed in two sheep breeds (Awassi and Najdi) and in Ardi goats. Detailed gross and microscopic descriptions of neoplasms were cited. Predilection sites of neoplasia in sheep were on the ear(s), eye and eyelids, shoulder region, on the back, flank region, lateral to the umbilicus, lateral to the udder, on the udder, hind limbs, and on the inner aspect of the tail. Tumors in goats were present on the eye and eyelids, base of the horn, carpus, udder, anus, perineum, vulva, and both anus and vulva. In conclusion, SCC and malignant melanoma were prevalent neoplasms in sheep and goats, respectively. Ocular SCC was frequent in Najdi sheep that have white colored head; however, SCC was frequent in the flank and tail of Awassi sheep that have white colored trunk. Ovine and caprine neoplasms were prevalent in females and at ages of 4–6 years and 3–6 years, respectively.

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This study is aimed to document the normal measurements of different ocular components of 24 adult live dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using B-mode ultrasonography. Corneal thickness measured was 0.9±0.2 mm at the centre and 1.2±0.03 mm at the periphery. Anterior chamber depth was 2.3±0.1, while vitreous depth was 15.6±0.2 mm. Lens thickness and diameter were 9.6±0.1 mm and 15.8±0.4 mm, respectively. Globe axial length was 29.8±0.3 mm; whereas the sagittal length was 33±0.3 mm. Camel eye was aspherical and appeared to be smaller than that of cattle and horse. Corneal thickness differed significantly with the eye-side, sex and age. Ocular axial and sagittal readings differed significantly with sex and age; however, lens diameter differed with age.

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Objective—To determine the effects of 3 commercially available, orally administered electrolyte solutions (OAEs) on abomasal luminal pH and emptying rate in dairy calves, compared with the effect of orally administered milk replacer. Design—Randomized crossover study. Animals—6 male dairy calves (age, 12 to 31 days). Procedures—Calves were surgically instrumented with an abomasal cannula and were administered 4 treatments in randomized order: all-milk protein milk replacer, high-glucose high-bicarbonate OAE, high-glucose high-bicarbonate OAE containing glycine, and low-glucose OAE containing acetate and propionate. Abomasal luminal pH was measured with a miniature glass pH electrode prior to treatment administration and every second afterward for 24 hours. Results—Feeding of orally administered milk replacer resulted in a rapid increase in mean abomasal luminal pH from 1.3 to 5.8, followed by a gradual decrease to preprandial values by 8 hours afterward (mean 24-hour pH, 3.2). High-glucose high-bicarbonate OAEs caused a large and sustained increase from 1.3 to 7.5 (mean 24-hour pH, 4.1 for the solution without glycine and 3.5 for the solution with glycine). In contrast, feeding of the acetate-containing OAE was followed by only a mild and transient increase (mean 24-hour pH, 2.1); luminal pH returned to preprandial values by 3 hours after ingestion. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ingestion of a bicarbonate-containing OAE resulted in sustained abomasal alkalinization in dairy calves. Because persistently high abomasal luminal pH may facilitate growth of enteropathogenic bacteria, administration of OAEs containing a high bicarbonate concentration (> 70mM) is not recommended for calves with diarrhea. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;241:1075–1082)

A 10-year-old, clinically healthy, male dromedary camel had presented a history of progressive unilateral testicular enlargement over the past 5 years. The animal had mated with 32 females during that period; all had conceived. The sex ratio of his offspring was one male to 31 females. Ultrasound examination of the right testicle revealed a diffusely heterogeneous parenchyma with no identifiable normal testicular tissue. The enlarged testicle was surgically removed. Macroscopically, the testicle had a glistening pink surface and contained multiple soft, bulging nodules. Histopathologically, a well-differentiated, diffuse seminoma was diagnosed. In conclusion, this study describes the fertility, sex ratio, clinical findings and ultrasonographic imaging in a male dromedary camel affected with unilateral testicular seminoma.

A 10-year-old, clinically healthy, male dromedary camel had presented a history of progressive unilateral testicular enlargement over the past 5 years. The animal had mated with 32 females during that period; all had conceived. The sex ratio of his offspring was one male to 31 females. Ultrasound examination of the right testicle revealed a diffusely heterogeneous parenchyma with no identifiable normal testicular tissue. The enlarged testicle was surgically removed. Macroscopically, the testicle had a glistening pink surface and contained multiple soft, bulging nodules. Histopathologically, a well-differentiated, diffuse seminoma was diagnosed. In conclusion, this study describes the fertility, sex ratio, clinical findings and ultrasonographic imaging in a male dromedary camel affected with unilateral testicular seminoma.

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.