Ali Mirshahi

Detection of Hepatozoon sp. in a Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica).

A free-ranging, adult, male Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) was found at Geloul-Sarani protected zone, province of North-Khorasan, Iran and transported to the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The leopard had normal temperature and respiratory and cardiac frequency, but was significantly dehydrated and had elevated capillary perfusion. The animal also was cachectic, with pale mucus membranes, third-eyelid protrusion, and bilaterally enlarged submandibular lymph nodes. The leopard was stabilized by intensive fluid and electrolyte therapy and hospitalized. In 2 days, the leopard had improved clinically but had severe ataxia and head pressing. Blood smears revealed gamonts of Hepatozoon sp. within some neutrophils. Hematologic and plasma chemistry abnormalities included moderate anemia, leukocytosis, hypocholestrolemia, and hypophosphatemia. In radiographic evaluations, no sign of periosteal reactions or new bone formation was seen on the skull, spine, long bones, pelvis, or vertebrae. The leopard was treated successfully with Tazocin and clindamycin for 1 mo. This is the first detection of a Hepatozoon sp. in wild Felidae in Iran. Because most Iranian wild felids and canids are endangered, knowing whether Hepatozoon infection represents a threat for these animals is important.

Transabdominal ultrasonography of the ruminal mucosa as a tool to diagnose subacute ruminal acidosis in adult dairy bulls: a pilot study.

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is frequently encountered in ruminants on high-concentrate rations and characterized by mild to moderate rumen pH depression. Although the measurement of rumen pH is considered as a gold standard approach to diagnose SARA, rumen fluid collection is conceived as a cumbersome and invasive procedure. In the present study, the suitability of transabdominal ultrasonography to identify structural changes of the rumen mucosa associated with SARA was explored. Five adult rumen canulated bulls previously adjusted to a roughage-based ration were switched in 10-day intervals to rations with increasing concentrate content. Seven rations with a concentrate content ranging from 5% to 95% were fed. The rumen pH and rumen mucosal thickness were measured at the end of each 10-d feeding period. The left flank was divided into 12 acoustic windows and the mean rumen mucosal thickness for each acoustic window determined for each ration. Repeated measure ANOVA and stepwise regression analyses were conducted. Increasing the dietary concentrate content resulted in thickening of rumen mucosa which was most pronounced in the upper part of the ventral rumen sac and the least pronounced in the uppermost and lowermost parts of the rumen. The intersection of a horizontal line going through the costochondral junction and a vertical line coming from the third lumbar vertebra was found to be most suitable to identify animals with rumen pH < 5.5 at 4 h post feeding. We conclude that transabdominal ultrasonography of the rumen mucosa has the potential to be a suitable, non-invasive diagnostic tool to identify adult ruminants with SARA.

RADIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE LIMITS FOR CARDIAC WIDTH OF BUDGERIGARS (MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATUS)

Abstract:  Primary and secondary cardiovascular diseases are not uncommon in birds. Although radiologic standards for heart width have been developed for mammals, they are still not available for many avian species. The purpose of this study was to establish normal reference values for cardiac size in budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), one of the most popular pet bird species all over the world. After clinical and radiographic (lateral and ventrodorsal views) evaluations, 27 adult, clinically healthy budgerigars (10 females and 17 males) were included in this study. High-quality ventrodorsal and lateral radiographic projections were obtained. The cardiac and thoracic width, distance between third and fourth ribs, synsacrum width, coracoid width, and the distance between clavicle bones were measured on ventrodorsal radiographs. The ratio between cardiac width and other mentioned indices was calculated. Correlation of each anatomical index with the cardiac width was evaluated by linear regression model. Sex and weight were included in all models. Mean ± SD of cardiac width was 10.8 ± 0.6 mm, with lower and upper limits of 9.5 and 12.0 mm. The results showed a significant correlation between the cardiac width and the thoracic width (R2 = 0.28; P = 0.005). There were no significant associations between weight, sex, and the heart width. The values and ratios obtained in this study can be used as a reference of normal cardiac size of budgerigar in radiology for detection of cardiomegaly in this bird.

Ultrasonographic biometry of the normal eye of the Persian cat

OBJECTIVE To describe the normal ultrasonographic biometry of the Persian cats eyes using B-mode ultrasonography. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, 20 healthy Persian cats with no history of previous ophthalmic disease were examined. Ocular biometry of the left and right eyes was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Comparison of the average measurements between left and right eyes and between vertical and horizontal planes was performed using paired-sample t test. Correlation of ocular parameters with sex, age, head circumference and eye colour was evaluated. RESULTS Mean ± standard deviation (SD) measurements of the ocular structures of anterior chamber, lens thickness, vitreous chamber and anterior to posterior dimension of the globe in 40 eyes were 4.1 ± 0.7, 7.7 ± 0.5, 8.2 ± 0.4 and 20.7 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. No significant difference was found between the ocular biometry of the left and right eyes or the horizontal and vertical planes. Of the ocular parameters, the following had a significant positive correlation with head circumference: axial globe length, anterior chamber and lens thickness. The vitreous body had a positive correlation with age. CONCLUSIONS Regarding the breed predisposition of Persian cats to ocular problems, the present study provides baseline information for further clinical investigations of ocular abnormalities using B-mode ultrasonography.

17β-estradiol improves the efficacy of exploited autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in non-union radial defect healing: A rabbit model

Exploiting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appears to be an appealing alternative to the traditional clinical approach in the treatment of non-union bone defects. It has been shown that 17β-estradiol improves the osteogenesis and proliferation potential of the MSCs via estrogen receptors. We investigated the effect of 17β-estradiol on exploiting autologous BMSCs (bone marrow-derived MSCs) for the purpose of healing of radial non-union segmental defect in rabbit. Twenty rabbits were divided into 4 experimental groups: 1. Control group; 2. MSC treatment group; 3. 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment group; and 4. E2+MSC treatment group. Isolated BMSCs were seeded in a critical-sized defect on radial mid-diaphysis that was filled with autologous fibrin clot differently in 4 groups: 1. intact fibrin clot (control); 2. Fibrin clot containing MSCs; 3. Estradiol; and 4. E2 and MSCs. Defect healing was assessed by radiological (week 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) and histopathological evaluation (week 10). Radiological evaluation data demonstrated that quantities for the E2+MSC group were significantly the greatest in comparison with the other groups at week 4 to 10 inclusive. Moreover, Histopathological evaluation indicated that the E2+MSC group had the highest score which was significantly greater than the E2 group and the control group (P<0.05). In-vivo application of in situ 17β-estradiol provides the seeded BMSCs with improved osteogenic capacity in tandem with an accelerated rate of bone healing. This obviously more qualified approach that yields in a shorter time appears to be promising for the future cell-based clinical treatments of the non-union bone fractures. Exploiting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appears to be an appealing alternative to the traditional clinical approach in the treatment of non-union bone defects. It has been shown that 17β-estradiol improves the osteogenesis and proliferation potential of the MSCs via estrogen receptors. We investigated the effect of 17β-estradiol on exploiting autologous BMSCs (bone marrow-derived MSCs) for the purpose of healing of radial non-union segmental defect in rabbit. Twenty rabbits were divided into 4 experimental groups: 1. Control group; 2. MSC treatment group; 3. 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment group; and 4. E2+MSC treatment group. Isolated BMSCs were seeded in a critical-sized defect on the radial mid-diaphysis that was filled with autologous fibrin clot differently in 4 groups: 1. intact fibrin clot (control); 2. Fibrin clot containing MSCs; 3. Estradiol; and 4. E2 and MSCs. Defect healing was assessed by radiological (week 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) and histopathological evaluation (week 10). Radiological evaluation data demonstrated that quantities for the E2+MSC group were significantly the greatest in comparison with the other groups at week 4 to 10 inclusive. Moreover, Histopathological evaluation indicated that the E2+MSC group had the highest score which was significantly greater than the E2 group and the control group (P<0.05). In-vivo application of in situ 17β-estradiol provides the seeded BMSCs with improved osteogenic capacity in tandem with an accelerated rate of bone healing. This obviously more efficient approach that yields in a shorter time appears to be promising for future cell-based clinical treatments of the non-union bone fractures.

Evaluation of Cardiac Size in the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) Based on Radiographic Measurements

Abstract The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a common raptor found worldwide. To establish reference intervals for cardiac size by radiography, 14 adult common kestrels were evaluated clinically and with radiographs (lateral and ventrodorsal views). The cardiac width, thoracic width, distance between third and fourth ribs, synsacrum width, coracoid width, and distance between clavicle bones were measured on ventrodorsal radiographs. The ratio between cardiac width and the other 5 indices was calculated. Results showed a significant, positive correlation between the cardiac width and thoracic width and between cardiac width and coracoid width. The values and ratios of this study can be used as reference intervals for cardiac size evaluated radiographically in the common kestrel for diagnosis of the cardiomegaly in this bird.

Acute pulmonary oedema and electrocardiographic changes following ketamine administration in a crossbreed dog.

A 3-year-old male crossbreed dog presented with 1-week history of external otitis. During the initial clinical examination, the dog appeared alert and bright and there was no sign of other abnormalities. Ketamine was administered intramuscularly to induce a light sedation in order to perform otoscopic examination. Fifteen minutes following ketamine administration, the dog showed severe respiratory distress. Thoracic auscultation and radiography revealed the occurrence of pulmonary oedema secondary to adverse side effects of ketamine injection. Electrocardiographic findings showed low-voltage QRS complexes which continued, monitored via electrocardiograms, over the clinical course of the respiratory distress. This eletrocardiographic pattern disappeared completely the following day concurrent with the resolution of any respiratory distress. In view of the widespread use of ketamine by veterinary surgeons, the aim of this report is to contribute towards an increased awareness relating to unusual secondary cardiorespiratory effects of ketamine within the veterinary practice.