F.K. Al-Ani

EQUINE BABESIOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH STRENUOUS EXERCISE : CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES IN JORDAN

Clinical, haematological and pathological studies were undertaken in Jordan in a stud of 103 racing horses clinically suffering from babesiosis and apparently healthy animals. Out of 47 horses which participated in strenuous exercise, three mares showed sudden onset of immobility and reluctance to move and two mares died. Clinical examination revealed that these five horses (group 1) had fever, anorexia, weakness and severe icterus and, in two mares, haemoglobinuria. Haematological examination revealed that all five horses were heavily parasitized with Babesia equi. This was also found in four horses (group 2) with no evidence of clinical babesiosis. In group 3 (94 horses), neither clinical signs nor B. equi were observed in the blood. The horses in group 1 and 2 recovered after treatment with imidocarb. When the mean values of white blood cell count, red blood cell count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume in group 1 were compared with those for groups 2 and 3, a significant difference was found (P < 0.05). A significant difference was also found when the mean values were compared before and after treatment. Examination of serum total protein, bilirubin and serum enzymes revealed a significant decrease in the mean value of total serum protein (P < 0.05), and a significant increase in the mean values of bilirubin (P < 0.05) in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3. A significant elevation in the mean value of aspartate aminotransaminase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and creatine phosphokinase and a substantial elevation in the mean value of alkaline phosphatase was also observed in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3. Postmortem examination of the dead horses showed that the animals had icterus, hepatomegaly and full urinary bladder with deep-red urine. Histopathological examination of the liver showed massive centrilobular degeneration and necrosis. The bile canaliculi and bile ducts were prominent and plugged with dark-brown to canary-coloured bile pigments. The lungs had congestion, oedema, and thrombosis of pulmonary veins. Our results suggest that the horses suffered from B. equal with clinical manifestation following exercise. The clinical, haematological and pathological findings indicate that the animals suffered from haemolytic anaemia which responded to imidocarb therapy.

Occurrence of congenital anomalies in Shami breed goats: 211 cases investigated in 19 herds

Abstract A 9-year survey of the occurrence of congenital anomalies in goats was undertaken. Twenty-two herds of goats comprising 1130 goats were examined for the occurrence of congenital anomalies in their offspring. A total of 211 offspring from these herds suffered from various types of anomalies including 89 (42.18%) that suffered from congenital goiter. All affected kids exhibited palpable enlarged thyroid glands and were born very weak or premature. Also, 29 cases of thyroglossal duct cysts, 14 cases of hypospadias, 57 cases of hermaphroditism, 19 cases of atresia ani, one case of ectopic horns and 2 cases of polydactyly were recorded. Although developmental abnormalities of the goats are relatively uncommon, a substantial proportion of these can be accounted in Shami breed goats. Only one case of ectopic horns was seen in crossbreed goats, while local breed goats, as well as sheep raised in the same vicinity did not exhibit any developmental defects. Thus, a hereditary tendency for congenital anomalies in Shami breed goats has been suggested.

Prevalence and pathology of foreign bodies (plastics) in Awassi sheep in Jordan

Abstract The prevalence and associated pathology of foreign bodies in 1453 sheep presented to the Veterinary Clinic during a 27 month period and in the rumen and reticulum from 300 sheep from Amman and Irbid slaughterhouses were studied in Jordan. Of the 1453 sheep, 130 had rumen impaction by plastic and were treated by rumenotomy. The type and location of foreign bodies were examined in 54 out of the 130 sheep. Plastics were the most common (74%), rope and leather were the least common (7%), and all were found in the rumen. Pins and nails were encountered (18.5%) in both rumen and reticulum. Plastic bags were also the most common (78%) foreign bodies found in the rumen of sheep examined in Amman and Irbid from slaughterhouses. In 20 sheep (6.6%), metal masses were found in the rumen. Only in 3 sheep (1%) were pins and nails present in the reticulum. Gross examination of the rumens with plastic revealed areas of sloughing, hemorrhages, congestion and stunting of the papillae. Histopathological examinations revealed areas of coagulative necrosis, hyperemia, inflammatory processes and focal hyperplasia. Several mitotic figures and cells with more than one nucleolus were also present. The results suggest that the plastics in the rumen may play an important role in the pathogenesis of rumenitis. The results, also, suggest that the most common types of foreign bodies in Jordan are plastics and a clean up of the environment would substantially reduce the prevalence of foreign body-pica syndrome in sheep.

Efficacy of closantel plus albendazole liquid suspension against natural infection of gastrointestinal parasites in camels

Oral administration of closantel in a dose of 10 mg/kg plus albendazole in a dose of 5 mg/kg liquid suspension was studied in 75 camels naturally infected with various types of gastrointestinal parasites. The camels involved were 15 pregnant she-camels, 20 non-pregnant she-camels and 40 male camels of various ages. Each camel received a single oral dose of closantel (10 mg/kg) plus albendazole (5 mg/kg) orally. Two weeks later, 20 camels of this group were re-dosed again with the same dose of the anthelmintic. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from all camels at the time of treatment and again 14 and 42 days post treatment. Fecal egg counts and generic determination of third stage larvae was performed. Results indicated that six different species of gastrointestinal tract parasites were identified in camels. Single treatment of closantel plus albendazole mixture reduced egg counts in camels by 100%, 100%, 98% and 77% for Haemonchus longistipes, Ascaris spp., Monezia expansa and Fasciola hepatica, respectively. However, administration of the drug twice on the base of 2 weeks apart significantly raised the efficacy of the drug for clearance of the parasites from 92.5% to 100% in camels infected with various parasites. Camels were not adversely affected by treatment.

Polydactyly in Shami breed goats in Jordan

Abstract Polydactyly in Shami breed goats is described. At birth, a male goat had an increase in the number of both hindleg digits. The daughter of this buck exhibited polydactyly of both hindlegs at birth. It has been concluded that polydactyly in goats is heritable.

Ovine fetal maceration

Abstract An Awassi ovine fetal maceration found in the vagina, associated with persistent corpus luteum (CL) and closed cervix, is reported. The postmortem examination revealed a slightly asymmetric uterus with fluctuation and pus in both uterine horns. In the vagina, a crepitating and conglomerate, impacted bony mass with brown discoloration was seen. The uterine lumen had similar discoloration with well-developed caruncles. In the right ovary, a well-developed CL was found while no functional CL or follicle was seen in the left ovary. The persistence of CL was probably due to pyometra.