N.S. Saini

Diagnosis of a small-sized reticular diaphragmatic hernia in a buffalo

THIS letter follows up on our previous publication in Veterinary Record (Kumar and Saini 2011), which reported ultrasonographic visualisation of motile reticulum at the fourth intercostal space to be confirmatory in the diagnosis of reticular diaphragmatic hernia in cows and buffaloes, irrespective of pregnancy status. Ultrasonographic visibility of the reticular wall at the fifth intercostal space should be interpreted as normal in cows (irrespective of pregnancy) and in advanced pregnant buffaloes, and doubtful for reticular diaphragmatic hernia in non-pregnant buffaloes. In doubtful cases, other methods such as contrast radiography and laparorumenotomy may be necessary. A …

Propofol and thiopentone sodium as induction agents in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis): a comparative study

Propofol and thiopentone sodium as induction agents were evaluated in 12 healthy water buffaloes of either sex (3–5 years; 350–500 kg). Midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) + butorphanol (0.02 mg/kg) intravenously was used for premedication in both groups. After 5 min of premedication, anaesthesia was induced by 1% propofol (3 mg kg−1) in PRO group and by 5% thiopentone sodium (10 mg kg−1) in THIO group and maintained with isoflurane-oxygen mixture up to 30 min. Anaesthetic efficacy was assessed on the basis of quality of induction and recovery, time taken for induction and recovery and incidence of side effects. Heart rate, respiration rate, rectal temperature and mean blood pressure were also monitored. Propofol provided rapid and smooth induction of anaesthesia along with satisfactory conditions for endotracheal intubation. Propofol was associated with lesser respiratory depression than thiopentone sodium. Side effects like apnea and regurgitation were lesser and recovery was faster and smoother following propofol administration. Propofol was shown to be superior than thiopentone sodium and can be used as an alternative to thiopentone sodium for induction of general anaesthesia in water buffaloes.

Comparative evaluation of halothane and isoflurane maintenance anesthesia in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Halothane (HAL) and isoflurane (ISO) maintenance anesthesia in 12 water buffaloes was compared on the basis of certain cardiopulmonary, hemodynamic, acid base, electrolyte, and recovery parameters. Buffaloes were randomly divided into two groups: HAL (n = 6) and ISO (n = 6), premedicated with midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) intravenously, and 5 min later, induced to anesthesia by intravenous thiopentone sodium (10 mg/kg IV, given till effect). Anesthesia was maintained with halothane or isoflurane in oxygen at a total gas flow rate of 4–6 lt/min. Results revealed that recovery with isoflurane was more rapid than halothane with a significant (p < 0.05) difference in recovery quality between two groups. Heart rate, respiration rate, rectal temperature, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in HAL group. Values of pHa decreased significantly (p < 0.01) and PaCO2 increased significantly (p < 0.01) in HAL group. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in PaO2, HCO3, and plasma electrolytes between two groups. Values of SpO2 decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in HAL group. Isoflurane maintenance anesthesia contributes to a shorter, safer recovery from anesthesia with maximum preservation of cardiopulmonary and hemodynamic functions along with minimal changes in acid base parameters in water buffaloes. Thus, isoflurane maintenance anesthesia is better than halothane maintenance anesthesia in water buffaloes.

Comparison of radiography and ultrasonography in the detection of lung and liver cysts in cattle and buffaloes

Aim: Echinococcosis is the major cause of lung and liver cysts in ruminants. This study compared usefulness of radiography and ultrasonography (USG) in the detection of lung and/or liver cysts in sick bovine animals. The study also worked out cooccurrence of lung and liver cysts, and whether these cysts were primary cause of sickness or not. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 45 sick bovine (37 buffaloes and 8 cattle) suffering from lung and liver cysts. A complete history of illness and clinical examination was carried out. Lateral radiographs of chest and reticular region were taken. In radiographically positive or suspected cases of cysts, USG of the lung and liver region was done. Depending on the location of cyst and clinical manifestations of the animal, the cysts were categorized as primary or secondary causes of sickness. Results: Using either imaging technique, it was observed that 46.7% of the animals had both lung and liver cysts, whereas 33.3% had only lung and 20% had only liver cyst. Cysts were identified as primary cause of sickness in 31.1% animals only. For diagnosing lung cysts, radiography (71.1%) and USG (62.2%) had similar diagnostic utility. However, for detecting liver cysts, USG was the only imaging tool. Conclusion: The lung and liver cysts, depending on their number and size may be a primary cause of sickness in bovine. Radiography and USG are recommended, in combination, as screening tools to rule out echinococcosis.

Surgical Repair of Radial-Ulnar Fracture by Static Intramedullary Interlocking Nailing in a Crossbred Heifer

OBJECTIVE  Study included surgical management of radius and ulna fracture in a 2-year-old, 220 kg crossbred heifer presented with a 2-day-old history of injury resulting in severe, non-weight bearing lameness of the left forelimb. METHODS  The condition was diagnosed clinically and confirmed radiographically as a middle third oblique comminuted fracture of the left radius and ulna. Static intramedullary interlocking nailing was performed for fracture fixation. An interlocking nail of 12-mm diameter and 26-cm length was introduced in a retrograde manner from the distal aspect of the radius. RESULTS  The animal was able to bear weight on the affected limb within 7 days post surgery. Good callus formation and complete weight bearing were observed by 35th day. Bending of the screws and osteophytic reaction were the major postoperative complications observed radiographically. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE  From this case study, it was established that static intramedullary interlocking nailing can be used as an alternative technique for fracture repair of the radius and ulna in cattle where stable fracture fixation by bone plating is questionable.

Feasibility of C-arm guided closed intramedullary pinning for the stabilization of canine long bone fractures.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of C-arm guided closed intramedullary pinning (simple Steinmann and end threaded) techniques for the stabilization of various canine long bone fractures. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 19 dogs with long bone fractures which were stabilized using simple Steinmann (Group I; n=6) and end threaded (Group II; n=13) pinning under C-arm guidance. Signalment, history of trauma, clinical examination, and hematobiochemical findings were recorded at the time of presentation. Radiography of the affected limb was carried out in two views to determine type and site of the fracture. Treatment of all the fractures was attempted using simple Steinman and end threaded pinning under the C-arm guidance. The success and failure of the closed technique were correlated with age, site, and type of fractures. Results: The mean body weight and age of the dogs were 18.53±2.18 kg and 21.58±5.85 months, respectively. Early presented cases at a mean day of 2.84±0.54 were included. Out of 19 cases, it was possible to place implant successfully in 10 cases (success rate 52.63%) only. The remaining 9 cases had serious intraoperative complications like a misdirection of the pin after engaging the proximal fragment (n=3), missing the proximal fragment completely, and formation of the false tract (n=6). The majority of these complications were associated with younger age and proximal or distal third oblique fractures. High success rate of C-arm guided closed pinning was observed in midshaft fractures (75%) and transverse fractures (77.78%) in dogs of more than 1 year of age (77.78%). Simple Steinmann pinning was better feasible in a closed manner with a high success rate (66.70%) but also had implant related complications. Although, C-arm guided end threaded pinning was less (46.15%) successful, slightly tedious and time-consuming but had better implant stability than that of simple intramedullary pinning. Conclusions: From the present study, it was concluded that C-arm guided closed pinning is recommended in transverse and midshaft fractures of the long bones in dogs older than 1 year of age. Furthermore, there is need to improve traction devices for enhancing the success of C-arm guided intramedullary pinning in dogs.

Doppler Ultrasonography of Common Carotid Artery and External Jugular Vein in Healthy and Reticulo-Diaphragmatic Hernia Affected Buffaloes

The study was aimed to establish normal Doppler blood flow parameters of right common carotid artery and right external jugular vein in 20 clinically healthy non-gravid adult buffaloes. The Doppler blood flow parameters were also studied in ten buffaloes suffering from reticulo-diaphragmatic hernia and the changes in the various blood flow parameters were compared with that of healthy buffaloes. The correlations among various blood flow parameters like the pulsatility index, resistive index, peak systole velocity, end diastole velocity, time average maximum velocity, time averaged mean velocity and volume flow for each vessel and between the vessels were worked out in healthy buffaloes. These parameters, when compared with those recorded in buffaloes suffering from reticulo-diaphragmatic hernia, revealed a significant decrease in peak systole velocity, end diastole velocity, time average maximum velocity and time averaged mean velocity of external jugular vein while the common carotid artery showed a significant decrease in volume flow only. The Doppler values of external jugular vein and common carotid artery for clinically healthy adult buffaloes would serve as a reference range for future studies.

Diagnostic and prognostic indicators of omasal impaction in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Twelve of 46 female buffaloes with abdominal disorders were diagnosed with omasal impaction. They had been fed finely chopped machine-prepared straw. They were characterised by anorexia, an absence of defecation, abdominal distension, ruminal hypomotility or atony and a suspension of rumination. Omasal impaction was confirmed upon left flank laparorumenotomy on the basis of the size of the omasum and the consistency of its contents. After ruminal evacuation, a long flexible pipe was introduced through the reticulo-omasal orifice and the omasal contents were flushed back into the rumen with water under moderate pressure. Hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, hypokalaemia and hypophosphataemia were consistent features in most cases. However, two buffaloes that later died had lower levels of plasma chloride, no reticulo-omasal orifice tone and were in an advanced stage of pregnancy. The level of total protein in peritoneal fluid was higher than normal, but the total white cell count was within the normal range. All the animals started passing faeces 36 to 48 hours after surgery. The presence of reticulo-omasal orifice tone and a plasma chloride level above 75 mmol/l were indicators of a good prognosis.