Transabdominal ultrasonographic appearance of the gastrointestinal viscera of healthy camels (Camelus dromedaries)

Ultrasonographic verification of hepatic hydatidosis in a female dromedary camel: a case report

This report describes for the first time, the antemortem diagnosis of hydatidosis in dromedary camel based on the WHO informal working groups on echinococcosis guidelines of echinococcosis classification. The case was admitted at the University Veterinary Hospital, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, with a history of progressive weight loss and decreased appetite for the past 4 months. Alterations in hematobiochemical parameters included leukopenia, neutropenia, decreased hematocrit percent, red blood cells count and hemoglobin concentration, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, hyperglycemia and azotemia. Ultrasonographically, multiple cysts were imaged within the hepatic tissue containing anechoic fluid and fibrin tags. Ultrasound-guided aspiration of a cyst revealed a clear non-turbid fluid. Ultrasonographic diagnostic is recommended for the work-up of cystic lesions of camel liver suspected to be due to Echinococcus granulosus.

Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture by Communal Livestock Farmers in South Africa

The importance of adopting modern technology in agriculture, especially in a changing climate, cannot be underestimated in Africa. The aim of this review was to highlight the past and the status quo with regard to the adoption of current farming practices in relation to climate-smart agriculture (CSA) by communal livestock farmers in South Africa. The impact of animal agriculture on climate change was also deliberated. Different internet search engines and databases, like Google Scholar, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, etc., and peer-reviewed articles, books, and government and academic reports were employed to provide information to adequately address the aim. Keywords like “the impact of climate smart agriculture on communal livestock farmers”, “communal livestock in South Africa”, “communal farming and technology adoption”, etc. were used for the search. Various issues pertaining to the impact of animal agriculture on climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and implementing CSA in livestock farming were extensively discussed. The findings indicated that there is limited research on the adoption of CSA by communal livestock farmers in South Africa. The review concluded that strategies to adopt modern technology in communal areas should address the issues to enhance knowledge of farmers and all stakeholders, through increasing awareness, trainings, and skills programs. The government should build local capacity in innovative and affordable water and agricultural solutions, and reliable financial mechanisms should be in place to implement innovative sound technologies in communal areas.

Ultrasound detection of cosmic filler injection of lips in camel beauty pageants: first report in veterinary medicine

This study was carried out in Saudi Arabia during the events of the 4th King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, Saudi Arabia. It was designed to describe the most frequent locations of injected cosmetic fillers in the head region as well as the ultrasound features of the injected material. Apparently healthy camels (Camelus dromedarius) (n = 11,626) were thoroughly examined for injection of cosmetic fillers in the head region. In parallel, 30 non-injected camels were used as controls. The lips of camels suspected of having been injected with fillers were subjected to high-resolution ultrasound examination. Of the 11,626 camels, 58 were found to have been injected with cosmetic fillers, 45 in the upper lip and 13 in both the upper and lower lip. None of the injected camels had a history of recent illness. In addition, in all the injected camels, no dermal lip lesions were seen by the naked eye. Swelling of the upper and/or lower lips was visually inspected and palpated by hand in 52 of the camels. Drooping and swinging of the injected lips were observed in all injected camels. Hardness was detected in the tip of the upper lips of 26 of the injected camels and multiple hard nodules were palpated in the injected lips of 44 camels. Swelling of the edges of the upper and lower lips was detected in 41 of the injected camels. Ultrasonographic features of the injected lips are described in detail. Blood samples were collected from both groups. In none of the injected camels did the hemato-biochemical profiles differ significantly than the control group. In conclusion, results clearly indicate the usefulness and convenience of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool to locate the presence of injected fillers and to help monitor the extension and complications of the deposits.

Ultrasonography of the Kidneys in Healthy and Diseased Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

This review article is written to describe the results of ultrasonography of the kidneys in healthy camels as well as camels with some renal disorders. In the dromedary camel, the physiology of the kidney is of interest in view of the specialization of the camel to hot dry deserts and to prolonged periods without water. It plays an important role in water conservation through the production of highly concentrated urine that may predispose animal to varieties of renal disorders. Examples of kidney affections in dromedary camels are renal capsular pigmentation, medullary hyperemia, subcapsular calcification, cortical and medullar discoloration, hemorrhage in renal pelvis, nephrolithiasis, and hydatidosis. Congestion, hemorrhage, hydronephrosis, acute glomerulonephritis, subacute glomerulonephritis, chronic glomerulonephritis, diffuse interstitial nephritis, focal interstitial nephritis, renal cyst, hyaline degeneration, renal amyloidosis, tubular nephrosis, pyelonephritis, hemosiderosis, and renal toxicity. When the kidney is examined by ultrasonography, the clinician can get sufficient information about the size, position, and echo patterns of the renal cortex and medulla and renal pelvis and outlines of the renal blood vessels. In recent years, ultrasonography has been used in camels for scanning of the healthy status as well as evaluation and determining the diagnosis and prognosis of diseased cases. Examples of diseases evaluated by ultrasonography are paratuberculosis, trypanosomiasis, pneumonia, pleurisy, gastrointestinal neoplasms, chronic peritonitis, splenic abscessation, and hepatic disorders. Of the renal disorders assessed by ultrasonography are nephrolithiasis, hydronephrosis, pyelonephritis, renal abscessation, and renal neoplasms. Ultrasound guidance in biopsy of renal specimens has also been reported in dromedary camels.

Ultrasonography of the liver in healthy and diseased camels (Camelus dromedaries)

In camels, hepatic diseases are relatively common and most of them are misdiagnosed as a cause of illness because signs may be subtle. In addition, diagnostic laboratory methods are insufficient as hepatic enzymes can also be elevated in camels with cardiac or skeletal muscle damage. Examples of liver diseases in camels are hepatic lipidosis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatic necrosis, choleostasis, hyperplasia of biliary epithelium, hydatid cysts, glycogen deposition, cholangitis, cholangiohepatitis, calcified hydatid cyst and hepatic abscesses. When the liver is examined by ultrasonography, the clinician gets sufficient information about the size, position, echopatterns of the hepatic parenchyma, bile ducts and outlines of the hepatic blood vessels. Ultrasonography has been used previously in camels only for reproductive purposes. However, during the past decade, it has been used for scanning of the healthy organs as well as evaluation and determining the diagnosis and prognosis of non-reproductive disorders. Examples of diseases evaluated by ultrasonography in camels are paratuberculosis, trypanosomiasis, abdominal and urinary disorders, thoracic diseases, renal tumors, pyelonephritis, renal abscessation, gastrointestinal tumors, chronic peritonitis and splenic abscessation. Ultrasound-guidance in biopsy of hepatic lesions and in portocentesis has also been reported in camels. This mini review article is written to shed light on ultrasonography of the liver and its blood vessels in healthy camels as well as finding in camels with hepatic disorders such as fatty infiltration of the liver, hepatic abscesses and calcification of the bile ducts.

Ultrasonography of the lungs and pleura in healthy camels (Camelus dromedarius)

This study describes ultrasonography of the lungs and pleura in healthy camels (Camelus dromedarius). The different layers of the thoracic wall appeared as narrow bands of variable echogenicity. Reverberation artefacts appeared as lines of variable echogenicity that ran parallel to the pulmonary surface medial to the pleura. Because of its air content, the pulmonary parenchyma was not visualised in all camels. On the right side, the pulmonary surface was seen in the 5th through the 10th intercostal space (ICS). In addition, it was imaged in the 11th ICS in 20 camels and in the 4th ICS in three camels. The dimension of the ventral lung border was largest at the 4th ICS and smallest at the 11th ICS. The echogenic line on the surface of the lung, consisting of the costal and the parietal pleurae, was 1 to 4 mm thick. The left pulmonary surface and pleura were imaged with approximately the same frequencies as the right side. At this side, only the pulmonary surface and pleura were imaged in 15 camels in the 11th ICS. In conclusion, ultrasonography of the lungs and pleura provides information that can be used as a reference when examining camels suspected to have respiratory diseases.

Echocardiography of the normal camel (Camelus dromedaries) heart: technique and cardiac dimensions

Background

Echocardiography and intra-cardiac dimensions have not previously been reported in adult camels despite its potential application for medical purpose. The aim of this study was to describe the results of a prospective study, aiming to report normal cardiac appearance and normal chamber dimensions in adult camels (Camelus dromedarius).

Results

On the right side, when the probe was placed in the 5^th or 4^th intercostal space (ICS), the caudal long-axis four-chamber view of the ventricles, atria, and the interventricular septum was obtained. Placing the probe slightly more cranially in the 4^th ICS, the caudal long-axis four-chamber view and the caudal long-axis view of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) were imaged. In 7 camels, a hybrid view between a “four-chamber” and “LVOT view” was imaged from the same position. The short-axis view of the ventricles was obtained in the 4^th ICS where the transducer was rotated between 0° and 25°. Placement of the transducer in the 3^rd ICS allowed visualisation of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). On the left side, when the probe was placed in the 5^th or 4^th ICS, a four-chamber view was obtained. The LVOT is imaged in the 4^th ICS and the RVOT was seen from the 3^rd ICS.

Conclusions

This study showed that it is possible to obtain good-quality echocardiograms in adult camels and provide normal cardiac dimensions. This study could be used as a reference for further studies concerning camels with cardiac diseases.