SUMMARYPollakisuria in adult goats can be caused by diseases of the urinary tract and by distension of parts of the genital tract leading to irritation of the bladder. Hydrometra is the most common cause of uterine distension in goats and usually can be resolved by prostaglandin injections. But other pathologies of the uterus can generate a similar syndrome. A dwarf goat was presented at the clinic with a history of chronic pollakisuria and tenesm. An initial ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen led to the suspicion of hydrometra, but treatment with injections of prostaglandin were not successful. Blood samples revealed low progesterone and high oestrogen values. A laparotomy was performed and an enlarged uterus with 1.5 L of mucous content and cystic ovaries were found and partially removed. A single solid leiomyoma was diagnosed histologically in the uterine wall. Two months later the goat's condition had deteriorated and therefore she was euthanized. Necropsy and pathohistological examination revealed the presence of a metastasized adenocarcinoma of the uterus. In this case, the pollakisuria provoqued by distension of the uterus was not caused by hydrometra, but by neoplasia. The syndrome and the pathogenesis of the adenocarcinoma in consideration of the hormonal status of the patient is discussed.
A 4-month-old female Holstein Friesian calf was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Berne, Switzerland for evaluation of ataxia, weakness, apathy and stunted growth. Clinical examination revealed generalized ataxia, propioceptive deficits, decreased menace response and sensibility. Postmortem examination did not reveal macroscopic changes of major organs. Histologically, the brain and the spinal cord lesions were characterized by polymicrocavitation, preferentially affecting the white matter fibers at the junction of grey and white matter and by the presence of Alzheimer type II cells. The liver revealed lesions consistent with a congenital portosystemic shunt, characterized by increased numbers of arteriolar profiles and hypoplasia to absence of portal veins. The pathological investigations along with the animal history and clinical signs indicated a hepatic encephalomyelopathy due to a congenital portosystemic shunt.
Herens cows have been treated at the Clinic for Ruminants, University of Berne, more frequently for fertility problems than other breeds. The aim of the study was to overview the reproductive performance of the Herens breed by analyzing data sets of the Herens Breeding Book and of the Animal Traffic Database of Switzerland. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to the breeders concerning aspects of management and care to identify a possible influence on the reproductive performance of the animals. Based on 4988 lactations starting in 2003, an average interval of calving to first insemination of 86 days a calving to conception interval of 146 days and an inter calving period of 431 days could be calculated. Conception rate resulted in 39.1%, the fertility index was 1.87 and 6.5% of all cows were culled because of fertility problems. Half of the breeders owned 4 or less cows. The most important reason for keeping Herens cows was cow fighting. Traditional alpine pasturing and cow fight rules resulted in a seasonal calving with 80% of the births taking place between October and December. The calving month and seasonal calving were the most important reasons for a prolonged calving to conception interval.
A 2.5-month-old female Tyrolean Grey calf weighing 99 kg from a cow-calf herd in eastern Switzerland was referred to the Clinic for Ruminants at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne with a history of pelvic limb weakness. A complete clinical examination indicated that the calf was normally developed for its age and breed. It was alert and responsive, but had a nervous demeanor. Examination of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems disclosed no abnormalities, except for a high heart rate in the first days of the calf's stay at the clinic (136-160 bpm; normal, 60-100 bpm). Heart rate returned to normal within a few days, and tachycardia was attributed to stress upon arrival in a new environment. Respiratory rate and body temperature were normal. Appetite was present, and food prehension, mastication, and swallowing were normal. Examination of the digestive system was within normal limits, as was that of the urinary tract. The musculoskeletal system was normally developed except for slight muscular atrophy of the thighs. Palpable articulations were neither enlarged nor painful. Foot trim was adequate, and the claws had no abnormalities.Upon neurological examination, the calf's behavior was normal except for its markedly nervous reactions to manipulations. The calf often stood with a wide-based stance in the thoracic and pelvic limbs (Fig 1, Video S1). It showed mild ambulatory paraparesis with moderateto-severe ataxia of the pelvic limbs and a tendency to fall to both sides (Fig 2, Video S2). Postural reactions were normal in the thoracic limbs and decreased to absent in the pelvic limbs. Segmental spinal reflexes of the thoracic limbs were normal, but decreased in both pelvic limbs. The menace response was absent bilaterally, pupillary light reflexes and vision were normal. Other cranial nerves were normal. The cutaneus trunci response was absent. Tail tone was decreased, but anal tone, defecation, and urination were normal. Palpation of the spine was not painful.The main lesion was localized in the spinal cord from T3 to S3. At this point, differential diagnoses included degenerative, infectious, and inflammatory lesions, as well as a malformation of the spinal cord.A CBC a and a blood chemistry profile b were performed. No abnormalities were detected in the CBC, and the chemistry profile disclosed a slight increase in aspartate aminotransferase activity ( 1 A differential cell count was not performed. No changes in the animal's neurological status were observed during its stay at the clinic. On day 16 of hospitalization, general anesthesia was induced with xylazine, butorphanol, and ketamine, and maintained by inhalation of isoflurane vaporized in oxygen. Electromyography (EMG) c was performed on the right side of the body, including thoracic and pelvic limb muscles, as well as paraspinal and tail muscles. No spontaneous activity was detected. The calf was euthanized at the end of the EMG procedure with an overdose of pentobarbital. All procedures complied with the Swiss legislation on animal welfare...
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