A Bird's-Eye View of Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

was born in Cordoba (Spain), where he obtained his veterinary degree. In 1996 he earned his Masters in Equine Science and obtained the Doctoral thesis in January 2001. He has worked as a teacher in the Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Cordoba (Spain) since 1997. His teaching and research interests are in animal reproduction, with special reference to equine and bovine embryo transfer and preservation, cryopreservation of feline semen, and estrous control in small ruminants. He is involved in providing a clinical service in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Cordoba and collaborates with some external veterinarian teams. Drawing on his clinical background, Dr Perez-Marin also co-ordinates the veterinary students' clinical extramural placements, where students gain experience with veterinary practitioners.

Atresia Ani with Imperforate Anus in a Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

“…Anatomically, atresia ani has been organized into 4 types in order of increasing severity: type I, characterized by congenital stenosis of a patent anus; type II, imperforate anus alone; type III, presence of an imperforate anus with the colon terminating further cranially; and type IV, characterized by a normal-ending terminal rectum and anus and a cranial colon that terminates blindly within the pelvis. 15 The case we presented here is classified as type III. Animals with anorectal malformations can appear clinically normal for the first 2 to 4 wk after birth, with clinical signs of tenesmus, anorexia, depression, and abdominal distention only appearing later.…”

“…25 In the veterinary literature, atresia ani is the most commonly identified anorectal malformation in small animals and is known to be hereditary in swine and cows. 15 In swine, genome-wide association studies have uncovered regions of chromosomes 1, 3, 9, and 12 that show significant linkage with this syndrome. 18 However, the actual incidence of this defect in various species is difficult to determine from the veterinary literature, because many newborns with this condition are euthanized without surgical correction, and the condition is not reported.…”

“…Animals with anorectal malformations can appear clinically normal for the first 2 to 4 wk after birth, with clinical signs of tenesmus, anorexia, depression, and abdominal distention only appearing later. 15 Although it is highly unusual for a marmoset to live to be 83 d of age without any apparent way to void digesta, there is at least one case of a kitten that was diagnosed at 3 mo of age. 23 However, in this kitten, a small secondary rectovaginal fistula had opened between the colon and the vagina, allowing some feces to pass.…”