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

The emerging topic of injected cosmetic fillers in the perinasal region of dromedary camels: ultrasonographic and radiographic verification

Background

Dermal cosmetic fillers have been commonly used in camels in the last few years in Gulf countries.

Aim

This study aimed to describe the radiographic as well as sonographic findings of injected cosmetic fillers in Arabian camel perinasal region in beauty shows.

Methods

A total number of (n = 11,626) Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius) were thoroughly investigated for injection of cosmetic fillers in the perinasal area. The age of the camels was 6 months to 10 years, and their weights were 400-650 kg. In parallel, a control group consisting of 30 age/weight-matched non-injected camels was used. Of the 11,626 examined camels, 25 animals (0.0.002%) were injected with cosmetic fillers in the perinasal region. Of the 25 camels, 19 (76%) were females and 6 (24%) were males. Radiographic examinations were carried out for the 25 injected camel perinasal regions.

Results

Ultrasonographic examination of the injected perinasal regions revealed precise discrimination of the filler material, which appeared hypo-echogenic in 17 camels (68%) and with anechoic spots in the remaining 8 camels (32%). Variable degrees of swelling caused by the injection of moderate and large quantities of fillers were noted by radiographic assessment, the injected cosmetic filler was precisely diagnosed in the perinasal region as grey in color having soft tissue density in obtained radiographs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations are reliable, accurate, and non-invasive diagnostic imaging techniques that can precisely discriminate a filler agent in the soft tissues and determine the situ and size of cutaneous deposits in dromedary camels (C. dromedarius).

Depraved appetite in dromedary camels: Clinical, ultrasonographic, and postmortem findings

Background

Camels are subjected to a wide variety of nutritional deficiencies as they are largely dependent upon grazing desert plants. As a consequence, the syndrome of pica or depraved appetite is occasionally seen in dromedary camels. The condition is manifested as chewing or eating abnormal things such as wood, dirt, bones, stones, clothes, plastics, mud, sand, or other inanimate objects.

Aim

This study was designed to investigate the clinical, ultrasonographic, and postmortem findings in dromedary camels with pica or depraved appetite.

Methods

Twenty-five camels of 5 days to 15 years were examined. Owner complaints included depraved appetite, loss of body condition, regurgitation of stomach content, and partial or complete absence of feces. Symptoms described were present for a period varying between 3 days, up to 12 months. The stomach compartments and small and large intestines were scanned using ultrasonography from the right and left sides of the abdomen. Necropsy was carried out on six female and three male camels where the thoracic and abdominal organs were examined with special attention to the digestive system.

Results

The affected animals had a history of gradual loss of body conditions, eating foreign objects, decreased or total absence of feces, and regurgitation of stomach content. Using ultrasound, the foreign body was imaged occluding completely or partially the intestines. Foreign bodies within the rumen could not be visualized with ultrasound. In cases where the rumen is impacted by sand, small pin-points revealing acoustic enhancement were imaged. Foreign bodies were removed from the rumen at exploratory rumenotomy (n = 11), laparotomy (n = 3), or at necropsy (n = 8) in the form of plastics, cloths, sand, mud, wool balls, robes, glasses, or even metallic objects which may be blunt or sharp. Sixteen (64%) of the camels were recovered while the remaining 9 (36%) did not survive.

Conclusion

The syndrome of pica or depraved appetite is an important condition in dromedary resulting in the ingestion of objects other than normal feed. Substantial economic losses are expected as a result of this syndrome. Ultrasonography of the digestive system may help the clinician in some cases to localize of occluding foreign bodies in the intestines, while in the transabdominal scanning of the stomach is valuable only in cases of sand impaction.

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.

Is camel's urine friend or enemy? Review of its role in human health or diseases

Camels play an important role in the pastoral mode of life by fulfilling basic demands of livelihood. Various pathologies, such as tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, ascites, increased size of the abdomen, gas colic, anemia, and abdominal tumors, were treated with animal urine, including camels, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, elephants, and buffalo. Thirty different compounds were analyzed in camel urine by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. For inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis, 28 important elements were analyzed in the urine of both camel and bovine. It was found that the inorganic elements are almost similar, except sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, and magnesium are higher in levels in camel urine, while chromium is high in bovine urine. Camel urine also contains different nanoparticles, crystals, and nano-rods with varying shapes and sizes, which offer potent selective cytotoxic activity against several lines of cancer cells. It is believed that the camel's urine has a therapeutic effect for a wide range of diseases such as chill, fever, or even tumors; therefore, it has been consumed in the Arabian Peninsula for a long time. Usually, patients take it directly or by mixing a few drops with camel milk. Camel urine is also used for therapeutic purposes, most widely in Asia, Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other European countries. The religious aspect of using camel urine in treatment comes from the fact that there has been convincing evidence that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) suggested the use of camel urine to treat his companions who were suffering from abdominal pains at that time. The camel's urine has anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It also has hepato-protective and cardiovascular effects.

Comparative physiological, morphological, histological, and AQP2 immunohistochemical analysis of the Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius) and oxen kidney: Effects of adaptation to arid environments

Compared to other mammals, Arabian camels are ideal models for exploring the structural adaptations that enable camels to survive in arid environments. Thus, this study aimed to explore how evolutionary adaptation to arid conditions modifies the characteristics of the kidneys in Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius) compared to oxen. Urine samples were physically and chemically analyzed. Harvested kidneys were subjected to topographical and fast spin echo magnetic resonance (FSE-MR) imaging. Histology, histomorphometry, and Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) expression by immunohistochemistry were also performed. Here, in dromedaries, sodium and potassium values in the urine were much higher (p=0.001, for both), whereas chloride was much lower (p=0.004) than the values of oxen. Compared with oxen, the level of the hormone aldosterone in serum was significantly lower (p=0.002), whereas creatinine and urea were significantly higher (p=0.005 and p=0.001, respectively). Uric acid in dromedaries and oxen did not differ significantly (p=0.349). Like sodium levels (p=0.001) in dromedary serum, chloride was also much higher (p=0.002) than in oxen. The average value of potassium was much lower (p=0.009) than that of oxen. Morphologically, anatomical and FSE MRI studies revealed that minor and major calyces were not found in dromedary kidneys. The renal pelvis was not found in oxen, and the major calyx was directly connected to the ureter. The dromedary kidney contained a wider medullary portion as well as increased diameters for renal corpuscles (RCs), proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs), and collecting tubules (CTs, p<0.05) compared with the oxen. We also noted that AQP2 was significantly expressed in dromedary nephron components, except for RCs, compared with oxen as shown by immunohistochemistry. Overall, these data strongly suggest that the dromedary has a greater ability to adapt to harsh desert conditions in terms of producing highly concentrated urine than oxen.

Clinical, ultrasonographic, and postmortem findings in sheep and goats with urinary tract disorders

Background and Aim:

In sheep and goats, most urinary disorders are incidental findings at the postmortem examination and do not present clinically. As such, the diagnosis of renal diseases in sheep and goats can be overlooked. Therefore, this study was carried out on sheep and goats to describe the clinical, ultrasonography(USG), and postmortem findings of various disorders affecting the urinary tract.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 58 animals (30 sheep and 28 goats) were examined, as well as were ten healthy control animals (five sheep and five goats) for a comparison. The animals were referred for various causes, including anorexia, frequent and painful urination, hematuria, decreased body weight, oliguria, and anuria.

Results:

The sheep and goats were categorized into ten groups of symptoms and disorders: Pelvic abscessation, pigmented urine, renal failure, pyelonephritis, cystitis, hydronephrosis, rupture of the urethra, rupture of the urinary bladder, rupture of the urinary bladder together with the urethra, and paralysis of the urinary bladder. Clinical presentation, USG, and postmortem examination results for each group were detailed. Many clinical presentations were nonspecific. USG examination of the urinary tract significantly facilitated the verification of the previously mentioned disorders.

Conclusion:

USG demonstrated superior performance in the early and confirmatory diagnosis of urinary disorders in sheep and goats. Therefore, it is recommended that routine USG be the preferred imaging modality for examining sheep and goats with urinary disorders and for determining their prognosis.

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.