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

Abdominal fat necrosis in a female dromedary camel: Clinical, hematobiochemical, sonographic, and pathologic findings

Background

Abdominal fat necrosis is mostly an incidental finding during rectal examination manifested by the presence of hard necrotic masses of different sizes. Differential diagnosis includes gastrointestinal neoplasia, abdominal abscessation and mummified fetuses. This report describes the clinical, hematological, biochemical, sonographic, and pathologic findings in a female Arabian camel (Camelus dromedaries) with abdominal fat necrosis.

Case Description

A 7-year-old female dromedary camel was presented for examination because of weakness and progressive weight loss since months ago. Anthelmintics, analgesics, broad-spectrum antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories and stomachics were administered, but did not result in significant improvement. Preliminary examination of the case revealed emaciation with a body condition score of 2.5 (scale 1-5). The cardiopulmonary, digestive, and urinary systems were evaluated transcutaneously by sonography in the recumbent position. Multiple echogenic masses-located within the intestinal loops were observed alongside few hypoechogenic masses. A hyperechogenic peritoneal effusion and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were also detected. Decreased hematocrit value, normocytic normochromic anemia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, hhyperglobulinemia, hyperglycemia, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia were detected. A free-hand, ultrasound-guided biopsy was examined histopathologically and revealed multiple abdominal fat necrosis, severe fibrosis, and pancreatitis.

Conclusion

It is concluded that, transabdominal ultrasonography in camels was valuable for suspicious of abdominal mesenteric masses and helpful in sampling of a representative biopsy specimen However, histological examination of the biopsy remains the final diagnostic method.

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.

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.

Reference values and repeatability of pulsed-wave Doppler flowmetry of portal vein in healthy dromedary she-camels

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to establish the normal values and repeatability of pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler ultrasonographic parameters of the hepatic portal circulation in healthy dromedary she-camels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

According to the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines, the sample size and statistical analysis were followed. Ten healthy, non-pregnant, non-lactating she-camels were selected after physical, hematological, and ultrasonographic examinations. All hepatic ultrasonographic measurements were obtained from unsedated standing she-camels at the 11th right intercostal space using B-mode and PW Doppler.

RESULTS

The ultrasonographic measurements were portal vein (PV) diameter 1.76 ± 0.37 cm; portal velocity 12.3 ± 3.2 cm/sec; portal area 2.05 ± 0.57 (cm)2; portal congestion index 0.16 ± 0.04 cms; and portal blood flow volume 0.02 ± 0.05 ml/sec/kg. The intra-assay coefficient of variations (CV)% of the above-mentioned variables were 5.84 ± 4.32, 12.3 ± 7.1, 10.5 ± 5.8, 14.7 ± 7.1, and 15.8 ± 12, respectively. However, the inter-assay CV% were 13.2 ± 5.9, 18.5 ± 8.4, 19.7 ± 7.6, 17.3 ± 8.8, and 31.9 ± 15, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study provides data that may be used as reference values for Doppler measurements of the PV in she-camels, which may help diagnose some hepatic disorders in camels.

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.