Background: Septic arthritis affects ruminant welfare because, if left untreated, it can cause chronic pain and limit the mobility of affected joints.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathological changes in arthritic bovine calves. Methods: The study was conducted on 12 calves with swollen knees or carpal joints. All calves were evaluated through clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic examination. Peripheral blood was aspirated from each to assess hematobiochemical changes. Synovial fluid and infected swab samples were subjected to bacteriological analysis, and a synovial biopsy was taken for histological examination. Results: Ultrasound revealed inflammatory effusions with various echogenicity in the afflicted joint capsule, while radiography showed remarkable swelling of joints and surrounding structures and the development of new bone. Regarding hematological variables, the value of total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate significantly (P<0.05) increased in septic arthritic calves compared to healthy calves. In the arthritis group, the serum concentration of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase was considerably (P<0.05) higher than in healthy calves. The total protein and urea values were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in calves with infected arthritis. From the synovial fluid and purulent discharge of the joints, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were isolated. Histopathology of synovial tissue revealed chronic suppurative inflammation with intense hyperplasia of joint synovium.Conclusion: The results of this study may aid veterinarians in effectively diagnosing and treating septic arthritis in calves.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and characteristics of fractures may vary according to the environment. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the fractures of the appendicular and axial skeletons in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hares (Lepus sp.) presented at a veterinary teaching hospital. METHODS: Medical records and radiographs were retrospectively analyzed over eight years. RESULTS: Twenty-six pet rabbits and five free-ranging hares were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one of them had fractures in the appendicular skeleton, nine in the axial skeleton, and one in both. The fractures were related to traumatic events, such as being hit by a vehicle (22.58%), falling (12.9%), being attacked by another animal (12.9%), and having a paw stuck in a hole (3.22%); 48.38% had an unknown cause. Long bone fractures were found in the humerus (n=2), radius/ulna (n=1), femur (n=5), and tibia (n=12). Fractures involving the distal aspects of the limbs included the tarsus (n=1) and metatarsus (n=2) bones. Except for one rabbit, all of the others had unilateral fractures. Fourteen presented closed fractures, and nine were open fractures. All these fractures were complete, 56.52%% simple, and 43.47% multifragmental. The procedures used included osteosynthesis (42.85%), external coaptation (28.57%), amputation (14.28%), euthanasia (4.76%), and two animals died (9.52%). The fractures of the axial skeleton included the vertebral column (n=6), mandible (n=3), and pelvis (n=2). Five fractures were treated conservatively, and the rabbits were euthanized in four cases. CONCLUSIONS: The fractures resulted from a traumatic episode, which had an unknown origin in most of the cases, involving mainly the appendicular skeleton, being the tibia the bone most affected.

BACKGROUND: The growth and differentiation of skeletal pectoral limb girdle, wing and the ossification centers in these regions after hatching were investigated in some groups of quails. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the age of physical maturity and radiological and histological assessment of the ossification centers of pectoral limb in quail. METHODS: 14 quails after hatching were reared in similar and standard conditions and sampled once every 7 days to 90 days. RESULTS: According to radiological and histological results, differentiation of the wing in quail commences with the appearance of centers of undeveloped cartilages in diaphyseal humerus, radius, and ulna at the end of 7 days, and also carpal regions at the beginning of the 14 days. The growth sequence in humerus, radius, ulna, carpus, metacarpus, and digits are observed in various stages that the high growth is related to the maximum cartilaginous activity and their ossification stages and humerus keeps its growth connection constant with the length of the whole wing skeletal, although its growth scale lessens after 21th day. The histological results were evaluated based on prepared tissue sample from the proximal humeral portion. Lack of bone marrow was observed in the all 1th day`s tissue samples and bone marrow conformation was commenced after 7th day. The growth plate was not observed in the all samples and this issue is complementary to the information obtained from radiographic examination. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, complete the ossification process and the formation of all parts of pectoral limb girdle and wings in the quails is 70 days after hatching.

Postmortem examination is an important part in evidence-based medicine to understand deterioration of clinical signs or causes of death in euthanized or deceased individual animals or even populations. The object of postmortem analysis is to improve clinical treatment and therapy, to confirm suspected diagnosis, to manage breeding strategies or to clarify in forensic cases the conditions, which had led to death (neglect, animal abuse). In analogy to virtopsy in human medicine, Diagnostic imaging modalities have been applied in post mortem veterinary medicine, which we call Vetvirtopsy.We hypothesize, that Vetvirtopsy can be used as a method for certain clinical/post mortem questions to improve the reliability of the diagnosis. In some questions, Vetvirtopsy actually can replace conventional necropsy. The aim of this overview study is to compare Vetvirtopsy to conventional necropsy in variable causes of death in animals and to define its possibilities and limitations. Deceased or euthanized pets and wild animals were collected. The methods used are imaging techniques such as postmortem digital radiography, postmortem ultrasound, postmortem computed tomography and postmortem magnetic resonance tomography in combination with image-guided tissue sampling to address the open questions about clinical symptoms or causes of their death. The case series in this project shown that using diagnostic imaging technique is feasible in answering different clinical ante-mortem and post-mortem clinical and forensic questions; however, there is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the diagnostic imaging and sampling under imaging guidance.

Background: Mitral valve disease is the most common acquired heart disease in dogs. Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) due to endocardiosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in dog. Echocardiography as a non-invasive tool is routinely used to evaluate and diagnose different disorders in the heart. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of medical treatments and follow-up administration by the veterinarians in Tehran, using radiography and echocardiography. Methods: A total of 35 dogs from various breeds with cardiac heat failure (CHF) because of MR were selected for prospective randomized study. After clinical examination and radiography, progressive mitral endocardiosis was confirmed by echocardiography.  After that, patients were treated by a routine plans recommended by the general practitioners (12 active small animal clinicians). Follow-up radiography and echocardiography were performed again after 3 months for checking the efficacy of treatment protocol on cardiac output. Results: None of the medically treated patients statically showed significant improvement in their radiographic or echocardiographic parameters, that can be the outcome of incompatibility of using protocols with the standard ones. Conclusions: Although more studies are needed, based on the present results there was no significant change in cardiac parameters after 3 months of treatment. It seems that the current routine medication used by the active practitioner is not effective and cannot make a better quality of life in short term and requires changing the dose, the drugs producers or use of different  prescription items.

Background: Growth plate is responsible for bone elongation and its injury could result in severe orthopedic problems. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to investigate the radiographic changes after transplanting the fresh autogenous ear cartilage impregnated with PRP and MSc in treatment of growth plate injury in lamb. METHODS: Cranial half (½) in length in full depth of the right hind limb growth plate was resected with bone oscillator and  was transplanted  with  autogenous fresh  harvested  ear cartilage  at the time of surgery  in  all of the 15  male lambs. Subsequently they were divided into 3 subgroups of 5 lambs in each group, control, PRP and MSCs. Radiographs were obtained from operated limbs at surgery time and 60 post-operative. RESULTS: Clinically, all lambs showed same lameness degree and mostly apparent after cast removal but gradually improved in the treated group which showed normal weight bearing after one month. Early physeal closure was seen in growth plate injured site only in control group without limb shortening or angular deformity. Lambs with MSCs showed mild bone bridge formation (1.4b ± 0.4b) as compared with   PRP group (1.8 ± 0.37ab) and control group (2.8 ± 0.2 a) (P<0.05).On 60 days postoperatively control group showed significant mineralization (by 2.8±0.2a) while less mineralization was detected in MSCs and PRP groups  (by 1.4± 0.4b and 2.4± o.4 ab). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that MSCs &amp; PRP can quite effective in preventing bone bridge formation and mineralization besides convergence of the transplanted tissue into growth plate cartilage. Keywords:

Background: Analog radiography has been replaced with digital radiography for canine diagnostic imaging in many veterinary clinics. There is no data comparing these modalities in a veterinary clinical setting to detect bronchial pattern signs in dogs. Objectives: In this study, computerized digital radiography (CR) and analog radiography were compared for diagnosis of bronchial pattern in dogs. Methods: Forty-five healthy (based on clinical examination and history taking) mixed breed dogs were divided into 3 age groups: up to two, two-six and more than 6 years old. Each group contained fifteen dogs. DR and FSR in right to left lateral (RL) and ventrodorsal (VD) views were taken. Two expert radiologists interpreted the radiographs based on counting bronchial ring and tram line signs in a double blinded scheme. Results: The statistical analysis of results, with Sign Test, shows that more bronchial ring and tram-like signs were counted with both radiologists using digital radiography. In addition, countable bronchial signs on right lateral position by digital and analog radiography were significantly more than in ventrodorsal view. In comparison with analog images, a greater number of bronchial ring and tram-like signs are associated with greater diagnostic confidence in digital modality. Conclusions: This study shows superior ability of digital radiography for detecting details in thoracic radiography of normal dogs in comparison with analog radiography. Since digital radiography is getting to be more commonly used by veterinary practitioners, it is necessary to understand the shortcomings of current classification of pulmonary pattern approach in digital radiology.

The Akhal-Teke is an ancient horse originat-ing from Asia where it was used by nomadic tribes and used as a warhorse. Lameness examinations require proper interpretation of clinical and radiographic findings. Therefore, understanding of normal radiographic findings of the foot is necessary. Although the radiographic appearance of the normal foot must be understood to recognize abnormalities ,there are no studies examining the normal hoof and digital soft tissues in Akhal-Teke horses. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study reported here was to determine a normal radiographic appearance and morpho-metry of the distal phalanx and its related soft tissue in mature Akhal-Teke racehorses without any clinical signs of lameness and foot problems. METHODS: Radiography of the distal phalanx and associated soft-tissue structures of the front feet of 10 healthy pure Akhal-Teke horses were performed to determine normal radiographic appearance and morphometry. Lateromedial radiographic views of each front distal phalanx were used to measure important distances, angles and ratios of the hoof wall. All the measurements from lateromedial radiographs were multiplied by the magnification correction factor to gain the actual distances. RESULTS: Mean ± SD thickness of the soft tissues dorsal to the middle aspect of distal phalanx was 18.3 ± 1.22 mm. There was not any significant difference between left and right digits for any radiographic determination. CONCLUSIONS: This study introduced S-Founder and CF-Founder as important criteria in evaluating laminitis and sinking of P3.