Ultasonographical examination of one humped camels´(Camelus dromedarius)liver with some haematological and biochemical aspects

The main objective of this study was to determine the suitable site to examine the liver by transcutaenous ultrasonography and to describe the echo pattern of the hepatic parenchyma and hepatic vessels in apparently healthy dromedary camels. The study was conducted on two groups of camels; Group I consisted of forty-one camels from Sudan and Egypt with the weight range of 350-550 kg. Camels in Group II (four camels) were studied in Germany their body weight ranged 400-600 kg. Body temperature, pulse, heart and respiratory rates, blood haematology and biochemistry, hump height and circumference were determined. Sternal recumbancy was found to be the most suitable and safer position to perform all the above mentioned examinations. Mean and standard deviation of the hump height and circumference in Group I were 23.1 ± 6.1cm and 87.6 ± 35.9 cm respectively, and 38.3 ± 9.9 cm and 139.0 ± 21.7 cm, respectively in Group II. Body temperature ranged 35.8°C to 40°C (Group I) and 34.5°C to 36.4 °C (Group II); pulse rate ranged 35 to 55 beats/min (Group I) and from 30 to 45 (Group II) beats/min; respiratory rate was 10 to 22 breaths/ min (Group I) and 9 to 4 (Group II) breaths/ min. Blood parameters including total and differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monophiles and eosinophils) white blood cell count as well as Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC were measured in both groups. There was no significant difference in these values in animals in both groups. Blood biochemistry including AST, ALT, ALB, BIL, TG, ALP, GGT and GLDH was also measured in both groups. There were no significant differences between these values in Group I and Group II. The liver could be ultrasonographically visualized in the area extending from the 11th to the 6th intercostal space (ICS) on the right side of the animal. The transverse process of the 2nd lumbar vertebrum was considered as a reference point. The mean distance between the RP and the dorsal and ventral liver margins was measured in both groups. The difference between these values in both groups was not significant. The parenchymal pattern of the normal camel liver consisted of numerous medium echoes homogenously distributed all over the area of the liver. Fissures were observed in the visceral liver surface in the 10th to the 7th ICS. Hepatic and portal veins could be visualized within the normal liver textures. The caudal vena cava was characterized by an oval shape in cross section and visualized in the 11th and 10th ICS. Porta hepatis was found at the same level of the point of the shoulder joint at a distance of 70.3 ± 6.3 cm and 73.2 ± 4.4 cm from it in Group I and Group II, respectively. The portal vein was best visualized in the 10th ICS with diameter and depth of 33.4 ± 7.1 mm (Group I) and 35.0 ± 5.1 mm (Group II) and 42.0 ± 1.8 mm (Group I) and 72.7 ± 4.7 mm (Group II), respectively. The thickness of the dorsal and ventral liver margins at the 10th ICS was thinner as it progressed cranially. The dorsal margin was usually thinner than the ventral margin in all intercostal spaces in both groups of camels. The whole liver length which could be ultrasonographically examined in the area from the 11th to the 6th intercostal spaces in Group I and Group II were (53.0 ± 7.1 cm) and (60.5 ± 5.7 cm), respectively. This work represents the first study on ultrasonographical examination of the liver in the one humped camel. The presented data can form base line values for future use of ultrasound in diagnosis of liver diseases in the dromedary camel. The technique is non-invasive and has the advantage that it can be applied in sitting non-tranquilized animals