Summary Detomidine (Domosedan) was administered to four groups of donkeys, using four different dosages (5, 10, 20 and 40μg/kg bwt) intravenously. The drug provided adequate sedation at dosages of 5 and 10 μg/kg bwt. Sedation deepened only slightly by increasing the dose. Analgesia was considered good with a dose of 20 μg/kg, and 40 μg/kg provided a deep analgesia associated with a longer duration. No significant changes had been observed in haematocrit (PCV), haemoglobin content (Hb%), total red and white cell counts and differential leucocytic counts. It was concluded that detomidine is a valuable sedative and analgesic drug to be used in donkeys without any serious implications.

Working equids rely on sound, balanced hooves, but data describing the typical morphology of the legs and feet of working donkeys are currently lacking. To address this gap in knowledge, the front and hind feet of twenty healthy working donkeys were measured and compared. Hoof width, weight-bearing lengths, heel width, dorsal hoof wall length and lateral and medial heel length of the hoof wall were determined, as well as toe angle, heel angle, hoof pastern axis, coronary band angle and a measure of 'ground surface size'. Viewed from the ground surface of the foot, front feet were more rounded and significantly larger than hind feet. Measures of medial-lateral balance and toe-heel angle ratio were within the recommended healthy guidelines for horses. Hoof pastern axis was broken forward for the studied animals, which supports previous research suggesting that a broken forward hoof pastern axis is normal for donkeys, although further study would be required to confirm whether this conformation is natural. Significant correlations were found between estimated body mass and hoof width in both the front and hind feet. These measurements provide valuable insight into the relationship between hoof and body characteristics, which may aid the development of guidelines for the trimming and management of working donkey hooves. Further study is, however, advised to confirm natural hoof conformation.

Subjective, objective and photographic image using software Auto CAD programme were used for evaluation of limb conformation in 51 jumping thoroughbred horses. The abnormal limb conformations were included: standing under in front (58%), steep shoulder (55%), carpus valgus (45%), calf knee (31%), standing under behind (31%), short pelvis (31%) and straight hocks (16%). Linear and angular limb measurements showed standing under in front had increased elbow joint lateral angle, and decreased fore fetlock joint lateral angle. Steep shoulder displayed a significant increase (P< 0.05) in shoulder joint lateral angle and significant decrease in forearm front length. calf knee horses had significant decrease in the lateral angle of carpus joint. Short pelvis had a significant decrease in lateral length of pelvis and significant increase in croup angle and stifle joint lateral angle. Straight hocks showed the lateral length of both pelvis and gaskin showed a significant decrease and significant increase in the stifle joint lateral angle. Therefore, the current use of linear and angular measurements in relationships to abnormal limb conformation in the present study will allow for estimation of the future performance and soundness in jumping thoroughbred horses. In addition can be considered for selection athletic horse with less risk of lameness.

REPORTS of conjoined or identical twins have been found exclusively in cattle (Arthur 1956). To the authors' knowledge, identical twins have not yet been recorded in sheep, pigs, dogs or cats. This short communication describes a rare case of conjoined twins in newborn piglets in which the component parts were diplopagus (equal and symmetrical).Conjoined female piglets were born, together with eight normal piglets, to a sow approximately four years old. After 24 hours they were admitted to the Surgery Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, but they were weak and died 30 minutes after arrival.Postmortem examination revealed the two piglets to be identical and symmetrical. The body length of each was 20·5 cm. The skin was covered with black and white hair, with patches of black hair on the head, withers and rump. Both heads and necks were completely separated; there were four ears, four eyes, four nostrils and two mouths. All four limbs were duplicated and were fully developed (Fig 1).Dissections of the abdominal and thoracic cavities showed that each piglet had a separate abdominal and thoracic cavity. The abdominal cavities were fused at the cranial third of the abdomen. The skin, abdominal muscles and peritoneum were shared and covered both abdominal cavities. The thoracic cavities appeared cylindrical in shape, were completely fused at the sternum, and had pairs of ribs. The anatomical structures in one piglet were a mirror image of the other. The internal organs of both were similar and well developed. The small intestines were arranged in small coils, chiefly on the left side and floor of the abdomen. The liver of each piglet appeared triangular in outline. The livers were fused together, but each had a separate gall bladder (Fig 2). There was a common umbilical cord for both piglets, and the cord had three branches. A pair of vessels (urachi) connected the umbilicus to both urinary bladders, and the third branch (the umbilical vein) was attached to the common livers. Getty (1975) and Reef and Collatos (1988) reported that there are four internal umbilical structures in the fetus and in the clinically normal equine neonate; the urachus, the umbilical vein and two umbilical arteries. At birth, the umbilicus separates and the urachus retracts, then closes and atrophies. When the umbilical cord ruptures, the umbilical arteries atrophy and form the round ligaments of the bladder, and the umbilical vein atrophies and forms the round ligament of the liver. Therefore, these structures were considered to be postnatal umbilical remnants. Unfortunately, it was not possible to detect the umbilical arteries.