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Background Determination of gestational age in goats was performed using ultrasound measurements of different fetal biometric parameters. There are no data showing quadratic and exponential dependence between fetal heart parameters and gestational age. Objectives The objective of the present study was to test the significance of the defined indicators (fetal heart rate, longitudinal and transverse fetal heart axes) for determining gestational age in local Bulgarian goats. Methods A total of 24 pregnant local Bulgarian goats, aged between 2 and 5 years, body weight 42–50 kg were included in the study. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed weekly on gestational days 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49. After gestational day 49 until parturition, scans were performed biweekly. The data from the measurements were subjected to linear (y = a + bx), quadratic (y = aх 2 + bх + c) and exponential (y = ax n) correlation. Results: Average fetal heart rate values decreased with pregnancy progression. The coefficient of determination (R2) and standard error of estimate (SEE) of the heart rate indicator were 0.72, 0.75, 0.58 and 15.1, 14.4, 19.2 days, respectively, for the three correlations. Longitudinal diameter (long axis) had the following values for R2 = 0.94, 0.96, 0.96 and for SEE = 7.0, 5.5, 5.5 days, for the linear, quadratic and exponential correlations, respectively, while the values of the fetal heart transverse diameter (short axis) were higher than those of the external one (R2 = 0.95, 0.97, 0.97). Simultaneously, SEE is lower (SEE = 6.1, 4.9, 5.0 days) compared to that found for the long heart fetal axis. Conclusions For precise estimation of gestational age, use of longitudinal (long) and transverse (short) axes is recommended. Fetal heart rate is not an exact indicator but can be used as a reference for gestational age along with changes in the heart size and echogenicity., The objective of this study is to determine gestational age in Bulgarian local goats through ultrasonographic measurements of some fetal heart indicators (heart rate, longitudinal and transverse heart axes). For precise estimation of gestational age, use of longitudinal (long) and transverse (short) axes is recommended. Fetal heart rate is not an exact indicator but can be used as a reference for gestational age along with changes in the heart size and echogenicity.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the fetal number in goats by using hormonal and ultrasonographic examinations. The experiments were conducted with 106 clinically healthy Bulgarian local goats, 1.5 to 7 years of age, weighing 35-52 kg. Hormonal examinations were performed on 24 goats. Serum progesterone concentrations were measured during a 7 days interval, between 21-63 day of pregnancy, and during a 14 days interval until the 133rd day of pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations were performed on 82 goats with a multi-frequency linear transducer (5.0-12.0 MHz). All animals were studied once during an interval of 7 days transrectally (21-28 day, 29-35 day, 36-42 day) and transabdominally (43-49 day, 50-56 day, 57-63 day), respectively. The accuracy of determining the number of singleton and multiple pregnancies by hormonal analysis were 51%, 58%, 69% and 47%, 52%, 62%, respectively. The accuracy of ultrasonography to determine the number of fetuses is highest in singletons 76.18%, followed by twins 72.56% and the lowest in triplets and more fetuses 21.43%. Highest accuracy, sensitivity and positive predictive diagnosis were established in the period 43-49 day of pregnancy (P

The aim of the current study was to determine the gestational age in goats through the measurement of some foetal and uterine structures. Twenty-four pregnant Bulgarian local goats were submitted to ultrasound foetometry by transrectal and transabdominal approaches. Ultrasound measurement of studied parameters was done at 7-day intervals during the first trimester of gestation (days 21-49) and at 14-day intervals between gestation days 49 and 133. Associations of foetometry data with foetal age were investigated by linear (y = a + bx), quadratic (y = ax2 + bx + c) and exponential (y = axn ) equations. According to the results, some biometric parameters (uterine lumen diameter, crown-rump length, trunk diameter, biparietal diameter, foetal aortic diameter) exhibited a stronger correlation to gestational age (R2 ≥ 0.90) and lower standard error of the estimate (SEE ≤ 8) as compared to foetal eye orbit diameter, and outer and inner placentome diameters (R2 ≤ 0.90; SEE ≥ 8). Each of these biometric parameters could be measured in different periods of gestation, thus allowing for monitoring and determination of foetal age at almost all stages of pregnancy.

The purpose of the present study was monitoring of the first trimester of pregnancy in local goats through ultrasound visualisation and measurements of some biometric parameters. Eighteen local Bulgarian goats, 2 to 4 years of age, weighing 48–56 kg, reared in the Biobase of the Faculty of Vete­rinary Medicine – Stara Zagora were included in the experiments. All animals underwent ultrasound checks on gestation days 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49. Ultrasound measurements included the following biometric parameters: uterine lumen diameter, crown-rump length, trunk diameter, biparietal diameter, inner and outer diameter of placentomes, long and short heart axis, foetal heart rate, foetal orbit diameter. The analysis of results indicated that ultrasound check during the first trimester of pregnancy of local goats could start at 21st day of pregnancy when two biometric parameters were visuali­sed – uterine lumen diameter (10.3±2.7 mm), filled with anechoic amniotic fluid and foetal crown-rump length (5.2±0.9 mm), which was hyperechoic. From the 28th day of gestation, ultrasound measu­rement of trunk diameter was possible. The inner and outer placentome diameters, biparietal diameter and foetal heart rate could be used for monitoring of pregnancy by the end of the first trimester (days 42 and 49).

A clinical case of an 11-year-old bitch with unilateral ovarian dysgerminoma and pyometra is described. The owner reported purulent discharge from external genitalia, fastidious appetite and depression. Transabdominal ultrasonography of the reproductive organs showed a hypoechoic mass in the region of the left ovary (7.18 × 6.65 cm) and a strongly enlarged uterine lumen full of anechoic fluid. Vaginal cytology demonstrated about 50% superficial cornfield epithelial cells and multiple neutrophils. Complete blood counts and blood biochemistry analysis indicated a significant leukocytosis and a mild anemia. Blood progesterone (3.96 ng/ml) and estradiol (86 pg/ml) were assayed. Median laparotomy revealed an enlarged uterus, substantially altered left ovary, of the size of a grapefruit. The right ovary was of normal size and structure. Tumor metastases in other organs were not seen. Histologically, diffusely located cancer cells resembling primitive germ cells, specific for dysgerminomas, were established. One year after the surgery, according to the owner the dog is vital, with normal appetite and without general condition abnormalities.

a b s t r a c t The aim of the present study was to establish ultrasonographic findings for some patholog- ical changes of the mammary gland in goats. A total of 80 goats of a Bulgarian local breed were included in the study. Ultrasonography was performed using a 5 MHz linear trans- ducer for evaluation of the mammary parenchyma (transcutaneous ultrasonography) and the teat (indirect technique by using a water bath). From all animals examined, 18 (22.5%) had acute mastitis, 9 (11.25%) teat stenosis, 3 (3.75%) abscessation-localized in the mam- mary parenchyma (n = 2) or in the teat wall (n = 1) and 2 (2.5%) indurative chronic mastitis. Acute mastitis was characterized ultrasonographically by a non-homogeneous and hypo- to hyperechoic structure of the mammary parenchyma, with an accompanying lack of clear visualization of the lactiferous ducts and the blood vessels. A thickened and hyperechoic teat wall, as well as numerous hyperechoic structures in the teat cistern, corresponding to milk coagula, were identified. In goats with teat stenosis ultrasound revealed proliferations in the area of the teat canal, the rosette of Furstenberg, the teat wall and at the boundary between teat and gland cisterns exhibiting a high echogenicity. In case of abscessation, a hypoechoic structure with small hyperechoic particles, representing pus collections, sur- rounded by a capsule was found. The loss of the parenchyma's normal granular pattern, a lack of anechoic milk canals, and the presence of hyperechoic structures, representing the increase of connective tissue characterized chronic indurative mastitis.

Slow-release GnRH agonist implants are considered an effective, reversible alternative to surgical castration in male tom cats. Individual differences exist regarding the onset of efficacy and might be delayed in some animals. Single measurements of testosterone (T) might result in basal concentrations also in intact male cats. Consequently, GnRH stimulation tests are performed to measure T increase in intact animals and to differentiate castrated from intact male cats. In this study, five tom cats were treated with a 4.7-mg deslorelin implant and GnRH stimulation tests using buserelin were performed before treatment and at 4-week intervals afterward until Week 20. After the last test in Week 20 all animals were castrated. Four of five animals had basal T after 4 weeks and-in contrast to pretreatment-application of buserelin did not result in any further T increase. In one animal, T was low after implant insertion, but not basal; however, a GnRH stimulation test induced a slight increase of T in Week 8 and 16 only and no response in Weeks 4, 12, and 20. Testicular volume was significantly decreased and penile spines disappeared in all cats. Testicular histology showed mixed atrophy, but also fully elongated spermatids in three of five male cats making infertility questionable. Because of the loss of the stimulatory effect of short-term GnRH application (buserelin), it can be assumed that long-term GnRH agonists also act by some mechanisms of downregulation of pituitary GnRH receptors in the tom cat.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the uterine involution in goats from a local Bulgarian breed through ultrasonography. Six goats from a local breed, 3 to 7 years of age, weighing 42-60 kg, housed in the Production Animal Farm of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, were included in the experiment. Ultrasonography was performed with Aloka SSD 500 Micrus (Tokyo, Japan) ultrasound and a 5 MHz linear transducer. Goats were examined in standing position for the transabdominal approach, and when the visualisation of studied structures was impossible, the transrectal approach was used. Uterine involution in goats was evaluated by serial ultrasound examinations at days 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20 and 30 postpartum. The outer and inner diameters of the caruncles, uterine body lumen, and uterine wall thickness were measured. The visualisation of outer and inner caruncular diameters was possible until the 9th day postpartum. The ultrasound measurement of uterine lumen diameter, outer and inner caruncular diameters revealed a statistically significant reduction in their size (P