Thoracic radiographic anatomy as a diagnostic tool for pneumonia in West African Dwarf goats

Abstract

West African Dwarf (WAD) goats are native to Nigeria and are mostly kept under a semiintensive management and remain susceptible to  pneumonia which is one of main causes of death. Normal anatomy of WAD goats using radiographic modality will serve as reference for clinical use. Six WAD male goats aged nine months to one year five months, weighing 6 – 11 kg and temperatures within normal limits of 38.5 – 39.7°C were  used. Four view radiographs (DV, VD, RL and LL) taken with a Radiography Machine, AMX 700, using standard exposure factors after sedation with xylazine (0.02 mg/kg). The visibility, location, number, shape and size of thoracic organs and structures were recorded. The number of thoracic vertebrae was constantly 13 and sternabrae were 5. The VHS value ranged from 8.5 to 10 on the right lateral view and 7 to 9 on the left lateral view.  The angle of divergence of the trachea from the thoracic vertebrae ranged from 14 to 25 degrees and there was no depression of the trachea at the thoracic inlet. The heart shape was consistently oval and visibility of caudal vena cava and aorta was inconsistent. The depth and width of the thorax did not differ significantly and visibility of all lung lobes was recorded in all the animals. The species-specific differences observed in other species of goats do not appear to occur in prepubertal WAD goats. Normal thoracic radiographic anatomy of WAD goats will serve an important role in  interpretation and diagnosis of thoracic diseases.

Keywords: WAD goats, Thoracic radiograph, Pneumonia, Diagnosis