Among mammals, modern cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are unusual in the absence of hind limbs. However, cetacean embryos do initiate hind-limb bud development. In dolphins, the bud arrests and degenerates around the fifth gestational week. Initial limb outgrowth in amniotes is maintained by two signaling centers, the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) and the zone of polarizing activity...

Objective: Laminitis is one of the main causes of lameness in dairy cattle. In this situation the corium blood circulation is disrupted and the production of healthy horny hoof wall is reduced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the arteriographic pattern of the digital arterial branches in the laminitic digits and to compare them with the normal digits. Design: Original study. Animals...

This report describes a case of polydactyly in the hind-limb of a West African Dwarf goat kid in South West Africa. Physical examination revealed the presence of four digits in each of the hind limbs. Radiological examination and macerated bones of the animal showed a bifid shape of each metatarsal that was more prominent from the distal half of the diaphysis. This resulted in the presence of f...

An adult Ayrshire cow was presented with bilateral hind-limb lameness 5 weeks after routine claw trimming. Examination under intravenous regional anaesthesia revealed ulceration of the sole at the toe of both the right lateral and left medial claws of the hind limbs. Radiographic examination showed osteolysis and pathological fractures of the 3rd phalanx of both affected claws. Wooden blocks we...

The current study included the anatomical structure of metatarsal bone in sheep terms traditional structural description bone, as it was found that fore and hind limbs adult had no visible differences between animals, especially ruminants. metacarpal \tarsal No. 3 cylindrical shape, with presence bones 2 4 declines, articulated from proximal end whereas distal part fetlock joint first phalanx b...