Conjoined Twins in West African Dwarf Goats, Capra Hircus: Case Report

Embryological malformations due to congenital abnormities that are also called birth defects in animals are sequel to toxic substance exposure (pollutants), malnutrition, genetic disorders, infection and diseases. These congenital abnormities have been reported in cattle, pigs, sheep and goats with very rare incidence of 1; 2,800- 250,000 births (Schneovoigt et al., 2014). Generally, the occurance of conjoined twins is sporadic and very rare, thus most of it aspect remains theoretical and academic exercise due to poor monitoring and reporting of conjoinital malformations in Africa, However the description of these conjoined twins has been reported in mammalian and non-mammalian animal’s species recently in Nigeria; orofacial clefts, neural tube defects, and lim deficiencies, oculocutaneous hypopigmentation (white eyes) osteopetrosis (marble bone disease) polydactyly (extra toes) progressive bovine myeloncephaly (weaver Calf) (Spencer, 1992). The frequency is higher in bovine and moderately in swine and ovine while very rare in horses and caprines (Spencer, 1992). In this work will present, a case of Dicephallus parapagus paired twins delivered through cesarean section following an interminable dystocia of West African Dwarf Doe. The dicephallus parapagus pair of male twins died few hours after invasive surgical delivery and a thorough post mortem examination was carried out. We present a case report on the gross external features of the pair Dicephallus parapagus bipus twin kids. There is a need to intensify collaborative surveillance by constant monitoring and reporting such cases of congenital malformations of our domestics and wild animals in the Nigeria among veterinarian, animal health workers and wild life scientists.