Measurement of serum total thyroxine is the standard method to diagnose feline hyperthyroidism which is now considered the most common endocrine disease in cats. Factors as luminosity and temperature were incriminated as causes for thyroid hormones variation in dogs. The present study aimed to determine reference values for serum total thyroxine in healthy cats in Rio de Janeiro; to compare these findings with values from laboratories inside and outside Brazil and finally, to analyze the effect of gender and age on serum total thyroxine concentration. One hundred nineteen healthy cats, living in Rio de Janeiro for at least five months, from both sex and different breeds were used in this study. Serum thyroxine was measured on 119 samples by Chemiluminescent Enzyme Immunoassay (CEIA) method. Cats aged between five months and 18 years (7.11 ± 3.64). The lowest and highest serum T4 concentration founded in the whole population was 0.44 µg/dL and 4.6 µg/dL respectively. The reference range for this population was 0.75 - 3.5 µg/dL. According to samples included in this study, there was no difference between males and females thyroxine values (&#945; = 0.05). However, age significantly influenced T4 concentrations with a positive correlation (p < 0.05). | A dosagem de tiroxina total sérica em gatos é o exame de escolha para o diagnóstico do hipertireoidismo que é considerada a doença endócrina mais comum em gatos domésticos. Fatores como luminosidade e temperatura já foram incriminados como causa de variação das concentrações de hormônios tireoidianos em cães. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar valores séricos de referência para a tiroxina total em gatos saudáveis pelo método de quimioluminescência no Rio de Janeiro; comparar estes valores aos atualmente utilizados por laboratórios no Brasil e no exterior; além de analisar o efeito da idade e do sexo sobre os valores de tiroxina sérica total nos animais avaliados. A tiroxina sérica foi dosada em 119 amostras por meio de ensaio imunoenzimático por quimioluminescência. A faixa etária dos 119 felinos incluídos neste estudo variou de cinco meses a 18 anos (média de 7,11 ± 3,64). O menor valor de concentração sérica de T4 encontrado foi de 0,44 µg/dL e o maior valor foi de 4,6 µg/dL. A faixa de referência para a tiroxina nesta população ficou entre 0,75 e 3,5 µg/dL. De acordo com as amostras coletadas neste estudo, os valores médios da concentração de T4 para gatos machos e fêmeas foram considerados os mesmos para um erro α = 0,05. A idade, no entanto, apresentou um efeito significativo na concentração de T4 (p &lt; 0,05) e correlação positiva.

Leptospirosis may affect all domestic and wild animals as well as human beings. Some serological studies have shown the involvement of wild species in the epidemiology of the disease. Once captive wild animals are not much studied, especially in Brazil, the present study aimed to detect anti- Leptospira spp. antibodies in animals from Ribeirão Preto city zoo, in São Paulo state, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from captive birds, fish, reptiles and mammals, sinanthropics and free-living animals and also from employees between March and October, 2006. Four hundred and three blood samples were obtained, 388 animals' samples (110 reptiles, 143 birds, 110 mammals and 25 fish) and 15 humans'. The sera were analysed by Microscopic Agglutination Test using 22 serovars from pathological leptospiras and two from non-pathological serovars. Among the animal samples, 339 were from captive animals, and 49 from free-living ones, captured with traps inside the zoo. One hundred and three (103/388 = 26.5%) samples reacted to leptospirosis, ninety-two (92/339 = 27.1%) samples were from captive animals and eleven (11/49 = 22.4%) from free-living ones. All humans' samples were negative. Serological titles varied from 40 to 5.120, with predominance of titles between 40 and 80 and the most frequent serovars were Patoc, Andamana, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Panama. | A leptospirose acomete todos os animais domésticos, selvagens e os seres humanos. Alguns estudos sorológicos realizados têm demonstrado o envolvimento de espécies selvagens na epidemiologia da doença. Uma vez que populações cativas de animais selvagens são pouco estudadas, principalmente no Brasil, o presente estudo teve como objetivo a detecção de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em animais selvagens de cativeiro e de vida livre do Zoológico Municipal de Ribeirão Preto, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Durante o período de março a outubro de 2006 foram colhidas 403 amostras de sangue das quais 388 animais (110 répteis, 143 aves, 110 mamíferos e 25 peixes) e 15 amostras de funcionários do zoológico Dentre as 388 amostras de animais, 339 eram animais cativos e 49 eram animais de vida livre capturados pelo uso de armadilhas. Os soros sanguíneos foram analisados por meio da prova de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM) utilizando-se antígenos de 22 sorovares de leptospiras patogênicas e dois sorovares de leptospiras não patogênicas. Foram reagentes para leptospirose 103 (103/388 = 26,5%) amostras, sendo 92 (92/339 = 27,1%) amostras de animais cativos e 11 (11/49 = 22,4%) de animais de vida livre. As 15 amostras de soro humanas foram negativas. Os títulos sorológicos nas amostras reagentes variaram de 40 a 5.120 com predominância dos títulos 40 e 80 e os sorovares Patoc, Andamana, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae e Panama foram os mais frequentes.

Molecular genetic data provide powerful tools for genealogy reconstruction to reveal mechanisms underlying disease ecology. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) congregate in matriarchal groups; kin-related close social spacing may be a factor in the spread of infectious diseases. Spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disorder of deer and their cervid relatives, is presumed to be associated with direct contact between individuals and by exposure to shared food and water sources contaminated with prions shed by infected deer. Key aspects of disease ecology are yet unknown. DNA tools for pedigree reconstruction were developed to fill knowledge gaps in disease dynamics in prion-infected wild animals. Kinship indices using data from microsatellite loci and sequence haplotypes of mitochondrial DNA were employed to assemble genealogies. Molecular genealogy tools will be useful for landscape-level population genetic research and monitoring, in addition to epidemiologic studies examining transmission of CWD in captive and free-ranging cervids.

The spectrum of acaricides changes continuously and improves. At the same time, big attention is given to research of new, more effective preparations meeting modern requirements. Research on studying the efficiency of Akaribil preparation against swine sarcoptosis (Sarcoptidae) was realized in the conditions of swine breeding farm in the Republic of Belarus. The preparation possesses high insect-acaricidal activity. In the conditions of the preparation storage and repeated opening of a ware in the course of tests there were stated no changes in drug smell or color. The scheme of the preparation application is applied in industrial production technology. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties, antiseptic stimulating healing of skin damages, does not irritate integuments, renders weak irritating effect on mucous membranes of eyes. In recommended doses Akaribil does not cause any adverse effects and complicating disease. There were stated no contraindications to preparation application. High therapeutic efficiency against arachnoentomosis was proved. Application the preparation made it possible not only to reduce disease incidence and animal death, but also to facilitate the severity of scabietic diseases. As a result of realized research it was established that efficiency of Akaribil against swine sarcoptosis was 100%.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus the was studied the age-specific dynamics of content of total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, phospholipids, total iron and catalase activity in spleen of broiler chicken during the incubation period (1-46 days). The content of total lipids, total cholesterol, and phospholipids was at maximal level at one day-old age, and gradually lowered by the end of growing period. The amount of total iron in ontogeny increased till the 30 day-old age and a bit lowered by the end of growing period. In broilers with lower live weight the iron content in spleen was lower during the whole growing period. The catalase activity had a wave-like character and depended on prophylactic vaccinations undertaken and the amount of lipids in tissues.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there were presented the results of a veterinary and sanitary assessment and bacteriological investigation of sheep slaughter products, which showed meat serviceability for consumption after application of Triclafen suspension. Application Triclafen suspension did not render negative influence on an organism of animals. It was proved by organoleptic and laboratory research of meat of slaughter animals of experimental and control groups. The meat obtained from healthy sheep which were administrated the suspension in accordance with microbiological indicators proved to be of good quality and corresponded to the established norms (Sanitary regulations and standards 11 - 63 Republic of Belarus 98): it had the general bacterial content within admissible limits and did not contain agents of anthropozoonosts, alimentary toxicosis and toxinfections and it can be sold without any restrictions.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was studied the influence of electroactive solutions of anolyte neutral, catholyte alkaline and hypochlorite sodium on microbial flora of a gastro enteric path of calves and sheep. In course the realized research it was stated that more expressed action of anolyte neutral and hypochlorite sodium on beneficial microflora of animal intestines (namely, the decrease in quantity of some indexes) can probably be explained by an expressed antimicrobic action of the analyzed solutions. However, the quantitative changes occurring in composition of microbial flora were not so great and cannot cause radical changes of a microbial landscape of gastro-intestinal tract. Less expressed influence on microbial flora of intestines of calves and sheep rendered the solution of alkaline catholyte. Taking into consideration the expressed regenerative properties of the studied electroactive solution, it was possible to assume, that according to the mode of action of the preparation, its application will promote the increasing of protective forces of an organism without causing any radical changes of a microbial landscape of intestines of animals. The problem of influence of electroactive solutions on a microbial landscape of a gastro enteric tract of animals demands the further studying, however at the given stage it is possible to make a conclusion, that the quantitative changes of the microbial flora which were caused by application of the analyzed solutions, proved to be less fatal and did not render sharp negative influence on a microbial landscape as a whole. Taking into consideration data of the realized research it is possible to make a conclusion on possibility of application of the electro activated solutions of anolyte neutral, catholyte alkaline and hypochlorite sodium for treatment of gastro enteric tract diseases of agricultural animals.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was realized a complex of studies of quality swine slaughter products against the background of combine applications of the albuminous-vitamin-mineral additive Immovit and an extract of hill-growing saltwort for the preventive maintenance and treatment of a toxic dystrophy of liver. Research results showed the analysed preparations did not render negative influence on quality and safety of produced meat products. Against the background of application of the albuminous-vitamin-mineral additive Immovit in combination with an extract of hill-growing saltwort there was stated the improvement of swine slaughter product quality. In products from the animals which were administrated with a complex of examined preparations there was stated an optimized moisture content, the increasing of a relative biological value of a product (101,3-103,8%), and according to the indexes of bacterial safety the experimental pork considerably surpassed the meat indexes from animals of control groups. At the same time, in slaughter animal products of control groups there were revealed coliform bacillus bacteria.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there were studied the anthelminthic properties of preparative forms of elecampane (Inula helenium) (herbal infusion, tincture, liquid and dry extracts). Research results showed that the analyzed preparative forms in the administrated doses possesed high therapeutic efficiency against strongyloidosis and strongylatosis of gastroenteric path of sheep. Thus, according to results of research it was established, that the highest therapeutic effect rendered herbal infusion of elecampane in a dose of 6 ml/kg live weight once a day three days continuously; and the antiparasitic efficiency was 60%. Application of elecampane tincture in a dose of 1 ml/kg live weight once and 0,5 ml/kg of live weight twice rendered the 100% therapeutic effect. Administration of a liquid extract of elecampane in a dose of 0,2 ml/kg live of weight once and 0,1 ml/kg of live weight twice rendered 100% therapeutic effect. Application of elecampane dry extract in a dose of 30 mg/kg of live weight once and 25 mg/kg of live weight twice rendered 100% therapeutic effect.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there were studied the aetiology factors in development of dermatoses of productive cows taking into account the hygienic aspects. Structural defects of floors of cattle livestock buildings in animals of an experimental group promoted higher (on 35%) development of mattery dermhelminthiasis of distal areas of hindlegs in comparison with animals of a control group. Occurrence of skin dermhelminthiasis, especially in distal areas of hindlegs, was caused by various primary traumas of soft parts with the subsequent introduction into them of pathogenic microbial flora. The imperfect design of floors, an unsatisfactory microclimate in cow cattle houses, hypodynamia in the absence of constitutional walk made the preconditions for it. The reasons of purulent dermatosis of cows were two interconnected etiological factors: mechanical damages of tissues and development of a surgical infections in affected areas against the background of unsatisfactory microclimate that led to decrease in dairy efficiency on 4,51%. Therefore in a complex of the actions directed towards the preventive maintenance of surgical diseases, it is necessary to include the strict control over designing, building and operation of cattle-breeding premises, traumatism prevention, creation of an optimum microclimate and observance of zoohygienic norms of cattle maintenance.