The capture and quarantine of non-human primates could be necessary in some circumstances including those required under environmental permit. Mortality is undesirable for wildlife management programs and could be related to opportunistic pathogens, for example, deaths due to intestinal protozoa infection outbreaks as described here. Parasitological, necroscopic, microbiological, and molecular tests were used in the diagnosis of severe necrotic enteritis leading to death of three female and two male black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) captured and held in quarantine prior to translocation. Parasitological tests showed the presence of cysts of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5/5), Entamoeba coli (5/5) and Giardia duodenalis (1/5). Necroscopic assessment revealed areas of severe multifocal necrosis in the intestinal mucosa and submucosa. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of structures morphologically compatible to Entamoeba spp. in all individuals examined. Furthermore, G. duodenalis (1/5) was demonstrated by the nested PCR technique. During temporary captivity of non-human primates in management programs, proper handling protocols, including fast or immediate destination, are suggested in order to mitigate the negative effects of stress and decrease the risk of infections.

Enumeration of nematode eggs in fecal samples using the McMaster technique and morphological identification of third stage larvae from fecal cultures have been extensively used with satisfactory results in the diagnosis of the gastrointestinal nematode infections in ruminants. In order to improve sensitivity and accuracy, other approaches for quantification of eggs have been employed, like the FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC techniques. Results obtained in different studies indicate that fecal egg counts are a reliable measure of the size of the worm burden. However, the immunological status of the animals should be taken into consideration to interpret the results of the fecal examination. Molecular techniques have also been useful in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. The ultimate in diagnosis has been the development of robotic platforms that enable separation of eggs from feces. Because manipulation is minimal, good quality DNA from eggs is obtained, which is used for amplification, and finally, produces a result indicating the degree of the infection by the different parasite species in mix infections. The ideal method should be reliable, friendly to non-experts and quick to perform. With the advance in robotics, bioinformatics and molecular biology, methods with such characteristics are expected to become available and affordable to be used in laboratories for the routine diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical response of dogs with cutaneous lymphoma treated with lomustine (CCNU) and to identify possible adverse effects and toxicity during treatment. Fifteen dogs, seven females and eight males aged between five and 17 years old, diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma by histopathological analysis were selected and treated with lomustine at 90 mg/m² every three weeks. Monitoring was carried out and consisted of the assessment of laboratory hematology and serum chemistry before and during treatment. Partial response was observed in 53.3% of the animals. None of the animals achieved a complete response and seven dogs (46.6%) had progressive disease. The median survival time was 22 days. The major hematological and biochemical changes found after therapy were leukopenia (73.3%), thrombocytopenia (60%) and anemia (46.1%). Renal and liver toxicity was observed in 40% and 73.3% of dogs, respectively. Hematocrit, total protein, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, serum creatinine, ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase and urine specific gravity were affected during therapy. The use of lomustine as a monotherapy in the treatment of canine cutaneous lymphoma was effective; however, adverse effects occurred and compromised the quality of life of the majority of dogs in this study. Therefore, lower doses of lomustine should be considered in future studies.

Equine influenza virus (EIV) (H3N8 and H7N7) is the causative agent of equine influenza, or equine flu. The H7N7 subtype has been considered to be extinct worldwide since 1980. Affected animals have respiratory symptoms that can be worsened by secondary bacterial respiratory infection, thereby leading to great economic losses in the horse-breeding industry. In Brazil, equine influenza outbreaks were first reported in 1963 and studies on hemagglutination antibodies against viral subtypes in Brazilian horses have been conducted since then. The objective of the present review was to present the history of the emergence of EIV around the world and in Brazil and the studies that have thus far been developed on EIV in Brazilian equines.

The red-winged tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens), a bird from the Tinamidae family, can be easily adapted to captivity. It is considered suitable for producing good quality meat while presenting great feed conversion rate, characteristics that make it interesting for commercial production. Therefore, in order to determine the major diseases that affect these birds, 114 birds from two different aviary types that died over a 12-year period, 1994-2006, were analyzed macro- and microscopically. Anatomical and pathological examinations showed that the most frequently affected systems were the urinary and digestive tracts. In the urinary tract, the main finding was gout, followed by amyloidosis and parasitism by the trematode Paratanaisia confusa. In the digestive tract, the presence of foreign material and parasitism by Capillaria penidoi were observed in the esophagus and crop. This study aims to describe the main anatomical and pathological findings in captive-bred red-winged tinamou and correlate them with the aviary type.

The impact of responsible ownership programs with the goal of promoting public health remains to be fully established in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the responsible pet ownership perception of public elementary school students and teachers after a four-year outreach educational program in the city of Pinhais, Southern Brazil. Questionnaires were distributed for self-answer by fourth-grade students and teachers of all city public elementary schools. A total of 1,022/1,332 students (76.7%) referred participated in the program. No significant differences were observed between participating and non-participating groups regarding the concepts of responsible ownership (p = 0.88), zoonoses (p = 0.09) and animal welfare (p = 0.94). However, the frequency of correct answers on responsible ownership and zoonoses concepts was significantly higher (p < 0.01) among student groups who participated 1 or 2 times (779/830; 93.8% and 506/813; 62.2%, respectively) in relation to the groups that participated > 2 times (144/165; 87.3% and 64/151; 42.4%, respectively). It was also significantly higher (p < 0.01) between ≤ 10 years group (991/1058, 93.7%) compared to group >10 years (158/180; 87.8%) in the first concept. Although most teachers approved the continuing program (128/137; 93.4%), they reported low rates on training participation (41/137; 29.9%) and use of available teaching materials (78/137; 26.9%). The study has shown that perception of responsible pet ownership in outreach education programs may be more easily absorbed by children under ten years of age and up to two participations.

A tuberculose é uma das doenças mundiais de notificação obrigatória mais importantes causada pelo complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis que pode infectar pessoas e animais. A morte repentina de um carneiro da Barbária no Zoológico de Curitiba, que apresentou nódulos multifocais no pulmão à necropsia, levantou a suspeita de tuberculose. Foi realizada a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Quantitativa (qPCR) de fragmentos de órgãos e fluido. A qPCR detectou a presença do complexo M. tuberculosis nas amostras de pulmão. Este estudo relata a infecção pelo complexo M. tuberculosis no carneiro da Barbária, uma zoonose de grande relevância para a saúde pública, ressaltando-se a necessidade da implementação de medidas de prevenção. Além disso, pode prover um melhor entendimento sobre conservação de espécies, ocorrência e transmissão de doenças em cativeiro, potencial reservatório e impacto na saúde pública para visitantes e funcionários dos zoológicos.

The use of animals in scientific research has contributed significantly to the development of science, promoting various advances in understanding the metabolic machinery and the discovery of treatments and preventive measures applied to human and veterinary medicine. The development and use of alternative methods is encouraged; however, in some situations, the use of animals in accordance with ethical policies is still required. Established hematological and clinical chemistry reference values in laboratory animals are essential to evaluate functional changes; however, there are few data in the literature on these values, being fundamentally a comparative basis. The aim of this investigation was the establishment of hematological and clinical chemistry reference values in common strains/stocks of mice used in animal experimentation. Blood profile (hemogram, reticulocytes and myelogram) and clinical chemistry serum determination of total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium and phosphorus were evaluated using C57BL/6, BALB/c and Swiss Webster mice, male, 2-3 months old. The results standardize reference intervals in animals reared in Laboratory Animal Facility, reflecting the expected condition in rodents subjected to scientific research.

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), an inhabitant of the Brazilian savanna, is considered the largest canid of South America and is classified as a near-threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, -Neospora caninum, -Leishmania spp., and -Ehrlichia canis in free-ranging maned wolves in the northeastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Of the 17 serum samples tested by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), 88.2% (15/17), 17.6% (3/17) and 52.9% (9/17) showed anti-T. gondii, -Leishmania spp., and -E. canis antibodies, respectively. None of the studied maned wolves tested positive for N. caninum antibodies. Our results indicated the exposure of free-ranging maned wolves to the agents in question. The presence of industrial complexes, extensive agriculture and habitat fragmentation in the northeastern region of the state of São Paulo puts these wild animals in proximity to urban areas, possibly contributing to the transmission of diseases between wild and domestic animals and human beings.

Brazil is the world’s largest exporter and third largest producer of chicken meat. To maintain competitiveness, the productive sector must always be alert to consumer demands, and concern about animal welfare is a growing tendency. Aspects involving animal welfare are especially critical in the slaughter of broiler chickens. This study evaluated the stunning of chickens in a CO2-enriched atmosphere chamber to reduce bird stress, comparing with electrical water bath stunning, the most usual desensitization method used in chicken slaughter. The reaction of birds when exposed to a high CO2 concentration (30%) and to a 10% initial CO2 level, gradually elevated to 30% was compared. The effect of mixing argon with CO2 was also evaluated, always aiming to reduce the discomfort of birds. In all the gas stunning parameters evaluated, evident discomfort reactions before stunning were observed in about two thirds of the birds, but the blood levels of corticosterone and glucose, used as stress indicators, indicated that gas increased the birds’ welfare. Gas exposure time required to stun the birds and time to regain consciousness after exiting the gas chamber presented a wide variation. Controlled atmosphere stunning method facilitated bird handling during slaughter, but more studies will be necessary to develop this technological alternative and make it viable for industrial use.