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.

Knowledge of the enterobacteria present in the roadside hawk can bring about an understanding of infectious diseases that can affect this bird, as well as other animals and/or humans, while also adding information of great ecological importance. Thus, the aim of the study was to determine the enterobacteria present in the cloaca of captive roadside hawks and antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Initially, cloacal samples from nine specimens were collected with the aid of swabs. Samples were placed in petri dishes with MacConkey agar, Hektoen agar, EMB agar and Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar and incubated for 24 h at 35°C. After incubation, the microorganisms were submitted to biochemical testing to confirm the presence of enterobacteria. Thereafter, the susceptibility profile of bacteria to antimicrobial agents was evaluated by a disk diffusion test according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Escherichia coli (77.8%), Klebsiella oxytoca (11.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.1%) and Salmonella spp. (55.6%) were isolated from the collected samples. Among the isolates, some bacteria showed resistance to up to three antimicrobial agents. This study has brought greater insight about the enterobacteria present in the roadside hawk (Rupornis magnirostris), exhibiting a significant percentage of enterobacteria important to public health; also, it showed the occurrence of strains with resistance profile to antimicrobial agents.

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 study was to evaluate the effect of time of ensiling on chemical composition and in situ degradability of starch of hydrated ground corn (HGC) with medium grain vitreousness. Corn grains harvested at 83% of dry matter (DM) and vitreosity content of 67% ± 3, were dried to 87% DM. Grains were milled into a device with 2 mm sieve, reconstituted to reach 67% DM, and ensiled (density of 880 Kg/m³) for up to 330 days. One HGC sample was collected monthly for in situ determination of composition, fermentation end products and for corn starch degradability. Ensiling time did not affect the DM and crude protein (CP) content of the HGC. However, starch concentration was reduced by 2.4 percentage points at 330 days compared to 3 days of ensiling. Increased concentrations of NH3-N (8.5 times), lactic acid (3.45 times), acetic acid (4.1 times), propionic acid (1.7 times), butyric acid (2.8 times) and alcohol (2.4 times) were observed during the ensiling period. The rapidly degradable fraction (fraction A) and the rate of degradation of the slowly degradable fraction (fraction C) of HGC starch were increased 3.51 and 2.21 times, respectively, during the ensiling period. Conversely, the slowly degradable fraction (fraction B) of the HGC starch was decreased 1.93 times during the ensiling period. The effective degradability of the starch of HGC increased for passage rates by 0.02/h (79.9% vs. 94.5%); 0.05/h (65.9% vs 90.01%) and 0.08/h (56.98 vs. 86.52%) when it was evaluated at 3 vs 330 days of ensiling, respectively. In conclusion, ensiling time affected the chemical composition and increases rumen starch degradability of HGC with medium vitreousness of the grain endosperm.

This study investigates the exposure of free-living jaguars from two federal protected areas in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, to a variety viral agents. These viral agents, particularly causing zoonotic diseases, were analyzed using serological and molecular methods. None of the jaguars was positive by RT-PCR for the molecular detection of avian influenza and West Nile Fever (WNF). Only one animal was serologically positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by virus neutralization test in VERO cell cultures, representing the first reported case of jaguar exposure to EEE virus. However, all the animals were negative for Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) virus and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) virus. Eleven jaguars were tested by two tests for the detection of antibodies against rabies virus (Simplified Fluorescent Inhibition Microtest – SFIMT and Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test – RFFIT), resulting in five positive animals, two animals in each test and one in both serological tests. Furthermore, three out of 14 samples subjected to the neutralization test were positive for antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV), and 15 out of 17 samples subjected to the hemagglutination-inhibition test (HI) were positive for antibodies against canine parvovirus (CPV). In view of the findings of this study, it is unlikely that the viruses examined here represent a threat to the jaguar populations in this region.

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.

Serum samples from 83 free living wild pigs (Sus scrofa) from the Nhecolândia region, Pantanal do Mato Grosso, Brazil, were examined for the presence of antibodies against Neospora caninum by means of the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) with a cut off of 50. Antibodies were present in 10.8%, with titers of: 1:200 in one animal, 1:400 in four and 1:800 in four. Analysis using the χ2 test showed an association between sex and presence of antibodies, with females showing occurrence of 20.5% and males 2.3% (p = 0.017). No association was found between age and occurrences of antibodies against this parasite. This was the first observation of N. caninum antibodies in Brazilian wild pigs from Pantanal.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two crude protein contents (CP) and two main nitrogen sources in the diet of dairy cows, using sugarcane as forage, on intake, total apparent digestibility, milk yield and composition, and nitrogen balance. Twelve Holstein cows in late lactation were assigned in three contemporary square, in a Latin Square design 4 × 4, with 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement, in 21-day trial by period, 14 for diet adaptation and the last seven for sampling and analysis. Cows were housed in individual stalls and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) "ad libitum" composed of two main nitrogen sources (cottonseed meal or whole raw soybean grain) and two levels of CP (130g or 148g/kg dry matter - DM) in the diet. In the present study, there was an interaction effect between nitrogen source and crude protein on DM intake (DMI). Cows fed whole raw soybean had higher DMI when the CP content of the diet was 130 g CP/kg DM, while cows fed cottonseed meal had higher DMI when the CP content of the diet was 148 g CP/kg DM. A similar result of DMI was observed for organic matter intake, whereas there was no interaction effect between dietary nitrogen source and crude protein content on intake of other nutrients. Total apparent digestibility of NDF and TDN was higher when soybean was used as the main diet nitrogen source; whereas the digestibility of dietary CP was not changed by the nitrogen sources. Although there were changes in the DMI and the apparent digestibility coefficient, in the current study, there was no effect of dietary crude protein content and nitrogen source on milk yield. In conclusion, the use of low dietetic concentrations of crude protein (130 g/Kg of DM) does not change the lactating performance of dairy cows and may reduce diet cost, while the choice between whole raw soybean grain or cottonseed meal as a protein ingredient may depends only on the availability and/or price, as both ingredients result in similar performance.

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.