The aim of this prospective study was to determine the appropriate approaches for arthrocentesis of the carpal joint in dromedary camels and to compare between these approaches with regard to their success rate, feasibility, accuracy and ease of performance. Twenty-two cadaveric camel forelimbs obtained from 11 camel cadavers, and 4 living camels (6 joints) underwent arthrocentesis for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, were used in this study. For studying gross anatomy of the suggested approaches, 4 forelimbs were used. For CT anatomy 3 forelimbs (one/each technique) were scanned before and after injection of iodinated contrast medium. For in-vitro evaluation of the techniques 15 forelimbs were used (5/each technique). To test the ease of performance in the living camels, arthrocentesis of 6 joints in 4 camels was performed by a single operator while the animal sited in kneeling position (3 camels) and standing position (one camel). Based on the results, there were three feasible approaches for arthrocentesis of carpal joint in camel, the dorso-medial, dorso-lateral, and the lateral approaches. The dorso-medial approach was easily performed and more accurate than the other approaches. The dorso-medial approach was successful with accuracy index of 100% after the first attempts, whilst the dorso-lateral and the lateral approaches have lower rates of success. The procedure was well tolerated in all camels.

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.

Passerines such as canaries or finches are the most unlawfully captured species that are sent to wildlife centers in São Paulo, Brazil. Captured birds may have infection by opportunistic bacteria in stressful situations. This fact becomes relevant when seized passerine are reintroduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health state of finches from illegal wildlife trade using microbiological approaches. Microbiological samples were collected by cloacal and tracheal swabs of 100 birds, captured during 2012 and 2013. The results indicate high frequency of gram-negative bacteria in feces and oropharynx, especially from the Enterobacteriaceae family (97.5%). The most frequent genera were Escherichia coli (46.5%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.4%). Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia liquefaciens, Serratia spp. Klebsiella oxytoca and Citrobacter freundii were isolated with lower frequency from asymptomatic birds. The presence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Shiga toxin-producing strain (STEC) confirm the zoonotic risks and public health concern.

Some Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) can pose numerous adverse effects on biota. Marine turtles face numerous threats, in particular those related to anthropogenic activities. Therefore, development and improvement methodologies for monitoring chemical compounds are a relevant task. In this work, we developed a methodology based on the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction for detection of twelve OCPs, by gas chromatography with electron capture detector, in fat and liver samples of green sea turtles. Quantification limits were lower than 5.3 ng g-1; acceptable recovery rates for most compounds; medium matrix effect; matrix-calibration with linearity at the range from 1.0 to 200 ng g-1. This methodology provides contributions for the study of pesticide residues with adverse effects on sea turtle health, important skills for new directions in conservation issues.

The present study aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of production and commercialization project of Hay Enriched Extruded (HEE) as a complete diet for horses. The study was based on survey data and quotation activities involving price from the land preparation (repair, planting and fertilization) to the processing of the product at the factory (extrusion) and marketing. Transportation costs and taxes were also considered. Discounted Cash Flow (30 years) was used to calculate the profitability indicator and the Profit and Loss Statement (PLS). Calculations were developed using Microsoft Office Excel® spreadsheets. Three production scenarios were simulated with different consumer prices: Scenario 1 - equivalent to the complete diet, where the ingredients are supplied together, but purchased separately; Scenario 2 - Considering a value 10% higher than the complete diet; Scenario 3 - Considering a value 20% higher than the complete diet. We observed that the project was economically viable in the three suggested scenarios with positive Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return greater than 9.4% and payback of 11 to 2 years. The results enable us to conclude that the product may be a promising investment for both product quality and ease of use as the rapid return on invested capital.

This study aimed to identify the species of fleas and ticks of Cerdocyon thous from the state of Pernambuco. Animals (n = 20) were examined, with 30% (6/20) ectoparasitized. Fleas (n = 16) and ticks (n = 17) parasitizing free-living crab-eating fox and captive in state of Pernambuco were collected. The fleas were identified as: Pulex irritans and Ctenocephalides felis; and the ticks were: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Amblyomma ovale. The presence of ectoparasites of domestic animals parasitizing C. thous, suggests a close contact of this species to the peridomicile. Furthermore, this is the first report of the occurrence of A. ovale in C. thous in northeastern Brazil.

Anualmente o tráfico de animais silvestres retira milhões de aves da natureza. Os cardeais (Paroaria coronata) e cardeais-do-nordeste (Paroaria dominicana) estão incluídos entre as espécies de aves mais traficadas. A microbiota cloacal de passeriformes de vida livre é composta principalmente por bacilos e cocos gram-positivos, já os bacilos gram-negativos predominam em aves de cativeiro. Em situações de estresse e baixa de imunidade as bactérias gram-negativas podem causar infecções oportunistas. O presente trabalho identificou bactérias da microbiota da cloaca de 49 espécimes de P. coronata e P. dominicana apreendidas do tráfico de animais silvestres em São Paulo (SP). Foram isoladas treze espécies de bactérias gram-negativas, incluindo Salmonella spp. e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A maior frequência de ocorrência foi de Escherichia coli, identificada em 42/49 (85,7%) das amostras fecais. Dentre os isolados de E. coli, 21/42 pertenciam aos grupos filogenéticos B2 e D, relacionados a estirpes patogênicas que causam doença extraintestinal em humanos. Klebsiella pneumoniae foi isolada em 28/49 (57,1%) das amostras. Esses resultados reforçam que as condições estressantes a que esses animais são submetidos em situações de tráfico, incluindo o contato com humanos, podem favorecer a colonização da microbiota cloacal das aves por patógenos, o que representa um risco para a sua reintrodução na natureza considerando-se o possível contato com humanos e outros animais.

O conhecimento das principais causas de óbito em cães e gatos fornece subsídios para o monitoramento, planejamento e avaliação de medidas que visam reduzir o percentual de óbito desses animais em uma dada localidade. O presente trabalho compilou os diagnósticos post-mortem de cães e gatos necropsiados no Laboratório de Patologia Animal – da Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI), Estado do Piauí, Brasil, no período de agosto de 2009 a agosto de 2014, estabelecendo a frequência das doenças que culminaram com o óbito dos animais. Nesse período foram necropsiados 361 cães e 86 gatos. Dos cães, 56,7% eram machos e 43,3% fêmeas. Em relação à idade no momento do óbito, 29,4% tinham menos de um ano; 27,7% entre 1,1 a 5 anos; 23,3% de 5,1 a 10 anos e 9,1% acima de 10,1 anos. Em relação aos felinos, 61,6% eram machos e 38,4% eram fêmeas, dos quais 29,1% tinham menos de um ano; 39,5% de 1,1 a 5 anos; 18,6% de 5,1 a 10 anos e 2,3% acima de 10,1 anos. Nos cães as principais causas de óbito foram distúrbios infecciosos (23,8%), doenças degenerativas (14,4%), distúrbios circulatórios (10,2%) e neoplasias 8,6%. Em gatos, os distúrbios infecciosos (18,6%), urinários (15,1%), traumáticos (8,1%) e neoplasias (8,1%) foram as principais causas de morte. Conclui-se que a principal causa de morte, tanto em cães quanto gatos, diagnosticada no setor de Patologia Animal – UFPI foram as doenças infecciosas, estes resultados contribuem para que o clínico dedique maior atenção a essas enfermidades, visando adoção de medidas profiláticas que reduzirão a sua ocorrência nos animais de companhia da região estudada.

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.

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.