Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) a is a painful condition related to myofascial trigger points (TP) in skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to perform a literature review on the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of MPS in veterinary medicine. The research sites used for this purpose were: Scientific Electronic Library, PubMed and Medline. The inclusion criteria for the papers were: must be written in English; published between 1990 and 2018; include the following keywords: myofascial pain syndrome veterinary/dog/canine/cat/feline/horse/equine, trigger points veterinary/dog/canine/cat/feline/horse/equine. Through the review, it was observed that veterinary clinical studies are scarce, and the articles found lack information such as MPS description, incidence and specific treatment techniques in dogs and horses, and no studies in cats were found.

Boars kept on commercial farms use their canine teeth as a mechanism of defense and attack in order to express their natural instincts, which could result in fractures of the teeth and jaws. Thus, utilizing local desensitization of the inferior alveolar nerve is crucial for executing therapeutic procedures in the oral cavities of those animals. Then, the goal is to carry out the morphometry of the mandibular foramen of that species, correlating it with the mandibular structures, while doing so in the safest manner for the animals. For that purpose, six hemimandibles of young-aged Sus scrofa scrofa were used, from which the proposed measurements were taken. On average, the lateral margin of the condylar process stood 142.43 mm away from the root of the lower medial incisive tooth. The longitudinal axis of the body of the mandible measured 22.3 mm at the level of the diastema that exists between the fourth lower premolar tooth and the first lower molar tooth. The mandibular foramen, from the caudal limit of the ventral margin, would be positioned at 26.6 mm from the ventral margin of the angle of the mandible in that level, 34.92 mm away from the medial margin of the condylar process, and 38.63 mm away from the dorsal limit from the caudal margin of the coronoid process. The lack of statistically significant differences, and observing that the osseous accident under scrutiny had been positioned in the ramus of the mandible, indicated that the proposed procedure should be performed from the introduction of the needle in an oblique and rostrodorsal direction for 2.0 cm, and angulated at 60º with the anatomic reference created by the medial demarcation obtained via the support of the thumb on the lateral margin of the ramus of the mandible, ventrally to the zygomatic arch, all while preserving neighboring structures and establishing an unheard-of anesthetic methodology for boars.

Copaifera langsdorffii is a Brazilian native plant that is used for wound healing or as an anti-inflammatory agent. Non-healing wounds are an important health problem, particularly in horses, because they can cause the animal invalidity or even lead to death. In addition, horses respond to skin wounds with chronic inflammatory response and intense wound granulation, thereby delaying the healing process. By this way, our aim was to evaluate the healing potential of Copaifera langsdorffii hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and oil-resin creams (OR) in horse skin wounds. Four wounds were performed bilaterally in the lumbar region of six horses with a 2 cm punch and treated daily with the respective treatments: saline solution, vehicle, 10% HE creams or 10% OR cream. Daily planimetry analyses were performed to measure the wound area and clinical parameters. In four different experimental periods (3, 7, 14 and 21 d), wound biopsies were removed and used for microscopic analyses. SS wounds presented a significant small area at day 3 and 7, OR wounds presented significant small area in comparison with HE at 14 d, and no significant difference was observed between treatments at 21 d. A better microscopic and clinical healing activity of HE and OR was identified in comparison with the controls. The OR group showed better healing quality, specifically after 7 d of treatment. Therefore, Copaifera langsdorffii formulations demonstrated their wound healing potential in horse skin lesions, exhibiting an improvement of the macro- and microscopic parameters.

Being able to study anatomical structures of wildlife species for science and clinical practice is of great importance. We aimed to describe the normal gross osteology of the common adult capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Linnaeus, 1766), using macerated bone specimens and high-resolution digital radiography. The complete axial and appendicular skeleton was further compared with previously reported anatomical findings. For this purpose, we used three adult capybara cadavers (two females and one male), with a mean bodyweight of ±50 kg. Some H. hydrochaeris-specific morphological characteristics, especially in the skull region, show evidence of adaptation to aquatic life, such as an elongated head shape, with eyes, ears, and nose, located dorsally, to stay above water. Additionally, the entire bone structure demonstrates the size and weight support of the largest rodent and its adaptation with respect to foraging and locomotion behaviors. As a semi-aquatic herbivore, classified as cursorial (having limbs adapted for running), the authors believe it should be reclassified as cursorial-swimming/diving. Moreover, we argue to consider a differentiation between H. hydrochaeris silvestris to H. hydrochaeris synanthrope, due to substantial weight variation, in some cases > 100%. This inevitably has an impact on the development of bone structure, thus influencing habitual adaptation, and consequently, its clinical implications and animal handling. Radiography exams helped in the identification of bone structures, which otherwise were not observed in anatomical specimens, such as ossa sesamoidea, including the ossicle lunulae. Likewise, the radiographs were particularly helpful in overall better comprehension of the intubation and catheterization procedures. We believe this work can contribute as a reference to anatomical studies for students and professionals acting in clinic, surgery, and research.

The occurrence of leptospirosis is significantly higher in the tropical climate than in temperate regions, especially in periods with high rainfall levels. In horses, leptospirosis can range from subclinical to asymptomatic but maintains an important role in the transmission of leptospirosis by eliminating the agent in the environment. Regarding horses, the Amazonas herd increased by 30% between 2004 and 2013. Thus, the study aimed to determine the serological prevalence of leptospirosis in horses in Manaus and metropolitan regions, in the State of Amazonas, Brazil as well as to assess the main serogroups involved in the infections of these animals. For this purpose, from August 2018 to July 2019, serum from 198 horses was evaluated through the microscopic agglutination test with a panel of 10 serogroups. As a result, 92 horses (44.46%) were found to be positive for one or more Leptospira serovars, with the highest prevalence of serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pyrogenes. Therefore, with the increase in the equine herd in the region and, consequently, greater interaction between breeders and animals, the identification of reagents to at least one serovar of Leptospira spp. signals the possible existence of reservoirs of pathogenic strains for other animals and man.

The body condition score (BCS) is insufficient in determining the amount of body fat in horses, thus defining obesity. Measurement of the subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) by ultrasonography should be considered as an appropriate method in the definition of fat distribution at different body locations in horses. Therefore, this study aimed to 1) characterize the SFT in three different anatomical locations (i.e. neck, lumbar region, and gluteal region); 2) evaluate the relationship between BCS and SFT; 3) determine the influence of gender, weight, age, and gait on BCS and SFT measurements, and 4) explore the agreement between the morphometric measurements [i.e. body mass index (BMI), girth circumference: height at withers ratio (GC: HW), neck circumference: height at withers ratio (NC: HW)], and BCS and SFT in a population of Colombian Paso Horses (CPHs). The Henneke’s body condition scoring was applied to 69 adult CPHs, selected using a convenience sampling. Additionally, BMI, GC: HW, and NC: HW were calculated. Body fat percentage (BF%) was calculated by ultrasound measurement of the SFT in the neck, lumbar region, and gluteal region. The BF% in the CPHs was 6.4 ± 1.1. The GC: HW, NC: HW, and BMI were not predictors of the BF% or BCS, and neither gender nor gait was decisive in the definition of fattening in the study animals, although age and weight were determining variables. According to our results, ultrasound is an adequate tool to calculate the BF% of the CPHs. However, it must be accompanied by Henneke’s BCS assessment.

Castration refers to induced sterility via physical, chemical, or hormonal methods. Chemical castration is an efficient and reliable technique in contrast to other sterilization procedures as it is less painful to physical methods and cost‑effective to hormonal methods. Azadirachta indica (neem), is a charismatic plant as its leaves possess anti-inflammatory, anti‑microbial, and anti-androgenic chattels. To abate the escalating human population in South Asia, neem oil and neem leaf extract have been effectively used as a contraceptive agent. The key determinant of the current study was to evaluate Neem as a chemical sterilizing agent, (either necrotic or apoptotic), in dogs injected intratesticular in comparison to a hypertonic saline solution. Pre- and post-injection testicular width size and blood samples for serum testosterone levels were collected on alternative days. Results disclosed substantial changes in testicular width size, histopathological profile, and serum testosterone level. A non-significant (P > 0.05) pre-injection testicular width readings in contrast to a significant increase (P < 0.05) three days post-injection was noted in all the competitive groups. The mean values recorded for testicular width size at the end of the trial study via neem leaf extract, 30% HSS and, control groups were 27.7362 ± 2.3315mm, 30.9594 ± 4.6861mm, and 24.5023 ± 2.5387mm, respectively. A declining trend, regarding serum testosterone level being statistically significant (P < 0.05) was recorded in treated groups (A, B) in contrast to the control group (C) as the values were 1.5357 ± 0.7819ng, 1.2669 ± 0.9095ng, and 2.4517 ± 0.1827ng in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Histopathological findings advocated the presence of apoptotic bodies in the neem treated group whereas the presence of degenerated interstitial cells, necrosed seminiferous tubules, damaged germinal epithelium, and ceased spermatogenesis was also studied in both competitive groups. Thus, the apoptotic effect and anti-inflammatory property of neem leaf extract resulted in less painful castration and verified Azadirachta indica as a better substitute for chemical castration in contrast to hypertonic saline solution.

Osteitis deformans (Paget’s disease) is a chronic bone disorder characterized by excessive osteoclast-mediated bone resorption followed by new bone formation. The present paper reports this condition in an 18-year-old captive golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) from Brazil. This patient initially exhibited anorexia and swelling in the middle third of the spine associated with locomotor disability. For diagnosis, radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, cytology, and microbiological culture were performed. Diagnostic imaging showed bone changes, vertebral fusion, and bone proliferation. Cytology revealed blood cells how toxic heterophiles, reactive monocytes, young red blood cells, and polychromasia compatible with an infectious process. A bacterial culture identified an ampicillin-susceptible strain of Enterococcus faecalis. Antibiotic treatment was promptly started, but the snake died 25 days later. Histopathologically, the bone tissue showed a generalized thickening of the vertebral trabeculae. For the first time, the presence of E. faecalis associated with the development of osteitis deformans in snakes was presented.

This work investigated the occurrence of Perkinsus sp. in clam Anomalocardia brasiliana, oyster Crassostrea sp. and mussel Mytella falcata from the Jaguaribe River estuary, northeastern Brazil. The collection of clam (N = 300), oysters (N = 300) and mussels (N = 300) were carried out in the estuary of the Jaguaribe River, Ceará, in March and April (rainy season) and October (dry season) in 2017. The mollusks were measured in their major axis, open, and had their tissues submitted to tissue incubation techniques in Ray’s fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM), histology, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), PCR and sequencing. The RFTM assays showed Perkinsus sp. infecting the three mollusks investigated. The prevalence of infected clams was 1.33% in both sampling periods, oysters ranged from 2.66 (rainy season) to 8% (dry period), and mussels from 0% (dry period) to 51.33% (rainy season). The intensity of infection was very light to light in clams, very soft to severe in oysters and very soft to moderate in mussels. Histological analyses showed cells of Perkinsus sp. infecting the gills and connective tissue around the digestive gland of some individuals. The qPCR generated amplicons in all positive samples in RFTM, confirming the presence of Perkinsus sp., while the sequencing evidenced high similarity (99%) with the species P. beihaiensis. In conclusion, the results obtained contribute to increasing knowledge about the occurrence of Perkinsus sp. in bivalve mollusks from northeastern Brazil.

Tilapia skin is being already use in humans and wild animals present burning wounds and showed a great result. The objective is to evaluate if tilapia skin used as an occlusive curative improves equine wound healing in two horses present chronic wound. Both animals are males, adults, both of breed Mangalarga Marchador South America. Every seven days wound we measured, photographed, biopsied for histopathological analysis, cleaned and tilapia curative was changed. Image J software was used to measure wound area. Tilapia skin as an occlusive biological factor seemed to improve healing process, wounds present an area reduction and clinical improvement during 35 days treatment, even though is still waiting for complete wound healing. In equine tilapia skin curative seemed to speed up healing process and allowed reduced curative change from every two days to once a week. This implies in decrease animal´s stress, less pain and treatment cost reduction since we used less bandage amount. Beside that tilapia skin industrial waste. Furthermore, it allowed avoid using antibiotics, which reduces environment pollution and there´s no antibiotic resistance issues.