As a consequence of the increasing number of dog and cat owners, the pet food industry is expanding the range of pet food products in the market. In order to obtain more necessary information about the wet food segment for dogs and cats, the aim of this study was to determine the nutritional composition, to evaluate the information declared on the labels, and to compare the composition with the FEDIAF recommendations for protein and fat. Furthermore, three different methodologies of fat analysis were compared: crude fat (CFa), crude fat after acid hydrolysis (CFAH), and fat content obtained with Ankom XT15 (ANKOM) to determine the most adequate method for fat determination in wet foods. Twenty-five wet food products were evaluated, 13 wet foods for dogs and 12 for cats. Centesimal composition analyses obtained in this study were compared with guaranteed analysis declared on the label and with FEDIAF minimum recommended requirements for each species. The results of the nutritional composition and the values described on the label and the evaluation of the three fat determination methods were compared using the mixed model test with repeated measurements in the same samples, respectively (p < 0.05) in the SAS program, evaluation of protein adequacy and fat content were analyzed by mathematical calculations of difference and proportion. No difference was observed between nutritional composition of wet foods and the values declared on the labels for the majority of the diets analyzed, and there was a predominance of products that exceeded FEDIAF minimum recommendations of protein and fat for both species. No difference was observed between the three methods of fat content evaluation (p = 0.68). It was concluded that wet foods evaluated in this study match the label information and FEDIAF nutrient requirement recommendations, considering recommended calorie intake. All three fat determination methodologies evaluated were similar, justifying the choice of the easiest or cheapest method.

Gastrointestinal neoplasms in dogs represent a challenge for the veterinary clinician and surgeon as they are mostly malignant and when the owner notices the primary clinical changes the disease may already be in an advanced stage. Due to the high clinical and histopathological similarity between mesenchymal gastrointestinal neoplasms, it is often impossible to establish the definitive morphological diagnosis using light microscopy alone. In addition, there are only a few articles describing the anatomopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics, which make its complete characterization urgent and relevant in our context in order to assist the veterinary clinician, surgeon, and pathologist in establishing a precise diagnosis of these tumors.

The goal of this study was to describe the anatomy of the femoral artery in wild canids such as the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), the hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus), and the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). Two specimens from each canid group were used. Red dyed latex was injected in the arterial system of the animals, which were then fixed in 10% formaldehyde aqueous solution and dissected following the routine techniques in macroscopic anatomy. In the three canid groups, the arterial pattern was similar to that described for domestic canids, in which the deep femoral artery rises from the external iliac artery, still in the abdominal cavity, and sends its first branch, the lateral circumflex femoral artery. A few muscular branches, one or two caudal femoral arteries, and the terminal branches – the descending genicular artery, the saphenous artery, and the popliteal artery – are all originated from the femoral artery. The origin pattern of these vessels also shows similarities with those from domestic canids, sometimes forming trunks and occasionally rising individually. Thus, it can be concluded that the anatomical pattern of the femoral artery and its branches in wild canids shows similarities with that from domestic canids, but inherent variations in each species are also present.

Dirofilaria immitis é um nematoide de ampla distribuição geográfica, que ocorre com maior frequência em áreas quentes e úmidas do planeta. O primeiro registro de sua ocorrência na América do Sul foi realizado em 1878, no Brasil. Naquela época os registros eram poucos e raramente de fácil obtenção, razão pela qual reuni-los facilitará a recuperação da memória ao longo dos anos. Quatro bases de dados (Scopus, MEDLINE, LILACS e PubMed) foram estudadas utilizando-se as palavras-chave “Dirofilaria” ou “heartworm”, os nomes dos países da América do Sul e o México. Nenhum registro foi encontrado para quatro países (Bolívia, Equador, Guiana Francesa e Uruguai) e para outros três (Suriname, Guiana e Paraguai) os registros eram antigos. Apenas o Chile é o território onde houve estudos registrados com ausência do parasita. Os outros países (México, Peru, Colômbia, Venezuela, Argentina e Brasil) apresentam registros com frequência variável no tempo ou no espaço. Assim, as informações reunidas indicam que infecções por D. immitis ocorrem na maior parte da América do Sul e no México e que os médicos veterinários devem instituir programas preventivos para garantir cuidados médicos de qualidade aos pacientes e para proteger a saúde destes e de suas famílias.

Adrenalectomy is the most appropriate treatment for unilateral adrenal tumors. This study aimed at describing the epidemiological characteristics and perioperative behavior of canine patients submitted to adrenalectomy at Anhembi Morumbi Veterinary Hospital. Out of 13 dogs, eight were pure breeds and five were mixed breeds; 12 females, aged 9.5 ± 2.5 years old. Regarding the tumors, seven were located on the right and histopathological analysis revealed cortical adenoma in 11 and adenocarcinoma in only two dogs. Two cases had hypercortisolism recurrence associated with hyperplasia in the contralateral adrenal, as confirmed by ACTH stimulation test. The results of this study indicate that adrenalectomy is a safe procedure with few perioperative complications, despite the possibility of hypercortisolism recurrence.

Wound healing and tissue repair are necessary to ensure survival and health of any organism. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of supplementation with chromium carbochelate (CC) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on wound healing in tropical teleost fish Piaractus mesopotamicus. Thus, fish were distributed into four groups: a) control (without supplementation); b) supplemented with 18 mg/kg of chromium carbochelate; c) supplemented with 0.3% of S. cerevisiae and d) supplemented with an association of both supplements. After 105 days of feeding, full-thickness skin incisions (2.0 x 1.0 x 0.25 cm) were performed removing epidermis and dermis. Macroscopic and histologic observations were carried out at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after wounding to monitor the healing rate. Opposing fronts advanced gradually and faster each day demonstrating a progressive increase in the healing process over time. The inflammatory process was exacerbated and expansive, with an increase in mucous cells and chromatophores. Although no significant differences were observed between groups on wound retraction and microscopic parameters, fish supplemented with CC and SC showed faster re-epithelialization, greater degree of organization of collagen fibers, and higher neovascularization. We concluded that supplementation with S. cerevisiae and chromium carbochelate improves specific aspects of cutaneous healing process in pacu.

Foi investigada a influência dos fatores etários e sexuais sobre o hemograma de ovinos sadios da raça Santa Inês, criados na região de Piedade, no Estado de São Paulo. O hematócrito e o número de hemácias apresentaram maiores valores nas fêmeas mais jovens e houve um decréscimo gradual durante o desenvolvimento etário dos animais. Em contraposição, o número total de leucócitos foi menor nos animais mais jovens e apresentou elevação gradual com a evolução da idade dos animais.

The multidrug resistant and the emergence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from animals, food, and humans are public health concern. These microorganisms produce different toxins related to food poisoning in humans. This study aimed to characterize Staphylococcus spp. isolated from two organic milk farms in Brazil. A total of 259 milk samples were collected, from which 58 (22.4%) Staphylococcus spp. were isolated. The highest sensibility to ceftiofur and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was observed in 96.6% of Staphylococcus spp., and whereas 89% were resistant to penicillin G. The mecA gene was detected in 13.8% of the isolates. SEA and SEC were the most common enterotoxins detected. PFGE revealed genetic heterogeneity from S. intermedius and S. warneri analyzed, while S. aureus presented similar profiles among isolates from the two studied herds. To the best of our knowledge, the current study describes for the first time presence of enterotoxins, mecA gene, and genetic diversity of staphylococci isolated from organic dairy farms in Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii is an infective parasite that causes reproductive disorders such as abortion, fetal mummification, birth of weak offspring, and stillbirth, thereby causing economic losses to sheep production. The northeastern region of Brazil has approximately 171 million small ruminants, of which 5.4% are sheep. The present study aimed at determining the rate of occurrence of T. gondii in sheep flocks on 60 farms in 19 municipalities in the three mesoregions (eastern, semi-arid, and sertão or backlands) of the state of Sergipe, Brazil, and the risk factors associated with this infection. Serum samples were collected between 2011 and 2012, from 60 farms located in 19 municipalities in the three mesoregions: 680 in the eastern region, 280 in the semi-arid region, and 240 in the backlands, totaling 1,200 samples (990 females and 210 males). Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected by means of the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT ≥ 64). The highest occurrence was detected in the eastern region (45.3%, p = 0.001). On farms with subsistence production, the risk of having animals infected by T. gondii was approximately twice as high as on breeding/rebreeding/fattening farms (OR: 3.03; CI: 1.97-4.68). There was a significant lack of sanitary care, such as absence of a dunghill (p = 0.000; OR: 1.60; CI: 1.26-2.03), quarantine (p = 0.000; OR: 1.87; CI: 1.45-2.41) and disinfection (p = 0.003; OR: 1.46; CI: 1.13-1.88). Regarding feeding, the risk of infection was 1.74 and 1.37 times higher in places that used a trough and/or that cats could access, respectively. The presente study allows the conclusions that T. gondii is found on farms in the three mesoregions of the state of Sergipe and that environmental and management factors have an influence on sheep infection.

Substantial evidence suggests a direct link between periodontitis in pregnant women and subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, no studies have evaluated the transgenerational effects of periodontitis on the reproductive performance of subsequent generations. The present study investigated whether maternal periodontal disease exerts deleterious transgenerational effects on reproductive performance in F1 female rats. Rat female offspring from mothers that were subjected to experimentally induced periodontitis or sham operation were mated with sexually experienced male rats. The weight and reproductive performance of these F1 offspring were evaluated on gestation day 21, including maternal weight, litter weight, individual pup weight, number of pups, and number of resorptions. The percentage of dams with resorptions and the litter weight/number of pups were also calculated. Compared with the control group, an increase was observed in the percentage and number of resorptions and litter weight/number of pups, and a decrease was observed in the number of pups born in the experimental group. Maternal weight, litter weight, and individual pup weight were not different between the control and experimental groups. Maternal periodontitis impaired reproductive performance in the F1 generation. We showed that periodontitis may induce reproductive injury in adult offspring even if the offspring do not undergo any inflammatory/infectious process during their postnatal life or during gestation. These findings reinforce the importance of oral care during pregnancy.