Although pain is considered the 4th vital sign and one of the most frequently observed clinical signs in domestic animals’ clinical practice, its treatment is still inadequate despite significant improvement in the last few years. Acute post-operative pain has aroused great interest due to its potential risk of developing into chronic pain, and if not treated properly, it might worsen the recovery and the patient’s quality of life. Cats are one of the least studied species of domestic animals regarding pain recognition and control. Some of the difficulties lie in pain assessment and perception. The consensus published in February 2016 about behavioral signs of pain in cats considered some signs to be reliable and sensitive for the assessment of pain in this species in many different clinical conditions, however it still states that more studies will be necessary in order to evaluate its clinical validity and applicability, especially considering the various pain intensities. As an attempt to quantify pain intensity in cats, several types of traditional subjective scales and others that facilitate pain assessment by combining the observation of spontaneous behavioral signals of pain and qualitative response to palpation of surgical wound are used as tools. It is necessary to use specific scales for each type of pain and for each specific animal species so to minimize the subjectivity and the partiality of the observers, reducing bias and improving efficacy, thus leading to a better patient care.

A male adult crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was diagnosed with systemic yeast infection. Histologically, there were extensive areas of necrosis in the lung, which were associated with a diffuse severe lympho-plasmo-histiocytic inflammatory infiltrate, with numerous multinucleated giant cells, and myriads of intralesional pseudo-hyphae and yeast like organisms within distended foveolae. Necrotic foci were also observed in the mucosa of the digestive tract, trachea, tunica intima of arteries, liver, and heart, with a marked inflammatory lympho-histiocytic infiltrate, with large numbers of epithelioid macrophages and giant cells, and intralesional and intravascular pseudo-hyphae and yeast-like organisms. Oval yeast structures with 4 to 6 μm in diameter and 5 to 8 μm thick paralleled-wall pseudo-hyphae were observed in PAS or GMS stained sections. PCR with DNA template extracted from paraffin embedded tissues amplified the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene, which was sequenced and found to be identical to sequences of a new species, isolated from rotting wood in Brazil, of the genus Spencermartinsiella, which its closest relative is Spencermartinsiella cellulosicola.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of severe extreme thermal stress on the respiratory rate (panting) of unsheared and sheared rams in standing and lying position, and to analyse two temperature-humidity indices (THIs). Six mature Australian Merino rams from Northern Patagonia, three unshorn and three shorn, were subjected to 40 hours (8 hours each day for five days) of gradual increase in temperature from 25°C to 40°C, guaranteeing 4h daily at 40°C in a heat chamber. Respiratory rate (RR) was registered continuously by counting flank movements, and the ambient air temperature and relative humidity were recorded every five minutes inside the heat chamber. From 1413 RR measurements, descriptive and modelling analyses were performed. Panting as a response variable was distributed into five categories, and fixed effects such as THI, wool (unshorn/shorn), and position (standing/lying) were considered. No significant differences were observed between the panting score in the unshorn (standing or lying) and standing (unshorn or shorn) sheep, but significant differences were observed in shorn and lying rams. The explanations could be that heat production from muscle activity was lower and the transfer and heat lost by conduction to the floor was easier in the rams with shorter fleece (at least 0.7 inches long). However, in the unshorn rams, their wool acted as an insulator, both with air as well as the floor. Australian Merino rams from Northern Patagonia are heat tolerant to an environment between 31.5°C and 42°C, and 32% to 48% humidity for 40 hours over five days. The rams were in the first phase of panting, and the normal rectal temperatures registered daily when leaving the heat chamber confirmed that regulation of body temperature was possible. The LPHSI’s THI was adjusted to improve the analysis of the RR more than the National Research Council’s THI.

Estrus synchronization is a reproductive biotechnology used to improve artificial insemination or pairing through the manipulation of the estrous cycle at a desirable time. Employing this technique in captive pacas (Cuniculus paca L.) is important because it creates expectation of meeting the demand for paca meat and, consequently, reduces poaching. Thus, this research aims to verify the effect of a progestogen implant associated with two doses of eCG on the synchronization and induction of fertile estrus. Twenty-seven adult pacas were used, 18 non-pregnant females and nine males, divided into three groups. G1 and G2 females groups (treatments) received 1.5 mg Norgestomet and were injected intramuscularly, seven days later, with 0.13 mg of prostaglandin. After 24 hours the implants were removed and the animals immediately received 25 IU and 50 IU of ECG intramuscularly, respectively. The mating of the three groups took place on the same days. G3 females’ group (control) showed estrus on different days after D0. Females under treatment displayed estrus only after removing the implant (D8). G1, G2, and G3 pregnancy rates were 100%, 66%, and 50%, respectively. Regarding births per parturition, 100% of G1 and G3 produced one offspring, while 50% of G2 produced two. Progestogen in the form of subcutaneous implants was effective in mimicking the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. After removal, implants favored the occurrence of a fertile estrus. As a conclusion, further studies must be conducted in order to establish in-depth possible association between 50 IU of eCG, and the occurrence of twin pregnancies.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is rare and rarely reported in dogs. The term neurofibroma/sarcoma is classically used when the tumor is composed of Schawann and perineural cells. This work describes the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical case of a subcutaneous malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, most likely a malignant neurofibroma located in the pelvic member of a Rottweiler dog. Histopathological features and immunohistochemical analysis corroborated the diagnosis, showing positivity for S-100 protein, vimentin, and CD57, and was useful to distinguish this type of neoplasm from other malignancies of similar morphologies.

Ectoparasites can transmit pathogens, including bacteria such as Ehrlichia sp., which trigger infectious diseases in domestic animals. Little is known about the epidemiology of feline ehrlichiosis, although several studies have focused on elucidating the pathogenesis and transmission of this disease. This paper presents the first mutual infection by Ehrlichia sp. between a domestic cat and a Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) tick removed from the animal. The cat and tick were tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect the dsb gene, and the analyzed sequences revealed samples 100% identical to E. canis. Based on this report, we discussed the importance of cats as E. canis reservoirs s and their position in the cycle of transmission between dogs and cats in Brazil.

Juvenile cellulitis (JC) is an uncommon vesiculopustular disease that affects dogs, especially those under four months of age. The aim of the present study was to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic profile of JC based on clinical records of canine patients treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, between the years 2009 and 2016. A total of five cases were diagnosed. Four dogs presented at an average age of two months and 22 days and were crossbred; the other dog was a rottweiler aged 38 weeks. The average time of evolution of the disease was 16 days, and the main clinical signs were edema, papules, pustules, and bilateral ocular discharge. The diagnosis was confirmed by cytology in four animals and by histopathology in only one patient. For all dogs, the treatment was based on cephalexin, administered for 30 days, and prednisolone for three weeks. Otological therapy was included when necessary. Four cases had a favorable outcome. JC is a rare dermatopathy that deserves special attention from veterinary practitioners.

As intussuscepções são acidentes intestinais incomuns e que podem resultar em desconforto abdominal agudo e progressivo ou recorrente em potros. Esta condição afeta potros neonatos de forma assintomática e de 3 a 12 meses são emergências cirúrgicas quando envolvem o intestino delgado, principalmente o jejuno. A avaliação ultrassonográfica transabdominal é um importante para o exame desses animais devido às limitações de seu tamanho para avaliações do abdômen agudo. O presente relato de caso mostra a importância da utilização do ultrassom transabdominal em potros com abdômen agudo

Large quantities of waste are generated throughout the seafood supply chain. Although this material has a great potential for use (e.g. pharmaceutical industry, animal feed production), if not managed properly it represents an environmental risk. In order to meet the volume, destination, and method of storage of waste of Brazilian seafood supply chain, we got information from 29 companies that have Official Veterinary Inspection (SIF). After the industrialization of seafood only 44% on average of the total raw material is used for human consumption and 59.2% of the unused portion is discarded in landfill.

Recent studies have discussed the importance of snakes, going beyond the context of Public Health (snakebites). Promising research demonstrates the utility of snake venom in several fields, including oncology, diagnosis, anticoagulant therapy, and pain treatment. Nevertheless, there are still gaps in the basic knowledge on these animals, specifically regarding the histological characterization of the gastrointestinal tract, which ultimately hinder comparative histology and pathology studies. In this context the present study intends to contribute with the advance of current knowledge on snake histology by describing and analyzing histological samples of the gastrointestinal tracts of Bothrops jararaca and Crotalus durissus. Samples were collected from 12 individuals (six from each species), up to 6 months of age and equally distributed between males and females. Histological slides were prepared from the organs collected and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and alcian blue. The slides were photographed with a high-resolution camera to create a portfolio representative of the histology of the gastrointestinal systems of these animals.