As necropsias são um instrumento essencial para a determinação da causa das mortes de animais selvagens, incluindo espécies marinhas, tais como as tartarugas marinhas. Por meio da análise laboratorial de tecidos bem preservados, os especialistas em doenças de animais selvagens podem investigar diversas causas de sua mortalidade. O objetivo primário é assistir os especialistas na correta identificação dos órgãos de tartarugas e de reunir as amostras necessárias para os testes de patologia e de outros testes vitais. O presente protocolo delineia os métodos necessários para a colheita dos resíduos ingeridos por tartarugas marinhas com meticulosa reunião de tartarugas marinhas mortas. A seguir, são escolhidos os tecidos de acordo com o respectivo nível de decomposição. As necropsias de tartarugas devem ser realizadas em instalações adequadas e equipadas para a realização de tais procedimentos, de modo a garantir a adequação com os protocolos e delineamentos estabelecidos. Por outro lado, o protocolo aqui delineado fornece um guia detalhado dos métodos indicados para a preservação das amostras de tecidos de acordo com o tipo de contaminante a ser analisado (microplástico, metais pesados, pesticidas ou poluentes orgânicos persistentes). Estes procedimentos contribuem para a compreensão da saúde e dos desafios a que a vida selvagem marinha está exposta. | Necropsies are essential tools for determining the cause of death in wildlife, including marine species like sea turtles. Through laboratory analysis of well-preserved tissues, wildlife disease specialists can investigate various potential causes of mortality in wildlife. The primary goal is to assist specialists in accurately identifying turtle organs and gathering the samples required for pathology and other vital tests. This protocol outlines methods for collecting ingested waste from sea turtles, as well as organizing and storing data related to these samples. The procedure starts with the meticulous gathering of deceased sea turtles, after which tissue samples are sorted according to their level of decomposition. Turtle necropsies should be conducted in certified facilities equipped for these procedures, ensuring compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Moreover, the protocol outlined here provides detailed guidance on the optimal methods for preserving tissue samples, tailored to the type of contaminant (microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, or persistent organic pollutants) being analyzed. This contributes to a deeper understanding of the health and survival challenges faced by marine wildlife.

Os antibióticos melhoradores de desempenho (AMD) têm sido amplamente utilizados na suinocultura. No entanto, seu uso apresenta implicações para a segurança sanitária global. As nanopartículas de prata (AgNPs) possuem propriedades antibióticas e podem representar uma alternativa viável. Neste estudo, AgNPs isoladas e incorporadas a um carboidrato (AgNPs@Carb) foram caracterizadas e testadas contra cepas bacterianas Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas. Para avaliar a ação das AgNPs@Carb como alternativa aos AMD, 32 suínos machos castrados e 32 fêmeas, com 70 dias de idade e peso médio de 24,08 ± 2,72 kg, foram alojados em uma unidade de crescimento e terminação. Os animais foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos dietéticos: NC – sem adição de AgNPs@Carb; NP05 – 5 mg kg−1 de AgNPs@Carb; NP10 – 10 mg kg−1 de AgNPs@Carb; e NP15 – 15 mg kg−1 de AgNPs@Carb, com oito repetições de dois animais por baia. O experimento, com duração de 83 dias, foi dividido em duas fases: crescimento (0–42 dias) e terminação (43–83 dias). A inclusão de AgNPs@Carb na dieta aumentou o consumo médio diário de ração e o rendimento de carcaça resfriada, além de reduzir a frequência de diarreia e a espessura de toucinho dos animais. A dose ideal, estimada por regressão, foi de 7 mg kg−1. Esses resultados indicam que as AgNPs@Carb possuem potencial como aditivo alimentar na suinocultura, contribuindo para a redução do uso excessivo de antibióticos e promovendo uma produção mais segura e sustentável. | Antibiotics as growth promoters (AGP) have historically been a staple of the swine production industry. However, recent developments indicate that their use has several consequences for humanity’s sanitary safety. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have antibiotic properties and could represent a viable alternative. In the current study, only AgNPs incorporated in a carbohydrate (AgNPs@Carb) were characterized and tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. To assess AgNPs@Carb action as an alternative to AGP, 32 barrows and 32 gilts were housed in a growing finishing facility with 70 days of age and an average weight of 24.08 ± 2.72 kg. They were fed four treatments: NC – no addition of AgNPs@Carb, NP05 - addition of 5 mg kg-1 of AgNPs@Carb, NP10 - 10 mg kg-1 of AgNPs@Carb, and NP15 - 15 mg kg-1 of AgNPs@Carb; each treatment had eight replicates of two animals (pen). The 83 days of the trial were divided into two periods: growing (0–42) and finishing (43–83). AgNPs@Carb addition to the diet improved average daily feed intake and chilled carcass yield and decreased diarrhea frequency and backfat thickness. AgNPs@Carb showed potential effects in acting as a feed additive in swine diets, and the ideal dose was estimated by regression at 7 mg kg-1. These findings offer a possible option to reduce the risk of antibiotics overuse, at least partially during swine feeding, for safer and cleaner production.

Os opioides possuem propriedades antinociceptivas e são considerados seguros quando administrados pela via peridural. No entanto, eles raramente são utilizados na medicina equina. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos fisiológicos e antinociceptivos de morfina e fentanil, isoladas ou em associação, quando administrados por cateter epidural sacrococcígeo em equinos saudáveis. Cinco equinos foram submetidos a cateterização epidural sacrococcígea e receberam morfina (0,1 mg/kg) [M1], fentanil (2 μg/kg) [M2] e a associação de morfina (0,15 mg/kg) e fentanil (1 μg/kg) [M3]. Frequência cardíaca (FC), frequência respiratória (FR), motilidade intestinal, temperatura retal (TR), nível de sedação, comportamento, ataxia e escores de antinocicepção foram registrados em resposta a estímulos térmicos e mecânicos aplicados às tuberosidades isquiática e coxal, bem como em regiões lombar, tibial e torácica, em T-20’ (baseline), 15 minutos, uma hora, quatro horas, 12 horas e 20 horas. FC e TR permaneceram dentro da normalidade. FR aumentou com [M1] (24.00 ± 2.83) e [M2] (25.20 ± 3.35) em T20h comparado ao baseline. A motilidade intestinal foi modulada, particularmente reduzida com morfina e sua combinação até uma hora após administração, enquanto o fentanil manteve movimentos intestinais estáveis. Morfina isolada ou combinada com fentanil induziu sedação leve até uma hora após administração. Ataxia foi notável por até quatro horas após administração, especialmente com morfina, que prolongou a ataxia por até 12 horas. Os escores antinociceptivos aumentaram notavelmente entre T1 e T4, com escores mais elevados observados nos dermátomos isquiáticos, coxais e lombares sob estímulo frio, enquanto sob estímulo quente todos os dermátomos exibiram escores aumentados. O estímulo mecânico provocou antinocicepção nos dermátomos coxais e lombares. Em conclusão, fentanil exibiu menos efeitos fisiológicos, enquanto morfina demonstrou efeitos antinociceptivos mais potentes durante o período inicial de 12 horas, com a combinação apresentando analgesia intermediária. | Opioids possess antinociceptive properties, and they are considered safe when administered via the epidural route. However, theyare seldom utilized in equine medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and antinociceptive effects of morphine and fentanyl, either individually or in combination, when administered via sacrococcygeal epidural catheterization in healthy horses. Five horses underwent sacrococcygeal epidural catheterization and received morphine (0.1 mg/kg) [M1], fentanyl (2 μg/kg) [M2], and a combination of morphine (0.15 mg/kg) and fentanyl (1 μg/kg) [M3]. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), intestinal motility, rectal temperature (RT), sedation level, behavior, ataxia, and antinociceptive scores were recorded in response to thermals and mechanicals stimuli applied to the ischial and coxal tuberosities, as well as lumbar, tibial, and thoracic regions, at T-20’ (baseline), 15 min, 1 h, 4 h, 12 h, and 20 h. HR and RT remained within normal ranges. RR increased with [M1] (24.00 ± 2.83) and [M2]  (25.20 ± 3.35) at T20h compared to baseline. Intestinal motility was modulated, notably reduced with morphine and its combination up to 1 h post administration, while fentanyl maintained stable bowel movements. Morphine alone or combined with fentanyl induced mild sedation up to 1 h post administration. Ataxia was notable for up to 4 h postadministration, especially with morphine, which extended ataxia up to 12 h. Antinociceptive scores increased notably between T1 and T4, with higher scores observed in the ischiatic, coxal, and lumbar dermatomes under cold stimulation, whereas all dermatomes exhibited increased scores under hot stimulation. Mechanical stimulation elicited antinociception in the coxal and lumbar dermatomes. In conclusion, fentanyl exhibited fewer physiological effects, while morphine demonstrated more potent antinociceptive effects during the initial 12-h period, with the combination showing intermediate analgesia.

Technological advances, easily pursued by research on ruminant nutrition, can improve animal production, prevent nutritional disorders, and increase digestibility concomitantly with reducing ingestive discrepancies. This study aimed to investigate the inclusion of crude extract of Croton urucurana (Croton) or essential oils of cashew and castor bean on in vitro and in situ degradability of Tifton 85 hay and metabolic parameters in beef cattle. The experiment was conducted at the Biological Sciences Institute (ICB) and the Veterinary School of the Federal University of Goias, Brazil. The treatments were: Control, Monensin, Croton, and Blend (essential oil composed of cashew and castor bean). We used five replicates to evaluate ruminal parameters and dry matter degradability. Blend increased dry matter degradation, indicating that forage feeds last longer in the rumen and tend to be more degraded with Blend inclusion. The assessments of ad libitum ingestion of dry matter showed that monensin treatment reduced feed intake compared to control and Croton treatments. Our results suggest that the inclusion of Blend improves the degradability of dry matter in the diet and could be a strategy of choice in diets based on low-quality forage. | Os esforços tecnológicos buscados com esforço pelas pesquisas em nutrição de ruminantes são aqueles potencialmente capazes de melhorar a produção animal, prevenir distúrbios nutricionais, aumentar a digestibilidade concomitantemente à redução de discrepâncias ingestivas. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a inclusão de extrato bruto de Croton urucurana Baillon (Croton) ou óleos essenciais de caju e mamona na degradabilidade in vitro e in situ do feno de Tifton 85 e em parâmetros metabólicos em bovinos de corte. O experimento foi conduzido no Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB) e Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Goiás - Brasil. Os tratamentos foram: Controle, Monensina, Croton, Blend (óleo essencial composto de caju e mamona). Foram utilizadas cinco repetições para avaliação dos parâmetros ruminais e degradabilidade da matéria seca. O Blend aumentou a degradação da matéria seca, indicando que a forragem dura mais tempo no rúmen e tende a ser mais degradada com a inclusão do Blend. As avaliações da ingestão ad libitum de matéria seca mostraram que o tratamento com monensina foi capaz de reduzir o consumo de ração quando comparado aos tratamentos controle e Croton. Nossos resultados sugerem que a inclusão do Blend melhora a degradabilidade da matéria seca na dieta e pode ser uma estratégia de escolha em dietas baseadas em forragem de baixa qualidade.

A Brazilian porcupine poxvirus (BPoPV) and Toxoplasma gondii co-infection case in a free-ranging Paraguayan hairydwarf porcupine (Coendou spinosus) is described. An adult female porcupine was rescued in a peri-urban region ofthe city of São Paulo. It presented poor general condition and multiple erythematous to ulcerated nodules and crustedcutaneous plaques in the face, ear, front and hind limbs, and genital region. Skin lesions and hepatomegaly were themajor gross lesions. Hyperplastic ulcerated epidermis and myxomatous edema in dermis associated with interstitiallymphoplasmocytic and histiocytic infiltrate were the microscopic findings. Multiple eosinophilic intracytoplasmicinclusions in keratinocytes of the epidermis and hair follicle, sebocytes, histiocytes, and fibroblasts were observed. Theprotozoan cyst was associated with non-suppurative meningoencephalitis and glial nodules in the cerebral cortex. BPoPVinfection was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis, and T. gondii co-infection was confirmedby molecular investigation. In conclusion, neotropical porcupines are susceptible to co-infection with poxvirus andToxoplasma gondii, and the impact of this interaction needs to be further clarified. | Descreve-se o caso de um ouriço-cacheiro (Coendou spinosus) de vida livre apresentando coinfecção por Brazilianporcupine poxvirus (BPoPV) e Toxoplasma gondii. Uma fêmea adulta foi resgatada em uma região periurbana dacidade de São Paulo. O animal apresentava estado nutricional regular e múltiplos nódulos eritematosos a ulcerados eplacas crostosas em face, pavilhão auricular, focinho e região de membros e genital. As principais lesões macroscópicasforam as lesões de pele e hepatomegalia. Os achados microscópicos foram hiperplasia e ulceração de epiderme e edemamixomatoso em derme, associado com infiltrado intersticial linfoplasmocítico e histiocítico. Havia ainda múltiplasinclusões intracitoplasmáticas eosinofílicas nos queratinócitos da epiderme e nos folículos pilosos, sebócitos, histiócitose fibroblastos. Havia um cisto de protozoário associado com meningoencefalite não-supurativa e nódulos gliais no córtexcerebral. O exame imuno-histoquímico e as análises moleculares confirmaram a infecção por BPoPV e a investigaçãomolecular confirmou a coinfecção com Toxoplasma gondi. Em conclusão, os ouriços-cacheiros neotropicais são suscetíveisa coinfecção por poxvírus e Toxoplasma gondii e os impactos dessa interação necessitam serem melhor esclarecidos.

The margay (Leopardus wiedii) is a small wild feline endemic to Central and South America. Due to increasing habitat fragmentation and human expansion, margays are frequently involved in road traffic accidents, leading to severe traumatic injuries. Effective veterinary intervention is crucial for their rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. However, limited literature exists on appropriate anesthetic and surgical management strategies for wild felids. A free-ranging adult female margay (2.3 kg) was admitted with a complete displaced fracture of the right sacral wing, multiple pubis, and ischium fractures. Anesthetic management included premedication with tiletamine-zolazepam (5 mg/kg IM) and methadone (0.3 mg/kg IM), induction with propofol (3 mg/kg IV), and maintenance with isoflurane in oxygen. A sacrococcygeal epidural block (L7-S1) with lidocaine (3 mg/kg) was performed to reduce inhalant anesthetic requirements and enhance analgesia. Physiological parameters remained stable throughout the procedure, and postoperative recovery was uneventful. The patient was discharged to wildlife rehabilitation authorities 27 days post-surgery. The combination of tiletaminezolazepam, methadone, and epidural lidocaine effectively provided immobilization, analgesia, and hemodynamic stability. This case highlights the importance of multimodal analgesia and careful anesthetic monitoring to ensure successful surgical outcomes in wildlife conservation medicine. The anesthetic and surgical approach described in this report contributed to the successful rehabilitation of a margay with pelvic fractures caused by a road traffic accident. The findings support the efficacy of multimodal anesthesia and epidural analgesia in wild feline trauma management, providing valuable insights for future veterinary interventions in conservation medicine. | O gato-maracajá (Leopardus wiedii) é um pequeno felino selvagem endêmico da América Central e do Sul. Devido ao aumento da fragmentação do habitat e à expansão humana, frequentemente se envolvem em acidentes de trânsito, resultando em lesões traumáticas graves. A intervenção veterinária eficaz é crucial para sua reabilitação e reintrodução na natureza. No entanto, há pouca literatura sobre estratégias adequadas de manejo anestésico e cirúrgico para felinos selvagens. Uma gata-maracajá fêmea adulta de vida livre (2,3 kg) foi admitida com uma fratura simples completa desviada fechada na asa direita do sacro, além de múltiplas fraturas no púbis e no ísquio. O manejo anestésico incluiu pré medicação com tiletamina-zolazepam (5 mg/kg IM) e metadona (0,3 mg/kg IM), indução com propofol (3 mg/kg IV) e manutenção com isoflurano em oxigênio. Um bloqueio epidural sacrococcígeo (L7-S1) com lidocaína (3 mg/kg) foi realizado para reduzir a necessidade de anestesia inalatória e melhorar a analgesia. Os parâmetros fisiológicos permaneceram estáveis ao longo do procedimento, e a recuperação pós-operatória transcorreu sem intercorrências. A paciente recebeu alta para as autoridades de reabilitação de vida selvagem 27 dias após a cirurgia. A combinação de tiletamina-zolazepam, metadona e lidocaína epidural proporcionou imobilização eficaz, analgesia e estabilidade hemodinâmica. Este caso destaca a importância da analgesia multimodal e do monitoramento anestésico cuidadoso para garantir o sucesso dos procedimentos cirúrgicos na medicina de conservação da vida selvagem. A abordagem anestésica e cirúrgica descrita neste relato contribuiu para a reabilitação bem-sucedida de um gato macarajá com fraturas pélvicas decorrentes de um acidente de trânsito. Os achados reforçam a eficácia do protocolo escolhido para o manejo de traumas em felinos silvestres, fornecendo informações valiosas para futuras intervenções veterinárias na medicina da conservação.

peer reviewed | [en] OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of ultrasound-guided intervertebral disc (IVD) injection of contrast medium and methylene blue to aid in intraoperative identification of cervical IVD spaces in dogs. METHODS: This was a single-center experimental cadaver study using randomly chosen skeletally mature dog cadavers from January 2, 2023, to March 23, 2023. For each cadaver, 1 cervical IVD was randomly selected. The ventral cervical region was ultrasonographically examined, pushing the trachea leftwards. A 50/50 contrast medium (iohexol, 300 mgI/mL) and methylene blue mixture was injected under ultrasound guidance in the IVD and ventral soft tissues. The x-rays and CT scans were performed before and after injection. Each cadaver was dissected using a ventral slot procedure. The cadavers and IVD characteristics, the success rate in ultrasonographically identifying the correct IVD space, time to injection, most caudal IVD space feasibly injectable, and semiquantitative imaging and surgical scores were recorded. RESULTS: 20 canine cadavers were used. The IVD injections were successfully performed in the correct IVD space in all cadavers. The median time to injection was 3.95 minutes (Q1 to Q3, 3.22 to 5.88 minutes). The contrast medium was clearly visible on at least 1 radiographic projection in all but 1 case and on the CT in all cases. During surgical dissection, the dye was clearly visible in all but 1 case. The dogs' weight was significantly different between most caudal IVD spaces feasibly injectable. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographical cervical IVD space identification and mixture injection are feasible and might help intraoperative cervical IVD space identification in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This technique could be used presurgically in patients with cervical IVD diseases.

peer reviewed | A male long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) was found to have a severe tail injury during a clinical examination prior to vasectomy at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. The injury involved an open wound with areas of necrosis and fracture. Based on the tail condition, the animal was treated with a partial caudectomy. Prophylactic treatment prior to surgery with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory was carried out using amoxicillin and ketorolac tromethamine, respectively. Anesthesia was maintained using propofol. Postoperatively, the anesthesia reversal agent atipamezole was administered. After the macaque exhibited clear signs of recovery from anesthesia, it was transported in a cage back to the capture site and released into its original social group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case report describing partial caudectomy in macaques.

International audience | OBJECTIVE To report clinical signs, biological anomalies, treatment, and outcome in domestic ferrets with cholecystitis, describe the ultrasonographic features of cholecystitis, and compare the ultrasonographic appearance of the hepatobiliary system between diseased and healthy ferrets. METHODS 11 ferrets with confirmed cholecystitis and abdominal ultrasonography were retrospectively included. Ten healthy ferrets were prospectively recruited to undergo hepatobiliary abdominal ultrasonography. Comparisons of explanatory variables (group, age, body weight, and sex) were performed. RESULTS The most common clinical signs were nonspecific, and icterus was observed in 1/4 of diseased ferrets. Compared with healthy individuals, diseased ferrets showed a larger common bile duct (CBD; ≥ 2.8 mm), a thicker CBD wall (≥ 0.7 mm), a thicker gallbladder (GB) wall, more frequent echoic GB luminal content, visible intrahepatic bile ducts, and a greater GB volume. Bile culture was positive in 9/11 mostly for Escherichia coli (8/9). Bile cytology indicated septic purulent cholecystitis in 7/7 ferrets. Survival time after antibiotic treatment ranged from 6 to 104 weeks, with a median of 36 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Ferrets with cholecystitis presented with nonspecific clinical signs and frequently showed hyperbilirubinemia. Ultrasonography findings such as enlarged CBD, thickened CBD wall, thicker GB wall, GB sludge, visible intrahepatic bile ducts, and enlarged GB may suggest cholecystitis. Escherichia coli was commonly isolated from bile. The medium-term mortality rate was high despite targeted antibiotherapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This is the first study describing the clinical signs, biological anomalies, ultrasonographic findings, and outcomes after treatment in a series of domestic ferrets with cholecystitis.