There is a well-established link intersecting animal cruelty and interpersonal violence that suggests domestic violence can be an indicator of pet mistreatment and other forms of aggression. In Brazil, despite the high rate of domestic violence, there has been little research on the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty. This study aims to propose a tool for detecting animal cruelty in homes where domestic violence against women occurs and for clinical evaluation of animal victims. For the study, 145 Incident Reports (BO) from the Defense of Women Police Station (DDM) of Botucatu, SP, Brazil, were analyzed, and 55 women responded to a voluntary questionnaire about violence against animals. Thirty-one women claimed to own animals at their residence, totaling 54 dogs and 26 cats. Among those women who had animals and answered the questionnaire, it was verified that 14 women (45%) revealed physical violence towards animals by the same aggressor. The clinical examination of animals confirmed that 11 animals had a poor body score index and were in a mistreatment situation. The questionnaire provided valuable information and represented a potential tool that can be used by veterinarians, security, and social professionals to assess cases of domestic violence and comprehension of the welfare of pet animals. | Existe uma conexão bem estabelecida entre a crueldade contra os animais e a violência interpessoal que sugere que a violência doméstica pode ser um indicador de maus-tratos a animais de estimação e outras formas de agressão. No Brasil, apesar do alto índice de violência doméstica, há poucas pesquisas sobre o elo entre violência doméstica e crueldade contra animais. Este estudo tem como objetivo propor uma ferramenta para detecção de crueldade contra animais em lares onde ocorre violência doméstica contra mulheres e avaliação de animais vitimados. Foram analisados 145 Boletins de Ocorrência (BO) da Delegacia de Defesa da Mulher (DDM) de Botucatu, SP, Brasil e 55 mulheres responderam a um questionário voluntário sobre violência contra animais, onde 31 mulheres afirmaram possuir animais em sua residência, totalizando 54 cães e 26 gatos. Entre as mulheres que possuíam animais e responderam ao questionário, verificou-se que 14 mulheres (45%) revelaram violência física contra animais pelo mesmo agressor. Durante o exame clínico dos animais foi confirmado que 11 animais apresentavam índice de escore corporal ruim e situação de maus tratos. O questionário forneceu informações valiosas e representa uma ferramenta potencial que pode ser utilizada por veterinários e profissionais da segurança e áreas sociais para avaliar casos de violência doméstica e compreensão de crimes envolvendo animais no meio doméstico.

This study aimed to assess the health status of shelter dogs in two cities in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil, as part of a university extension initiative focused on collective and preventive veterinary care. The project was conducted in two editions. The first was held in 2013 in a shelter in the city of Pirassununga, and the second in 2016 in a shelter in the city of Santa Cruz da Conceição. In total, 24 parasitological examinations of feces from collective kennels and 127 blood counts were conducted. In both editions, a large number of dogs exhibited thrombocytopenia and hyperproteinemia. We also identified cases of anemia and changes in the leukocyte counts, which were consistent with infectious diseases. Most fecal samples tested positive for intestinal parasites. These findings can be partially attributed to the substantial number of dogs in both shelters, which poses challenges for sanitary control. | Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estado de saúde de cães de abrigo em duas cidades do interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, como parte de uma iniciativa de extensão universitária focada em cuidados veterinários coletivos e preventivos. O projeto foi realizado em duas edições. A primeira foi realizada em 2013 em um abrigo na cidade de Pirassununga e a segunda, em 2016 em um abrigo na cidade de Santa Cruz da Conceição. No total, foram realizados 24 exames parasitológicos de fezes coletadas de canis coletivos e 127 hemogramas. Em ambas as edições um grande número de cães apresentou trombocitopenia e hiperproteinemia. Identificamos também casos de anemia e alterações na contagem de leucócitos, compatíveis com doenças infecciosas. A maioria das amostras de fezes foi positiva para parasitas intestinais. Estes achados podem ser parcialmente atribuídos ao número substancial de cães em ambos os abrigos, o que representa desafios para o controle sanitário.

Brazil currently has several public policies that aim to prohibit animal traction. Despite this scenario, this is still a subsistence activity widely used by many of the population, so such public policies are inefficient. For these policies to have the desired effect, actions are needed to control the population of these vulnerable draft horses through low cost, effective, and definitive contraceptive surgical techniques or the use of specific medications. The present review aims to evaluate the most viable contraceptive techniques in population control of these animals, considering the scarcity of resources, difficulties in regular veterinary monitoring, effectiveness, and animal recovery time. | O Brasil, na atualidade, possui diversas políticas públicas com o objetivo da proibição da tração animal. Apesar deste cenário, esta ainda é uma atividade de subsistência muito utilizada por uma grande parcela da população, de modo que tais políticas públicas se mostram ineficientes. Para que estas políticas tenham o efeito desejado são necessárias ações de controle populacional destes equídeos de tração sob vulnerabilidade através de técnicas contraceptivas cirúrgicas ou não, de baixo custo, eficazes e definitivas. A presente revisão tem como objetivos avaliar as técnicas contraceptivas de maior viabilidade no controle populacional destes animais, considerando o cenário de escassez de recursos, dificuldades de acompanhamento veterinário regular, tempo de eficácia e tempo de recuperação do animal.

Hemoparasitoses are diseases that have many cases in the medical-veterinary routine, mainly affecting dogs. Main hemoparasitoses include canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) and canine thrombocytic anaplasmosis (CTA). The present study aimed to carry out an analysis regarding cases of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis and the presence of antibodies against Ehrlichia sp. and Anaplasma sp. in dogs treated by the Integra Animal Project, observing epidemiological data, such as age group, sex, and presence of ticks. Blood count, epidemiological profile, and 4DXs plus test were analyzed from 102 dogs taken in by the project. A descriptive analysis was carried out regarding the collected data, focusing on data such as age group (in months), presence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, erythrogram, leukogram, and animals positive and negative for ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. Out of the 102 dogs, 48 (47%) of the animals had antibodies to Ehrlichia canis., and 23 (22.5%) had antibodies to Anaplasma platys. With these results, it was possible to analyze the hematological evidence in positive and negative dogs and draw conclusions from the study’s findings. Notably, among the positive animals, only 4 (4%) had the presence of ticks and no clinical manifestations, while 32 (31.7%) showed normocytic normochromic anemia and no significant changes in leukogram variables. There was no statistical difference between genders and the presence of ticks, with substantial change only being noticeable in elderly dogs due to the prevalence of antibodies in the animal’s body. It is concluded that the 4DX plus test effectively detects antibodies for these infections. However, it requires direct correlation with laboratory tests, contributing significantly to the diagnosis and treatment of canine ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. | As hemoparasitoses são enfermidades que possuem elevada casuística na rotina médico-veterinária, afetando principalmente os cães. Dentre as principais hemoparasitoses, englobam a Erliquiose Monocitica Canina (EMC) e Anaplasmose Trombocítica Canina (ATC). O presente estudo objetivou realizar uma análise referente a presença de anticorpos anti Ehrlichia sp. e Anaplasma sp. em cães atendidos pelo Projeto Integra Animal, observando dados epidemiológicos, como faixa etária, sexo e presença de carrapatos. Foram analisados hemograma, perfil epidemiológico e teste 4DXs plus de 102 cães acolhidos pelo projeto. Foi realizado uma análise descritiva referente aos dados coletados, com enfoque nas variáveis de faixa etária (em meses), presença de carrapatos Rhiphicephalus sanguineus, eritograma, leucograma e animais positivos e negativos para erliquiose e anaplasmose. Dos 102 cães, 48 (47%) animais possuíam anticorpos para Erhlichia canis, e 23 (22,5%) possuíam anticorpos para Anaplasma platys. Com esses resultados foi possível analisar a evidência hematológica de cães positivos e negativos e direcionar ao resultado do estudo. Sendo notório que dos animais positivos, apenas 4 (4%) apresentavam presença de carrapatos e sem manifestação clínica com 32 (31,7%) apresentando uma anemia normocítica normocrômica e nenhuma alteração significativa em variáveis do leucograma. Não houve diferença estatística entre sexos e presença de carrapatos, sendo notório apenas alteração significativa em cães idosos, decorrente da prevalência de anticorpos no organismo do animal. Conclui-se que o teste 4DX plus possui eficácia na detecção de anticorpos para as infecções, entretanto necessita da correlação direta com os exames laboratoriais, visando contribuir significativamente para o auxílio no diagnóstico e tratamento de erliquiose canina e anaplamose.

Several researchers have already highlighted interpersonal violence related to animal abuse. Animal abuse can be a consequence of interpersonal violence or occur concomitantly with it. In situations involving violence against women by an intimate partner, pets are threatened and abused as a way of intimidating, punishing, or controlling the victim, especially when there is a strong bond between the animal and its owner. This study aimed to build a structured instrument to assess the risk of abuse to which a companion animal tutored by a woman in a situation of violence is exposed, based on the questions presented in a questionnaire to identify  animal abuse of women in situations of intimate partner violence, in addition to scientific basis related to the topic. In the form of a questionnaire, the proposed tool is made up of nine statements and five possible answers, aiming to measure how close the relationship between the pet and the woman is, the threats or attacks that the animal has already suffered, and the frequency of drug use by the aggressor. 1 (one) point was assigned for “completely disagree,” 2 (two) points for “partially disagree,” 3 (three) points for “I don’t know how to answer,” 4 (four) points for “partially agree” and 5 points for “I totally agree.” According to the score assigned, the animal’s risk of being mistreated was categorized as low (9 to 18 points), medium (19 to 28 points) or high (29 to 45 points). Each statement has the same weight but is presented in order of increasing severity. Less alarming situations are presented at the beginning of the questionnaire, and more serious ones, such as the actual death of the animal or the woman’s feeling that her attacker can kill her, are presented at the end. The tool must be tested and adequate to effectively measure the abuse risk that a companion animal tutored by a woman in a situation of violence is exposed to. | A violência interpessoal relacionada ao abuso de animais já foi destacada por diversos pesquisadores. O abuso de animais pode ser consequência da violência interpessoal ou ocorrer concomitantemente a ela. Em situações que envolvem violência contra a mulher por parceiro íntimo, os animais de estimação são ameaçados e maltratados como forma de intimidar, punir ou controlar a vítima, principalmente quando existe um forte vínculo entre o animal e seu dono. Este estudo teve como objetivo construir um instrumento estruturado para avaliar o risco de abuso a que está exposto um animal de companhia tutorado por uma mulher em situação de violência, a partir das questões apresentadas em um questionário para identificar o abuso animal de mulheres em situação de violência pelo parceiro íntimo, além de embasamento científico relacionado ao tema. Em forma de questionário, a ferramenta proposta é composta por nove afirmações e cinco respostas possíveis, visando mensurar quão próxima é a relação entre o animal de estimação e a mulher, as ameaças ou ataques que o animal já sofreu e a frequência do uso de drogas pelo agressor. Foi atribuído 1 (um) ponto para “discordo totalmente”, 2 (dois) pontos para “discordo parcialmente”, 3 (três) pontos para “não sei responder”, 4 (quatro) pontos para “concordo parcialmente” e 5 pontos para “concordo totalmente”. De acordo com a pontuação atribuída, o risco do animal ser maltratado foi categorizado em baixo (9 a 18 pontos), médio (19 a 28 pontos) ou alto (29 a 45 pontos). Cada afirmação tem o mesmo peso, mas é apresentada em ordem crescente de gravidade. Situações menos alarmantes são apresentadas no início do questionário e outras mais graves, como a morte do animal ou a sensação da mulher de que seu agressor pode matá-la, são apresentadas no final. Há necessidade de que a ferramenta seja testada e adequada para que a avaliação do risco de abuso a que está exposto um animal de companhia tutorado por uma mulher em situação de violência seja efetivamente mensurada.

peer reviewed | [en] OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the concentration of gentamicin in the lower airways and serum of healthy spontaneously breathing dogs after nebulization with 5% undiluted gentamicin during 3 versus 10 minutes. ANIMALS: 10 healthy experimental Beagles. METHODS: This was a prospective crossover study. A standardized bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) procedure was performed in each dog after 1 week of administration of each of 2 different gentamicin nebulization protocols separated by a 1-week washout period. The 2 protocols consisted of nebulization of 5% undiluted gentamicin (50 mg/mL) twice daily either during 10 minutes per session (± 95 mg; 10-minute protocol) or 3 minutes per session (± 28 mg; 3-minute protocol). BAL fluid (BALF) was obtained under general anesthesia using a bronchoscope within 15 minutes after administration of the last nebulization. Blood was collected within 5 minutes after BALF collection. BALF and serum gentamicin concentrations were determined by particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay. Concentrations between protocols were compared using a paired t test. RESULTS: Both BALF and serum gentamicin concentrations were higher after the 10-minute protocol compared with the 3-minute protocol (mean ± SD: 2.41 ± 0.87 mg/L vs 1.25 ± 0.31 mg/L, P = .001; and 1.02 ± 0.59 mg/L vs 0.31 ± 0.24 mg/L, P < .0001 in BALF and serum, respectively), while the BALF-to-serum ratio did not differ between the protocols (3.75 [1.37 to 5.75] (median [IQR]) in the 3-minute protocol vs 2.48 [2.02 to 2.67] in the 10-minute protocol; P = .754). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A 3-minute nebulization of gentamicin seems to achieve sufficient concentrations of gentamicin in the BALF to have good efficacy against aminoglycoside-sensitive bacteria while remaining below the toxic range values in blood.

Objective: Meatballs are a popular meat-based food consumed widely in Indonesian society. However, the issue of unethical substitution of halal meatballs with non-halal meats, particularly pork and canine meat (CM), has emerged. The existence of non-halal meats, including CM, in food products is prohibited in Islam, necessitating the development of reliable analytical techniques for their identification. In this study, we designed species-specific primers (SSPs) targeting the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA for CM meatball product identification. Materials and Methods: The study was commenced by creating specific primers for canine DNA using Integrated DNA Technologies software and subsequently performing DNA isolation. The designed primers were then subjected to comprehensive evaluation using RT-PCR, including specification, linearity, limit of detection, efficiency, and repeatability. Results: The results indicated that the primer D-Loop 443 (forward: 5’-GGG ACA TCT CGA TGG ACTA ATG-3’, reverse: 5’-GCG GTC ATA GAT GAG TGA TAG C-3’) designed and validated in silico using primer-basic local alignment search tool nucleotide (BLAST) program from NCBI accurately identified canine DNA when the optimal annealing temperature was set at 57.5oC. The real-time PCR technique utilizing the D-loop 443 primer exhibited the ability to amplify canine DNA down to a minimum quantity of 100 pg, with an efficiency value of 91.8%, a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.990, and a precision value (RSD) of 0.30%. Conclusion: The SSP-based RT-PCR method developed is a versatile and efficient tool for detecting CM in meatballs. Its implementation helps maintain consumer trust and addresses concerns regarding the substitution of halal meats with non-halal alternatives. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 11(2): 247-253, June 2024 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2024.k770

Objective: This study aimed to develop a mobile application (app) specifically designed for enhancing farm management and performance assessment in fattening beef cattle. Materials and Methods: The development process followed a user-centered design approach, which involved focus group discussions and key informant interviews with 20 participants to design content and features. The app was developed for both mobile and web platforms. After the prototype and launch of the app, the system usability scale (SUS) and user satisfaction were assessed. Results: The assessment findings identify the specific expected functions in the app, with the farm accounting records function being the most desired feature among users, followed by production analysis, production records, and resource inventory. The mean SUS score was calculated to be 75.17, indicating a qualitative assessment of “Good.” The assessment of user satisfaction indicated that the mean satisfaction score for all participants was 4.26, suggesting a high level of satisfaction and a favorable perception of the app. Conclusion: This app provides an alternative way to record farm activity, suggest feed and feeding schedules, and provide financial management tools designed explicitly for small-scale beef cattle farmers. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 11(1): 203-211, March 2024 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2024.k766

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of surgical excision combined with a single shot of vincristine sulfate for treating transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) in dogs. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two dogs were divided randomly into two groups (n = 26). Dogs in Group I were treated surgically by debulking the tumorous mass, whereas dogs in Group II were subjected to a combination of surgery and a single injection of vincristine sulfate. Results: Female dogs showed a high prevalence of TVT compared to males (67.3%, n = 35 vs. 32.7%, n = 17), respectively. The German shepherd’s breed showed a high prevalence of TVT compared to other breeds. There was a positive association between sex and outcomes. Most occurrences of regret in Group II were reported in females (n = 16, 61.5%) compared to male dogs (n = 10, 38.5%). There was also a positive association between breed and outcome. Most occurrences of regret in Group II were reported in German shepherd dogs (n = 16) compared to Group I (n = 7). In Group I, 15 dogs (57.7%) showed a complete regression, and 11 (42.3%) underwent recurrence. However, in Group II, 21 dogs (80.7%) showed a complete regression, and 5 dogs (19.2 %) underwent recurrence. Conclusions: It appears therefore that the simultaneous use of surgery and administration of a single dose of vincristine sulfate could be considered a combination therapy for TVT as it reduces the risk of recurrence and has a reasonable cost. Recognizing potential risk factors associated with TVT in dogs may be helpful in constructing the best preventive measures. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 11(3): 553–559, September 2024 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2024.k805