The agreement between subjective and objective evaluation methods was studied to identify claudication in the pelvic limbs of horses before and after flexion tests were performed. Twenty-nine horses were equipped with a wireless system of inertial sensors and evaluated during seven times while trotting. Videos were recorded to be evaluated by three veterinarians, with different levels of experience, to evaluate the agreement between the two different methods and between the evaluators. The evaluators and the objective evaluation had a low rate of agreement, with the exception of moderate agreement between the objective evaluation and evaluator 1 to identify lameness after the left total flexion and moderate agreement in evaluating the response to the tests, between objective evaluation and evaluator 2, after rightdistal flexion. This shows that there was a low agreement among the evaluators and between them and the objective evaluation for identifying lameness, measuring the degree of lameness and the response to the flexion tests.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) are important etiologic agents of immunosuppressive diseases in felines. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of these retroviruses in domestic cats in Fortaleza, Ceará and the epidemiological factors associated with these infections. Between 2015 and 2016, 138 blood samples were collected and tested for FIV and FeLV by the enzyme immunoadsorption assay (ELISA). Parameters such as breed, gender, age, reproductive status, multi-cat environment, outdoor access and clinical manifestations were evaluated. The results showed that 12.32% were positive for FIV, 5.80% for FeLV and 1.45% for co-infection (FIV/FeLV). FIV+ animals were mostly mixed breed, neutered male adult cats, with indoor lifestyle and living in a multi-cat household. The most common clinical manifestation observed was disorders of the oral cavity. Factors found to increase the risk for FeLV seropositivity include mixed breed, young, spayed female cats, indoor lifestyle living in a multi-cat household were the most common epidemiological factors observed. The most common clinical manifestation was anorexia and apathy. The prevalence of these viruses were relatively high, compared with other region of Brazil. This study demonstrated that mixed breed, castrated, multi-cat environment and indoor lifestyle animals are of greater relevance for FIV and FeLV infection diseases. Factors related to cat demographics and health such as age, sex and type of household are important predictors for seropositive status to FeLV or FIV in Fortaleza. High prevalence of FeLV or FIV observed in our study is of concern, in view of the immunosuppressive potential of the two pathogens.

This study analyzed the ectoparasitic fauna of freshwater ornamental fish marketed by a wholesaler in the São Paulo city. This study was undertaken from January to December 2016. A total of 268 freshwater ornamental fishes of various species that showed signs of disease after arrival at the establishment were evaluated. From the individuals, ectoparasites were collected by scraping off the skin and gills and visualized using an optical microscope at increasing magnification of 40x, 100x, 200x, and 400x. Parasites were found in 220 animals (82%); 11 different parasites were recorded, which included Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Monogenes, Metacercariae (Centrocestrus formousus), Epistylis spp., Chilodonella spp., Lernaea spp., Tetrahymena spp., Piscinoodinium spp., Trichodina spp., Ichthyobodo spp. and Argulus spp. The occurrence of the parasites in the establishment studied can indicates that the suppliers’ lack of good sanitary and hygiene practices in the management of their facilities, consequently distributing infested animals and putting the whole supply chain at risk.

Aspergillus species are widely distributed throughout the world and can develop parasitic and saprophytic ways of life, allowing Aspergillus to infect living hosts, including plants, insects, birds and mammals. The most common form of aspergillosis in poultry and other birds is respiratory infection. Clinical manifestations depend on the infective dose, pre-existing diseases, and the immune response of the host. The aim of the present research was to study aspergillosis in domestic and wild birds from Argentina. We carried out morphological and molecular identification, and determination of antifungal susceptibility against seven antifungal drugs. Six birds from different cities of Buenos Aires Province of Argentina were studied. Three of the samples belonged to broiler chicks, while the other three belonged to an eagle, a pheasant, and a kelp gull. Two isolates were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus by morphological characteristics and growth at 50 °C. Morphology and BenA sequencing enabled us to identify three isolates as Aspergillus flavus, and one as Aspergillus sydowii. All antifungal drugs tested showed low MIC values, ranging from 0.008 to 1 mg/L. Aspergillosis in birds causes high economic losses and could be controlled by sanitation, avoidance of moldy food, nest and litter and reducing stress factors.

The Guarapiranga Dam region, in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, has been an endemic area for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. In this particular area, R. rickettsii is known to be transmitted to humans by Amblyomma aureolatum, a typical dog tick that is not associated with horses. In other BSF-endemic areas, R. rickettsii transmission is associated with Amblyomma sculptum, a tick species that typically infest capybaras and horses. The Guarapiranga Dam bears abundant populations of capybaras and horses; however, since nothing is known about a possible cycle of transmission of R. rickettsii by A. sculptum in this area, this study evaluated such transmission by performing a serosurvey of horses living in the Guarapiranga Dam region. A total of 206 equids living in the margins of the Guarapiranga Dam were serologically tested for antibodies reactive to five Rickettsia species, four of the spotted fever group (R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. amblyommatis, R. rhipicephali) and one basal group species, R. bellii. Overall, 171 (83%) equids reacted positively to at least one Rickettsia species. A total of 160 (78%), 123 (60%), 80 (39%), 72 (35%), and 71 (34%), equid sera reacted to R. bellii, R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. rhipicephali, and R. amblyommatis, respectively, with endpoint titers ranging from 64 to 1024 for R. bellii, and 64 to 512 for the remaining four Rickettsia species. Endpoint titers to R. bellii (median: 256) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the endpoint titers to the other four Rickettsia species, for which the median values varied from 64 to 128. A total of 65 (32%) equid sera showed endpoint titers to R. bellii at least 4-fold higher than those to any of the other four antigens, indicating that they have been exposed to R. bellii or a very closely related species. Our results provide serological evidence that the sampled equids were not frequently exposed to R. rickettsii-infected ticks. Since horses are a highly suitable sentinel for R. rickettsii transmission by A. sculptum, we conclude that this tick species has no epidemiological role in the transmission of R. rickettsii in the BSF-endemic area of the Guarapiranga Dam in the metropolitan area of São Paulo Municipality.

Trichoblastoma is characterized as a benign cutaneous neoplasm that originates in the trichoblastic epithelium of the hair bulb. The present report describes the case of a 4-year-old cross breed neutered male cat that had a history of a slow, freely movable, ulcerated, slow growing, solitary cutaneous nodule located on the left scapular region. Histopathological evaluation showed neoplastic cells arranged in cohesive nests or palisades with eosinophilic and scant cytoplasm. Based on the microscopic findings, a diagnosis of trabecular trichoblastoma was made. The treatment of choice consisted of total surgical excision of the mass with safe surgical margins. Tumor recurrence was not observed.

Lymphoma is a very common lymphoid malignancy in dogs, but cardiac involvement is rare. Primary cardiac lymphoma is defined as lymphoma involving the heart, the pericardium, or both, and is classified as extranodal anatomical form. The present report describes the cases of three animals with cardiac lymphoma. All cases presented moderate to severe pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. The cytological analysis of the effusion was consistent with the diagnosis of cardiac lymphoma. The anatomopathological evaluation of the tumor extracted from the heart of one of the animals, after euthanasia, was consistent with cardiac lymphoma. The other two animals were treated with Madison-Wisconsin chemotherapy protocol and survived between 6 to 8 months. This report emphasizes the importance of pericardial effusion cytology for the diagnosis, appropriate treatment approach and monitoring of cardiac tumors in dogs and cats.

Tis study evaluated the presence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 320 domestic dogs living in urban and rural areas of the municipality of Poconé, located in the Pantanal wetlands of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Anti-N. caninum (cut-of point 50) and anti-T. gondii (cut-of point 16) antibodies were detected by means of immunofuorescence assays (IFA), using NC-Bahia and RH strains as antigens, respectively. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 69 (21.56%; 95% CI: 17.27%-26.56%) dogs, 31 (44.93%) of which lived in urban areas and 38 (55.07%) in rural areas, and endpoint titers ranged from 50 to 3200. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were found in 132 (41.25%; 95% CI: 35.84%-46.87%) dogs, 58 (43.94%) from urban areas and 74 (56.06%) from rural areas, and endpoint titers ranged from 16 to 8192. A total of 33 dogs (10.3%) (12 urban and 21 rural animals) reacted to both agents (P <0.05). Tis study showed a higher prevalence of anti-T. gondii compared to anti-N. caninum antibodies in the dogs living in the Pantanal region, suggesting that both protozoans circulate in the studied region. Tis information is relevant, in view of its implications for animal and public health.

Neuropathies of pharyngeal branches of glossopharyngeal and vagus are often associated with guttural pouches diseases; however, these branches of injury due to stylopharyngeus muscle compression are not reported. A case was reported of a quarter horse mare, 8 years old, 450 kg, presenting dyspnea and respiratory noise associated with weight loss. Clinical examination observed mixed dyspnea, tachycardia, dysphagia, sialorrhea, lung crackles and submandibular and parotid lymphadenopathy. Endoscopic exam showed right arytenoid chondritis, nasopharyngeal collapse, generalized larynx edema and dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Right guttural pouch evaluation showed swelling in the origin of stylopharyngeus muscle with consequent compression of the XII, X and IX cranial nerves. Tracheotomy, systemic treatment with corticosteroids, beta lactams and aminoglycosides antibiotics were performed. No resolution was observed and, after 16 days, the animal showed clinical worsening, developed pleuropneumonia, uveitis, severe sepsis, acute renal failure and was euthanized. The mixed neuropathy resulted in rapid clinical deterioration of the animal, due to the difficulty in swallowing and consequent associated respiratory processes. This report emphasizes the importance of evaluating stylopharyngeus muscle origin in cases of nasopharyngeal collapse associated with dysphagia in horses, given the possibility that structural changes in this muscle can result in laryngeal neuropathy.

Dirofilaria immitis, the cause of heartworm infestation (HWI) or dirofilariasis, affects members of the Canidae and remains a worldwide clinical problem. In Iraq, dirofilariasis was believed absent until 2009, when the Karbala Governorate was reported as an endemic area for canine dirofilariasis. Consequently, this study intended to investigate the occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis in police dogs in one police academy in Iraq and to study the gross and histopathological changes in 5 dead dogs, as well as to identify the species of the causative parasite using PCR technique. Thirty-nine police dogs, aged between 6 months and 12 years were included in this study. For the microfilariae investigation, 5 ml blood samples were collected from all dogs in EDTA tubes and examined by Knott’s method. The systemic necropsy performed in five dead dogs showed severe clinical signs of dirofilariasis and tissue specimens were sent for routine histopathological processing. For the molecular analysis, adult worms of the detected Dirofilaria spp. were used for DNA extraction andamplification of the cox1 gene. Fifteen of 39 (38.46%) dogs were diagnosed with moderate to severe microfilariasis. The dead dogs revealed typical severe clinical signs of dirofilariasis. Moreover, typical gross and histopathological changes were also seen, accompanied by generalized thromboembolic lesions, suggesting the occurrence of the caval syndrome. The PCR investigation confirmed that D. immitis was the species present in Iraq. In conclusion, this study establishes that Iraq is a newly reported endemic area for dirofilariasis. Moreover, the infestation occurring in these cases most probably happened inside Iraq. The authors recommend doing further epidemiological studies concerning the occurrence of D. immitis in local dogs as well as in the imported dogs in all Iraqi governorates to better understand the epidemiological map of this disease and to introduce an active treatment and preventive program. Awareness and education regarding this disease should be provided to the veterinarians, dog guiders and people in direct contact with dogs, as this disease is one of the important zoonotic diseases.