Patologia clínica em aves de produção - Uma ferramenta para monitorar a sanidade avícola - Revisäo

Clinical pathology has been used in veterinary medicine for many years to evaluate metabolic changes that may indicate any sign of disease in animals. Even though the use of blood parameters is routine in companion animals, it is not commonly used for avian clinical evaluation either wild or production birds. Among others, the lack of information of avian blood reference values has limited the use of this tool in avian medicine. The blood parameters in avian medicine are helpful to evaluate aspects related to animal health for wild and also production birds. Thus, this review paper presents some ways to use clinical pathology parameters to evaluate and to monitor the avian health.

Histological and histomorphometrical alterations of the periodontal ligament in gerbils submitted to teeth extraction

This study verified the effect of unilateral teeth extraction on the periodontal ligament in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Ten adult male gerbils weighing about 50 g had induced occlusal alterations by upper left molar extractions while the other ten animals, only submitted to surgical stress, were considered as controls. The periodontal ligament was characterized by qualitative and quantitative analysis, histological description and histomorphometric quantification. Significant alterations were observed on the left side of the experimental group (P < 0.05), the hypofunctional region, when it was compared with the contralateral side and the corresponding region of the control group. Two months after occlusal alterations induced by unilateral teeth extraction, atrophic histological alterations and a decrease in the periodontal space on the ipsilateral side characterized the periodontal ligament. In this study it was possible to conclude that the gerbil can be used in experimental models attempting to correlate the periodontium's biological response to various mechanical stresses, as the periodontal ligament was shown to be highly sensitive to occlusal alterations. © 2008 The Authors.

Doenças respiratórios em aves atendidas no Laboratório de Ornitopatologia da FMVZ-UNESP/Botucatu-SP, Brasil, nos anos de 2005 a 2006

The respiratory tract of birds shows anatomical and physiological characteristics that facilitates the occurrence of disease, mainly those of microbiological origin. This article analyzes the frequency of respiratory diseases in domestic and wild birds treated during the years 2005-2006 at the Ornitopathology Laboratory of the Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootecnics, São Paulo State University (FMVZ-UNESP). Diagnoses were obtained through clinical and radiographic exams as well as haemogram, microbiological culture, parasitological tests and necropsy, being septicemic processes, aspergillosis and mycoplasmosis the most diagnosed diseases. No zoonotic threats were identified, so the entities were described as of low-impact on public health. However, the above mentioned agents can provoke death of birds and difficult for treating and eradication as well.

Determinação de cetamina em plasma por HPLC: Aplicação em um estudo de farmacocinética de associação medicamentosa em cães

A S(+) cetamina é um fármaco amplamente utilizado na medicina para induzir anestesia e a associação com midazolam é empregada para minimizar seus efeitos adversos. Associações medicamentosas podem resultar em interações farmacocinéticas e a disponibilidade de métodos bioanalíticos para a determinação da cetamina em plasma constitui ferramenta útil para a avaliação do perfil cinético do fármaco administrado isoladamente ou em associação. O presente estudo teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento e validação de um método analítico para determinação da cetamina em plasma por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC) e a investigação do perfil farmacocinético da cetamina em quatro cães hígidos da raça Beagle. A S(+) cetamina (10mg/kg) foi administrada pela veia cefálica em dose única isoladamente (protocolo I) ou associada ao midazolam (0.2mg/kg) (protocolo II) em estudo cruzado com intervalo de uma semana para washout. Amostras seriadas de sangue foram coletadas no intervalo de oito horas e analisadas por HPLC para a avaliação do perfil farmacocinético utilizando modelo bicompartimental. O método bioanalítico apresentou limites de confiança aceitáveis para sua aplicação em estudos de farmacocinética e os parâmetros área sob a curva (ASC0-8), volume de distribuição (Vd), clearance total (Clt), meia vida de eliminação (t/12 ß), constante de eliminação (ß), meia vida de distribuição (t1/2α) e constante de distribuição (α) não mostraram diferenças estatísticas significativas entre os grupos (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a redução dos efeitos colaterais da cetamina decorrente do uso da associação cetamina-midazolam não está relacionada a alterações no perfil farmacocinético da cetamina.

Avaliação da função glomerular de cães sadios e nefropatas sob estimulação dopaminérgica

Dopamine is an endogenous compound widely used in intensive care. It has a broad spectrum of action, on the cardiovascular system and urinary tract. Increased glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow and fractional excretion of sodium and phosphorus are expected renal effects in normal individuals, but are poorly explored in veterinary medicine. This study was conducted to evaluate the glomerular function of dogs with renal disease submitted to continuous infusion of dopamine. Different doses of dopamine were administered in healthy and nephropathic dogs. Laboratory evaluations of creatinine clearance and urinary protein/creatinine ratio were performed during and after treatments. Creatinine clearance showed dose-dependent increase in healthy dogs. In dogs with renal disease, the dose of 1μg/kg/min GFR increased slightly, without changing the urine P/C and blood pressure, while the dose of 3μg/kg/min increased urinary protein excretion.

Eficácia do extrato aquoso do Triticum vulgare no tratamento de radiodermatites geradas pelo uso da radioterapia em gatos

The use of ionizing radiation in the treatment of oncological diseases in veterinary medicine has grown in recent years. In general, these animals are very well tolerated by the treatment with radioactive elements; however, the harmful effects that may occur are not always able to be controlled, particularly those relating to skin burns. Then, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of Triticum vulgare in treat of 10 cats radiodermatitis with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which were treated with radiotherapy as single modality treatment. The drug was used topically and daily until complete healing of wounds. Based on the findings, it may concluded beneficial effects of the drug, because it allowed the formation of granulation tissue and epithelization of wounds with epidermal repair not exuberant, good-quality cosmetics and, considering the deleterious effects that can result from cancer treatments.

A survey of owner attitudes and experiences in managing diabetic dogs

A survey of the experiences of owners of diabetic dogs was carried out by distributing questionnaires to veterinary clinics in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 93 dog owners were surveyed over a 4. month period and descriptive statistical analysis, frequency distribution and correlations were performed. In most cases the clinical condition of the dogs had improved following treatment and owners were largely satisfied with veterinary intervention. Injection of neutral protamine hagedorm twice daily was the most commonly prescribed treatment and respondents found this procedure easy to perform, although it did pose some difficulties when the owners were away from their animals. Cost was considered an important factor at the initiation of treatment programs. The information gleaned from this survey, in providing useful insights into the attitudes and experiences of owners of diabetic animals, will contribute to improvements in the treatment and management of such patients. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Use of bayesian inference to correlate in vitro embryo production and in vivo fertility in Zebu Bulls

The objective of this experiment was to test in vitro embryo production (IVP) as a tool to estimate fertility performance in zebu bulls using Bayesian inference statistics. Oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro using sperm cells from three different Zebu bulls (V, T, and G). The three bulls presented similar results with regard to pronuclear formation and blastocyst formation rates. However, the cleavage rates were different between bulls. The estimated conception rates based on combined data of cleavage and blastocyst formation were very similar to the true conception rates observed for the same bulls after a fixed-time artificial insemination program. Moreover, even when we used cleavage rate data only or blastocyst formation data only, the estimated conception rates were still close to the true conception rates. We conclude that Bayesian inference is an effective statistical procedure to estimate in vivo bull fertility using data from IVP. © 2011 Mateus José Sudano et al.

Ultrastructure of sheep primordial follicles cultured in the presence of indol acetic acid, EGF, and FSH

The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural characteristics of primordial follicles after culturing of sheep ovarian cortical slices in the presence of indol acetic acid (IAA), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), and FSH. To evaluate ultrastructure of primordial follicles cultured in MEM (control) or in MEM containing IAA, EGF, and FSH, fragments of cultured tissue were processes for transmission electron microscopy. Except in the control, primordial follicles cultured in supplemented media for 6d were ultrastructurally normal. They had oocyte with intact nucleus and the cytoplasm contained heterogeneous-sized lipid droplets and numerous round or elongated mitochondria with intact parallel cristae were observed. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) was rarely found. The granulosa cells cytoplasm contained a great number of mitochondria and abundant RER. In conclusion, the presence of IAA, EGF, and FSH helped to maintain ultrastructural integrity of sheep primordial follicles cultured in vitro. © 2011 Evelyn Rabelo Andrade et al.

Chromatin modifying agents in the in vitro production of bovine embryos

The low efficiency observed in cloning by nuclear transfer is related to an aberrant gene expression following errors in epigenetic reprogramming. Recent studies have focused on further understanding of the modifications that take place in the chromatin of embryos during the preimplantation period, through the use of chromatin modifying agents. The goal of these studies is to identify the factors involved in nuclear reprogramming and to adjust in vitro manipulations in order to better mimic in vivo conditions. Therefore, proper knowledge of epigenetic reprogramming is necessary to prevent possible epigenetic errors and to improve efficiency and the use of in vitro fertilization and cloning technologies in cattle and other species. Copyright © 2011 Fabio Morato Monteiro et al.

Effects of acute normovolemic anemia on hemodynamic parameters and acid-base balance in dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and acid-base status of dogs subjected to acute normovolemic anemia. The dogs (n = 10) were evaluated 15 minutes and 24 hours after induction of anemia (hematocrit below 18) with blood withdrawal and simultaneously replacement of same volume of Ringer's lactate solution and hydroxyethyl starch-based solution in a 2:1 ratio. The cardiac output was measured by Doppler echocardiography and blood pressure by oscillometric device, and posteriorly hemodynamic parameters were calculated. The anemic groups had increase in cardiac index (P <.05) (3.82 ± 1.05 to 5.86 ± 1.49 and 5.81 ± 1.63 L/min m) and decreases (P <.05) in the indices of total peripheral resistance (6797.81 ± 3060.22 to 3220.14 ± 1275.02 and 3887.74 ± 1394.89 dinaseg/cm 5× m2) and oxygen delivery (7942.84 ± 3344.00 to 4021.68 ± 1627.00 and 4430.82 ± 1402.61 mL/min× m 2), respectively. There were no significant changes in pH, but PaO2 and SaO2 values were increased, and PaCO2 reduced in anemic dogs (P <.05). Therefore, acute normovolemic anemia can create significant hemodynamic changes and despite some hemogasometric changes, there were no changes in the acid-base status in dogs. Copyright © 2011 Tatiana Champion et al.

Treatments to optimize the use of artificial insemination and reproductive efficiency in beef cattle under tropical environments

Bos indicus cattle, the preferred genetic group in tropical climates, are characterized by having a lower reproductive efficiency than Bos taurus. The reasons for the poorer reproductive efficiency of the Bos indicus cows include longer lengths of gestation and postpartum anestrus, a short length of estrous behavior with a high incidence of estrus occurring during the dark hours, and puberty at older age and at a higher percentage of body weight relative to mature body weight. Moreover, geography, environment, economics, and social traditions are factors contributing for a lower use of reproductive biotechnologies in tropical environments. Hormonal protocols have been developed to resolve some of the reproductive challenges of the Bos indicus cattle and allow artificial insemination, which is the main strategy to hasten genetic improvement in commercial beef ranches. Most of these treatments use exogenous sources of progesterone associated with strategies to improve the final maturation of the dominant follicle, such as temporary weaning and exogenous gonadotropins. These treatments have caused large impacts on reproductive performance of beef cattle reared under tropical areas. Copyright © 2011 O. G. Sá Filho and J. L. M. Vasconcelos.

Ultrassonografia torácica extracardíaca em pequenos animais

Until recently, ultrasonography was not considered one of the prevailing imaging methods for thoracic evaluation due to its limitations in evaluating lesions located below thoracic gas collections in individuals with normal lung tissue as well as in those with pneumothorax. Nevertheless, ultrasound has an advantage over other imaging techniques. It allows not only differentiating pleural from pulmonary lesions, but also identifying and assessing peripheral pulmonary lesions. Thus, thoracic ultrasound has become more popular in Veterinary Medicine as an ancillary method in the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases of the thoracic cavity, especially in emergency settings. This review aims at providing information on the main alterations found in the chest wall, mediastinum, pleura, lung and diaphragm by means of ultrasonography.

Necropsia cosmética em aves

Necropsy is a post-mortem criterious exam that helps in clinical diagnosis and consists in external and internal analysis of body cavities and organs of a corpse in order to determine the cause of death or to verify the extension and the nature of lesions caused by diseases. Considering the bonds between owners and their pets many veterinarians seems to visualize necropsy as a difficult task. This fact has gained great importance in avian Veterinary Medicine since bird owners have both love and economic bonds. Necropsy in often neglected in Veterinary Medicine although being a very important practice for the professional learning and also for reaching a reliable diagnosis of certain diseases. For this reason, this article aims to describe the procedure for performing avian cosmetic necropsy, which keeps the external characteristics of animals and increases the acceptance of owners by not disfiguring the corpse.

Mammary benign neoplasm diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

Cytology is a well established research technique in human and veterinary medicine, but it is rarely used in small rodents. Spontaneous tumors are relatively uncommon in guinea pigs and those described in literature include a variety of organs like skin and subcutis, respiratory and reproductive tract, endocrine and hematopoietic system, and mammary gland. The objective of this article was to describe the use of the fine needle aspiration biopsy technique (FNAB) on evaluation of a mammary neoplasm in a guinea pig and describe the main cytological findings for the first time in literature.