Litter characteristics and pododermatitis incidence in broilers fed a sorghum-based diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of footpad dermatitis and quality of broilers litter fed with sorghum grain and diets based in corn. It was used 544 male and female chicks, distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments and eight replications. The chicken feed was formulated and produced from corn, soybean meal and sorghum grain. In the formulation were kept constant levels of energy and protein in accordance with the following treatments: A. Control (diet based on corn and soybean meal); B. Grain sorghum (Whole Sorghum + soybean meal). At 35 and 42 days were evaluated mineral matter (A %), calcium (Ca%), phosphorus (P%), pH and dry matter (DM %) of the poultry litter. To evaluate the footpad dermatitis were evaluated eight feet per treatment by visual analysis. At 35 and 42 days of age DM % MM (%), Ca (%) P (%) and pH of poultry litter no difference (p>0.05) was found between the treatments and the type of ingredient in the birds' diet is not related (p>0.05) with the incidence of footpad dermatitis. The incidence of footpad dermatitis and the quality of the litter weren't influenced by the type of the ingredient used in diet.(AU)

Prevalência de hipocalcemia e hipomagnesemia em equinos com distúrbios gastrintestinais / Prevalence of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia in equines with gastrointestinal diseases

The prevalence of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia was evaluated in horses with gastrointestinal diseases. For that, 12 animals were examined at the UVV Veterinary Hospital. Age and gender of the animals, as well breed clinical diagnosis, adopted therapy and outcomes were recorded. Serum determinations of total calcium and magnesium were done on the day of admission and during the period of hospitalization. They revealed the presence of low levels of calcium and magnesium. The comparison between survivals and non-survivals on the admission day had shown a significant result only for serum calcium.(AU)

Effects of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) on the performance of broiler chickens / Efeitos do líquido da casca da castanha de caju (LCC) sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte

The effects of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) on growth performance, carcass yield, relative weight of internal organs and microbiology of digestive tract of broiler chickens were investigated. Five hundred and forty male broiler chicks at one day of age were arranged in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six repetitions with 15 broiler chicks each. The treatments were: control (T1 - without growth promoter virginiamycin and CNSL); inclusion levels of 0.10mL (T2), 0.20mL (T3), 0.30mL (T4) and 0.40mL (T5) of CNSL/kg of feed; and commercial promoter virginiamycin (T6). At 21 and 40 days of age, body weight, feed intake, feed conversion and viability of birds were similar in all treatments. Carcass yield was higher in the treatment with the growth promoter when compared to the control treatment. There was a linear increase in carcass yield when the level of CNSL was increased in the diet. The relative weight of the intestine was lower in the treatment containing virginiamycin when compared to the treatment without the inclusion of additives. The relative weight of the intestines decreased when the levels of inclusion of CNSL were increased. There was a gradual reduction of Escherichia coli concentration reaching the lowest number on the CNSL level of 0.30mL/kg. It was concluded that CNSL showed similar performance and slaughter yield as the growth promoter and reduced the concentration of Escherichia coli in the intestinal contents.(AU)

Um estudo foi conduzido para investigar os efeitos do líquido da casca da castanha de caju (LCC) sobre o desempenho, o rendimento de carcaça, o peso relativo dos órgãos internos e a microbiologia do trato digestivo de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 540 pintos machos de um dia de idade, distribuídos num delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos e seis repetições de 15 aves cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em: controle (T1 - sem promotor comercial e sem LCC), níveis de inclusão de 0,10mL (T2), 0,20mL (T3), 0,30mL (T4) e 0,40mL (T5) de LCC/kg de ração e T6 (promotor comercial - virginiamicina). Aos 21 e 40 dias de idade, o peso corporal, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar e a viabilidade das aves foram semelhantes em todos os tratamentos. O rendimento de carcaça foi superior no tratamento com promotor de crescimento em relação ao tratamento-controle. Ocorreu uma resposta linear de incremento no rendimento de carcaça com o aumento do nível de LCC na dieta. O peso relativo dos intestinos foi menor no tratamento com virginiamicina em relação ao tratamento-controle. O peso relativo dos intestinos diminuiu com o aumento do nível de inclusão do LCC. Houve uma redução gradual da concentração de Escherichia coli, cuja menor concentração atingiu o nível de 0,30mL/kg. Conclui-se que o LCC mostrou desempenho e rendimento de abate semelhantes ao promotor de crescimento e reduziu a concentração de Escherichia Coli no conteúdo intestinal.(AU)

Influence of chromium supplementation on energy metabolism in horses used in policing activity / Influência da suplementação com cromo sobre o metabolism energético em equinos usados em atividade de policiamento

The influence of chromium supplementation on some blood variables in 11 adult stallions used for policing activities was evaluated. Each animal was treated with 11mg of chromium/400kg body weight, orally, for a period of 30 days. On days 0 (before) and 30 (after) the animals were evaluated and blood samples were obtained before and after exercise. Plasma glucose and lactate and serum cortisol and insulin were analyzed in each of these moments. On day 0, plasma glucose concentrations were 68.4±5.6mg/dL and 78.7±6.5mg/dL; plasma lactate concentrations were 6.2±0.6mg/dL and 13.1±7.6mg/dL; serum cortisol values were 48.5±7.9ng/mL and 42.6±19.7ng/mL; and serum insulin values were 3.0±6.4µUI/mL and 1.9±1.7µUI/mL, respectively, before and after exercise. On day 30, plasma glucose concentrations were 73.3±5.7mg/dL and 78.4±6.7mg/dL; plasma lactate concentrations were 7.3±0.9mg/dL and 7.6±1.2mg/dL; serum cortisol values were 62.9±21.8ng/mL and 40.3±17.0ng/mL; and serum insulin values were 1.4±1.3µUI/mL and 1.7±1.4µUI/mL, respectively, before and after exercise. As an effect of the exercise, a decrease was shown in the concentration of serum insulin and an increase in plasma lactate and glucose. Chromium supplementation resulted in a reduction of lactate values after physical activity, possibly indicating that chromium contributed to a better utilization of plasma glucose and to a better adaptation of animals to physical activity.(AU)

O presente trabalho avaliou a influência da suplementação com cromo em algumas variáveis sanguíneas em 11 equinos machos, adultos, usados em atividade de policiamento. Cada animal recebeu 11mg de cromo/400kg de peso corpóreo, via oral, durante 30 dias. Nos dias 0 (antes) e 30 (após), os animais foram avaliados e amostras de sangue foram obtidas antes e após o exercício. Glicose e lactato plasmáticos e cortisol e insulina séricas foram determinados. No dia 0, as concentrações de glicose plasmática foram 68,4±5,6mg/dL e 78,7±6,5mg/dL; de lactato plasmático, 6,2±0,6mg/dL e 13,1±7,6mg/dL; de cortisol sérico, 48,5±7,9ng/mL e 42,6±19,7ng/mL; e de insulina sérica, 3,0±6,4µUI/m L e 1,9±1,7µUI/mL, respectivamente, antes e após o exercício. No dia 30, as concentrações de glicose plasmática foram 73,3±5,7mg/dL e 78,4±6,7mg/dL; de lactato plasmático, 7,3±0,9mg/dL e 7,6±1,2mg/dL; de cortisol sérico, 62,9±21,8ng/mL e 40,3±17,0ng/mL; e de insulina sérica, 1,4±1,3µUI/mL e 1,7±1,4µUI/mL, respectivamente, antes e após o exercício. Como efeito do exercício, foi demonstrado redução na concentração sérica de insulina e aumento no lactato e glicose plasmáticas. A suplementação com cromo resulto u em redução dos valores de lactato após a atividade física, possivelmente indicando que o cromo contribuiu para a melhor utilização da glicose plasmática e melhor adaptação ao exercício físico realizado.(AU)

Estudo comparativo entre esfregaços de punção esplênica e de sangue periférico para diagnóstico de babesiose equina / Comparative study of smears of spleen and peripheral blood for diagnosis of babesiosis in horses

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de comparar os resultados obtidos com o uso das técnicas de esfregaço de sangue periférico e de punção esplênica e de verificar uma metodologia simples e precisa para diagnóstico de babesioses em cavalos portadores subclínicos, submetidos ao esforço físico ou competições. Quinze equinos hígidos, sem sinais clínicos de babesiose, com peso médio de 350 Kg, idade entre 6 a 13 anos, de ambos os sexos e com histórico de infestação por carrapatos, foram utilizados. No esfregaço de sangue colhido da orelha, nenhum animal apresentou resultado positivo enquanto que na punção esplênica cinco animais foram positivos para a presença de Babesia caballi ou Theileria equi. Os dois métodos são de fácil realização, seguros e pouco invasivos, porém o esfregaço da punção esplênica parece ser mais eficaz em detectar casos latentes de babesiose em equinos

The objective of this work was to compare the efficacy of these two techniques and to search for a simple and more precise diagnostic method for subclinical babesiosis in horses submitted to physical effort or competitions. Then, splenic punction and periferic blood smear were compared. Fifteen healthy horses, without clinical signs of babesiosis, median weight 350 Kg, age between six to thirteen years, both genders and with an history of tick infestation were used. Five animals were positive for Babesia caballi or Theileria equi, in splenic punction and none in blood smear. Both methods were little invasive, safe and easy to do, but the splenic punction smear seems to be more efficace to detect cronic babesioses in horses

Estudo comparativo entre esfregaços de punção esplênica e de sangue periférico para diagnóstico de babesiose equina / Comparative study of smears of spleen and peripheral blood for diagnosis of babesiosis in horses

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de comparar os resultados obtidos com o uso das técnicas de esfregaço de sangue periférico e de punção esplênica e de verificar uma metodologia simples e precisa para diagnóstico de babesioses em cavalos portadores subclínicos, submetidos ao esforço físico ou competições. Quinze equinos hígidos, sem sinais clínicos de babesiose, com peso médio de 350 Kg, idade entre 6 a 13 anos, de ambos os sexos e com histórico de infestação por carrapatos, foram utilizados. No esfregaço de sangue colhido da orelha, nenhum animal apresentou resultado positivo enquanto que na punção esplênica cinco animais foram positivos para a presença de Babesia caballi ou Theileria equi. Os dois métodos são de fácil realização, seguros e pouco invasivos, porém o esfregaço da punção esplênica parece ser mais eficaz em detectar casos latentes de babesiose em equinos(AU)

The objective of this work was to compare the efficacy of these two techniques and to search for a simple and more precise diagnostic method for subclinical babesiosis in horses submitted to physical effort or competitions. Then, splenic punction and periferic blood smear were compared. Fifteen healthy horses, without clinical signs of babesiosis, median weight 350 Kg, age between six to thirteen years, both genders and with an history of tick infestation were used. Five animals were positive for Babesia caballi or Theileria equi, in splenic punction and none in blood smear. Both methods were little invasive, safe and easy to do, but the splenic punction smear seems to be more efficace to detect cronic babesioses in horses(AU)