Atresia ani (imperforated anus) in calves: clinical, surgical and pathological aspects

Background: Anal atresia is a congenital malformation, which often affects calves, and is related to the imperforation of the membrane that separates the endoderm of the posterior intestine from the ectodermal anal membrane. It is commonly associated with other congenital malformations and skeletal anomalies. The clinical signs generally appear in the first days of the animal's life, due to a retention of feces. The diagnosis is clinical and is based on observation, anamnesis and a physical examination of the animal. The only viable treatment is surgical. This paper aims to report 6 cases of anal atresia in bovine calves, 4 males and 2 females that were successfully treated surgically. Cases: This work reports 6 cases of anal atresia in 4 male calves and 2 female calves. Three presented total atresia (type II), one partial (type I) and in both female calves, anal atresia and rectovaginal fistula (type IV) were observed. The animals were all of undefined race. Five of the cases were from northern Tocantins, 4 males and 1 female (anal atresia with rectovaginal fistula), and 1 female (anal atresia with rectovaginal fistula) was from Valença, RJ. All animals were born active, by eutocic/natural birth, and assumed a quadrupedal position followed by the first feeding as normal. They were aged between 2 days and 6 months, and had a clinical history of abdominal distention and difficulty or inability defecating, and the females both also had a rectovaginal fistula, all cases compatible with anal atresia. Based on the patient's history and clinical examination, surgical treatment for anal reconstruction was decided upon. Postoperative treatment consisted of enrofloxacin [2.5 mg/kg - intramuscularly (IM), once daily (SID), for 5 days] and fluxinin meglumine [1.1 mg/kg - IM, SID, for 3 days] ; as well as a healing ointment which was applied to the area of the surgical wound, every 12 h, for 7 days. There were no trans-surgical complications. The animals showed progressive recovery after anal reconstruction and the stitches were removed in all cases on the 10th postoperative day, with no postoperative complications and no recurrence of any clinical signs from that moment on. Discussion: The study of congenital and hereditary changes enables the identification of their origins, can help prevent new cases and, some of them, are open to economically viable treatment and/or correction that can improve the well-being of the animal and prevent economic losses due to death or animal sacrifice, as reported in the present study. Anal atresia is the most common congenital defect of the lower gastrointestinal tract in calves, being an isolated abnormality, or associated with other malformations, especially of the distal spinal column such as the absence of a tail (perosomus acaudatus), as one of the animals in this study. The clinical signs and physical examination are sufficient to establish the diagnosis, as demonstrated in this report, which is usually made in newborn animals, due to the lack or difficulty in defecation associated with no anal orifice and/or swelling in the perineal region. The treatment of choice for anal atresia is surgical, in order to construct an anal neo-orifice and thus avoid endotoxemic shock as well as providing relief and well-being for the animals. As observed in this study, when anal atresia is diagnosed early, and surgical treatment is properly instituted, the prognosis is favorable. The surgery is considered of low complexity, quick and it can be carried out in the field. Thus, from a commercial point of view, considering the costs of the procedures and the value of the calf at the end of weaning, such treatments are beneficial to the owners. In addition, the surgical treatment is essential for animal health and welfare in cases of anal atresia.

South Brazilian farmer's perceptions concerning sheep tail docking / Percepção dos ovinocultores do sul do Brasil com relação à caudectomia em ovinos

The objective of this study was to better understand farmers perceptions regarding sheep welfare and procedures concerning the tail docking of sheep in the state of Parana, Southern Brazil. The study was carried out via telephone interviews or personally with 146 sheep farmers. Twenty-eight farmers (19.2%) did not tail dock; the main reasons given were because they raised short-hair sheep breeds. One hundred and eighteen farmers docked their sheep tails (80.8%). The main reasons given were hygiene (61.0%), facilitated mating (42.4%), breed standards (29.7%), and esthetics (26.3%). Rubber ring was the main method used for tail docking. Although farmers in Parana recognized that sheep are sentient animals and that tail docking causes pain, anesthesia was used by only six (5.1%) farmers during the procedure of tail docking. Our results showed that farmers opinions on sheep tail docking are divergent. Farmers who perform tail docking must be encouraged to use anesthesia and analgesia, and to ponder on the real need for the practice. This statement seems especially relevant considering the fact that some farmers reported the viability of maintaining wool sheep with undocked tails and that they recognized the suffering involved in this procedure.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi compreender melhor a percepção de ovinocultores em relação ao bem-estar de ovinos e aos procedimentos envolvendo a caudectomia desses animais no Paraná, sul do Brasil. O estudo foi realizado por meio de entrevistas telefônicas ou pessoalmente com 146 ovinocultores. Vinte e oito ovinocultores (19,2%) não realizavam caudectomia; a principal razão citada foi porque os produtores criavam ovelhas deslanadas (pelo curto). Cento e dezoito ovinocultores realizavam a caudectomia (80,8%) e as principais razões citadas foram: higiene (61,0%), monta facilitada (42,4%), padrão racial (29,7%) e estética (26,3%). O principal método utilizado para realizar a caudectomia foi o anel de borracha. Apesar dos ovinocultores no Paraná reconhecerem que ovinos são animais sencientes e que a caudectomia causa dor, somente seis (5,1%) aplicavam anestesia durante o procedimento. Nossos resultados demonstram que a opinião dos ovinocultores com relação à caudectomia é divergente. Ovinocultores que realizam a caudectomia devem ser encorajados a usar anestesia e analgesia, além de ponderar a real necessidade para essa prática. Essa afirmação se mostra relevante ao considerar o fato de que alguns produtores relataram a viabilidade de manter ovinos lanados com cauda inteira e o reconhecimento por parte deles do sofrimento causado aos animais durante a remoção da cauda.(AU)

Extrusão de disco intervertebral caudal (coccígea) em um Basset Hound: primeiro relato de caso / First report of caudal intervertebral disk extrusion in a Basset Hound

Relata-se o primeiro caso no Brasil de doença do disco intervertebral (Hansen tipo I) entre as vértebras caudais (coccígeas) em uma cadela Basset Hound com seis anos de idade, castrada, pesando 16kg e com histórico de dor durante defecação e manipulação da região pélvica associada à inabilidade de mover, elevar ou abanar a cauda. Na radiografia simples, observou-se opacidade do forame intervertebral entre a quarta e a quinta vértebra caudal. O animal foi submetido à laminectomia dorsal modificada, seguida de fenestração do disco intervertebral afetado. Decorridos 15 dias da cirurgia, a paciente não demonstrava sinais de dor ao defecar e realizava movimentos de abano de cauda, mas ainda com desconforto na palpação e sem elevação da cauda acima da coluna vertebral, o que foi resolvido após 30 dias do procedimento cirúrgico. A relevância do caso está na inclusão, mesmo que rara, da doença do disco intervertebral caudal no diagnóstico diferencial em cães com dor durante a defecação e manipulação da cauda, sendo o exame radiográfico uma ferramenta auxiliar importante para o diagnóstico definitivo e o plano terapêutico.(AU)

We report here the first case in Brazil of an intervertebral disc disease (Hansen type I) between the caudal vertebrae (coccygeal) in a six-year-old Basset Hound dog, castrated, weighing 16 kg and history of pain during defecation and manipulation of the pelvic region, associated with the inability to move, raise and shake its tail. In the radiography survey, an opacity of the intervertebral foramen between the fourth and fifth caudal vertebra was observed. The animal underwent a modified dorsal laminectomy followed by fenestration of the affected intervertebral disc. After 15 days following surgery, the patient showed no signs of pain when defecating and was able to perform the tail wag movements, but with discomfort on palpation and could not rise the tail high up the spine, which was resolved after 30 days of surgery. The relevance of this report is the inclusion, even if rare, of the caudal intervertebral disc disease in the differential diagnosis in dogs with pain during defecation and handling of the tail, and the radiographic survey is an important auxiliary tool for definitive diagnosis and treatment plan for this disease.(AU)

Extrusão de disco intervertebral caudal (coccígea) em um Basset Hound: primeiro relato de caso / First report of caudal intervertebral disk extrusion in a Basset Hound

Relata-se o primeiro caso no Brasil de doença do disco intervertebral (Hansen tipo I) entre as vértebras caudais (coccígeas) em uma cadela Basset Hound com seis anos de idade, castrada, pesando 16kg e com histórico de dor durante defecação e manipulação da região pélvica associada à inabilidade de mover, elevar ou abanar a cauda. Na radiografia simples, observou-se opacidade do forame intervertebral entre a quarta e a quinta vértebra caudal. O animal foi submetido à laminectomia dorsal modificada, seguida de fenestração do disco intervertebral afetado. Decorridos 15 dias da cirurgia, a paciente não demonstrava sinais de dor ao defecar e realizava movimentos de abano de cauda, mas ainda com desconforto na palpação e sem elevação da cauda acima da coluna vertebral, o que foi resolvido após 30 dias do procedimento cirúrgico. A relevância do caso está na inclusão, mesmo que rara, da doença do disco intervertebral caudal no diagnóstico diferencial em cães com dor durante a defecação e manipulação da cauda, sendo o exame radiográfico uma ferramenta auxiliar importante para o diagnóstico definitivo e o plano terapêutico.(AU)

We report here the first case in Brazil of an intervertebral disc disease (Hansen type I) between the caudal vertebrae (coccygeal) in a six-year-old Basset Hound dog, castrated, weighing 16 kg and history of pain during defecation and manipulation of the pelvic region, associated with the inability to move, raise and shake its tail. In the radiography survey, an opacity of the intervertebral foramen between the fourth and fifth caudal vertebra was observed. The animal underwent a modified dorsal laminectomy followed by fenestration of the affected intervertebral disc. After 15 days following surgery, the patient showed no signs of pain when defecating and was able to perform the tail wag movements, but with discomfort on palpation and could not rise the tail high up the spine, which was resolved after 30 days of surgery. The relevance of this report is the inclusion, even if rare, of the caudal intervertebral disc disease in the differential diagnosis in dogs with pain during defecation and handling of the tail, and the radiographic survey is an important auxiliary tool for definitive diagnosis and treatment plan for this disease.(AU)

Caudectomia devido à avulsão de cauda em Gerbilo (Meriones unguiculatus): Relato de Caso / Caudectomy due to avulsion of tail in Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): Case Report / Caudectomía debido a la avulsión de cola en Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): Relato de Caso

O presente trabalho relata o caso de um gerbilo com necrose da extremidade de cauda em que foi realizada caudectomia como tratamento de escolha. O procedimento foi realizado sem intercorrências,com o animal sob anestesia volátil complementada com bloqueio local. A recuperação do animal foi satisfatória, apresentando rápida cicatrização da ferida cirúrgica.(AU)

This paper reports the case of a gerbil with necrosis of the tail end that washeld caudectomia como treatment of choice. The procedure was performed uneventfully, with the animal under volatile anesthesia supplemented with local anesthesia. The animal's recovery was satisfactory, with rapid healing of the surgical wound.(AU)

Se comunica el caso de un jerbo con necrosis del extremo de la cola, que se celebró caudectomia como tratamiento de elección. El procedimiento se realizó sin incidentes, con el animal bajo anestesia volátiles suplementado con anestesia local. La recuperación del animal fue satisfactoria, con una rápida cicatrización de la herida.(AU)

Caudectomia devido à avulsão de cauda em Gerbilo (Meriones unguiculatus): Relato de Caso / Caudectomy due to avulsion of tail in Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): Case Report / Caudectomía debido a la avulsión de cola en Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): Relato de Caso

O presente trabalho relata o caso de um gerbilo com necrose da extremidade de cauda em que foi realizada caudectomia como tratamento de escolha. O procedimento foi realizado sem intercorrências,com o animal sob anestesia volátil complementada com bloqueio local. A recuperação do animal foi satisfatória, apresentando rápida cicatrização da ferida cirúrgica.

This paper reports the case of a gerbil with necrosis of the tail end that washeld caudectomia como treatment of choice. The procedure was performed uneventfully, with the animal under volatile anesthesia supplemented with local anesthesia. The animal's recovery was satisfactory, with rapid healing of the surgical wound.

Se comunica el caso de un jerbo con necrosis del extremo de la cola, que se celebró caudectomia como tratamiento de elección. El procedimiento se realizó sin incidentes, con el animal bajo anestesia volátiles suplementado con anestesia local. La recuperación del animal fue satisfactoria, con una rápida cicatrización de la herida.

Neurological, respiratory, behavioural and endocrine effects of tail docking in newborn dogs submitted to epidural anesthesia / Efeitos neurológicos, respiratórios, comportamentais e endocrinos decorrentes da caudectomia, em cães recém-nascidos submetidos à anestesia epidural

Tail docking is performed in some dog breeds to prevent injuries and to improve appearance. It has been forbidden in some countries for ethical reasons. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioural, endocrine, neurological and respiratory effects produced by tail docking in newborn dogs. Fifty-two puppies ranging from 2 to 7 days of age were used. Sacrococcigeal epidural anaesthesia was performed using a 27 G x ½" needle and an insulin syringe filled with 0.2 mL of 0.5% lignocaine with adrenaline. Tail docking was performed in half of the puppies of each litter and the other half were used as controls. Plasma cortisol concentration, weight gain, respiratory rate, vocalization, defecation, urination, movement and suction, anogenital, magnum, flexor, vestibular and tactile reflexes were investigated both before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 hours after tail docking. Data were compared using ANOVA, followed by Student Newman Keuls, Friedman or Mann-Whitney tests where applicable. Tail docking after epidural anaesthesia did not modify respiratory rate, behaviour, neurological reflexes or plasma cortisol concentration up to 24 hours after surgery. It should be considered that epidural anaesthesia might have masked a possible harmful effect of tail docking on these variables.

A caudectomia é realizada em algumas raças de cães visando prevenir traumas, além de uma questão de estética. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos comportamentais, endócrinos, neurológicos e respiratórios produzidos pela caudectomia em cães recém-nascidos. Foram utilizados cinqüenta e dois filhotes de dois a sete dias de idade. A anestesia epidural sacrococígea foi realizada utilizando uma agulha 27 G x ½e seringa de insulina com 0.2 mL de lidocaína 0,5% com adrenalina. A caudectomia foi realizada em metade dos filhotes de cada fêmea e a outra metade foi utilizada como controle. A concentração de cortisol plasmático, ganho de peso, freqüência respiratória, vocalização, defecação, micção, movimentação, e reflexos anogenital, de sucção, magnum, flexor, vestibular e tátil foram avaliados antes e 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 e 24 horas após a caudectomia. Os resultados foram comparados utilizando ANOVA, seguidos de Student Newman Keuls, Friedman or Mann-Whitney tests. Não houve diferença em tempo ou entre os grupos em nenhuma variável. A caudectomia realizada após anestesia epidural não alterou frequência respiratória, comportamento, reflexos neurológicos e concentração de cortisol plasmático até 24 horas após a cirurgia. Deve ser considerado que a anestesia epidural pode ter mascarado um efeito prejudicial da caudectomia nestas variáveis.