Effects of a veterinary functional music-based enrichment program on the psychophysiological responses of farm pigs.

Intensification of swine production can predispose pigs to chronic stress, with adverse effects on the neuroendocrine and immune systems that can lead to health problems, poor welfare, and reduced production performance. Consequently, there is an interest in developing tools to prevent or eliminate chronic stress. Music is widely used as a therapeutic strategy for stress management in humans and may have similar benefits in non-human animals. This study evaluated the effects of a music-based auditory enrichment program in pigs from a multidimensional perspective by assessing psychophysiological responses. Two experimental groups of 20 pigs each were selected for the study: one enriched, exposed to a program of functional veterinary music designed for pigs, and a control group without auditory stimulation. Qualitative behavior assessment (QBA) and skin lesions indicative of agonistic behavior were used to evaluate the psychological determinants underlying the observed behaviors. Physiological assessment included hemograms, with the determination of the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and daily measurements of cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase levels. The results demonstrated a positive effect of a music-based auditory program on psychophysiological responses. Therefore, this strategy developed for environmental enrichment may be beneficial in reducing stress and contributing to the welfare and health of pigs under production conditions.

Morphological and molecular identification of Sarcocystis falcatula from the emerald toucanet (Aulacorhynchus albivitta) in Colombia.

Sarcocystis spp. are cyst-forming coccidia characterized by a two-host predator-prey life cycle. Sarcocysts are formed in muscles or nervous system of the intermediate host, while sporocysts develop in the small intestine of the definitive host. The intermediate hosts of Sarcocystis falcatula are wild birds. Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity of birds, however, there are few studies related to this parasite in wild birds. This study presents the morphological and molecular detection of Sarcocystis falcatula collected from the emerald toucanet (Aulacorhynchus albivitta), a wild bird species endemic to South America. Pectoral muscle samples were obtained, and microscopic and molecular detection was performed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and amplifying of the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) and surface antigen-encoding genes (SAGs). Sarcocystis measured an average of 161  × 42 µm, with a cyst wall ∼0.4 µm thick. Ultrastructurally, the sarcocyst wall type 11b-like consisted of numerous villar protrusions of 850 nm wide on average. The ITS-1 sequence showed 97.0-99.7% identity to S. falcatula previously described from birds in the United States and Brazil, respectively. Concatenated phylogenetic analysis based on SAG2, SAG3 and SAG4 confirmed that the new isolate is grouped with other sequences of Sarcocystis from South America, but divergent from those isolates obtained in North America. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time the presence of S. falcatula in a wild bird from Colombia.

Histopathological Results of Mouth Lesions in Dogs and Cats from Colombia.

Mouth-related neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions are commonly found in dogs and cats, and their diagnosis and classification are important for treatment planning and prognosis. This retrospective study analyzed mouth-related lesions in dogs and cats between 2000-2019 from the animal pathology laboratory of the Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. A total of 640 mouth-related lesions affecting 572 dogs (89.4%) and 68 cats (10.6%) were reviewed. Lesions were classified as neoplastic or non-neoplastic. The average age for neoplastic lesions was 8.6 years in dogs and 6.4 years in cats, while for non-neoplastic lesions the average age was 7.7 years for dogs and 5 years for cats. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods according to year and source of report, demographic information for the animal, location of the lesion, and diagnosis. Tissue origin and behavior were variables considered for neoplastic lesions. Melanoma was the most common neoplasia in dogs and squamous cell carcinoma was most common in cats. The most frequent non-neoplastic lesion in dogs was gingival hyperplasia, while in cats the inflammatory lesions showed a wide range of morphological diagnoses. This study described many pathological lesions affecting the oral cavity for both dogs and cats and provides useful epidemiological data for both pathologists and clinicians.

Eye-related neoplasms in dogs: A retrospective study / Neoplasias relacionadas con los ojos en perros: Estudio retrospectivo / Neoplasias relacionadas aos olhos em cães: Estudo retrospectivo

Abstract Background: Eye-related neoplasms in dogs have a significant impact on visual ability, comfort, and longevity. Therapeutic alternatives and prognosis vary according to type of neoplasm and its anatomical location. Objective: To describe the frequency and distribution of eye-related neoplasms affecting dogs in the Aburrá valley (Antioquia province, Colombia). Methods: A retrospective collection of eye-related neoplasms in dogs, diagnosed at the Animal Pathology Laboratory of Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia), was conducted. Data spanning from years 2005 to 2017 were used. Records included age, sex, breed, neoplasm type and location, and cellular origin of neoplasm. A total of 250 eye-related-neoplasm reports affecting 246 dogs were analyzed -one report per animal, with the exception of four animals with both eyes simultaneously affected by the same type of neoplasm. Results: Animals between 8 and 11 years of age were more frequently affected by eye-related neoplasms (43.9%). Labrador retriever (19.1%), mixed-breed dogs (13.4%), and Poodle (12.2%) were the most frequently affected breeds. Neoplasms affected the eyelid in 76.8% of cases. Meibomian gland adenoma was the most frequent neoplasm (22.8%), followed by Meibomian gland epithelioma (20.0%), squamous cell carcinoma (8.8%), and melanocytoma (7.2%). The cellular origin of neoplasms was epithelial in 73.6% of the cases. Conclusion: Meibomian gland adenoma was the most common eye-related neoplasm. To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective report aimed to eye-related neoplasms in dogs published in Colombia.

Resumen Antecedentes: Las neoplasias relacionadas con los ojos en perros tienen un impacto significativo en la capacidad visual, la comodidad y la longevidad del animal. Las opciones terapéuticas y el pronóstico para el perro y para el tejido afectado varían según el tipo de neoplasia y su ubicación anatómica. Objetivo: Describir la frecuencia y distribución de neoplasias relacionadas con los ojos en perros del Valle de Aburrá (Departamento de Antioquia, Colombia). Métodos: Se realizó una evaluación retrospectiva de neoplasias relacionadas con los ojos en perros, diagnosticadas en el laboratorio de patología animal de la Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia). Los registros incluyeron información de 13 años (2005-2017). Los datos recolectados incluyeron edad, sexo, raza, tipo de tumor y ubicación, y origen celular de la neoplasia. Resultados: Se analizó un total de 250 reportes de neoplasias relacionadas con los ojos, afectando 246 perros (un reporte por animal, excepto cuatro animales en los que ambos ojos fueron afectados simultáneamente por el mismo tipo de neoplasia. Los animales entre 8 y 11 años de edad fueron los más frecuentemente afectados por neoplasias relacionadas con los ojos (43,9%). Las razas Labrador retriever (19,1%), perros mestizos (13,4%) y Poodle (12,2%) fueron las más frecuentemente afectadas. Las neoplasias afectaron el párpado en el 76,8% de los casos. El adenoma de la glándula de Meibomio fue la neoplasia más frecuente (22,8%), seguida por el epitelioma de la glándula de Meibomio (20,0%), el carcinoma de células escamosas (8,8%) y el melanocitoma (7,2%). El origen celular de las neoplasias fue epitelial en el 73,6% de los casos. Conclusión: Se encontró que el adenoma de la glándula de Meibomio es la neoplasia ocular más común. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer reporte retrospectivo dirigido específicamente a neoplasias relacionadas con ojos en perros publicado en Colombia.

Resumo Antecedentes: As neoplasias relacionadas aos olhos em cães são importantes porque têm um impacto significativo na capacidade visual, conforto e longevidade do animal. As opções terapêuticas e o prognóstico para o cão e para o tecido afetado variam de acordo com o tipo de neoplasia e sua localização anatômica. Objetivo: Descrever a frequência e distribuição das neoplasias relacionadas aos olhos em cães do Valle de Aburrá (Estado de Antioquia, Colômbia). Métodos: Foi realizada uma coleta retrospectiva de neoplasias relacionadas aos olhos em cães diagnosticados no laboratório de patologia animal da Universidade de Antioquia (Colômbia). Os registros coletaram informações de 13 anos (2005-2017). Os dados coletados incluíram idade, sexo, raça, tipo de tumor e localização e origem celular da neoplasia. Resultados: Um total de 250 relatos de neoplasias relacionadas aos olhos foram analisados, afetando 246 cães (um relatório por animal, com exceção de quatro animais, em que ambos os olhos foram afetados simultaneamente para o mesmo tipo de neoplasia relacionada aos olhos). Animais entre 8 e 11 anos foram mais acometidos por neoplasias relacionadas aos olhos (43,9%). As raças Labrador retriever (19,1%), mestiças (13,4%) e Poodle (12,2%) foram as raças mais afetadas. Neoplasias afetaram a pálpebra em 76,8% dos casos. Adenoma da glândula Meibomiana foi a neoplasia mais frequente (22,8%), seguido por epitelioma glândula Meibomiana (20,0%), carcinoma de células escamosas (8,8%) e melanocitoma (7,2%). A origem celular das neoplasias foi epitelial em 73,6% dos casos. Conclusão: Este estudo constatou que o adenoma da glândula Meibomiana é a neoplasia ocular mais comum. Para nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro relato retrospectivo especificamente voltado para as neoplasias relacionadas aos olhos em cães publicados até o momento na Colômbia.