Hepatic ultrasonography in three breeds of healthy calves: Nellore, Curraleiro Pe-duro and Pantaneiro.

An ultrasonography was performed in 21 healthy male calves of Nellore (n = 8), Curraleiro Pe-duro (n = 7) and Pantaneiro (n = 6) breeds, between 8 and 12 months, with the objective to display information about size, position and ultrasonographic parenchymal patterns of the liver, in addition to the topography of the gallbladder, right kidney and major vessels. The measurements used were dorsal margin distance (DMD) and ventral margin distance (VMD) of the liver, viewable extension (VE) of the liver, the caudal vena cava (CVC), width (CVCW) and depth (CVCD) and the portal vein (PV), width (PVW) and depth (PVD). The measures DMD, VMD and VE were similar, and the organ's longest visible extension was in 11th ICS. CVC was more frequently observed in the 11th and 10th ICS, despite being visible from the 12th to the 9th ICS in Nellore and still 8th ICS in Curraleiro Pe-duro and Pantaneiro. CVCD was lower in the 10th and 9th ICS in Nellore. The PV presented higher observation frequency in the 10th ICS. The measures PVD and PVW were higher in Nellore in the 11th, 10th and 9th ICS. To our knowledge, this report is the first to document ultrasonographic findings in three healthy calves. Considering the three breeds, the results show no differences in the ultrasonographic features as regard to the measurements and visualization of the position, size and vasculature of the liver and there was no additional information about the topography of the gallbladder and the right kidney.

Evaluation of the resistance of Nellore, Curraleiro Pe-duro and Pantaneiro cattle breeds by experimental intoxication of Palicourea marcgravii.

Palicourea marcgravii is the most important toxic plant in Brazil due to its acute toxicity (sudden death), palatability, cumulative effect and broad geographical distribution. The study aimed to evaluate the resistance between cattle of different breeds by experimental intoxication of Palicourea marcgravii. Eighteen males were randomly divided into three groups (Nellore, Curraleiro Pe-Duro and Pantaneiro), six animals in each group. All animals were experimentally intoxicated with P. marcgravii at 0.5 mg/kg of equivalent sodium monofluoracetate acid, receiving one single oral dose. All cattle presented symptoms and the toxic plant caused death in all cattle of the Nellore and Pantaneiro breeds and only three Curraleiro cattle. No changes were observed in the leukogram, fibrinogen, albumin, total protein and bilirubins. Hyperglycemia and increased of aspartate transaminase, creatinine kinase, urea and creatinine were detected in all breeds. Changes in the values of the gamma glutamyl transferase were individualized and did not follow a standard response. Fourteen cattle presented the histopathological findings of renal hydropic degeneration. The lower death rate of Curraleiro cattle indicates a higher resistance than cattle of the Nellore and Pantaneiro breeds.

Sanitizer residues in the milk of cows which had passed through footbaths / Resíduos de sanitizantes em vacas de leite após passagem por pedilúvio

Copper sulfate and sodium hypochlorite are used in footbath solutions for the prevention and treatment of bovine digital diseases; however, data on the residues of such elements in milk are sparse in Brazil. This study evaluated the cost of applying the footbath treatment and the total amount of copper and chlorite residues in the milk of healthy cows after they had passed through these footbath solutions. Two groups of 7 cows each (GI and GII) were studied. In the case of GI, 1% sodium hypochlorite was used and for GII 5% copper sulfate was employed in the footbath. The milk samples were collected before the 7-day footbath treatment period (M0) and 24 h (M1), 48 h (M2), 72 h (M3) and 15 days (M15) after the last footbath. Statistical analysis to compare the different samples within each group was carried out by applying Friedman's test, followed by Dunn's test (p<0.05). It was concluded that the amount of total chlorites and copper in the milk of healthy cattle after routine daily footbaths for a period of 7 days presented some variations. However, the concentrations observed were considered insufficient to represent a risk to human health. The cost of the footbath solutions was found to be reasonable.

O sulfato de cobre e o hipoclorito de sódio são empregados na prevenção e tratamento das enfermidades digitais dos bovinos, mas os valores residuais desses elementos foram pouco estudados. Neste estudo, avaliou-se a presença de resíduos de cobre e cloretos totais no leite de vacas saudáveis após passagens dos animais em pedilúvio contendo soluções formuladas com estas substâncias e estimou-se os custos das soluções. Utilizou-se 14 vacas saudáveis distribuídas em dois grupos (GI e GII) de sete animais cada. Em GI, empregou-se solução de hipoclorito de sódio a 1% e, em GII, sulfato de cobre a 5%. As amostras de leite foram colhidas antes da passagem pelo pedilúvio (M0), após 24 (M1), 48 (M2) e 72 (M3) horas, além de 15 dias (M15) subsequentes à última passagem. Na análise estatística, a comparação entre momentos dentro de cada grupo foi realizada com teste de Friedman, seguido pelo teste de Dunn's (p<0,05). Concluiu-se que os valores de cloretos totais e de cobre no leite de bovinos saudáveis, após passagens diárias dos animais em pedilúvio por um período de sete dias, apresentaram algumas variações consideradas insuficientes para provocarem danos à saúde humana e as soluções medicamentosas não apresentaram custos exorbitantes.

Spatialization of climate, physical and socioeconomic factors that affect the dairy goat production in Brazil and their impact on animal breeding decisions / Espacialização de fatores climáticos, físicos e socioeconômicos que afetam a produção de caprinos leiteiros no Brasil e seu impacto sobre as decisões em melhoramento animal

Brazil has high climate, soil and environmental diversity, as well as distinct socioeconomic and political realities, what results in differences among the political administrative regions of the country. The objective of this study was to determine spatial distribution of the physical, climatic and socioeconomic aspects that best characterize the production of dairy goats in Brazil. Production indices of milk per goat, goat production, milk production, as well as temperature range, mean temperature, precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index, relative humidity, altitude, agricultural farms; farms with native pasture, farms with good quality pasture, farms with water resources, farms that receive technical guidance, family farming properties, non-familiar farms and the human development index were evaluated. The multivariate analyses were carried out to spatialize climatic, physical and socioeconomic variables and so differenciate the Brazilian States and Regions. The highest yields of milk and goat production were observed in the Northeast. The Southeast Region had the second highest production of milk, followed by the South, Midwest and North. Multivariate analysis revealed distinctions between clusters of political-administrative regions of Brazil. The climatic variables were most important to discriminate between regions of Brazil. Therefore, it is necessary to implement animal breeding programs to meet the needs of each region.

O Brasil possui diversidade edafoclimática e realidades socioeconômicas e políticas distintas. Isto contribui para diferenciar as regiões político administrativas do país. Objetivou-se espacializar os fatores físicos, climáticos e socioeconômicos que melhor discriminam a produção de caprinos leiteiros no Brasil. Foram analisados índice de produção de leite por cabra; índice de produção de caprinos; índice de produção de leite, amplitude da temperatura; temperatura média; precipitação; índice normalizado de diferença vegetativa; umidade relativa do ar; altitude; estabelecimentos agropecuários; estabelecimentos com pastagem nativa; estabelecimentos com pastagens de boa qualidade; estabelecimentos com recursos hídricos; estabelecimentos que recebem orientação técnica; estabelecimentos de agricultura familiar; estabelecimentos de agricultura não familiar e índice de desenvolvimento humano. Foram realizadas análises multivariadas para espacializar as variáveis climáticas, físicas e socioeconômicas e, assim, discriminar os Estados e Regiões brasileiras. As maiores produções de caprinos e de leite foram observadas na região Nordeste. A região Sudeste apresentou segunda maior produção de leite, seguido pelo Sul, Centro-Oeste e Norte. As médias para produtividade mostraram que as regiões Centro-Oeste e Sudeste apresentaram animais mais especializados a produção de leite. As análises multivariadas evidenciaram distinções entre clusters das regiões político-administrativas do Brasil. As variáveis climáticas foram as mais importantes para discriminar entre as regiões brasileiras. A heterogeneidade dos componentes climáticos, físicos e socioeconômicos evidenciou peculiaridades em cada região. Portanto, é preciso implementar programas de melhoramento genético animal que atendam as necessidades de cada região.

Tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico na odontologia veterinária: descrição e padronização da técnica / Tapered beam computed tomography in Veterinary Dentistry: description and technical standardization

Onze cães e quatro gatos, portadores de alterações buco-dentárias e atendidos no Centro Veterinário do Gama, em Brasília, DF, foram submetidos à tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico. Os exames foram realizados em um tomógrafo i-CAT, utilizando para aquisição das imagens, altura de seis centímetros, tempo de 40 segundos, 0,2 voxel, 120 kilovolts e 46,72 miliampéres por segundo. O melhor posicionamento dos animais para realização do exame foi definido neste estudo. Esse é um fator fundamental para a realização do exame, que necessitou um protocolo anestésico simples e seguro, em função do tempo mínimo necessário à obtenção das imagens. Várias alterações e enfermidades foram identificadas, com extrema acurácia, credenciando a tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico como um exame seguro, acessível e exeqüível e que pode ser incorporado à rotina odontológica das clínicas de pequenos animais.

Eleven dogs and four cats with buccodental alterations, treated in the Centro Veterinário do Gama, in Brasilia, DF, Brazil, were submitted to cone beam computed tomography. The exams were carried out in a i-CAT tomograph, using for image acquisition six centimeters height, 40 seconds time, 0.2 voxel, 120 kilovolts and 46.72 milliamperes per second. The ideal positioning of the animal for the exam was also determined in this study and it proved to be fundamental for successful examination, which required a simple and safe anesthetic protocol due to the relatively short period of time necessary to obtain the images. Several alterations and diseases were identified with accurate imaging, demonstrating that cone beam computed tomography is a safe, accessible and feasible imaging method which could be included in the small animal dentistry routine diagnosis.

Implante de cartilagem auricular autóloga no reparo de desvio de pênis de bovinos / Implantation of the autologous auricular cartilagem in the repair of penile deviation in cattle

Dezoito novilhos de diferentes raças, com idade de 18-24 meses foram submetidos a remoção do ligamento apical para ocasionar desvio de pênis. Decorridos 60 dias os animais foram colocados em presença de fêmeas em estro, sendo verificado desvio ventral e lateral direito do pênis, com incapacitade de cópula. Os animais foram submetidos ao transplante autólgo de um segmento da cartilagem do pavilhão auricular, sobre a túnica albugínea, substituindo o ligamento apical do pênis removido. Os bovinos quando em presença de fêmeas em estro não apresentaram desvio de pênis e alteração do comportamento sexual. Notou-se a presença de poucas células mononucleares, polimorfonucleares e células gigantes e formação de tecido conjuntivo fibroso, ocasionando aderências resistentes e capacidade de sustentar a extremidade livre do pênis. O método cirúrgico mostrou-se eficiente para corrigir desvios ventral e lateral de pênis de bovinos.

Eighteen 18 to 24-month-old mixed breed bullocks were submitted to removal of the apical ligament of the penis to induce penile deviation. After 60 days from the surgery the steers were put together with cows in heat. A ventral and right lateral penis deviation leading to incapacity to copulate was observed. The bullocks were then submitted to an autolgous transplant of a cartilage segment from the ear pinna placed on top of the tunica albuginea, replacing the penile ligament apical tha had been removed. The implanted material was well tolerated; histologically with only infiltration few mononuclear cells, polymorpho nucleated cells and giant cells, and fibrosis, which caused strong adherence and provided ability to sustain the free penile extremity. The bullocks that were cows in heat did not show any degree of penile deviation nor any change in sexual behavior. The surgical method described here was shown to be satisfactory as to be indicated for correction of ventral and right lateral penile deviation in bullocks.

A clinical trial to assess the use of sodium hypochlorite and oxytetracycline on the healing of digital dermatitis lesions in cattle.

The increased frequency of diseases, especially those of the hoof, cause economic losses, such as premature culling of affected animals, decreased milk production, weight loss, reduced fertility, and the high costs of treatment. A great variety of hoof conditions may affect cattle, one of them is digital dermatitis. These conditions are probably due to multiple factorial diseases and present with similar clinical signs. Bovine lameness is typically treated by foot trimming and debridment of the lesions, coupled when necessary with systemic antibiotics and therapeutic footbaths, which results in a clinical cure in the majority of the cases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the topical action of sodium hypochlorite associated with the systemic use of oxytetracycline for the treatment of wounds clinically diagnosed as bovine digital dermatitis. One hundred and twenty Holstein cattle varying ages from 1 to 9 y and presenting the clinical signs of digital dermatitis, were used in this study. Group 1 (G1) received topical treatment with a 1% sodium hypochlorite footbath twice a day for 30 d and 4 treatments of parenteral oxytetracycline (10 mg/kg bodyweight, IM, q48h). Group 2 (G2) received only the topical treatment with 1% sodium hypochlorite, as described for G1. Group 3 (G3) received only with parenteral oxytetracycline, as described for G1. Group 4 (G4) was treated exclusively with a dicloro divynil pirrolidona, ortoiododimetil, para-nitofenil-fosforotioato in a vegetal tar-based ointment, immediately after the surgery. After 45 d, the recovery rates were as follows: G1, 86.67%; G2, 73.33%; G3, 56.67%; and G4, 50%. The surgical treatment of digital dermatitis with subsequent treatment with oxytetracycline systemically and 1% sodium hypochlorite topically was the most effective for the convalescence of cattle bearing wounds similar to digital dermatitis.