ABSTRACT
A two-year-old female crossbreed dog, previously a stray with no known owner, was adopted and subsequently spayed. The dog exhibited weight loss over a period of two months and died suddenly during a leashed walk. Upon necropsy, enlargement of the submandibular, prescapular, and popliteal lymph nodes was noted. The intrathoracic cavity contained a substantial volume of yellowish-white fluid. Lymph nodes in the mediastinal and ventral thoracic centers were also enlarged, hemorrhagic, and friable. Microscopic examination revealed significant architectural changes in the lymph nodes, characterized by a pronounced cellular infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes and histiocytes, along with macrophages containing intracytoplasmic Leishmania amastigotes. Immunohistochemical analysis of the lymph nodes confirmed positive staining for Leishmania amastigotes. This case represents the first report of canine leishmaniasis associated with acute pleural effusion and sudden death.
ABSTRACT
Thyroid dysfunction substantially affects the quality of life due to its association with various disorders in different organs. A low intake of selenium and zinc can predispose to thyroid alterations, resulting in hypothyroidism. A deficiency of selenium and zinc causes direct and indirect skin lesions, both by the action of free radicals on the skin and by thyroid dysfunction. The aim of this study was to describe natural cases of diffuse alopecia and thyroid abnormalities in sheep with selenium and zinc deficiency. Five adult sheep presented marked and diffuse alopecia, and the residual hairs were dry and brittle. The skin was thick and crusty, with marked peeling. The triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) serum concentrations were below reference values for the species. Zinc and Se concentrations were low in both the serum and liver. During necropsy, cachexia associated with serous fat atrophy was observed, and the thyroid glands showed marked atrophy. Microscopically, the thyroid presented multifocal to coalescent atrophy, with atrophied and dilated follicles, macrophage infiltration, and the presence of fibrous connective tissue. The skin revealed hyperkeratosis and edema. It is concluded that thyroid atrophy, alopecia, and hyperkeratosis are associated with low serum and liver concentrations of zinc and selenium in sheep.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an autosomal recessive malformation characterized by a variable degree of fibrosis and bile duct proliferation, mainly described in people and rarely reported in bovine European breeds. In addition to liver fibrosis, this syndrome has been associated with ascites and subcutaneous edema in calves. This paper described the pathological findings of the first report of CHF in a Nelore bovine fetus. A stillborn calf was removed by cesarean section because of dystocia. At necropsy, characteristic changes of CHF were observed, such as a large increase in abdominal volume associated with hepatic fibrosis and marked subcutaneous edema. Histological examination of liver revealed periportal and port-portal islands of fibrosis separating the parenchyma into nodules of variable sizes and containing numerous abnormally shaped bile ducts. The CHF should be considered in the differential diagnosis in young calves that present with ascites.
RESUMO: A fibrose hepática congênita (FHC) é uma malformação autossômica recessiva, caracterizada por um variável grau de fibrose e proliferação de ductos biliares, descrita principalmente em pessoas, e raramente relatada em bovinos de raças europeias. Além da fibrose hepática em bezerros, esta síndrome tem sido associada à ascite e edema subcutâneo. O presente trabalho apresenta os achados anatomopatológicos do primeiro relato de FHC em um feto bovino da raça nelore. O bezerro natimorto foi retirado por meio de cesariana devido à distocia. Na necropsia foram verificadas alterações características da FHC, como grande aumento de volume abdominal associado à fibrose hepática e marcado edema subcutâneo. O exame histológico do fígado revelou ilhas de fibrose periportal e porto-portal, separando o parênquima em nódulos de tamanhos variáveis e contendo numerosos ductos biliares irregulares de tamanhos anormais.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Environmental enrichment is a dynamic process consisting of a set of activities designed to meet the ethological and psychological needs of animals. It stimulates the natural behavior of each animal species improving the well-being of the individual and avoiding the development of stereotyped behaviors. The present study aimed to assess the potential benefits that four different types of environmental enrichment would bring to the quality of life of shelter dogs. Twenty dogs were observed for 6 hours daily for 5 consecutive days in the first week in order to assess and document their behavior patterns in an experimental kennel. Between the second to the fourth week, 3 forms of game and 1 type of food enrichment were used in the first 4 days of each week. On the fifth day of each week, behavioral patterns were recorded and later compiled and analyzed according to the Tukey test. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in behaviors associated with lying down, standing up, and licking. Based on our findings, we concluded that the use of environmental enrichment methods through different types of games and toys in shelters decreased signs of depression and stereotyped behavior of kennelled dogs. Results of the present study showed that these tools may help improve life quality of these animals.
RESUMO: O enriquecimento ambiental é um processo dinâmico que consiste em um conjunto de atividades com a finalidade de atender às necessidades etológicas e psicológicas dos animais, estimulando os comportamentos naturais de cada espécie, melhorando o bem estar e evitando comportamentos estereotipados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi observar o benefício que quatro diferentes formas de enriquecimento ambiental trariam para melhorar a qualidade de vida de cães de abrigo. Vinte cães foram observados durante 6 horas diárias por cinco dias consecutivos na primeira semana, com a finalidade de se obter o padrão de comportamento no ambiente estéril do abrigo. Da segunda à quarta semana foram aplicadas três formas de brincadeiras e uma forma de enriquecimento alimentar nos primeiros quatro dias de cada semana. No quinto dia de cada semana os padrões de comportamento foram registrados e, posteriormente, compilados e analisados pelo teste de Tukey. A análise estatística demonstrou diferença significativa nos comportamentos de deitar, de ficar em pé e de lamber-se. Conclui-se que a aplicação do enriquecimento ambiental, por meio de diferentes formas de brincadeiras, empregado em abrigo para cães, diminuiu os sinais de depressão e os comportamentos estereotipados, demonstrando ser uma ótima ferramenta para aumentar a qualidade de vida destes animais.