Spontaneous poisoning by Palicourea marcgravii (Rubiaceae) in a sheep herd in southeastern Brazil.

Palicourea marcgravii (Rubiaceae) is considered the most important toxic plant affecting livestock farming in Brazil. This study describes an outbreak of spontaneous poisoning by P. marcgravii in sheep. Forty-nine sheep died while showing clinical signs of sudden death after having access to the plant. During the necropsy, P. marcgravii leaves were observed in the rumens of the animals. Histopathological analysis demonstrated hydropic degeneration of the kidneys. Monofluoracetate concentration obtained in Palicourea samples was 0.53% (5.3 µg/mg). These findings collectively indicate that the affected animals died from poisoning due to P. marcgravii.

The normal electrocardiograms in the conscious newborn lambs in neonatal period and its progression.

BACKGROUND: Veterinary cardiology, especially electrocardiography, has shown major advancements for all animal species. Consequently, the number of ovine species used as experimental animals has increased to date. Few studies have been published on ovine systematic electrocardiography, particularly with respect to lamb physiology and neonatology. This study aimed to standardize the values of normal waves, complexes, and intervals of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in clinically Bergamasca healthy neonatal lambs, used as experimental animals. Serial computerized electrocardiography was performed in 10 male and 12 female neonates on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and 35th days of age. The following parameters were analyzed: heart rate and rhythm, duration and amplitude of waves, duration of intervals, and heart electrical axis. RESULTS: During the first 35 days of life, (1) the sinusal heart rhythm was predominant, (2) there was a progressive decrease in the heart rate and R and T wave amplitude, and (3) a progressive increase in the PR, QT, and RR intervals. Finally, we confirmed that various components of neonatal evolution were more discernible in the augmented unipolar leads (aVF), which we recommend should be preferentially used in future studies. No significant statistical alterations were observed between males and females in relation to the analyzed parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The information assimilated in this study is anticipated to enhance the diagnosis of multiple congenital heart defects in Bergamasca lambs and could be implemented in studies that use ovine species as experimental models.

Physiological parameters in neonatal lambs of the Bergamasca breed

Background: The management of newborn lambs from birth until weaning has an impact on herd productivity, i.e., theeconomic return will depend on the survival of the offspring. Physiological parameters must be carefully analysed according to the age of the animal to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. Therefore, the aim of this study was to monitorthe physiological parameters (temperature, body weight, heart rate and respiration) between birth and 15 days of age, andbetween 24 h and 35 days to validate such parameters during these critical periods and for neonatal adaption in sheepMaterials, Methods & Results: Two studies were carried out to analyse the physiological parameters of rectal temperature(°C), body weight (BW), heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) in male and female lambs of the Bergamasca breedmaintained under identical conditions of management (intensive farming system). The fi rst study used lambs (n = 29) frombirth up to 15 days of age evaluated immediately after birth and at 24, 48, 72, 7 and 15 days of age. In the second study,lambs (n = 22) were evaluated at 1 day of age and then weekly at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of age. Linear models for repeated measures were used to compare the averages of each variable-response between the times studied. Tukey’s methodwas used to adjust the resulting P-values of multiple comparisons between time-points. The level of statistical signifi cancefor the fi rst and second study was 1% (P < 0.01) and 5% (P < 0.05), respectively. There were no signifi cant differences inrespiratory rate with increasing age in either of the two studies (P < 0.01; P < 0.05). In both studies, there was a positivecorrelation between variations in rectal temperature (average: 39.1 ± 0.58°C; P < 0.01 and 39.5 ± 0.28°C; P < 0.05) andsignifi cant decreases in heart rate (159.4 ± 15.6 bpm, P < 0.01 and 167.5 ± 12.89 bpm, P < 0.05). In the fi rst study, the...

Physiological parameters in neonatal lambs of the Bergamasca breed

Background: The management of newborn lambs from birth until weaning has an impact on herd productivity, i.e., theeconomic return will depend on the survival of the offspring. Physiological parameters must be carefully analysed according to the age of the animal to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. Therefore, the aim of this study was to monitorthe physiological parameters (temperature, body weight, heart rate and respiration) between birth and 15 days of age, andbetween 24 h and 35 days to validate such parameters during these critical periods and for neonatal adaption in sheepMaterials, Methods & Results: Two studies were carried out to analyse the physiological parameters of rectal temperature(°C), body weight (BW), heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) in male and female lambs of the Bergamasca breedmaintained under identical conditions of management (intensive farming system). The fi rst study used lambs (n = 29) frombirth up to 15 days of age evaluated immediately after birth and at 24, 48, 72, 7 and 15 days of age. In the second study,lambs (n = 22) were evaluated at 1 day of age and then weekly at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of age. Linear models for repeated measures were used to compare the averages of each variable-response between the times studied. Tukeys methodwas used to adjust the resulting P-values of multiple comparisons between time-points. The level of statistical signifi cancefor the fi rst and second study was 1% (P < 0.01) and 5% (P < 0.05), respectively. There were no signifi cant differences inrespiratory rate with increasing age in either of the two studies (P < 0.01; P < 0.05). In both studies, there was a positivecorrelation between variations in rectal temperature (average: 39.1 ± 0.58°C; P < 0.01 and 39.5 ± 0.28°C; P < 0.05) andsignifi cant decreases in heart rate (159.4 ± 15.6 bpm, P < 0.01 and 167.5 ± 12.89 bpm, P < 0.05). In the fi rst study, the...(AU)