Effects of feed deprivation on physical and blood parameters of horses.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction on some physical and blood parameters in horses kept outdoors under natural conditions. Twenty horses were deprived of food for 48 h. They were closely monitored and examined, and blood samples were taken at the beginning (0) of the experiment and 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 hours afterward. During the experimental period, the control group (12 animals) had free access to water and hay, while the restricted group had free access to water only. Data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures, and statistical significance was P ≤ 0.05. The horses tolerated feed restriction without complications. Feed restriction had no effect on body mass and body condition score, heart rate, respiratory rate, capillary filling time and body temperature. However, feed restriction decreased the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds (P<0.05) compared to the control horses. Feed restriction did not cause any changes in erythrocyte variables and gamma glutamyl transferase, creatinine, total protein, and albumin concentrations. During fasting, there was a reduction in the leukocyte response (P<0.05). Feed restriction significantly raised the levels of blood urea nitrogen (24 to 48 hours), aspartate aminotransferase (36 to 48 hours) and total cholesterol (42 to 48 hours). During 48 hours of fasting, there was a continuous increase in triglyceride concentration. Feed restriction for 48 h had a marked effect on the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds and was responsible for important metabolic changes in the healthy horses of our sample.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da restrição alimentar sobre parâmetros físicos e sanguíneos em equinos mantidos a pasto de Tifton (Cynodon spp) e em condições naturais. Vinte cavalos foram privados de alimento por 48 h. Eles foram monitorados, examinados e amostras de sangue foram coletadas no início (0) do experimento e 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 e 48 horas depois. Durante o período experimental, o grupo controle (12 animais) teve livre acesso a água e feno, enquanto o grupo restrito teve livre acesso apenas a água. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância bidirecional com medidas repetidas e a significância estatística foi P ≤ 0,05. Os cavalos toleraram a restrição alimentar sem complicações. A restrição alimentar por 48 h não teve efeito sobre a massa corporal e escore de condição corporal, frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, tempo de enchimento capilar e temperatura corporal. No entanto, o jejum alimentar diminuiu a intensidade dos sons gastrointestinais (P <0,05) em comparação com os cavalos do grupo controle. Não houve alteração nas variáveis eritrocitárias e nas concentrações de gama glutamil transferase, creatinina, proteína total e albumina. Durante o jejum, houve redução da resposta leucocitária (P <0,05) e, aumento significativo dos níveis de nitrogênio uréico no sangue (24 a 48 horas), aspartato aminotransferase (36 a 48 horas) e colesterol total (42 a 48 horas). Durante 48 horas de jejum alimentar, houve aumento contínuo da concentração de triglicerídeos. A restrição alimentar por 48 h teve um efeito marcante na intensidade dos sons gastrointestinais e foi responsável por importantes alterações metabólicas em cavalos saudáveis.

Effects of Flunixin Meglumine, Firocoxib, and Meloxicam in Equines After Castration.

This study is "aimed" to evaluate and compare the efficacy of flunixin meglumine (FM), firocoxib (FX), and meloxicam (MX) after castration of horses. Thirty horses were submitted to open castration and divided into three groups (n = 10) depending on the anti-inflammatory drug administered: group I (GI) (FM, 1.1 mg kg1, IV, once a day [SID], 5 days); group II (GII) (FX, 0.1 mg kg1, IV, SID, 5 days), and group III (GIII) (MX, 0.6 mg kg1, IV, SID, 5 days). Clinical, behavioral, and hematological parameters and the peritoneal fluid (PF) were evaluated before (day [D] 0) and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days afterward. In the postoperative, scores of limb rigidity and prepuce edema of animals of GII and GIII were greater than those of GI. Tachycardia was observed in the horses of GII and GIII and hyperthermia in GIII. An increase in the number of leukocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes without exceeding the reference values and hyperfibrinogenemia was observed in the animals of GI (D7), GII (D1-D7), and GIII (D7). There was reduction in serum protein after castration, together with an increase of this in the PF of the animals of the three groups. The PF on D0 was straw yellow and limpid, became reddish and cloudy on D1, and then gradually moved toward its normal color on the ensuing days, but without returning to normal on D7 in any of the groups. The results showed that castration triggers significant clinical and laboratory changes and that FM, FX, and MX are equally effective in controlling pain and inflammation in horses after castration; however, FM was more advantageous.

Experimental infection with the Toxoplasma gondii ME-49 strain in the Brazilian BR-1 mini pig is a suitable animal model for human toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis, a worldwide disease. Experimentation with pigs is necessary for the development of new therapeutic approaches to human diseases. BR-1 mini pigs were intramuscularly infected with T. gondii with tachyzoites (RH strain) or orally infected with cysts (ME-49 strain). Haematology and serum biochemistry were analysed and buffy coat cells were inoculated in mice to determine tachyzoite circulation. No alterations were observed in erythrocyte and platelet values; however, band neutrophils increased seven days after infection with ME-49. Serology of the mice inoculated with pig blood leucocytes revealed circulating ME-49 or RH strain tachyzoites in the pigs' peripheral blood at two and seven or nine days post-infection. The tachyzoites were also directly observed in blood smears from the infected pigs outside and inside leucocytes for longer periods. Alanine-aminotransferase was high at days 21 and 32 in the RH infected pigs. After 90 days, the pigs were euthanised and their tissue samples were processed and inoculated into mice. The mice serology revealed the presence of parasites in the hearts, ileums and mesenteric lymph nodes of the pigs. Additionally, cysts in the mice were only observed after pig heart tissue inoculation. The infected pigs presented similar human outcomes with relatively low pathogenicity and the BR-1 mini pig model infected with ME-49 is suitable to monitor experimental toxoplasmosis.

Experimental infection with the Toxoplasma gondii ME-49 strain in the Brazilian BR-1 mini pig is a suitable animal model for human toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis, a worldwide disease. Experimentation with pigs is necessary for the development of new therapeutic approaches to human diseases. BR-1 mini pigs were intramuscularly infected with T. gondii with tachyzoites (RH strain) or orally infected with cysts (ME-49 strain). Haematology and serum biochemistry were analysed and buffy coat cells were inoculated in mice to determine tachyzoite circulation. No alterations were observed in erythrocyte and platelet values; however, band neutrophils increased seven days after infection with ME-49. Serology of the mice inoculated with pig blood leucocytes revealed circulating ME-49 or RH strain tachyzoites in the pigs' peripheral blood at two and seven or nine days post-infection. The tachyzoites were also directly observed in blood smears from the infected pigs outside and inside leucocytes for longer periods. Alanine-aminotransferase was high at days 21 and 32 in the RH infected pigs. After 90 days, the pigs were euthanised and their tissue samples were processed and inoculated into mice. The mice serology revealed the presence of parasites in the hearts, ileums and mesenteric lymph nodes of the pigs. Additionally, cysts in the mice were only observed after pig heart tissue inoculation. The infected pigs presented similar human outcomes with relatively low pathogenicity and the BR-1 mini pig model infected with ME-49 is suitable to monitor experimental toxoplasmosis.

Oxigenação extracorpórea por membrana em cães sem auxílio circulatório / Pumpless extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in dogs

A oxigenação extracorpórea por membrana com desvio arterio-venoso (AV-ECMO), em seres humanos, é uma técnica de suporte à vida capaz de assumir em parte ou totalmente as funções dos pulmões, quando estes já não são capazes de promover uma adequada hematose. Para conhecer a viabilidade deste método em cães (Canis familiaris), o presente estudo aplicou a AV-ECMO em dez indivíduos adultos, sem raça definida, com uma expectativa de três horas de duração para cada experimento. No grupo 1 (n=4), ventilação mecânica e infusão contínua de dopamina foram associadas ao suporte extracorpóreo. No grupo 2 (n=6), nenhuma medida de terapia intensiva foi instituída concomitantemente à AV-ECMO. O comportamento dos parâmetros de gasometria e os níveis de lactato foram avaliados a cada 10 minutos e 1 hora, respectivamente, por meio de da avaliação de amostras sanguíneas arteriais. O suporte inotrópico foi capaz de promover uma melhor perfusão tecidual com sangue oxigenado, sugerida pelos níveis de lactato e pressão arterial média mensurados, assim como a hemogasometria revelou melhores resultados quando a ventilação mecânica foi utilizada simultaneamente à AV-ECMO. Portanto, aplicada conjuntamente com suporte da terapia intensiva, a AV-ECMO é uma técnica viável para o uso em cães com falência respiratória, refratária aos tratamentos convencionais.

In humans, arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (AV-ECMO) is a life support technique capable to assume in part or totally lungs functions, when these are not able to promote appropriated hematosis. To know the viability of this method in dogs (Canis familiaris), the present study applied AV-ECMO in ten adult mixed-breed dogs, with expected three hours of duration to each experiment. In Group 1 (n=4), mechanical ventilation and dopamine continuous infusion were associated with the extracorporeal support. In Group 2 (n=6), any other measure of intensive care was used concomitantly AV-ECMO. Blood gas analysis and lactate levels were evaluated every 10 minutes and one hour, respectively, from arterial blood samples. Inotropic support improved the blood flow through the circuit promoting a better tissue perfusion with oxygenated blood, suggested by the lactate and mean arterial pressure levels measured. Mechanical ventilation used simultaneously with AV-ECMO was able to further improve levels of blood gases. Therefore, if applied along intensive care support, AV-ECMO is a viable technique for use in dogs with respiratory failure refractory to conventional treatments.

Chickens treated with a nitric oxide inhibitor became more resistant to Plasmodium gallinaceum infection due to reduced anemia, thrombocytopenia and inflammation.

Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus that affect different vertebrate hosts. Severe malaria leads to host death and involves different pathophysiological phenomena such as anemia, thrombocytopenia and inflammation. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important effector molecule in this disease, but little is known about its role in avian malaria models. Plasmodium gallinaceum-infected chickens were treated with aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase, to observe the role of NO in the pathogenesis of this avian model. AG increased the survival of chickens, but also induced higher parasitemia. Treated chickens demonstrated reduced anemia and thrombocytopenia. Moreover, erythrocytes at different stages of maturation, heterophils, monocytes and thrombocytes were infected by Plasmodium gallinaceum and animals presented a generalized leucopenia. Activated leukocytes and thrombocytes with elongated double nuclei were observed in chickens with higher parasitemia; however, eosinophils were not involved in the infection. AG reduced levels of hemozoin in the spleen and liver, indicating lower inflammation. Taken together, the results suggest that AG reduced anemia, thrombocytopenia and inflammation, explaining the greater survival rate of the treated chickens.

Hepatozoonose canina em Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ / Canine hepatozoonosis in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ / Hepatozoonosis canina en campos dos Goytacazes, RJ

A hepatozoonose canina é mais comumente causada pelos protozoários Hepatozoon canis e H. americanum. No Brasil, esta doença é transmitida pelos carrapatos Rhipicephalus sanguineus e Amblyomma spp., através da ingestão do vetor infectado. A doença já foi diagnosticada em vários estados brasileiros, inclusive no Rio de Janeiro, e pela primeira vez nesta cidade. Este artigo relata um caso de hepatozoonose em uma cadela da raça Rotweiller, de dois anos de idade, que foi tratada e teve melhora clínica. As alterações clínicas e hematológicas foram apatia, inapetência, pirexia, anemia regenerativa, desvio nuclear de neutrófilos acentuado e trombocitopenia.

Canine hepatozoonosis is commonly caused by the protozoans Hepatozoon canis and H. americanum. In Brazil, this disease is transmitted by the ticks Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Amblyomma spp., when the dog ingests the infected tick. The disease was already diagnosed in several Brazilian states, including Rio de Janeiro, and for the first time in this city. This article shows a case of canine hepatozoonosis of a two year-old female dog of the race Rottweiler which was treated and presented clinical improvement. The clinical and hematological changes were apathy, lack of appetite, fever, anemia, nuclear deviation of the neutrophils and thrombocytopenia.

La hepatozoonosis canina es más causada por los protozoarios Hepatozoon canis y Hepatozoon americanum. En Brasil, esta enfermedad es transmitida por los garrapatos Rhipicephalus sanguineus y Amblyomma spp., a través de la ingestión del vector infectado. La enfermedad fue diagnosticada en varios estados brasileños, incluso en Rio de Janeiro, y por primera vez en esta ciudad. Este estudio relata un caso de hepatozoonosis en una perra de dos años de edad de la raza Rotweiller, que fue tratada y tuvo una mejora clínica. Las alteraciones clínicas y hematológicas fueron apatía, inapetencia, fiebre, anemia regenerativa, desvío nuclear de neutrófilos acentuado y trombocitopenía.

Parasitismo por Giardia sp em coleiro (Sporophila caerulescens) / Giardia sp parasitism in the double-collared seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens)

A giardíase é uma zoonose causada por um protozoário do gênero Giardia, observada em todo o mundo. Sua incidência é predominante em animais e pessoas que vivem em países subdesenvolvidos, especialmente em ambientes com inadequadas condições sanitárias. Além de desenvolver a doença, animais podem ser transmissores do protozoário, fato este que tem relevância para a saúde pública e demonstra a importância do controle da doença no animal como forma de prevenir a transmissão para o homem. Pássaros livres podem ser veiculadores do agente no meio ambiente quando contaminam reservatórios de água. No entanto, em relação aos pássaros mantidos em cativeiro, no Brasil não se tem relatos de eventos dessa natureza. O presente artigo relata a ocorrência de cistos de Giardia sp em fezes de coleiro (Sporophila caerulescens) que apresentava sinais como apatia, perda de apetite e ausência de canto.

Mensuração sérica de minerais e avaliação clínica de bovinos acometidos por mal da ronca na região norte do estado do Rio de Janeiro / Minerals serum level and clinical evaluation of bovines suffering

"Mal da ronca", "ronca", "roncadeira", "mal do roncado" ou "mal da ronqueira" é uma enfermidade de caráter crônico caracterizada por ruído respiratório audível à distância, que afeta bovinos azebuados, machos e fêmeas, com mais de 18 meses de idade. Os animais afetados vieram de regiões com concentração de água de chuva no terreno, onde o gado se alimentou e bebeu dessa água. Alguns bovinos apresentaram deformação na região nasal, mais precisamente no chanfro. Devido à dificuldade de oxigenação e conseqüentemente incapacidade de locomoção e alimentação, evidenciou-se emagrecimento progressivo, culminando, em alguns casos, com morte. Foram avaliados os níveis séricos de cálcio, fósforo, magnésio, cloro e cobre em grupo sadio e doente, vindos da mesma região. Os animais doentes não demonstraram deficiência sérica dos elementos mensurados; entretanto, a diferença significativa observada entre os animais sadios e doentes sugeriu desequilíbrio mineral.