Ocular and oral lesions caused by Tacinga inamoena in sheep and goats in Northeast Brazil / Lesões oculares e orais causadas por Tacinga inamoena em ovinos e caprinos no Nordeste brasileiro

Two outbreaks of traumatic injuries in goats and sheep associated with grazing and ingestion of the cactus Tacinga inamoena have recently been reported in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. In the first of these, which was detected in 2019 during a preliminary inspection of a herd of 70 animals, it was found that 15 showed certain ocular complications, and these animals were subjected to general physical and ophthalmic examinations. The clinical findings included excessive lacrimation, blepharitis, photophobia, corneal opacity, hyphema, corneal neovascularization, corneal ulcers, and adherence of gloquids to the bulbar conjunctiva and cornea. Large amounts of T. inamoena were found to be present in several areas in which these animals had been grazed and had been observed consuming the fruits of this plant. In the second outbreak during the following year, two sheep from a total of 100 animals were identified as having oral lesions associated with grazing in areas within which T. inamoena was growing. One of these animals was referred to a veterinary hospital, and on physical examination was found to show apathy, anorexia, a body score of 1.5, and the presence of gloquids within the fur. With respect to the oral cavity, halitosis, severe sialorrhea, extensive hemorrhagic ulcers, and painful tenderness on palpation were detected. Given the unfavorable prognosis, the sheep was subsequently euthanized. At necropsy, multifocal to coalescent plaques were detected on the upper and lower lips, oral mucosa, tongue, and hard and soft palates. These were generally elevated and firm and characterized by an irregular, ulcerated surface, sometimes crusty, with a yellow to light brown center and erythematous edges. The findings of this study highlight that the consumption of T. inamoena can cause serious oral and ophthalmic lesions in small ruminants in the northeastern semi-arid regions of Brazil, and can potentially contribute to substantial large economic losses. This problem tends to be exacerbated by the invasive behavior of T. Inamoena, particularly in areas in the process of environmental degradation.(AU)

Relatam-se dois surtos de lesões traumáticas associadas ao pastejo e ingestão da Tacinga inamoena por caprinos e ovinos no estado da Paraíba, Brasil. No primeiro surto observou-se durante uma inspeção preliminar do rebanho que 15 dos 70 animais apresentavam alterações oculares, os animais foram submetidos ao exame físico geral e ao exame oftálmico. Lacrimejamento excessivo, blefarite, fotofobia, opacidade de córnea, hifema, neovascularização corneana, úlceras de córnea e gloquídeos aderidos à conjuntiva bulbar e córnea foram os achados clínicos identificados. A planta estava presente em diversas áreas e em grande quantidade nas áreas de pastejo, onde os animais eram vistos ingerindo seus frutos. No segundo surto, dois ovinos de um total de 100 animais, foram identificados com lesões orais associadas ao pastejo em áreas da planta. Um deles foi encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário. No exame físico, o animal apresentou apatia, anorexia, escore corporal 1,5, pelos opacos, eriçados e no pelame era possível identificar gloquídeos. Na cavidade oral observou-se halitose, sialorreia intensa, extensas úlceras hemorrágicas e sensibilidade dolorosa à palpação. Devido ao prognóstico desfavorável o animal foi eutanasiado. Na necropsia, placas multifocais a coalescentes, elevadas, firmes e com superfície irregular, ulcerada, por vezes crostosas, com centro amarelo a marrom-claro e bordos eritematosos, estavam presentes nos lábios superiores, inferiores, mucosa oral, língua, palatos duro e mole. T. inamoena causa sérias lesões orais e oftálmicas em pequenos ruminantes no semiárido nordestino e prejuízos econômicos de grandes dimensões, que podem ser agravados pelo comportamento invasor da T. inamoena em áreas com indícios de degradação ambiental.(AU)

Ocular and oral lesions caused by Tacinga inamoena in sheep and goats in Northeast Brazil

ABSTRACT: Two outbreaks of traumatic injuries in goats and sheep associated with grazing and ingestion of the cactus Tacinga inamoena have recently been reported in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. In the first of these, which was detected in 2019 during a preliminary inspection of a herd of 70 animals, it was found that 15 showed certain ocular complications, and these animals were subjected to general physical and ophthalmic examinations. The clinical findings included excessive lacrimation, blepharitis, photophobia, corneal opacity, hyphema, corneal neovascularization, corneal ulcers, and adherence of gloquids to the bulbar conjunctiva and cornea. Large amounts of T. inamoena were found to be present in several areas in which these animals had been grazed and had been observed consuming the fruits of this plant. In the second outbreak during the following year, two sheep from a total of 100 animals were identified as having oral lesions associated with grazing in areas within which T. inamoena was growing. One of these animals was referred to a veterinary hospital, and on physical examination was found to show apathy, anorexia, a body score of 1.5, and the presence of gloquids within the fur. With respect to the oral cavity, halitosis, severe sialorrhea, extensive hemorrhagic ulcers, and painful tenderness on palpation were detected. Given the unfavorable prognosis, the sheep was subsequently euthanized. At necropsy, multifocal to coalescent plaques were detected on the upper and lower lips, oral mucosa, tongue, and hard and soft palates. These were generally elevated and firm and characterized by an irregular, ulcerated surface, sometimes crusty, with a yellow to light brown center and erythematous edges. The findings of this study highlight that the consumption of T. inamoena can cause serious oral and ophthalmic lesions in small ruminants in the northeastern semi-arid regions of Brazil, and can potentially contribute to substantial large economic losses. This problem tends to be exacerbated by the invasive behavior of T. Inamoena, particularly in areas in the process of environmental degradation.

RESUMO: Relatam-se dois surtos de lesões traumáticas associadas ao pastejo e ingestão da Tacinga inamoena por caprinos e ovinos no estado da Paraíba, Brasil. No primeiro surto observou-se durante uma inspeção preliminar do rebanho que 15 dos 70 animais apresentavam alterações oculares, os animais foram submetidos ao exame físico geral e ao exame oftálmico. Lacrimejamento excessivo, blefarite, fotofobia, opacidade de córnea, hifema, neovascularização corneana, úlceras de córnea e gloquídeos aderidos à conjuntiva bulbar e córnea foram os achados clínicos identificados. A planta estava presente em diversas áreas e em grande quantidade nas áreas de pastejo, onde os animais eram vistos ingerindo seus frutos. No segundo surto, dois ovinos de um total de 100 animais, foram identificados com lesões orais associadas ao pastejo em áreas da planta. Um deles foi encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário. No exame físico, o animal apresentou apatia, anorexia, escore corporal 1,5, pelos opacos, eriçados e no pelame era possível identificar gloquídeos. Na cavidade oral observou-se halitose, sialorreia intensa, extensas úlceras hemorrágicas e sensibilidade dolorosa à palpação. Devido ao prognóstico desfavorável o animal foi eutanasiado. Na necropsia, placas multifocais a coalescentes, elevadas, firmes e com superfície irregular, ulcerada, por vezes crostosas, com centro amarelo a marrom-claro e bordos eritematosos, estavam presentes nos lábios superiores, inferiores, mucosa oral, língua, palatos duro e mole. T. inamoena causa sérias lesões orais e oftálmicas em pequenos ruminantes no semiárido nordestino e prejuízos econômicos de grandes dimensões, que podem ser agravados pelo comportamento invasor da T. inamoena em áreas com indícios de degradação ambiental.

Ovary and vaginal epithelium dynamics during the estrous cycle in Dasyprocta prymnolopha Wagler, 1831: ultrasound and cytological examinations.

The objective of the present study was to monitor and characterize morphological alterations in ovaries of agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha), reared in captivity, by using abdominal ultrasonography. All animals underwent daily vaginal cytological examination to identify the current cycle phase. For each phase of the estrous cycle, ultrasound examinations were carried out to identify and describe the morphology of both ovaries. Topographic parameters in an ultrasound window were established to locate the ovaries. The agouti estrous cycle lasted an average of 29.94 ± 6.77 days. During vaginal cytology examinations, all cell types were identified, and each phase of the estrous cycle was established by cell counts. No significant alterations were observed in the assessed ovarian morphometry measurements. In 75% of the animals examined, ovarian follicle presence was observed in the proestrus phase.

Origem dos nervos do plexo braquial de sagui-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus Linnaeus, 1758) / Origin of brachial plexus nerves for common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus Linnaeus, 1758)

O sagui-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus) é um pequeno primata que habita florestas arbustivas da Caatinga e a Mata Atlântica do Nordeste brasileiro. Essa espécie de sagui é muito comum e de fácil adaptação ao cativeiro, aspecto que estimula a captura clandestina desses animais, os quais são vítimas de maus tratos que causam lesões. A falta de conhecimento da anatomia de saguis e outros animais silvestres dificulta a aplicação segura de procedimentos clínicos, cirúrgicos e terapêuticos. O plexo braquial tem sido descrito em algumas espécies animais, porém até o momento não existia descrição em saguis-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus). Para estudar o plexo branquial desses animais foram dissecados dez cadáveres de saguis-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus) adultos sendo cinco machos e cinco fêmeas. Em todos os animais o plexo braquial originou- se dos nervos espinhais C5, C6, C7, C8 e T1, com poucas variações na origem e nas contribuições dos nervos, em ambos os antímeros, formando três troncos: cranial (C5 e C6), médio (C7) e caudal (C8 e T1).(AU)

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a small primate that inhabits shrub forests of the Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest in Brazilian Northeast. This species of marmoset is very common and easy to adaptation in captivity, aspect that encourages illegal capture of these animals that are victims of mistreatments, causing injuries. The lack of knowledge in anatomy in marmosets and other wildlife hinders the safe application of clinical, surgical and therapeutic procedures. The brachial plexus has been described in some species of animals, but so far, there is no description for common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). To study the brachial plexus of these animals were dissected ten corpses of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) adults, being five males and five females. In all animals, the brachial plexus was originated from spinal nerves C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1, with few variations in origin and the contributions of the nerves in both antimeres, forming three trunks: the cranial (C5 and C6), medium (C7) and caudal (C8 and T1).(AU)

Anatomia do cone medular aplicada à via epidural de administração de fármacos em macacos-prego (Sapajus libidinosus) / Anatomy of the medullary conus applied to the epidural route of administration of drugs in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)

Com este estudo objetivou-se descrever a topografia do cone medular do macaco-prego (Sapajus libidinosus) a fim de fornecer suporte para que a realização de procedimentos anestésicos, bem como exames de mielografia e coleta de líquor, dentre outros procedimentos que utilizam a via epidural. Para tanto foram dissecados oito animais, sendo seis machos e duas fêmeas, de diferentes faixas etárias. Rebateu-se a pele para retirada da musculatura da região dorsal, exposição de toda a coluna vertebral e identificação das vértebras lombares e sacrais. Para estabelecer o final da medula espinhal e medir o comprimento do cone medular, foi aberto todo o canal vertebral lombossacro, seccionando-se lateralmente os arcos vertebrais. Em seguida a duramáter foi seccionada para visualização do cone medular e observação da relação topográfica deste com as vértebras. Todos os animais apresentaram cinco vértebras lombares e três vértebras sacrais. As vértebras se apresentaram, de forma geral, muito próximas e com os processos espinhosos bem desenvolvidos e direcionados em sentido cranial. O cone medular dos macacos-prego situou-se entre as vértebras L2 e L5, com a base localizando-se com maior frequência na altura da vértebra L3, enquanto o ápice em L4. O comprimento corporal (espaço interarcual occiptoatlântico até o espaço interarcual sacrocaudal) variou de 22,9 a 31,8cm, com média de 27,44 ±3,1cm enquanto que comprimento do cone medular variou de 1,70 a 3,51cm, com média de 2,47 ±0,57cm. Não houve correlação entre o tamanho do corpo e o comprimento do cone medular (r = 0,212). Conclui-se que apesar das variações do comprimento e posicionamento do cone medular, o seu ápice não ultrapassa a articulação lombossacral, tornando seguro o acesso ao espaço epidural por esta via.(AU)

This study aimed to describe the topography of the conus of capuchin monkey (Sapajus libidinosus) to provide support for anesthetic procedures, as well as examinations of myelography and CSF collection, among other procedures using the epidural route. Eight animals were dissected, six males and two females, of different ages. The skin was countered for removal of the dorsal musculature for exposure of the entire spine and identification of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae. To establish the end of the spinal cord and to measure the length of the conus medullaris, we opened the lumbosacral spinal canal through side section of the vertebral arches. The dura mater was sectioned to visualize the conus and to observe the topographical relation with the vertebrae. All animals showed five lumbar vertebrae and three sacral vertebrae. The vertebrae were in general very closed with the spinous processes well developed and directed cranially. The conus of capuchin monkeys was located between the L2 and L5 vertebrae, with the base mostly in the L3 vertebra, and the peak in L4. The body length (interarcual space occiptoatlântico until sacrocaudal interarcual space) ranged from 22.9 to 31.8cm, with a mean of 27.44±3.1cm while the medullary cone length ranged from 1.70 to 3.51cm, with a mean of 2.47±0.57cm. There was no correlation between body size and length of the medullary cone (r=0.212). It is concluded that despite the variations in length and positioning of the medullary cone, its height does not exceed the lumbosacral joint, making safe access to the epidural space in this way.(AU)