Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine最新文献

This study evaluated the effects of two milk replacer-based diets, one supplemented with starter feed and the other with alfalfa hay, on rumen development in preweaned Holstein calves. Twenty newborn male calves were fed 8 L/day of milk replacer plus either starter feed (group A) or alfalfa hay (group B) ad libitum for 10 weeks. Rumen morphometry and histological features were assessed via gross anatomical evaluation, histology, and scanning electron microscopy. The calves in group A consumed significantly more solid feed and exhibited greater papillae development, with higher papillae height, width, and density per cm², than those in group B. Moreover, the surface enlargement factor was consistently greater in group A across ruminal regions, except in the caudodorsal blind sac (saccus cecus caudodorsalis; p < 0.05). Empty rumen weight was also higher in starter-fed calves, suggesting enhanced mucosal development and absorptive capacity. Notably, keratin layer thickness did not explain the observed differences between the groups. Despite similar final body weights and growth, calves supplemented with starter feed showed greater rumen papillae development and absorptive surface area than those supplemented with alfalfa hay. These findings suggest that starter feeding during high milk allowance promotes epithelial maturation and enhances post-weaning absorption of fermentation products.

Starvation and nutritional support clinically influence horses, particularly during the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and post-surgical recovery. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different nutritional strategies on the endocrine response of horses subjected to exploratory laparotomy followed by food deprivation. Sixteen healthy adult horses were randomly allocated into four groups (n=4) based on treatments: enteral fluid therapy without (ENTFL) or with glutamine (ENTGL), and parenteral fluid therapy with glucose (PARFL) or total parenteral nutrition with glutamine (PARGL). Treatments were administered for 144 hours of starvation followed by 144 hours of refeeding. Blood samples were collected at five time points for hormonal (leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, cortisol, insulin, free T3, and free T4) analyses. Serum insulin and glucose significantly varied across all groups, with the PARGL group exhibiting hyperinsulinemia and persistent hyperglycemia during starvation. No significant alterations in free T3 or T4 concentrations were observed, which is potentially attributed to elevated serum glucose levels maintaining thyroid hormone stability. Notably, cortisol levels increased in the ENTGL group 72 hours after the onset of starvation. Ghrelin significantly increased only in the PARGL group during starvation, and it decreased after refeeding. Adiponectin levels were enhanced in the PARFL group during deprivation, which dropped after refeeding. Starvation reduced leptin levels in the ENTGL and PARGL groups, which were increased after refeeding. Despite hormonal changes, enteral nutrition maintained glycemic control, indicating stable intestinal absorptive function. These findings highlight the influence of nutritional route and composition, especially glutamine and glucose, on endocrine adaptation during starvation and refeeding. However, limitations such as the small sample size and absence of an absolute fasting group constrain the interpretations. Future studies involving broader hormonal panels and longer follow-up can better clarify neuroendocrine regulation during nutritional stress in horses.

Flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping plays a critical role in the diagnosis, classification, staging, and monitoring of hematopoietic malignancies. However, its application in feline medicine remains limited primarily because of the scarcity of species-specific antibodies. Existing studies in cats predominantly focus on analyzing lymphocyte subpopulations in lymph nodes, with fewer investigations conducted on bone marrow and peripheral blood. This study aimed to assess the utility of peripheral blood samples from healthy cats for quantifying lymphocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry to provide basic data useful for future studies on animals with diseases. Using specific antibody panels, we successfully quantified lymphocyte subpopulations in 15 healthy cats. Total leukocytes (CD18+) accounted for a median of 89.7% of peripheral blood cells. Among lymphocytes, CD5+ T cells were the predominant subset, followed by CD21+ B cells. Among T cells, CD4+ helper cells outnumbered CD8+ cytotoxic cells. Notably, CD18 expression exhibited a biphasic pattern: B lymphocytes showed lower fluorescence intensity compared with T lymphocytes. In some cases, three distinct fluorescence peaks suggested further heterogeneity within the T-cell population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to clearly identify a biphasic expression pattern of CD18 in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of cats. These findings reveal the complexity of immune cell marker expression in the peripheral blood of felines and support the broader application of flow cytometry in feline immunological and diagnostic research. The establishment of these baseline immunophenotypic profiles in healthy cats is crucial for improving the diagnosis and monitoring of feline hematopoietic diseases, ultimately contributing to better clinical management and therapeutic strategies.

Malignant mammary neoplasms (MMNs) are common in bitches, and surgery promotes disease remission and improves quality of life (QoL), which reflects animal welfare. QoL can be assessed using validated scales, answered by the closest caregiver. This study aimed to evaluate the QoL of 15 bitches with MMNs before and after unilateral mastectomy associated to regional lymphadenectomy. The "HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale" and the "Questionnaire for Evaluating Health-Related Quality of Life in Dogs with Signs of Pain Secondary to Cancer (QEHQ) were administered to the closest caregiver before surgery and 45 days afterward. Differences in QoL before and after surgery were observed according to neoplasm stage, with greater improvement in patients with advanced disease. The HHHHHMM Scale suggested a major improvement in pain-related parameters, while the QEHQ indicated preoperative QoL impairment that was no longer evident after surgery. Unilateral mastectomy and regional lymphadenectomy positively influence the QoL of bitches with MMNs, particularly in advanced stages.

Brazil is the world's fifth largest milk producer, and Minas Gerais is the leading milk-producing state. Most of the state production comes from small and medium-sized family farms, and only a small number of cities have high productivity metrics. The current climate change scenario poses technical challenges to milk production, affecting the health and the productivity of the cattle. Here we evaluated dairy farming in Minas Gerais state, considering productivity and official climatic data. We analyzed official data from different government databases, and among the 853 cities, 12 were classified as high-production cities (>80,000 L/year), of which six had complete climatic records. Pompéu emerged as the top producer with high precipitation rates, whereas Patos de Minas showed the highest precipitation, with irregular distribution. Using quadratic polynomial regression, we found that precipitation significantly influenced production (R²=0.8993, p=0.0076). Temperature alone had a negligible effect (R²=0.1995, p=0.7174). Principal Component Analysis identified distinct climatic patterns among the cities, with January and December being the wettest periods. Notably, high-productivity areas maintained moderate temperatures (21-23°C) and lower animal densities (km²). Our data open doors for further investigation into the interplay between climatic changes and zootechnical parameters of interest in milk production.

The collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint (CL-DIPJ) are important structures for athletic horses. Ligament injuries can cause lameness, but ultrasound imaging can detect such lesions, which usually present with changes in echogenicity and an increase in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ligament. Measurements of these structures vary among authors, which complicates the diagnosis. Thus, this study aimed to describe the ultrasound measurements (dorsopalmar diameter [DPD], lateromedial diameter [LMD], and CSA) of the CL-DIPJ in Argentine Polo horses. We measured the CL-DIPJ of 25 Argentine Polo horses. The measurements were repeated three times, and the mean value for the selected variables was calculated. The Student's t-test was applied to compare the contralateral ligaments and, subsequently, the lateral (LCL) and medial (MCL) collateral ligaments, regardless of the thoracic limb assessed. There was no difference (p> 0.05) between the contralateral ligaments. Similarly, no difference was found between the LCL and MCL for DPD and LMD. Regarding the CSA, there was a difference (p < 0.05). Thus, the mean values for the CL-DIPJ of the thoracic limbs of Argentine Polo horses were 13.13 ± 0.83 mm for the DPD, 8.79 ± 0.57 mm for the LMD, and a cross-sectional area of 0.97 ± 0.06 cm² for the LCL and 0.98 ± 0.05 cm² for the MCL.

The presence of nasal septum deviation (NSD) and aberrant turbinates alters normal nasal airflow. The role of NSD in brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is unclear but, together with other anatomical alterations such as aberrant turbinates, may alter nasal airflow, increasing upper airway resistance. This retrospective study reports the prevalence of rostral (RAT) and caudal (CAT) aberrant turbinates, and NSD in a population of 45 French Bulldogs without clinical manifestations of upper airway obstruction who underwent head computed tomography (CT) for reasons unrelated to BOAS. Forty-five French Bulldogs were studied, and NSD, RAT, and CAT were identified in 69%, 44%, and 64% of cases, respectively. Animals weighing 11 - 14 kg were more likely to have NSD than animals weighing 8 - 11 kg. Conversely, animals weighing 8 - 11 kg were more likely to present CAT than animals weighing 11 - 14 kg, with a marginal statistical significance. No correlations were observed between body weight and RAT, nor between body weight and gender or reproductive status. The higher frequency of NSD-affected French Bulldogs observed in our study, when compared to previous studies in French Bulldogs with BOAS, suggests that NSD may play a minor role in upper airway obstruction within the entire bundle of anatomical aberrations present in the skull of French Bulldogs. On the other hand, RAT may play a more significant role in the development of clinical manifestations of upper airway obstruction.

Monensin is an ionophore antibiotic well known for its multiple benefits in cattle diets. Toxic monensin Lethal Dose 50 (LD₅₀) concentrations in cattle are reported from 26 mg/kg BW. Intraruminal monensin boluses consist of controlled-released capsules, often administered to beef or dairy cattle. Seven outbreaks were analyzed, all occurring in Buenos Aires province between 1997 and 2024 affecting steers in extensive or semi-extensive grazing systems. Clinical signs appeared one to five months after boluses application and included loss of appetite, decay, recumbency, reluctance to move, tachypnea, isolation, muscle tremors, ear drooping and sudden death. Twelve necropsies were performed, and gross findings included pale multifocal streaks myocardium of both ventricles, edema in cavities and mesenteries, hepatomegaly, and diffusely non collapsed or inflated lung with interlobular edema. Microscopically, the most characteristic lesion present in all 12 necropsies was necrotizing cardiomyopathy in different stages of regeneration, some of them being polyphasic. Masson trichrome stain revealed fibrous connective tissue in extensive multiple areas replacing cardiac muscle cells. Mean serum CPK was considered moderately to highly elevated. Herein in all 7 outbreaks, boluses apparently failed to release pills correctly. In conclusion, though toxicosis after failure of intraruminal boluses in grazing cattle are rare, it is important to describe the occurrence of cases when release bolus mechanism fails, causing intoxication that evolves from subacute to chronic, with characteristic pathological findings of polyphasic muscle lesions.

Enzootic calcinosis (EC) is a chronic disease mainly affecting ruminants consuming calcinogenic plants. In Argentina, EC is associated by the consumption of Solanum glaucophyllum in beef grazing cattle and is one of the most frequent toxicities affecting livestock from low-flooded areas. In this paper, we describe 23 outbreaks of EC in beef cattle due to consumption of S. glaucophyllum in central Argentina between 1990 to 2024. Outbreaks occurred more frequently during the summer-autumn (February-May) and affected more frequently adult beef cattle. An average morbidity and mortality of 13.75% and 4.22% were registered, respectively. The main clinical signs were progressive emaciation, limbs stiffness, and lameness. Necropsies were performed, and gross findings included multifocal-coalescent mineralization of blood vessels, heart, and lung. Microscopically, severe diffuse mineralization was observed mainly in the endocardium and intima and media layers of the aorta. Intra-alveolar mineralization was observed lining the wall of the alveolar septa, confirming calcium salt deposits by von Kossa staining. Blood calcium and phosphorus values in affected cattle remained within the reference ranges. Consumption of S. glaucophyllum was confirmed in all outbreaks. Despite being an endemic problem in the beef industry in Argentina, there are no effective treatments or control strategies, therefore, further studies are necessary to prevent the occurrence of EC.

Skin disorders reports in cetaceans are increasing worldwide and may reflect individual or population health. This study describes the occurrence and distribution of skin disorders in Chilean dolphins Cephalorhynchus eutropia from Gulf of Arauco, Chile, based on photographic records collected during a summer 2024 expedition. A total of 685 photos were reviewed, with 39 meeting quality criteria and 16 showing identifiable skin lesions. Of the 37 dolphins photo-identified, 17 (45.95%) presented lesions. Tattoo skin disease (TSD) was diagnosed in 29.73% of individuals, with one animal showing signs of healing. Pale skin patches (PSP) and orange hues were also observed, with a prevalence of 10.81% and 5.41%, respectively. Lesions were primarily located on the thorax and lumbar regions and varied in size. This is the first report of TSD in Chilean dolphins from the Gulf of Arauco. Although the aetiology of PSP and orange hues remains uncertain, they may be associated with environmental factors such as salinity and diatom colonization. Given the conservation category of this endemic species, continuous monitoring of skin conditions and environmental parameters is recommended to understand the health implications and design conservation strategies.