RCAAP Repository

The human-animal relationship should be positive; however, negative interactions are frequently registered, some of which can be found as reports of incidents of animal abuse.  The aim of this study was to survey the history of complaints of animal abuse recorded in the Animal Protection Society of Campo Largo and Curitiba and in the Animal Defense and Protection Network of Curitiba, Paraná, and to analyze the relevance of veterinary action in such cases. The data collected were animal species involved, description of complaints and relevant information to classify them according to the causes and the Five Freedoms. Of the allegations, 82.9% involved dogs. The most common causes were abandonment (16.2%), failure to provide food and water (15.7%), death (14.7%) and lack of veterinary care (13.5%). Most of the cases referred to the freedom from pain, injury and disease, and the freedom from hunger and thirst, although the technical evaluation has revealed a frequent impact on psychological freedom. The results suggest that the collaboration of a professional specialized in animal welfare can enhance the deliberations in cases of suspected animal abuse.

Isolates of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) detected in serum samples of two persistently infected animals (PI) identified in a herd located in the southern state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, underwent genetic characterization trough partial nucleotide sequencing and analysis of the 5’ Untranslated Region (5’UTR) of the viral genome. The isolates were characterized as belonging to genotype BVDV-1, subgenotype BVDV-1b. The results of this study suggest BVDV-1b as an agent of importance in the occurrence of bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in the herds of the region. Moreover, the genotypic characterization of isolates of BVDV helps to better understand the epidemiology of the disease, as the genetic variability of BVDV interferes in the serological tests and has implications for the use of vaccines, whose majority is produced only with reference strains of BVDV. Therefore, the investigation on the genetic diversity of BVDV existing in Brazil is required for the improvement of the disease prevention and control measures

Neosporose é uma das causas mais importantes de abortamento em bovinos leiteiro e de corte em muitos países. O objetivo desse estudo foi quantificar o efeito da soropositividade para Neospora caninum nos parâmetros reprodutivos em três rebanhos leiteiros e a dinâmica dos anticorpos anti-N. caninum durante a gestação em vacas infectadas naturalmente. Amostras de sangue de todos os animais foram colhidas nove vezes em cada uma das três fazendas dentro do período de dois anos. O soro foi testado para anticorpos contra N. caninum usando o teste de reação imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) com valor de corte de 1:100. O risco relativo de abortamento entre vacas N. caninum-soropositivas e soronegativas variou entre as amostragens em todas as fazendas, mas, houve somente diferença estatisticamente significativa (P<0,05) na Fazenda III na amostragem 4, 7 e 8, com os animais soropositivos apresentando maiores risco de abortamento. Nenhuma diferença significativa (P>0,05) foi encontrada em consideração a idade gestacional no abortamento, abortamentos repetidos, número de inseminações por concepção e intervalo entre partos entre vacas soropositivas e soronegativas em todas as fazendas.

Milk yield and milk quality were evaluated in ½ holstein/zebu cows, with or without the calf presence or oxytocin injection. It was used eight ½ holstein/zebu cows, multiparous, distributed in two Latin squares (4x4) in factorial scheme (2x2), with or without calf presence, and whith or without oxytocin injection. The milk was analyzed for somatic cells count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC/mL), lactose, total fat, protein, total solids, and no fat dry matter concentration. The animals milked with calves and with ocytocin injection showed a higher milk production. There was no interaction between the effects, and any one of the methods may used for stimulation of aveolar contraction. The calf presence and oxytocin injection during milking results in higher milk production, but no changes in milk quality and composition of ½ holstein/zebu cows.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate semen quality of bulls supplemented with calcium soaps of fatty acids polyunsaturated. Twenty Angus, Brangus, Hereford and Braford bulls were randomly allocated into two groups, each with ten animals. Each group received a diet consisting of forage, commercial ration, mineral supplements and supplement. Two supplements types were evaluated: functional supplement, with fatty acids polyunsaturated (PUFA) incorporation or energy supplement, with cassava meal (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) incorporation. During trial period the semen quality was evaluated using routine test (volume, concentration, mass motility, individual motility, sperm morphology) and complementary test: (hypo-osmotic test, giemsa/tripan-azul coloration and thermotolerance test). The semen of group bulls supplemented with commercial calcium soaps of PUFA (Megalac-E®) showed greater sperm motility (83.3% vs. 75.3%), percentage of sperm with intact acrosome (94.8% vs. 91.8%) and percentage of sperm with intact plasma membrane (98.0% vs. 96.6%) when compared with semen of group bulls supplemented with cassava (P<0.05). The supplement type did not affect semen volume, sperm concentration and testosterone concentration in blood (P>0.05). There were interactions between treatment and collection period for percentage of normal sperm and percentage of spermatozoa with hypo-osmotic positive test (P<0.05). The type of supplement did not affect sperm motility, the hypo-osmotic test and fast thermotolerance test after thawing (P>0.05). PUFA calcium soaps supplementation increased percentage of spermatozoa with plasma membrane integrity (51.5 vs. 42.2%) and spermatozoa intact acrosome (48.0% vs. 39.2%) after thawing.

The aim of this study was evaluate the influence of physical exercise (marcha gait) on serum values of CK and AST and plasmatic values of lactate in Mangalarga Marchador horses trained in Espirito Santo, Brazil. Serum and plasma samples were obtained from 15 horses in four different moments: rest (T0), 5 minutes (T1), 30 minutes (T2) and 2 hours (T3) after the exercise. Lactate analysis revealed values of 1.02 ± 0.41 mmol/L, 2.73 ± 2.43 mmol/L, 1.89 ± 1.24 mmol/L and 1.31 ± 0.60 mmol/L, respectively at T0, T1, T2 and T3. When evaluating AST, the results recorded in T0, T1, T2 and T3 were, respectively, 189.3 ± 56.0 UI/L, 223.9 ± 53.5 UI/L, 186.8 ± 25.8 UI/L and 193.9 ± 44.7 UI/L. Finally, the CK at moments T0, T1, T2 and T3 were, respectively, 113.4 ± 56.3 UI/l, 144.1 ± 70.9 UI/L, 143.0 ± 81.0 UI/L and 173.1 ± 128.0 UI/L. The results showed that marcha gait leaded to significantly increased in plasma lactate and did not alter serum AST and CK, suggesting that the equines used were conditioned to the physical exercised imposed.

A ave avestruz (Struchio camelus) é originária da África, pertencendo a família das Ratitas. Seu valor zootécnico vem crescendo especialmente na região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo. Para a realização deste trabalho, utilizamos 20 peças de avestruz (Struthio camelus), machos e fêmeas, jovens e adultos, oriundos de criatórios da região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo. Após a abertura do trato gastrintestinal, ao longo da sua margem livre, escoamos as vias bilíferas mediante suaves massagens, canalizamos o ducto excretor, utilizando para tanto uma sonda flexível de polietileno de calibre compatível com a mencionada estrutura e, em seguida, injetamos por esta via Neoprene-látex “450” corado. Estas glândulas foram, a seguir, distendidas em base rígida, fixadas em solução de formol a 10%, esquematizadas e fotografadas. O ramo principal direito resulta do ramo lateral direito, ramo lobo quadrado e do ramo processo caudado em sete fígados. Em 13 peças, o ramo lateral direito é formado pelos ramos lateral direito e do processo caudado. O ramo esquerdo recebe os componentes oriundos do lobo lateral esquerdo e ramo do lobo medial esquerdo em todas as sete peças. Para ele, também aflui componente oriundo do lobo quadrado em 13 preparações e do processo caudado em sete fígados. Conclui-se que o fígado no avestruz não apresenta vesícula biliar, fazendo com que o ducto colédoco seja a única via de excreção da bile, resultando sempre da convergência do ducto hepático direito com o ducto hepático esquerdo.

The aim of this prospective randomized clinical study was to compare blood glucose and cortisol levels between horses receiving xylazine and detomidine for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Horses from non-surgical groups received 0.5 mg/kg of xylazine (GX group, n=5) or 0.01 mg/kg of detomidine (GD group, n=5) for gastroscopic examination. Horses from the surgical groups received similar doses of xylazine (AX group, n=7) or detomidine (AD group, n=7), followed by anesthetic induction with 2 mg/kg of ketamine and 0.05 mg/kg of diazepam for an arthroscopic procedure under isoflurane anesthesia. Blood samples were obtained prior to the alpha-2 agonist administration (baseline) and after 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes. All groups had a significant increase in blood glucose from 30 to 90 minutes after alpha-2 agonist administration, compared to baseline. After receiving the alpha-2 agonist, the AD group had blood glucose levels (118-150 mg/dL) significantly higher than GD (99-119 mg/dL) and AX (97-116 mg/dL) groups. Cortisol had no significant changes within a group. However, the AX group had cortisol levels (3.6-3.7 mg/dL) significantly lower than GX group (5.4-5.7 mg/dL) from 30 to 90 minutes after xylazine administration. We concluded that blood glucose levels were when detomidine was administered for surgical procedure, compared to xylazine also for surgical procedure, and non-surgical procedure. Serum cortisol was minimally affected by administration of xylazine and detomidine regardless procedures were surgical or non-surgical.

The aim of the present study was to perform a leishmaniasis survey in horses from Araçatuba, São Paulo, an endemic area of Brazil. Of the 466 horses tested for the presence of anti-Leishmania chagasi titers by ELISA, 68 (14.59%) were seropositive, with titers varying between 0.324 and 0.813. ELISA positive samples were also tested by immunocromatography and 19/466 (4.08%) were positive. The results of the present study indicated that equines are in contact and can attract phlebotomines, and highlight the necessity of a more accurate investigation on the role played by the horses living in endemic areas, in order to help to control the spread of the illness.

Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar a frequência de cães soropositivos para anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. no município de Natal e região metropolitana, estado do Rio Grande do Norte, e identificar fatores de risco associados à infecção. Foram examinadas 365 amostras de soro sanguíneo de cães atendidos na rotina de diversas clínicas veterinárias durante o período de março a novembro de 2011. O diagnóstico sorológico da leptospirose foi realizado pela técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando-se 24 sorovares de Leptospira spp. como antígenos. Dos 365 cães, 25 foram soropositivos para pelo menos um dos sorovares de Leptospira spp., com frequência de 6,8%. Os sorovares com reações sorológicas mais frequentes foram Shermani (40%), Sentot (36%) e Copenhageni (20%). O perfil epidemiológico da leptospirose canina na região metropolitana de Natal, estado do Rio Grande do Norte, indica que a infecção ocorre com frequência baixa em comparação com outras regiões, provavelmente devido ao grande percentual de animais vacinados, bem como, sugere-se distribuição homogênea de animais soropositivos na região. Por outro lado, a presença de roedores pode ser um importante fator de risco, uma vez que sorovares mantidos por estes animais foram identificados entre os mais frequentes.

A retrospective study was conducted with information on the cases of canine aggression notified in 2009 in the municipality of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Information was obtained from 87 (3.8%) out of 2,281 cases. Cumulative incidence of canine aggression was 2.42% per year (CI95%: 2.32-2.51) per 1000 inhabitants. Most victims of aggressive dogs were men (53.0%), adults (72.0%), and owners (52.9%). The attacks occurred mainly in the street (55.2%), while the victim was interacting with the dog (79.3%), and the upper limbs were the most affected part of the body (49.4%). Most of these dogs were males (74.7%), adults (74.3%), mixed-breed (65.5%), not castrated (98.9%), restricted (55.2%), without training (98.1%), and half of them had already bitten. Canine aggression was not associated to sex, breed, reproductive status, type of restrain, and training, because frequency distribution of these variables among the canine population of Campinas is unknown. In order to develop preventive protocols for dog bites, populational studies assessing the characteristics and prevalence of dog aggression are needed.

Visceral leishmaniasis in dogs is described as a chronic disease whose main symptoms are progressive weigth loss, cachexy and dermatologic lesions. Recently, the disease has been associated to neurologic disorders. A total of 40 dogs with visceral leishmaniasis were divided into two groups. The first composed of dogs without neurological signs (n=30) and the second by dogs with neurological disorders (n=10). Brain samples were collected, stored in 10% buffered formalin and subjected to immunohistochemical examination for amastigotes forms of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and macrophages. Imunnohistochemistry evaluation revealed no amastigote forms of the parasite. CD3+ T lymphocytes were present in 24/30 (80%) dogs without neurological signs and in all dogs from the second group (p=0.0011). CD4+ and CD8+ were rarely observed, with CD4+ immunostaining in 10/40 (25%) dogs, from which half of them had neurological disease (p=0.0090). The presence of CD8+ was detected only in 4/10 (40%) dogs from neurological group (p=0.0021). Macrophages were detected in 38/40 (95%) dogs, without significant differences between groups (p=0.7664).

In canine specie, oocyte maturation rates are low and the percentage of oocytes that remain in the stage of germinal vesicle (GV) regardless of culture conditions is high. During maturation oocyte undergoes modification and the GV chromatin remodeling manifested by changes in the configuration and positioning. The objective of this work is to evaluate the configuration and positioning of chromatin of oocytes in GV stage during anestrus and diestrus bitches. The ovaries of 33 females (20 bitches in anestrous and 13 in diestrus) were isolated, sliced and only cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) grade 1 were subjected to solution of 0.2% hyaluronidase for release in cumulus cells. After this process, the selected oocytes were stained and evaluated. From a total of 920 oocytes, 566 were classified as grade 1 and the stages of chromatin configuration identified as GV-1, GV-2, GV-3 and GV-4. The observed changes in chromatin configuration been characterized as a transition dispersed chromatin (GV-1, GV-2) for partially condensed (GV-3) until it reaches a fully condensed stage (GV-4). The data analyzed from the chromatin configuration showed a significant difference between the stages with a higher proportion of GV-1 and GV-2 for the anoestrus and GV-3 and GV-4 during diestrus. There is need for further studies to be able to have a proper understanding of the influence of chromatin configuration of oocytes in GV stage in resumption of meiosis and consequently in oocyte meiotic competence.

This study aimed to perform a retrospective study of ruminants attended at the Clinic for Cattle and Small Ruminants (CBPR) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMVZ), University of São Paulo (USP) with locomotor diseases from 2000 to 2012. During this period 209 cases were treated. It was found that cases located in the distal limb and in the proximal region were 62.7% and 33.7%, respectively. In bovines, 121 (57.9%) cases were treated, with 86 (71.07%) cases presented in the distal limb and 35 (28.93%) cases in the proximal region. The most common disease was interdigital hyperplasia with 23 (26.74%) cases treated. Fractures were the most frequent disease related to the proximal region corresponding to 17 (48.6%) occurrences. In small ruminants, 88 animals (42.1%) were treated with 45 (51.1%) cases in the distal region and the other 43 (48.9%) in the proximal region. In these species, the foot-rot (60%) and fractures (77.4%) was the most common diseases found in the distal and the proximal region, respectively. The disorders of the locomotor system of ruminants were uncommon in the CBPR. While the affected animals with claw diseases have a good prognosis, disorders affecting the upper limb in cattle, mainly fracture, have a poor prognosis.

In this study, a total of 25 skulls of the adult, mongrel and mesaticephalics dogs were used. Craniometric measurements for different parts of the skull were made. Cephalic indices and ratios were calculated. Certain points and landmarks on the skull are recognized in making linear measurements and are inion, bregma, nasion, prosthion, pogonion, basion, euryon, and zygion. Skull height (41,92 mm ± 3,9), skull length (177,72 mm ± 16,22), neurocranium (96,84 mm ± 7,25), viscerocranial (79,24 mm ± 8,72), basal length (140,24 mm ± 12,21), condylobasal (149,32 mm ± 12,21), snout (69,84 mm ± 7,07), nasals (50,08 mm ± 6,77), mandibular (129,88 mm ± 16,3), and of palatal (76,84 mm ± 7,01); width of neurocranium (62,24 mm ± 3,8), and zygomatic (95,44 mm ± 7,85) were obtained. Therefore, were calculated cranial index (53,83 mm ± 3,36), neurocranium (64,48 mm ± 4,69), facial (121,06 mm ± 9,18), basal (44,64 mm ± 4,17), width of the jugular processes (41 mm ± 4,2), of occipital condyles (35,48 mm ± 3,21), and of the foramen magnum (17,48 mm ± 2,27); height of the occipital triangle (38,28 mm ± 3,35), of the foramen magnum (14,36 mm ± 1,07); length of the dorsal notch (16,1 mm ± 1,12), and foramen magnum index (83,71 mm ± 14,44). Although with some differences in measurements, no significant difference was observed between the dimensions and reported to mesaticephalic skulls.

During the year of 2010 the frequency of equines sero-reactants to the Infectious Anemia vírus (EIA) was investigated in 5,615 animals originated from 209 counties of three northeastern brazilian states: Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará. The serum samples were examined by an agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) produced with p26 antigen. Of the 5,615 animals examined 151 (2.69%) were seropositive to EIA. The proportion of seroreactant animals per state were: Paraíba (2.86%), Rio Grande do Norte (1.29%) and Ceará (3.10%). Paraíba presented an odds ratio of 2.64 (95% CI = 1.33-5.36; p = 0.004), while Ceará had an odds ratio of 2.87 (95% CI = 1.48-5.71; p = 0.001) both of them compared with Rio Grande do Norte. Paraíba had seropositive animals in all months of the year, with frequency ranging from 0.58% in July to 5.82% in June; in Rio Grande do Norte from March to May and from July to November ranging from 0% in January, February, June and December to 3.61% in May; and in Ceará in all months ranging from 1.10% in August to 7.29% in December.

The aim of this study was to carry out the serological occurrence of Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) and CAE virus (CAEV) in ovines and caprines breeding in São Paulo state. The test to detect MVV and CAEV antibodies was agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID). The detection of antibodies against MVV was 0,3% (4/1235) and against CAEV was 15,1% (30/199). Was carried analysis of risk factors associated with the presence of positive property for CAEV and Maedi-Visna. Variables were selected for both diseases, however, when these variables were used in multivariate logistic regression model were not identified risk factors for the infections. The CAEV infection in the São Paulo state has a wide spread and a high prevalence while MVV has low prevalence. It emphasizes the importance of prevention and control measures to reduce CAEV occurrence and prevent the spread of Maedi-Visna.

Dogs are dependent on their owners to determine their general care, health and welfare, including the holding of vaccines against infectious diseases. This study was performed to gather more information on immunization practices performed in dogs by surveying owners of the southern of Espírito Santo State, totalizing 344 interviews. Statistical analysis of frequency and correlation were performed. The survey consisted of questions regarding the implementation of vaccination in dogs and aware of vaccine protocols by the owners, and also collect data about the cost of performing vaccines, the coverage of public campaigns of rabies vaccination and socioeconomic status of respondents. It was concluded that public campaign of rabies vaccination is satisfactory, as the most respondents was aware and performed that vaccines annually, independent of schooling level. Nevertheless, polyvalent vaccination is performed by less than a half of studied population, and owners were more aware about vaccination protocol in puppies than in adult dogs. Vaccination is still performed, in part, by non-specialist. The awareness of owners regarding correct protocols and application of vaccines by veterinarians should be performed to guarantee the properly vaccination practices and ensure the protection of dogs against infectious diseases.

Pyrethroid insecticides are extensively used for pest control around the house, flea prevention for pets, and plant sprays for the home and in agriculture. Deltamethrin (DTM) is a Type II pyrethroid insecticide used to control a variety of insects in agriculture and domestic environments. The present study investigated the possible anxiogenic effects of DTM (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) in rats using behavioral and neurochemical methods. We assessed general locomotor activity and behavior in the elevated plus maze and open field test. Striatal and hippocampal neurotransmitter and metabolite levels were also measured. DTM (i) reduced locomotion and rearing frequency, (ii) slightly increased the duration of immobility, (iii) reduced the time engaged in social interaction, (iv) reduced the percentage of entries into and time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze, (v) reduced the number of center crossings in the elevated plus maze, (vi) Striatal and hippocampal neurotransmitter and metabolite levels were also measured. DTM (i) reduced locomotion and rearing frequency, (ii) slightly increased the duration of immobility, (iii) reduced the time engaged in social interaction, (iv) reduced the percentage of entries into and time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze, (v) reduced the number of center crossings in the elevated plus maze, (vi) increased striatal serotonin neurotransmitter and its metabolite, and (vii) did not alter motor coordination on the rotarod, grooming duration in the open field test, rectal temperature, or hippocampal neurotransmitter levels. These data suggest that DTM at the present doses and under these experimental conditions presented a similar profile to that of anxiogenic drugs, unrelated with the increased serotonin neurotransmission.

The present study was undertaken the protein composition in 2D-electrophoretic pattern (2DE) of the seminal plasma (SP) can interfere in the semen bull freezability, and if we can use that for predicting semen bull freezability. Samples were obtained of 20 bulls (different breeds) with a minimum of 3 years history semen production in commercial semen collection Center. All animals ranged between 2 - 7 years of age. The semen freezability was calculated by # of thawed and approved ejaculates / # of ejaculates submitted to cryopreservation (after semen evaluation and approved to submitted to freeze). The bulls were divided in 3 groups: HIGH (=>80% ejaculates approved); MEDIUM (>60% and <79% ejaculates approved); LOW (=<59% ejaculates approved); the pattern and criteria were the same used in the routine of the commercial semen Center. 68 gels were carried through by 2DE of SP samples indicated 225 detected spots with protein different amount (VION) comparing. Comparing bull´s semen freezability and VION of each spot found difference among 2 spots from High and Low, even considering just spots with % of detection frequency bigger than 75%. The taurine bulls demonstrated more homogeneous profile when comparing with zebu bulls, considering number and frequency of appearance of spots. The results showed that proteomics can be a useful tool to predict the semen freezability, but we´ll need to study better the interactions between sperm membrane, seminal plasma and extender to comprehend better which proteome phenotype interfere positive or negatively in the semen freezability.