Therapeutic laser with or without andiroba oil in treating cutaneous wounds by second intention in Wistar rats

This study’s objective was to evaluate the efficacy of treating cutaneous wounds in Wistar rats using a therapeutic laser alone or in combination with topical application of andiroba oil. Twenty-four Wistar rats were distributed into three groups (T4, T7, and T14) of eight animals. To prepare the wounds, a total of four skin fragments per animal were removed using an 8-mm cutaneous biopsy punch. Each animal was inflicted with four surgical wounds, and each wound was subjected to one treatment. The treatments were as follows: saline solution (control, Cn); laser therapy (L), using a 660-nm laser wavelength and 10-J/cm² energy density; fresh andiroba oil (An); laser therapy followed by topical andiroba oil administration (LAn). All treatments in all animals were conducted for 4- (T4), 7- (T7), and 14- (T14) day periods. Edema and purulent secretion were observed in three animals in the An group, and the appearance of an exuberant crust was also observed in one animal from the same group. The LAn group presented the worst wound healing rate and contraction velocity (p < 0.05). Microscopically, there was no difference between groups regarding the presence of inflammation, necrosis, formation of granulation tissue, fibroplasia, and the presence of types 1 and 3 collagen at different treatment times. It was concluded that laser treatment of cutaneous wounds in conjunction with andiroba oil application did not present benefits in reference to the 0.9% NaCl.

Angioarchitecture of the coronary arteries in Mazama gouazoubira (G. Fischer, 1814)

Mazama gouazoubira is a widely distributed deer in the South American continent. However, studies on its anatomical characteristics are still scarce. The objective of this study was to elucidate the coronary circulation of M. gouazoubira. With this aim, after collecting cadavers on highways, twenty-four hearts injected with latex and preserved in formaldehyde at 10% were dissected. The dissections revealed that all specimens presented left coronary dominance, characterized by the origin of the subsinuous interventricular branch from the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery. The number of ventricular branches originated from branches of the left coronary artery was approximately five times higher than that of the right coronary artery. The occurrence of myocardial bridges was registered in 91.7% of the individuals, with bridges predominating over the paraconal interventricular branch. The mean length of the paraconal interventricular sulcus was significantly higher in males (p = 0.02). The number of atrial branches and ventricular branches, length of myocardial bridges and length of subsinuous interventricular sulcus did not vary significantly between sex. Left coronary dominance and high frequency of myocardial bridges in M. gouazoubira are preponderant anatomical traits also present in different species of Ruminantia suborder. Coronary dominance studies in other South American deer species may confirm the correlation of this trait with the evolutionary history of these animals.

Seminoma and sertolioma in non-cryptorchid dog – case report

The most common testicular neoplasms in dogs are seminoma, leydigocytoma and sertolioma, affecting middle--aged and elderly dogs, where cryptorchidism is a predisposing factor, as well as some breeds. It can occur alone or, less fren-quently, concurrently, generally affecting the same testicle. This study aimed to report the case of a non-cryptorchid 14-year--old mixed breed dog diagnosed with seminoma and sertolioma, each in a testicle. The animal showed an increase in scrotal volume, with no changes in other clinical parameters on physical examination. On ultrasound examination, it was possible to observe alterations suggestive of neoplasia in both testicles and prostatic alteration suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Complementary blood count and biochemical tests were performed and, as treatment, orchiectomy was performed. Fragments were collected from both testicles and sent for histopathological examination. Microscopy of the left testicle showed the presence of round cells, multiple and evident nucleoli, cells in different phases of mitosis and binucleation, these changes being compa-tible with seminoma. In contrast, in the right testicle, spindle and elongated cells (pseudo-lobular) were observed, presence of long cytoplasmic projections with rounded ovoid nucleus, spindle cells and degeneration of seminiferous tubules, compatible with sertolioma. It was observed that physical examination associated with ultrasound was efficient to detect the presence of neoplasms, being validated by histopathological examination. Orchiectomy was an assertive treatment indicated for this case.

Bovine rabies in Rio Grande do Sul: positivity rates, geographical distribution, and seasonal occurrence

Rabies is a zoonotic disease characterized by acute viral encephalitis. It is almost 100% fatal for infected animals. While cases of human rabies have still been registered in Brazil, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul rabies is considered a controlled disease in urban areas. However, the transmission of bovine rabies – which has been largely associated with the Desmodus rotundus bat – is endemic. Additionally, there are estimates that only 10% of rabies cases are reported. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the positivity rates, geographical distribution, and seasonal occurrence of bovine rabies in RS, as well as the sampling practices in rabies surveillance. Using samples submitted for laboratory diagnosis from 2016 to 2019, we conducted a retrospective study of the sample results, positivity rates, and seasonal occurrence of rabies in cattle. Throughout these four years, less than a third of state municipalities sent samples for diagnosis, suggesting that the occurrence of rabies might still be underestimated in non-sampled areas. A higher number of rabies cases were reported in 2019, a year in which the most diagnosed samples and the highest positivity percentages were recorded. However, the case numbers registered between 2016 and 2019 were not significantly different. We found that the summer and autumn months presented statistically different positivity rates. Besides this, we did not find any positive D. rotundus samples, despite the positivity rates for bovine rabies. Active surveillance, especially of bat populations and under-sampled regions, must be strengthened to correctly estimate the impact of rabies.

Occurrence of Amblyomma rotundatum Koch, 1844 on Epicrates assisi Machado, 1945 in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

The Caatinga rainbow boa (Epicrates assisi Machado, 1945) is a snake belonging to the order Squamata, family Boidae, and subfamily Boinae. It has a wide distribution in Brazil and can be found in the Caatinga biome. The present study aims to report the first occurrence of Amblyomma rotundatum on E. assisi in the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba State (PB). On March 3, 2020, a tick collection was performed on the dorsal region of the head of an E. assisi, which was captive at the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park, João Pessoa-PB. After collecting the tick, it was transferred to a flask containing 70º alcohol and sent to the Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA) for analysis. Identification was done with the aid of a stereomicroscope using a taxonomic key. The result identified this specimen as a nymph of A. rotundatum. The occurrence of this tick species on E. assisi is reported for the first time and constitutes new data applicable to the ectoparasites that occur in this host species in Brazil.

Hematological and histopathological changes in medular aplasia resulting from Ehrlichia canis infection in a Border collie dog

The Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is an infectious disease that commonly affects dogs of all breeds and ages. It is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis and is transmitted by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The disease may pre-sent itself in the acute, subclinical, and chronic forms. The present study reports the case of a 2-year-old male Border Collie with advanced stage CME, attended at the Pet Clinic of the Veterinary Hospital of the University Federal de Jataí, which resul-ted in medullary aplasia. The diagnosis of marrow aplasia was based on the necroscopic and histopathological examinations. At necropsy, the diaphyses of the long bones were filled with diffuse, strongly whitish and pasty tissue, typical of the adipose tissue, also found in the femoral epiphyses. The histopathology showed unilocular adipose tissue as the major constituent of the bone marrow and rare islands of marrow cells. These findings were compatible with severe hypoplasia of the red bone mar-row and hyperplasia of the white bone marrow, affecting hematopoiesis, resulting in the laboratory alterations observed in the hematocrit, WBC, and plateletogram.

Cecocolic intussusception and cecal torsion in cattle

This work aims to describe the clinical, laboratory, and anatomopathological findings of two bovines, one affected by cecocolic intussusception, and the other by dilation with cecal torsion. The clinical examination demonstrated metallic resonance from the right flank, ruminal and intestinal hypomotility, and abdominal distension, in addition to alterations in feces characteristics. Was observed in the two animals leukocytosis by neutrophilia with regenerative shift to the left, and hyperfibrinogenemia. The analysis of ruminal fluid revealed impairment of the microbiota and an increase in chloride levels. The laparoscopic examination performed on one of the animals showed dilation of the colon, the cecum with hyperemia and serous edema, with a dividing halo between affected and unaffected portions, in addition to reddish peritoneal fluid. In the laparotomy, an enlarged cecum was found, with gaseous and liquid contents, swollen and turgid colon, and peritonitis. In addition to the findings observed during surgery, the anatomopathological examination demonstrated, in bovine 01, intestinal intussusception in the region of the cecocolic valve, and, in bovine 02, twisting of the loop at the ileocecocolic junction. Despite the low occurrence of digestive system disorders in cattle, cecal torsion and intussusception represent serious intestinal clinical conditions. These reports take the attention to the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to provide a correct diagnosis of intestinal diseases.

Screening of Salmonella spp. and Chlamydophila psittaciin parrots domiciled in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil

A large proportion of emerging infectious diseases (60.3%) globally are zoonotic pathogens, and of these, 71.8% originate from wild animals. Salmonellosis and psittacosis, diseases caused by Salmonella spp. and Chlamydophila psittaci, respectively, in wild animals are zoonoses with great risks to public health. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of Salmonella spp. and C. psittaci in parrots domiciled in Rio Branco, Acre. The animals in the study were raised as pets, and selection was performed based on convenience criteria. The birds were manually restrained to collect biological materials. Subsequently, conventional microbiological and biochemical tests were performed to identify Salmonella spp., and polymerase chain reaction analyses were conducted to identify C. psittaci and Salmonella spp. It was not possible to isolate Salmonella spp. and C. psittaci in the sampled birds. However, the presence of these bacteria in parrots cannot be ruled out because intermittent release and diagnostic limitations are widely described in the literature.

Copaiba oil-resin (Copaifera langsdorfii Desf.: Caesalpiniaceae) associated with laser therapy for skin wound treatment in Wistar rats

Alternative protocols for the treatment of skin lesions have been developed with the use of techniques such as photobiomodulation and phytotherapy, aiming to optimize this process. To evaluate the effectiveness of copaiba (Copaiferalangsdorffii) oil-resin and low-level laser therapy for treating cutaneous wounds, 15 Wistar rats (Rattusnorvergicus) were used, in whom five 8-mm lesions were produced. The following protocols were applied: negative control group (T1); positive control group (T2); laser therapy with AsGa (904 nm), continuous, focal mode for 10 s, dosage of 4 J/cm² (T3); copaiba oil-resin (T4); and association group (copaiba and low-level laser) (T5). The efficacy of each technique was evaluated based on macroscopic aspects of the lesion, wound healing rate, and histopathological analysis (inflammatory infiltrate and collagen expression). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analyses (P> 0.05). Copaiba treatment showed an advantage in type III collagen expression, whereas laser therapy demonstrated an enhanced capacity for tissue regeneration. The significant advantage obtained from the association treatment is the improvement of the macroscopic aspect of the wound, with a reduction in crust formation.

Economic impact and epidemiological aspects of subclinical mastitis and caprine arthritis-encephalitis in the semiarid northeastern region of Brazil

Dairy activity in the semi-arid region has gained prominence due to its profit potential; however, there are still sanitary problems that result in significant economic impact. Thus, this study aimed to assess the economic impact and to conduct an epidemiological study of caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) and subclinical mastitis in dairy goat herds of the semi-arid northeastern region of Brazil. The study proceeded with the collection of blood (n = 351) and milk samples (n = 321) from 15 rural properties with up to 50 animals, risk factor assessment, economic profile analysis, and georeferencing of the properties. The blood serum obtained was subjected to the AGID test. The milk samples were cultured on blood agar, and the reading was performed 24 hours after incubation. Overall, 3.4% of the animals were seropositive for CAE, and 15.8% were diagnosed with subclinical mastitis. 71.95% of the positive animals belonged to properties with a semi-intensive rearing system, weekly cleaning of the facilities, and no pre- or post-dipping. Subclinical mastitis caused by the main agent Staphylococcus spp. was associated with the breed type of the animals, highlighting two risk factors: purebred animals (OR = 12.52) and the milking performed close the soil (OR = 18.07). A reduction of up to 35.34% was observed in the income of dairy properties, constituting a considerable economic impact. Due to these sanitary problems, the economic impact demonstrates the need for a sanitary management program focused on these infirmities.