Predictive Elements of Obstructive Urolithiasis in Sheep*

Background: Urolithiasis is an economically important disease that has considerable significance for sheep farming. With the tissue and biochemical changes resulting from the development of this disease, metabolic disorders and immune response are established. Hemogasometric evaluation allows the identification of systemic acid-base imbalances quickly. Acute phase proteins (AFP) have in the last two decades become the biomarkers of choice in human and veterinary medicine. To date, no biomarker studies have been published for sheep with obstructive urolithiasis. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the hemogasometric kinetics in obstructive urolithiasis in sheep and the AFP that can be used as early biomarkers in this disease.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, 14 healthy male Santa Inês sheep, aged approximately 90 days, fed on calculogenic diet for 120 days. The animals were examined weekly, including observation of clinical signs, and blood and urine analysis were performed. For comparative analysis purposes, at the end of the experiment, sheep that developed obstructive urolithiasis were extracted from the initial experimental group D1 (without urolithiasis) and became part of the second experimental group D2 (with urolithiasis). In the pre-experimental period and on the day of slaughter, venous blood samples were harvested for hemogasometric tests, with a maximum time of 15 minutes between collection and analysis, to ensure the reliability of the results obtained. The pH, pCO2, pO2, EB, tCO2, HCO3-, stHCO3-, tHb, sO2 and Hct, Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ions were quantified. To identify and measure immunoglobulins (A and G) and AFP, samples from sheep that developed obstructive urolithiasis (D2) were analyzed. Blood samples were harvested weekly until the clinical manifestation of the disease, totaling 16 samples, when IgA, IgG, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, α1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations were measured. Elevation of pCO2 was observed between D1 and D2, but there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) only in the final moments (FMs). Although EB, tCO2, HCO3-, stHCO3- increased between moments in the same group and between groups at the same time, significant differences were recorded only in the FMs. Higher values were observed for Na+, K+ in the FMs. The AFP of sheep that developed the disease oscillated between moments, however, significant difference (P < 0.05) over time was observed only in haptoglobin and transferrin.Discussion: The disease occurred in five of the 14 animals studied, demonstrating the effectiveness of the formulated diet in inducing the disease. Through the analysis of blood gases, plasma bicarbonate concentration and excess base or deficit it was possible to diagnose disturbances in acid base balance, characterizing a picture of metabolic alkalosis in animals with urolithiasis. Mean pH was not significantly different between groups, but sheep that developed urolithiasis had alkalosis. Final values of tCO2 and HCO3- indicate the compensatory organic response, which, together with the analysis of the averages of HCO3- and EB, reflect the metabolic alkalosis picture. The AFP have different responsiveness among them. Haptoglobin and transferrin were the most reliable biomarkers among the studied AFP to predict obstructive urolithiasis, with transferrin showing atypical behavior, characteristic of positive AFP

Primary Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma in a Cow

Background: Primary neoplasms of the respiratory tract are rare in cattle, and they present with nonspecific clinical signs and are usually found at post-mortem. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma of the acinar type is uncommon, and information about this neoplasm in cattle is scarce. This paper aims to describe the clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings in a cow with this neoplasm.Case: A 10-year-old, adult, mixed-breed Holstein cow weighing 300 kg was referred to the Garanhuns Cattle Clinic of the Campus of Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Brazil, with a history of decreased appetite, tiredness, weight loss, and difficulty in breathing for two months. The animal had been treated at the farm of origin with enrofloxacin, florfenicol, and flunixin meglumine. The animal’s appetite improved, but no improvement in the respiratory symptoms was observed. On examination at our center, the cow was in an orthopedic position, with neck extension and elbow abduction; and it remained in a recumbent position. The cow had neutrophilia, normochromic normocytic anemia, and hyperfibrinogemia. The body condition score (BCS) was 1 (BCS ranges from 1 to 5), and the cow had moderate enophthalmia, serous secretions in nostrils, tachycardia, and tachypnea. It also had increased breathing intensity; increased breath sounds in the cranial regions of both lungs; areas of reduced breath sounds in the medial portions of the lungs; intermittent wheezing in the cranial region of the left lung medially and in the cranial region of the right lung medially; intermittent crepitations in the cranial region of the right lung medially; reduced thoracic expansion; and expiratory dyspnea. Pulmonary ultrasonography revealed hyperechogenic multifocal structures in both lungs. In view of the severe clinical condition and unfavorable prognosis, the owner opted for euthanasia. Necropsy revealed that there was a significant amount of yellow fluid in the thoracic cavity, and the cut surfaces of the lungs were covered with fibrin and pleural adhesions. The lungs had irregular surfaces with multifocal nodules of various sizes and firm consistency. The texture of the cut nodules was solid, and the nodules had a yellowish color. Histologically, the pulmonary nodules were composed of neoplastic cells. They were pleomorphic, infiltrative epithelial cells with little cytoplasm; large and spherical nuclei with abundant euchromatin; occasional anisokaryosis; visible nucleolus; and numerous mitotic figures. Results of anti-cytokeratin immunohistochemistry were strongly positive for cytokeratin in the lungs and lymph nodes. Discussion: The diagnosis of acinar pulmonary adenocarcinoma was based on clinical, laboratory, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings. Clinical signs and lung ultrasound suggested a severe respiratory disease. Pulmonary tumors are usually solid, and they show areas of central necrosis that resemble granulomas. However, the histopathological findings in the current case were compatible with a primary pulmonary neoplasm. Primary pulmonary neoplasms, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of weight loss, cachexia, and respiratory symptoms in adult cattle. The morphological pattern and the strong immunoreactivity on immunohistochemical examination were conclusive for a diagnosis of a primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma of the acinar type because these tumors specifically contain cytokeratin

Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Ileal Intussusception in Calf

Background: Intussusception, characterized by invagination of an intestinal segment into the lumen of the adjacent segment, is one of the main causes of intestinal obstruction in cattle, and occurs more frequently in calves. The diagnosis of the disease is based on the history, clinical examination, and complementary exams, which are a challenge in this species, especially in calves, in which transrectal palpation is limited. As it is a non-invasive, effective, and low-cost test, ultrasonography could be an important tool in the diagnosis of intestinal obstructions, in which time is essential for the prognosis. Therefore, the objective was to report a case of intussusception in a calf diagnosed by ultrasound.Case: A 4-month-old calf, weaned at 3 months and raised intensively, was treated at the Clínica de Bovinos de Garanhuns, campus of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (CBG/UFRPE), with a history of apathy, anorexia, and dyschezia for 3 days. On physical examination, fever, moderate dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea with polypnea, bilaterally bulging abdomen, sound of fluid on ballottement, ruminal and intestinal hypomotility, and melena were observed. The hematological findings revealed leukocytosis due to neutrophilia (degenerate neutrophils), hypoproteinemia, and hyperfibrinogenemia. The analysis of the ruminal fluid showed compromised microbiota and increased chloride content. The transabdominal ultrasonography demonstrated, in the right ventral region, hypermotile and full small bowel loops and an increase in the volume of the peritoneal fluid. In addition, there was a segment of the small intestine which, in cross-section, showed multiple concentric rings (“onion rings”, “target pattern”, or “bull’s eye”) and adherence to adjacent loops, compatible with intestinal obstruction due to intussusception. Due to the seriousness of the clinical condition and the ultrasound findings, the animal was euthanized and the necropsy revealed focal fibrinous peritonitis and intestinal obstruction due to intussusception in ileum intestinal segments.Discussion: Intussusception has previously been reported in calves, however this is the first report of ultrasound diagnosis of the disease in Brazil. Although the etiology is rarely confirmed, the age group and recent changes in diet (weaning) were predisposing factors. The history, clinical signs, and laboratory tests were similar to those described in cattle with intussusception, however they may be present in other gastrointestinal illnesses. Other authors have also reported that the nonspecificity of the signs and the impossibility of performing transrectal palpation made it difficult to diagnose intestinal obstruction in calves without the use of other diagnostic tools. As it is a non-invasive and accurate technique, ultrasound has been used in ruminants for diagnostic purposes, including intestinal obstructions. In the present case, the main findings are described as the presence of a lesion with the appearance of multiple concentric rings, hypermotile, dilated, and full intestinal loops. The pathological findings were compatible with the ultrasound images and similar to those described by other authors, confirming the diagnosis. The use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in cattle should be expanded, aiming at the early determination of diagnosis and prognosis, to reduce producer costs and animal discomfort. In cases of intussusception, late diagnosis makes treatment unfeasible

Primary abomasal impaction in 14 cattle from Pernambuco State, northeastern Brazil

Apesar de forragens grosseiras e secas serem empregadas comumente na alimentação de vacas em várias regiões, especialmente durante o período seco, a compactação primária do abomaso tem sido pouco relatada no Brasil, provavelmente pela dificuldade de diagnóstico dos veterinários de campo. Este trabalho objetivou realizar um estudo retrospectivo sobre a compactação primária do abomaso em 14 bovinos no Estado de Pernambuco. Oito casos considerados moderados, sem grave distensão abdominal e sem compactação do rúmen, foram tratados conservativamente e quatro casos graves, com severa distensão abdominal e compactação do rúmen, foram tratados cirurgicamente. Um touro foi encaminhado para abate e uma vaca morreu antes de receber qualquer tratamento. O maior número de casos de compactação do abomaso ocorreu em bovinos da raça Holandesa com seis casos (42,9%), seguido por animais mestiços com cinco casos (35,8%) e as raças Pardo-Suiça, Nelore e Marchigiana com um caso cada (21,3%). A composição da alimentação oferecida caracterizou-se por conter fibra de baixa qualidade e variou bastante dentre os casos. Os sinais clínicos mais frequentes foram comportamento apático, desidratação, timpanismo ruminal associado à hipomotilidade, distensão abdominal, hipomotilidade intestinal e fezes escassas ou ausentes com presença de muco. Os achados hematológicos revelaram, na maioria dos casos, leucocitose por neutrofilia e hiperfibrinogenemia. Na análise do fluido ruminal havia comprometimento da dinâmica da flora e fauna microbiana, e elevação no teor de cloreto. O índice de recuperação clínica (4/8) e cirúrgica (2/4) observado neste estudo foi de 50%. As condutas clínica e cirúrgica permanecem como opções viáveis para o tratamento das compactações leves e severas, entretanto o prognóstico é considerado reservado, principalmente quando associado à gestação avançada.Despite the frequent use of dry and fibrous roughage for feeding cows in many regions, especially during the dry season, impaction of the abomasum has been poorly reported in Brazil, probably because the condition is misdiagnosed by practitioners. The present paper aimed to accomplish a retrospective study on primary abomasal impaction in 14 cattle from Pernambuco State, northeastern Brazil. Eight moderate cases, without severe abdominal distention and with no rumen compaction, were treated conservatively, and four severe cases, with severe abdominal distention and rumen compaction, were treated surgically. One bull was slaughtered and one cow died without treatment. The greater number of abomasal impaction cases was in Holstein cows with six cases (42.9%), followed by crossbred cattle with five cases (35.8%), and the breeds Brown-Swiss, Nelore and Marchigiana, each with one case (21.3%). The food composition was characterized by low quality fibers and varied greatly among cases. Most frequent clinical signs were apathy, dehydration, hypomotility and ruminal bloat, intestinal hypomotility and scanty or absent feces with mucus. The hematological findings revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia and hyperfibrinogenemia in most cases. Ruminal fluid analysis showed compromised flora and fauna dynamics and increased chlorine ion concentration. Clinical (4/8) and chirurgical (2/4) recovery rate achieved 50%. The clinical and chirurgical methods remain as viable options for the treatment of light and severe impaction, but the prognosis is always reserved especially when associated to late pregnancy

Deslocamento de abomaso à direita em bezerro: relato de caso

Deslocamento do abomaso é uma paratopia que ocorre com menor frequência em bezerros, touros e novilhas, quando comparado com vacas de alta produção leiteira. Objetivou-se relatar o caso de um bezerro, macho, com três meses de idade, atendido na rotina hospitalar da Clínica de Bovinos de Garanhuns. Segundo anamnese, o animal alimentava-se de leite, pasto nativo, grama, xerém de milho e farelo de trigo (200g/dia). Entretanto três dias antes da baixa, foi alimentado com palha de milho, apresentando em seguida timpania ruminal, dificuldade de locomoção e aumento do consumo de água. As fezes estavam escassas, liquefeitas e amareladas. Caso único, num total de 30 animais. Os principais sinais clínicos observados foram apatia, mucosas congestas, exsicose grau III, moderada enoftalmia, abdômen tenso, com formato maçã-pera, à percussão auscultatória evidenciou-se um som de “ping” metálico, na região do 12º espaço intercostal do flanco direito. As análises laboratoriais revelaram teor de cloretos elevado, de 81,88 mEq/L; hemoconcentração, leucocitose, por linfocitose e neutrofilia, com desvio à esquerda regenerativo, além de hipoproteinemia. Em função do diagnóstico de deslocamento de abomaso à direita (DAD), foi submetido à laparotomia exploratória pelo flanco direito. Nesta condição, o órgão estava bastante distendido por gás e conteúdo líquido. Seguindo o protocolo terapêutico, o animal apresentou evolução clínica satisfatória, recebendo alta no quinto dia após seu internamento. Conclui-se que deslocamento de abomaso à direita é uma afecção grave e, apesar da baixa frequência em bezerros, pode acometer essa faixa etária, acarretando prejuízos ao produtor, e o que reitera a necessidade de prevenir os fatores de risco associados a essa síndrome multifatorial

NÍVEIS SÉRICOS DE TRIIODOTIRONINA (T3) E TIROXINA (T4) EM OVELHAS COM TOXEMIA DA PRENHEZ.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo verificar os níveis séricos hormonais de triiodotironina (T3) e tiroxina (T4) em ovelhas diagnosticadas com toxemia da prenhez (TP), bem como avaliar sua participação e reflexo neste tipo de transtorno metabólico. Foram analisadas as fichas clínicas de 24 ovelhas atendidas na Clínica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns/UFRPE, diagnosticadas com TP, no período de 2007 a 2012. Os animais foram submetidos ao exame clínico e ultrassonográfico, seguido de coleta de sangue e urina para exames laboratoriais. As principais alterações clínicas apresentadas pelos animais foram apatia, aumento da temperatura corporal, mucosas congestas, desidratação, edema dos membros, amaurose, taquicardia, inapetência a anorexia, diminuição da motilidade ou atonia ruminal. Vieram a óbito 50 % dos animais, destes 58,33% estavam hiperglicêmicos. A pesquisa de corpos cetônicos revelou um quadro de cetonúria. Quanto a glicemia, foram constatadas três condições nas ovelhas com TP. Os resultados laboratoriais revelaram valores elevados para ácidos graxos não-esterificados (AGNES) e β-hidroxibutirato (BHB). Enquanto que a média dos níveis séricos de T3 (3,21 nmol/L) e de T4 (69,16 nmol/L) nas ovelhas com TP foram consideradas como de baixas concentrações. Dessa forma, é possível concluir que a TP é caracterizada por alterações endócrinas que refletem o estado de balanço energético negativo em que as ovelhas acometidas se encontram

Avaliação do uso da monensina sódica no perfil metabólico e hormonal em cabras leiteiras no periparto

Objetivou-se estudar o perfil energético e hormonal em cabras leiteiras suplementadas com monensina sódica durante o periparto. Utilizou-se onze cabras Saanen gestantes subdivididas em dois grupos de forma aleatória; um grupo controle (GC) e o grupo monensina (GM); o GM recebeu na dieta 40 mg por animal/dia de monensina sódica. As coletas das amostras foram efetuadas nos períodos de -30, -15, e -7 dias do parto, no dia do parto, +5, +15 e +30 dias do parto. As variáveis bioquímicas e hormonais analisadas foram: colesterol, triglicerídeos, glicose, frutosamina, ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE) e β-hidroxibutirato (BHB), cortisol e insulina. Também foram mensurados no fluido ruminal o pH, o teor de cloretos e os ácidos graxos voláteis. A análise estatística dos dados foi realizada pelo método da ANOVA (p < 0,05) e foi realizado estudo de correlação de Pearson. No momento do parto, o GM apresentou em relação ao GC índices mais baixos de AGNEs e menor relação acético/propiônico (p < 0,05). Em relação aos triglicerídeos, o GM apresentou valores superiores ao GC (p < 0,008) ao longo do experimento. A administração de monensina gerou benefícios nos parâmetros energéticos, melhorando o status metabólico de cabras leiteiras no periparto.Palavras Chave: Ácidos graxos voláteis; Ionóforos;  Perfil energético;  Perfil hormonal; Lactaçã

An Update on the Known Host Range of the Brazilian Vaccinia Virus: An Outbreak in Buffalo Calves

Even nearly forty years after the eradication of smallpox, members of the Poxviridae family continue to be the focus of an increasing number of studies. Among these studies, prominently stands vaccinia virus, an orthopoxvirus that is associated with bovine vaccinia outbreaks. Although more frequently associated with infections in cattle and humans, the host range of vaccinia virus is not restricted only to these hosts. There are several instances of molecular and serological evidence of circulation of vaccinia virus among wildlife species. In addition, viral isolation has confirmed a broad spectrum of vaccinia virus hosts. In this report, we provide a brief update on the host range of Brazilian vaccinia virus, and present a case description of an outbreak in domestic buffalo calves from Northeastern Brazil that corroborates previous serological and molecular studies. Furthermore, in the present study, vaccinia virus has been isolated for the first time in buffaloes, and referred to as vaccinia virus Pernambuco (VACV-PE). Phylogenetic reconstruction was based on A56R clustered VACV-PE with vaccinia virus isolates belonging to group 1 Brazilian vaccinia virus. Furthermore, the vaccinia virus genome was detected in the milk of a lactating cow, which thereby revealed a pathway for future studies on the possible impact of vaccinia virus on buffalo milk and milk products. Taken together, these results provide the first description of clinical disease caused by vaccinia virus in buffaloes in South America. They also raise new questions about the chain of transmission of this virus