Bovine diseases causing neurological signs and death in Mexican feedlots

Abstract The number of large feedlot operations, similar to that of USA and Canada, has notably increased in Mexico in the last three decades. Clinical and laboratory diagnoses of neurological diseases in feedlot cattle are crucial in Mexico and Central America because of the high incidence of bovine paralytic rabies (BPR). Because of its zoonotic potential, BPR must be promptly diagnosed and differentiated from other bovine neurological diseases such as thrombotic meningoencephalitis (TME), polioencephalomalacia (PEM) and botulism. More recently, BPR and botulism have been diagnosed with increasing frequency in Mexican feedlots. Neither BPR nor botulism has relevant gross lesions, thus post-mortem diagnosis without laboratory support is impossible. Herein, we describe five outbreaks of neurological diseases in Mexican feedlots in which BPR, botulism and PEM were diagnosed either independently or in combination. A diagram illustrating the most conspicuous pathologic findings and ancillary laboratory test required to confirm the diagnoses of these neurological diseases in feedlot cattle is proposed

Bluetongue in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Northeastern Mexico

Abstract Bluetongue (BT) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease of deer (EHD) are two distinct viral hemorrhagic diseases of domestic and wild ruminants caused by members of the family Reoviridae and transmitted by Culicoides midges. These conditions have been recognized in Canada and the United States for many years, but not in Mexico. Although in Mexico there is serologic evidence of EHD virus (EHDV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) in domestic and wild ruminants, to our knowledge, there have never been reports of clinical illness or fatalities attributed to either of these viruses. Two free ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in two licensed hunting ranches in Northern Mexico near the Texas border died unexpectedly. Postmortem and microscopic examinations revealed hemorrhagic lesions compatible with viral hemorrhagic disease (Reoviridae: Orbivirus). Tissues from one animal tested positive by RT-PCR for BTV but negative for EHDV. To our knowledge, this is the first time in Mexico where deer dying with hemorrhagic lesions consistent with Bluetongue tested positive for BTV by PCR. Key words: hemorrhagic disease, white-tailed deer, Orbivirus, Mexico

Quality of Death in Fighting Bulls during Bullfights: Neurobiology and Physiological Responses

During bullfights, bulls undergo physiometabolic responses such as glycolysis, anaerobic reactions, cellular oedema, splenic contraction, and hypovolemic shock. The objective of this review article is to present the current knowledge on the factors that cause stress in fighting bulls during bullfights, including their dying process, by discussing the neurobiology and their physiological responses. The literature shows that biochemical imbalances occur during bullfights, including hypercalcaemia, hypermagnesaemia, hyperphosphataemia, hyperlactataemia, and hyperglycaemia, associated with increased endogenous cortisol and catecholamine levels. Creatine kinase, citrate synthase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels also increase, coupled with decreases in pH, blood bicarbonate levels, excess base, partial oxygen pressure, and oxygen saturation. The intense exercise also causes a marked decrease of glycogen in type I and II muscle fibres that can produce myoglobinuria and muscular necrosis. Other observations suggest the presence of osteochondrosis. The existing information allows us to conclude that during bullfights, bulls face energy and metabolic demands due to the high intensity and duration of the exercise performed, together with muscular injuries, physiological changes, and high enzyme concentrations. In addition, the final stage of the bullfight causes a slow dying process for an animal that is sentient and conscious of its surroundings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ataxia enzoótica por deficiencia de cobre en ciervo rojo (Cervus elaphus) cautivo en Colima, México

The objective of the study was to describe a case of enzootic ataxia in a captive Cervus elaphus (red deer) associated with copper deficiency, in the state of Colima, Mexico. In July and October 2018, two female red deer aged 3 and 7 yr manifested incoordination with weakness of the hind limbs and an anatomopathological diagnosis of progressive ataxia was established. In September 2019, a 13-yr-old female showed nervous signs similar to the 2018 cases, so a blood sample was taken for serum copper measurement. The animal was euthanized for post-mortem examination and tissue samples were collected for histology, liver, kidney, forage and soil samples were also taken for copper and molybdenum measurement. The main lesions were found microscopically in spinal cord, which showed leukomalacia, demyelination, spheroid bodies and neuronal chromatolysis. The copper concentration was 2.7 in liver, 4.67 in kidney and 0.08 in serum (mg/kg DM or ppm). The Cu:Mo ratio for soil 1 was Cu 8.48; Mo 3.00; Cu:Mo 2.83:1, soil 2: Cu 9.10; Mo 3.00; Cu:Mo 3.03:1. Forage 1: Cu 6.59; Mo 7.35; Cu:Mo 0.90:1; forage 2: Cu 2.77; Mo 6.12 ± 0.61; Cu:Mo 0.45:1. Clinical signs, microscopic lesions, and low levels of Cu in serum, liver, and forage are consistent with enzootic ataxia due to primary copper deficiency. As far as known, this is the first report of enzootic ataxia in a captive red deer in Mexico.El objetivo del trabajo fue describir un caso de ataxia enzoótica en un Cervus elaphus (ciervo rojo) cautivo asociado a deficiencia de cobre, en el estado de Colima, México. En julio y octubre del 2018 dos hembras de ciervo rojo de 3 y 7 años manifestaron incoordinación con debilidad de los miembros posteriores y se estableció un diagnóstico anatomopatológico de ataxia progresiva. En septiembre del 2019 una hembra de 13 años manifestó signos nerviosos similares a los casos del 2018, por lo que se tomó una muestra de sangre para la medición sérica de cobre. Al animal se le aplicó eutanasia para su examen post mortem y se recolectaron muestras de tejido para histología, también se tomaron muestras de hígado, riñón, forraje y suelo para la medición de cobre y molibdeno. Las principales lesiones se encontraron microscópicamente en medula espinal, que mostró leucomalacia, desmielinización, cuerpos esferoides y cromatolisis neuronal. La concentración de cobre fue 2.7 en hígado, 4.67 en riñón y 0.08 en suero (mg/kg MS o ppm). La relación Cu:Mo para el suelo 1 fue Cu 8.48; Mo 3.00; Cu:Mo 2.83:1, suelo 2: Cu 9.10; Mo 3.00; Cu:Mo 3.03:1. Forraje 1: Cu 6.59; Mo 7.35; Cu:Mo 0.90:1; forraje 2: Cu 2.77; Mo 6.12 ± 0.61; Cu:Mo 0.45:1. Los signos clínicos, lesiones microscópicas y los niveles bajos de Cu en suero, hígado y forrajes son consistentes con ataxia enzoótica por deficiencia primaria de cobre. Hasta donde se conoce, este es el primer informe de ataxia enzoótica en un ciervo rojo cautivo en México

Slaughtering of Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) with and without Stunning: A Focus on the Neurobiology of Pain, Hyperalgesia, and Sensitization

The slaughter process in livestock is considered a stressor where the transport and handling of animals, as well as the selected stunning and bleeding methods, can cause acute pain, distress, and suffering. In water buffaloes, although stunning is known to be performed before bleeding to induce unconsciousness, no emphasis is made on the nociceptive events during this process. Particularly, current mechanical stunning methods applied to cattle are unsuitable for water buffaloes due to anatomical differences in the skull from other large ruminants. Furthermore, although very high-pressure pneumatic (200–220 psi) may be effective in the frontal position for lighter-weight water buffalos, for heavier animals, it is less likely to be effective. The present review aims: (1) to analyze the anatomical particularities of water buffaloes to discuss the importance of selecting a stunning method suitable for buffaloes, and (2) to revise the potential pain-related consequences, such as hyperalgesia and sensitization, and the signs to assess the stun quality and death to comprehend the relevance of a proper technique according to the species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessment of Pain and Inflammation in Domestic Animals Using Infrared Thermography: A Narrative Review

Publication history: Accepted - 20 June 22023; Published - 22 June 2023.Pain assessment in domestic animals has gained importance in recent years due to the recognition of the physiological, behavioral, and endocrine consequences of acute pain on animal production, welfare, and animal model validity. Current approaches to identifying acute pain mainly rely on behavioral-based scales, quantifying pain-related biomarkers, and the use of devices monitoring sympathetic activity. Infrared thermography is an alternative that could be used to correlate the changes in the superficial temperature with other tools and thus be an additional or alternate acute pain assessment marker. Moreover, its non-invasiveness and the objective nature of its readout make it potentially very valuable. However, at the current time, it is not in widespread use as an assessment strategy. The present review discusses scientific evidence for infrared thermography as a tool to evaluate pain, limiting its use to monitor acute pain in pathological processes and invasive procedures, as well as its use for perioperative monitoring in domestic animals.This research received no external fundin

Uterine dynamics, blood profiles, and electronic fetal monitoring of primiparous and multiparous bitches classified according to their weight

Perinatal mortality occurs in all species. In dogs, mortality rates have been reported to range from 5 to 35%. Electronic fetal and uterine monitoring has recently been used in domestic animals to monitor the mother and newborn before and during parturition. In this way, the fetal heart rate and uterine dynamics can be monitored. This study evaluated the uterine dynamics of bitches with different weights and parity. Ninety-six bitches and their 476 puppies were divided into four experimental groups containing 24 individuals each (12 primiparous bitches and 12 multiparous bitches), according to body weight: G1 (4–8 kg), G2 (8.1–16 kg), G3 (16.1 to 32 kg), and G4 (32.1 to 39.6 kg). The fetal heart rate decelerations (dip 2 patterns), uterine dynamics, and bitches’ blood profiles were evaluated, including levels of glucose, lactate, pCO2, pO2, pH, HCO3−, and Ca++. The dam weight can affect the vitality of newborns and the uterine dynamics, with differences in the frequency, intensity, and duration of myometrial contractions. The expulsion interval between puppies was longest in primiparous bitches with low weight and shortest in multiparous bitches with high weight. The expulsion interval and the number of stillborn females were higher in primiparous bitches with high weight. Newborn male puppies were significantly heavier than newborn females

Vitality in Newborn Farm Animals: Adverse Factors, Physiological Responses, Pharmacological Therapies, and Physical Methods to Increase Neonate Vigor

Publication history: Accepted - 29 April 2023; Published - 4 may 2023.Vitality is the vigor newborn animals exhibit during the first hours of life. It can be assessed by a numerical score, in which variables, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, mucous membranes’ coloration, time the offspring took to stand up, and meconium staining, are monitored. Vitality can be affected by several factors, and therapies are used to increase it. This manuscript aims to review and analyze pharmacological and physical therapies used to increase vitality in newborn farm animals, as well as to understand the factors affecting this vitality, such as hypoxia, depletion of glycogen, birth weight, dystocia, neurodevelopment, hypothermia, and finally, the physiological mechanism to achieve thermostability. It has been concluded that assessing vitality immediately after birth is essential to determine the newborn’s health and identify those that need medical intervention to minimize the deleterious effect of intrapartum asphyxia. Vitality assessment should be conducted by trained personnel and adequate equipment. Evaluating vitality could reduce long-term neonatal morbidity and mortality in domestic animals, even if it is sometimes difficult with the current organization of some farms. This review highlights the importance of increasing the number of stock people during the expected days of parturitions to reduce long-term neonatal morbidity and mortality, and thus, improve the farm’s performance.This research received no external funding

Thermal Imaging to Assess the Health Status in Wildlife Animals under Human Care: Limitations and Perspectives

Ensuring the welfare of wildlife under human care requires tools to monitor their health and well-being. Infrared thermography is a non-invasive technique for assessing thermal states that measure the radiation emitted from the skin in distinct anatomical areas, known as thermal windows—anatomical regions with abundant capillaries and arteriovenous anastomosis that facilitate heat exchange with the environment. However, thermal windows for wildlife species have not yet been established due to the different characteristics of their skin, coats, fur, or coloring. This review discusses published information on the usefulness of the ocular, nasal, thoracic, abdominal, and podal anatomical regions as thermal windows for evaluating these animals’ thermal responses and health status and monitoring habitat design. Another aspect that must be considered for wildlife under human care is the limitations of distinct species due to differences between animals and critical factors. Future studies should focus on establishing a precise application for each thermal window according to the specific characteristics of distinct animal species