Dermatitis Associated with the Intake of Defatted Rice Bran by Cattle in the Southern Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul

Background: Dermatitis associated with defatted rice bran (DRB) seems to be an underdiagnosed disease in Brazilian confined herds, characterized by localized skin lesions that develop mainly on hind limbs, and can affect any animal category. In this context, the goal of the present study was to describe an outbreak of dermatitis associated with the consumption of defatted rice bran on a property in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, demonstrating the clinical, hematological and epidemiological characteristics of the animals, as well as alternatives for the definitive diagnosis.Cases: Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained by anamnesis with the technician responsible for the property. Aberdeen Angus and crossbred males, with 24 to 36 months of age, with an average of 413 kg, from a property in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Sul were analyzed. From a batch of 45 cattle, from 24 to 36 months of age, 20 presented lesions on hind limbs 8-17 days after supplementation of a commercial feed containing defatted rice bran. To assist in the diagnosis, blood samples were drawn into vacuum tubes with 10% EDTA, for a complete blood count with the investigation of hemoparasites, and without anticoagulant, for liver function tests. In addition, lesion tissue samples were also collected for bacteriological, mycological and histopathological examination and the ration offered to the animals, for intradermal tests. There were no significant hematological and biochemical changes in animals that developed DRB dermatitis, except when they have an associated secondary infection. The fungal research was negative. The bacterial culture revealed a growth of Staphylococcus aureus, possibly due to secondary infection resulting from the lesions. In histopathological examination, lesions were characterized by areas of alopecia, thickening of the epidermis, forming dry, thick crusts, and some ulcerative and serosanguineous lesions. Histologically, lesions were characterized by marked hyperkeratosis, ulceration, and in the superficial dermis, intense inflammatory infiltrate of eosinophils and lymphocytes.Histologic changes, although not pathognomonic, are typically described in this disease. The intradermal test was performed to contribute to the diagnosis of the disease, where a significant increase in volume was found between measurements on animals that developed the disease. It is believed that the disease is produced due to a food hypersensitivity as a consequence of the high protein level in DRB. The results of the intradermal test indicate that the animals developed hypersensitivity and reaction to proteins, and further research is required to determine the protein fraction leading to hypersensitivity reactions.Discussion: In the present study, acute lesions in hind limbs in a significant number of animals of the same batch in a short period of time after supplementation with a diet containing defatted rice bran, enabled a clinical diagnosis suggestive of dermatitis associated with DRB consumption. Through epidemiological data, reactive intradermal test, associated with the findings of the histopathological exam, which showed characteristic lesions of the disease (alopecia, erythema, epidermis thickening, with the formation of thick crusts, usually on hind limbs in the region of the hoof coronary band, progressing to pastern and fetlock), it was possible to establish the clinical-pathological diagnosis of dermatitis associated with the consumption of defatted rice bran. Keywords: dermatitis, cattle, supplementation, defatted rice bran.Descritores: dermatite, bovinos, suplementação, farelo de arroz desengordurado.Título: Dermatite associada ao consumo de farelo de arroz desengorduradoem bovinos na região sul do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul.

Milk production and feeding behavior of lactating cows supplemented with a dry fungus fermentation product that expresses residual fibrolytic enzyme activity / Produção de leite e comportamento alimentar de vacas em lactação suplementadas com um produto de fermentação de fungo seco que expressa atividade de enzima fibrolítica residual

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a product of fermentation of dry fungi expressing residual enzymatic fibrolytic activity on the productive and behavioral performance of lactating cows. The study was carried out on a commercial dairy farm. 36 Holstein cows divided into two groups (control and supplemented) were evaluated for 23 days. The product came from a commercial source MAXFIBER® (Provita Supplements, Pinneberg / Germany) and was supplied in the amount of 10g / animal / day. The total digestibility of the mixed feed, the individual milk production, the feeding behavior in intelligent feeders (Intergado®), and the behavior of the animals were verified using cowMed animal monitoring collars (ChipInside® Technology / Santa Maria / RS / Brazil). Supplementation affected the animals' behavior, with an increase in activity time (P = 0.002) and a tendency to decrease in rumination time (P = 0.08). There was an increase in the frequency of ingestion (P = 0.001) and the duration of the meal (P = 0.001). Milk production was higher in the supplemented group (P = 0.05). The use of this additive alters the animals' behavior, reflecting an increase in milk production.

Escore de locomoção e condição corporal apresentam baixa contribuição relativa para a ocorrência de lesões podais em vacas leiteiras

This study aims to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of foot lesion and body condition scores to define which lesions are determinant for the manifestation of locomotion scores in dairy cows. A database from 482 Holstein cows was evaluated considering information on body condition scores (BCS), locomotion scores (LS), and cows with hoof lesions. Sole hemorrhage was the hoof lesion with the greatest occurrence (74.15%), followed by nail hypoplasia (11.35%). Most cows with LS 1 showed a 3 and 4 BCS, in contrast to most animals with 2.5 and 3.5 LS, which showed a 2 and 3 LS. Linear correlations indicate that a 0 LS is inversely associated with sole hemorrhage lesions (r = -0.19), and sole hemorrhage and digital dermatitis (r = -0.26), whereas LS 1 cows are inversely related to sole hemorrhage and digital dermatitis (r = 0.14). Regardless of the categorization between healthy and lame animals, most individuals in the system showed a BCS between 3.0 and 3.5. However, we found that locomotion and body condition scores showed a low relative contribution to the occurrence of foot disorders.O objetivo foi avaliar a ocorrência, distribuição de lesões podais e escore de condição corporal, para então definir quais lesões são determinantes para a manifestação do escore de locomoção em vacas leiteiras. Uma base de dados de 482 vacas da raça Holandês foi avaliado, utilizando informações de escore de condição corporal (ECC), escore de locomoção (EL) e animais com lesões podais. A lesão de maior ocorrência foi hemorragia de sola (74%), seguido por unha em saca-rolha (11%). A maior proporção de vacas com EL 1, apresentou ECC entre 3 e 4, em contraste, no EL 2 e 3, a maioria dos animais encontrava-se com escore 2.5 e 3.5. A correlação linear indicou que EL 0 é inversamente associado com lesões de hemorragia de sola (r = -0.19) e hemorragia de sola e dermatite digital (r= -0.26). Vacas com EL 1 relacionaram-se inversamente apenas com hemorragia de sola e dermatite digital (r = 0.14). Independentemente da categorização entre claudicantes e saudáveis, a maioria dos animais apresentou ECC 3.0 e 3.5. No entanto, com base nos animais avaliados neste sistema o escore de locomoção e de condição corporal apresentaram baixa contribuição relativa para a ocorrência de afecções podais

O uso de monensina sódica e probióticos para o controle de acidose ruminal subaguda em ovinos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi validar um protocolo para a indução de acidose ruminal subaguda (SARA) (Experimento 1) e testar a eficácia do probiótico Saccharomyces cerevisiae ou monensina na prevenção da queda do pH do fluido ruminal em ovinos (Experimento 2). No Experimento 1, seis ovelhas foram mantidas em jejum por dois dias e, em seguida, alimentadas basicamente com concentrado durante quatro dias. Nesse protocolo as ovelhas mantiveram o pH do fluido ruminal abaixo de 6,0 por 75 horas consecutivas. No Experimento 2, 18 ovelhas foram distribuídas em três grupos: controle (GC, n = 6), monensina (GM, n = 6) e o grupo probiótico (GP, n = 6). SARA foi induzida de acordo com o Experimento 1. PG apresentaram valores de pH mais baixos (5,7 ± 0,1) do que o GC (6,0 ± 0,1) (P = 0,05), enquanto GM (5,7 ± 0,1) foi semelhante durante a indução de SARA. A indução SARA reduziu a população de protozoários no rúmen (P < 0,05) e aumentou a concentração de cloreto no líquido ruminal (P < 0,01). Durante a SARA observou-se aumento das concentrações séricas de fósforo (P < 0,01), AST (P < 0,01) e GGT (P < 0,01), mas reduziu a de LDH (P < 0,01). Em conclusão, o protocolo utilizado para a indução de SARA foi capaz de manter o pH do rúmen entre 5,5-6,0 por períodos superiores a 48 horas. No entanto, a suplementação com monensina e probióticos não foi eficaz na prevenção das alterações nos parâmetros ruminais e séricos durante SARA.The aim of this work was to validate a protocol for induction of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) (Experiment 1) and test the efficiency of probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae or monensin to avoid pH ruminal drops in sheep (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, six ewes were fasted for two days and then fed most with concentrate during four days. Ewes in this protocol had ruminal fluid pH below 6.0 and kept it for 75 consecutive hours. In Experiment 2, 18 sheep were distributed into three groups: Control (CG, n = 6), monensin (MG, n = 6) and probiotic group (PG, n = 6). SARA was induced according Experiment 1. PG had lower pH (5.7 ± 0.1) than CG (6.0 ± 0.1) (P = 0.05), while MG (5.7 ± 0.1) was similar to both during SARA induction. SARA induction reduced ruminal protozoa population (P < 0.05) and increased chloride concentrations in ruminal fluid (P < 0.01). In serum, SARA increased concentrations of phosphorus (P < 0.01), AST (P < 0.01) and GGT (P < 0.01), but reduced LDH (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the protocol used for SARA induction was able to maintain ruminal pH between 5.5-6.0 for more than 48 hours. However, monensin and probiotics supplementation was not effective in preventing changes in ruminal and serum parameters during SARA

Caracterização molecular de isolados de escherichia coli em casos de diarreia neonatal bovina / Molecular characterization of escherichia coli isolates in cases of bovine neonatal diarrhea

A E. coli caracteriza-se como o agente etiológico mais diagnosticado em casos de diarreia neonatal bovina, todavia esta bactéria nem sempre é a causadora da enfermidade, tendo em vista que alguns sorovares possuem fatores de virulência não capazes de causar a doença. Sendo assim o objetivo do corrente estudo foi identificar genes de virulência de diferentes sorovares de E. coli presentes em amostras de fezes de bezerras acometidas por diarreia, através da técnica de PCR. Foram acompanhadas 14 bezerras diarreicas da raça Holandês. A partir do diagnóstico de diarreia, eram realizadas coletas de fezes nos dias 0 e 7 onde era realizado isolamento e identificação do agente bacteriano e posterior extração do DNA genômico dos isolados e caracterização genotípica através da reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR). A partir do cultivo microbiológico das fezes, foi possível a identificação de Escherichia coli em 100% (n=17) das amostras coletadas. Através da análise de PCR, foram identificados genes de hemolisina (hlyA) em 32,35% das amostras, 8,82% foram positivas para produtoras de toxina shiga (stx1), 8,82% apresentavam o gene intimina (eae), 8,82% apresentavam a toxina termoestável A (estlA) e ainda 41,19% das amostras foram negativas para esses genes pesquisados (não patogênicas). Diante do exposto, fica evidente a importância do conhecimento dos sorovares e fatores de virulência que caracterizam a patogenia da diarreia de bezerros de modo a compreender a epidemiologia, a manifestação clínica e o diagnóstico correto

Use of the Rumination Profile Through Collar Sensors for Mastitis Diagnosis in Dairy Cows

Background: Mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the mammary gland, mostly associated with bacterial infections. It is responsible for great economic losses due to decreased milk yield, discarded milk, milk composition alterations and treatment costs, besides it impairs the animal health and welfare. The rumination time is an important behavioral marker and its assessment can be used as an early diagnosis tool, which can improve cure rate. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of behavior monitoring system collars in the diagnosis of mastitis and the average rumination time (RT) of Holstein cows during the healthy period and affected by the disease.Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted on a commercial property located in the municipality of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The RT data from 39 multiparous Holstein cows with an average milk yield of 38.4 L/day was collected. RT monitoring was performed using C-Tech1 collars combined with CowMed® software, which assess behavior data from the animals and emits warning signals when it finds abnormalities in any parameter. In order to verify whether the animals were determined correlated with diseases, the sensitivity of the data was evaluated, when the system had given the alert to animals considered ill, they underwent to a further clinical evaluation performed by a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis. From the diagnosis, the cows were divided into subclinical mastitis (SM) and clinical mastitis (CM) groups. SM was detected by the Californian Mastitis Test (CMT) and cows that were graded 1 (++), 2 (++) or 3 (+++) without the presence of any other clinical sign were assigned to the SM group. CM was assessed by observation of abnormalities in milk such as changes in color and consistency, as well as the presence of lumps, clots or blood; and clinical examination of the udder was performed for detection of hot, hard, swollen or painful quarters. Thereafter, variations in the mean RT between the healthy (15 days) and sick periods (days when there was an alert) were evaluated. For the identification of the etiological agents involved in the cases of CM, microbiological cultures were performed on Accumast® plates with milk samples, which were incubated at a temperature of 37°C and the diagnosis of the pathogens were performed after16 h of incubation. During the study, 57 cases of mastitis were observed, 42 were SM and 15 were CM. The sensitivity of the system, which is the ability to detect positive cases of the disease, was 73.8% for SM and 73.3% for MC. The RT of the animals were compared individually during the healthy period with the sick period and it was observed that SM reduced the RT by 5.33% whereas MC reduced the RT by 14.9%.Discussion: The maximum RT values were lower during the disease period in relation to the period in which the animals were healthy, for both SM and CM, which is due to the fact that the disease is responsible for causing inappetence in animals, among other clinical signs, therefore, reducing feed consumption. The lowest variation in RT, between the healthy and sick period, was observed in cases of SM, which was already expected, since the clinical form tends to cause more discomfort to the animals. As for the main etiological agents involved in the clinical condition, Streptococcus agalactiae and S. uberis were detected. In view of the above, the evaluation of the mean RT of multiparous dairy cows was efficient in the predictive diagnosis of SM and CM up to 2 days before the onset of the disease. In addition, the variability of this result demonstrated that animals with subclinical cases presented less fluctuation in RT

ENROFLOXACINO DE RÁPIDA AÇÃO EM ASSOCIAÇÃO A FLUIDOTERAPIA ENDOVENOSA E ORAL NO TRATAMENTO DE DIARREIA NEONATAL BOVINA

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação do enrofloxacino de rápida ação e sua associação com outros tratamentos como, suporte por via oral ou endovenosa em bezerras leiteiras com diarreia. Foram utilizados 56 animais, divididos em grupos: Grupo SADIAS (n=5), Grupo Antibiótico (ATB; n=15), Grupo Antibiótico + Suporte Endovenoso (ATB+SE; n=9), Grupo Antibiótico + Suporte Oral (ATB+SO; n=16), Grupo Suporte Endovenoso (SE; n=11). Todos os animais foram acompanhados diariamente, até 42 dias de vida e, quando eram diagnosticados com diarreia, foram realizadas as avaliações clínicas e coletas de sangue nos momentos 0, 24, 72 e 120 horas para avaliações hematológicas e metabólicas, o desenvolvimento corporal era feito semanalmente. Todos os grupos que receberam o antibiótico tiveram melhora da consistência das fezes. O ATB+SO teve resultados positivos sobre os níveis de linfócitos, eosinófilos e cloretos. O ATB+SE apresentou valores mais elevados de proteínas totais e globulinas. No desenvolvimento corporal não houve diferença entre grupos. O enrofloxacino de rápida ação reverteu o quadro de diarreia e sua associação com a solução oral auxiliou na resposta clínica através de um melhor padrão leucocitário e de cloretos. Já a associação com tratamento endovenoso obteve melhor metabolismo protéico. Palavras-chave: antibioticoterapia, bezerros, desidratação

Utilização de sulfonamidas para o tratamento de diarreia neonatal bovina: parâmetros clínicos e zootécnicos

Este estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar parâmetros clínicos, hematológicos e zootécnicos de bezerras acometidas por diarreia provocada pelo agente bacteriano Escherichia coli, tratadas com três diferentes protocolos contendo sulfonamidas. Quatorze bezerras da raça Holandês foram monitoradas do nascimento até os 60 dias de vida e divididas em 3 grupos: Grupo 1 (n=5), animais tratados com a dose de 80g de Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brasil, por via oral (VO), dissolvido em 160ml de água a cada 24 horas; Grupo 2 (n=4) receberam sulfadiazina e trimetropim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil), na dose de 16mg/Kg de peso vivo, por dia, por via intramuscular (IM); Grupo 3 (n=5) 80g de Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brasil, por VO dissolvido em 160ml de água, a cada 24 horas e com 16mg/Kg de peso vivo, por dia, de sulfadiazina e trimetoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil), por via IM. Durante o estudo, os animais foram avaliados clinicamente e a partir do diagnóstico de diarreia foram coletadas amostras de fezes para a identificação do agente bacteriano, antibiograma, reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e exames coproparasitológicos. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para avaliação do perfil hematológico e o perfil zootécnico foi acompanhado semanalmente. No exame clínico, todas as bezerras apresentaram redução na temperatura corporal (<39,2°C) e melhora na hidratação após o período de tratamento (p=0,31), porém o grupo 2 obteve maior concentração de linfócitos e PPT em relação aos demais, assim como melhor desempenho zootécnico, além disso em 100% das amostras de fezes foi detectado E. coli. Sendo assim, os protocolos terapêuticos com sulfonamidas utilizados para o tratamento da diarreia neonatal bovina foram eficazes na melhora clínica dos animais. Porém, o protocolo com terapia sistêmica com sulfadiazina e trimetoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil) por via intramuscular proporcionou um melhor desempenho zootécnico, com melhor ganho de peso e desenvolvimento corporal dos animais.This study was developed to evaluate the clinical, hematological, and performance parameters of calves affected by diarrhea caused by the bacterial enteric pathogen Escherichia coli, treated with three different protocols containing sulfonamides. Fourteen Holstein calves were monitored from birth to 60 days of age, and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n=5) animals were treated with 80 g of Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brazil, administered orally (BM), dissolved in 160 ml of water every 24 h; Group 2 (n=4) received IM sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil), and Group 3 (n=5) animals were treated with 80 g of Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brazil, which is made up of 16 g of phthalylsulfathiazole, associated with 2.28 g neomycin sulfate, 1.6 g of pectin, and 80 g of kaolin, dissolved in 160 ml of water and administered every 24 h by mouth, in addition to sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil), at a daily dose of 16 mg/kg live weight, through IM injection. During the study, the animals were clinically evaluated, and once they were diagnosed with diarrhea, feces samples were collected to identify the bacterial enteric pathogen, antibiogram, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and coproparasitological exams. Blood samples were collected to evaluate the hematological profile, and the performance profile was monitored weekly. In the clinical examination, all calves presented a reduction in body temperature (<39.2°C) and some improvement in hydration after treatment (p=0,31). However, group 2 had a better concentration of lymphocytes and TP concerning the other animals, as well as better performance. Besides, E.coli was detected in 100% of feces samples. Thus, the therapeutic protocols with sulfonamides used to treat bovine neonatal diarrhea were effective in the clinical improvement of the animals. Nonetheless, the protocol with systemic therapy using sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil) intramuscularly, provided better performance, with better weight gain, and body development of the animals.

Efeito da Aplicação de Flunixin Meglumine Sobre a Taxa de Gestação de Ovelhas Inseminadas via Transcervical

Background:  :  :  : In livestock animals, which artificial insemination (AI) is widely spread, a healthy uterine environment is an important factor that should be taken into account for an adequate fertilization and establishment and development of pregnancy. The main limitation to spread the frozen semen insemination in sheep is the high costs of the laparoscopy AI and the difficulty of traversing the cervix. To overcome problems associated with transcervical artificial insemination, new techniques and instruments have been proposed. The manipulation of cervix during transcervical artificial insemination in sheep can lead to a local inflammatory reaction that releases inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins and cytokines, that either can negatively affect the uterine environment and consequently, the conception. In this regard, the injection of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) at the moment of AI could reduce the secretion of inflammatory mediators, promoting a healthier uterine environment favorable to conception. The flunixin meglumine is a NSAI which reduces the synthesis of PGF2á by the inibition of the cyclooxigenase. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of flunixin meglumine (non-steroid antiinflammatory) injection on pregnancy rate of ewes inseminated by the transcervical technique. Materials, Methods & Results: In this experiment 69 pluriparous ewes were used, 29 in control group (CG) and 40 in flunixin meglumine group (FMG). The estrus detection was performed twice daily for 5 days. The ewes detected with paint in the low back were considered in estrus. The AI procedure was performed 8 hours after the estrus detection. At the AI time, the ewes were separated according to body condition score in two experimental groups. The ewes of the FM Group were injected with 1.1 mg/Kg of flunixin meglumine, im, 1 hour before the AI procedure. In order to locate the ostium, a vaginal speculum and a source of external light were used; whereas the fixation and traction of the ostium were performed with an Allis clamp, allowing the penetration of the semen applicator throw the vagina and cervix. The insemination procedure was performed 8 hours after estrous detection. There was no difference (P > 0.05) on the pregnancy rate between groups, whereas the Control group had 68.9% and the FM group had 60.0% of pregnancy. Discussion: The result demonstrates that the local inflammatory reaction caused by the traction of cervix was not detrimental to uterine environment and fertilization, since a high pregnancy rate was detected in both groups. Although the hypothesis of this study was not supported by the results, the high pregnancy rate detected in this experiment was higher than the results normally detected. Several studies have shown low pregnancy rates when transcervical artificial insemination with frozen semen is used associated to protocols of estrous synchronization. The flunixin meglumine did not improve the pregnancy rate, probably due to the insemination procedure adopted, since the traction of the cervix were performed gently, and consequently minimized the tissue damage. Thus, the inflammatory reaction may not have been sufficiently extensive as to lead to alteration of the uterine environment. These results suggested that flunixin meglumine injection did not influence the conception when was used prior to the transcervical insemination