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

Dermatofilose em ovinos no município de Maricá, Rio de Janeiro: Dermatophilosis in sheep in the municipality of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro

A infecção pelo actinomiceto Dermatophilus congolensis causa dermatopatia de caráter zoonótico em mamíferos, incluído os animais de produção. O presente estudo objetivou relatar a ocorrência de dermatofilose em ovinos no município de Maricá, Rio de Janeiro. Um rebanho foi avaliado, constatando-se a presença de lesões crostosas não-pruriginosas em face e orelhas de cinco animais. O diagnóstico presuntivo foi realizado através dos achados clínico-epidemiológicos e a observação do agente em imprints das lesões. O rebanho estava exposto à fatores de risco que podem ter favorecido a ocorrência da enfermidade, como umidade e temperatura ambiental elevadas, desnutrição e parasitismo gastrintestinal. Os ovinos doentes foram isolados, tratados com antibioticoterapia parenteral e antisséptico tópico, com recuperação clínica de quatro animais. Assim, o relato desses casos reforça que a dermatofilose deve ser considerada como causa de lesões de pele em ovinos na região estudada e o conhecimento da enfermidade pode contribuir para redução das perdas econômicas e produtivas associados à sua ocorrência

Ultrasound Diagnosis in Small Ruminants: Occurrence and Description of Genital Pathologies

This study reports the occurrence and appearance of various reproductive tract pathologies of small ruminants diagnosed using ultrasound. An eight-year retrospective study of collected ultrasound data was carried out in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil from September 2012 to July 2020. A total of 3463 animals from 16 sheep flocks and 10 dairy goat flocks, raised under extensive and intensive management systems, respectively, were used in the study. All animals were submitted to an ultrasound examination of their reproductive tract. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05), to compare disorder frequencies within and between species. Ewes (4.14%) had fewer reproductive disorders than does (8.98%), while rams (43.63%) and bucks (56.25%) presented no significant differences. Hydrometra was the most frequent finding in does, represented by 50.98% of cases; while, in ewes, recent fetal loss (22.85%) and cystic endometrial hyperplasia (20.00%) were the most frequent. In bucks, the findings showed no clear differences; while, for rams, the most frequent finding was testicular microlithiasis (75.00%). Ultrasonography offers clinically useful information about the reproductive tract via the images it provides; knowledge of which makes it possible to improve the diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of genital pathologies

Suplementação calórica em ovelhas da raça Santa Inês submetidas à indução do estro sincronizado

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 20% increase in dietary energy during short-term estrus induction treatment on the reproductive parameters of Santa Inês ewes. Females (n=43) were allocated into two experimental groups according to the amount of energy inclusion in the diet: maintenance diet or maintenance diet plus 20% energy. Ultrasound examinations were performed in order to detect ovulation. To assess sexual behavior, ewes were teased and further mated. Blood samples were collected for the determination of glucose and insulin concentrations. There was no difference (P>0.05) between groups in the following categories: ovulation rate (80.00% vs. 60.00%), largest follicle diameter (6.00 ± 0.20 vs. 5.90 ± 0.60), interval from device removal to ovulation (52.80 ± 14.87 vs. 59.01 ± 8.34 hours), animals in estrus (75.00% vs. 65.21%), interval from device removal to estrus (30.00 ± 15.49 vs. 30.00 ± 13.35 hours) and conception rate (50.00% vs. 21.73%). There were differences (P0,05) entre os grupos para: taxa de animais ovulando (80% vs 60%), diâmetro do maior folículo (6,00 ± 0,20 vs 5,90 ± 0,60), intervalo da retirada do implante à ovulação (52,80 ± 14,87 vs 59,01 ± 8,34 horas), animais em estro (75,00% vs 65,21%), intervalo da retirada do implante ao estro (30,00 ± 15,49 vs 30,00 ± 13,35 horas) e taxa de concepção (50,00% vs 21,73%). Houve diferença (P<0,05) nas concentrações de insulina e glicose. Pode-se concluir que o aumento em 20% da energia da dieta durante um protocolo curto de sincronização do estro não alterou os parâmetros reprodutivos

Assessment of a vaquejada horse training protocol based on laboratory clinical parameters

The objective of this study was to assess a training protocol employed in the Brazilian Northeast region for fitness conditioning of vaquejada horses. For 12 months, 24 Quarter Horses were evaluated under a completely randomized split-plot experimental design in which the plots comprised three age groups: horses at two, three, and four years of age. The split plots were made up of six fitness tests carried out every other month. The fitness test protocol consisted of five levels of protocol exercises on a standard vaquejada track. Prior to the tests with fasted animals, we collected blood samples to determine muscle enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase). During the tests, heart rate, speed, and distance run were recorded using a heart rate monitor. Next, the results were used to calculate speed at which each horse reached 150 bpm (V150), speed at which each horse reached 200 bpm (V200), maximum heart rate (HRmax), maximum speed (Vmax), recovery time needed for the heart rate of horses to return to half the maximum value reached during the fitness tests (HR50%), and recovery time needed for the heart rate of horses to return to baseline values (HRbasal). No difference was found among the age groups for V150, HRmax, Vmax, HR50%, HRbasal, or muscle enzymes. By the final stage of training, the V200 of the three-year-old horses was higher than that of the four-year-old foals. During training, all groups exhibited increases in serum concentrations of muscle enzymes and reductions in efficiency to recover heart rate after exercise. The training protocol assessed is unable to maintain proper fitness for competitions throughout the yea

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

Cardiac, Energy and Hormonal Blood Markers, and Lactatemia in Cows with Displaced Abomasum

Background: Displaced abomasum (DA) is a common and economically important disorder that affects dairy cattle. Nutritional factors and adaptive responses that occur in the peripartum play a central role in the pathogenesis. The measurement of blood metabolites represents a useful tool for monitoring and prognostic determination in affected animals. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate cardiac, energy and hormonal blood markers, lactatemia, and insulin sensitivity in cows diagnosed with right displaced abomasum (RDA) and left displaced abomasum (LDA), comparing them with each other.Materials, Methods & Results: Nineteen cases of abomasum displacement in cows were studied, including 9 cases of RDA and 10 cases of LDA. The diagnosis was established by means of physical examination and measurement of the concentration of chlorides in the ruminal fluid (> 30mEq/L). After diagnosis, clinical-surgical therapeutic management was instituted. At the time of diagnosis (M1) and at the resolution of the case (M2), blood samples were collected to assess the variables: non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxybutyrate (βHB), L-lactate, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, insulin, and cortisol. In addition, insulin sensitivity was estimated using the Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (RQUICKI) and RQUICKI-βHB. The means of the variables were compared, separating the effects of groups (RDA and LDA) and moments (M1 and M2), at the level of 5% probability. The concentrations of NEFA, CK-MB, L-lactate, glucose, insulin, and cortisol were higher at M1 and the RQUICKI and RQUICKI-βHB indices were lower at this moment. L-lactate, CK, and CK-MB were higher in the RDA group, while cTnI, βHB, and LDH did not present a group or moment effect. Cardiac markers correlated with the energy profile metabolites, L-lactate, and cortisol.Discussion: The high concentrations of NEFA at M1 reflected the condition of negative energy balance. βHB concentrations were stable, that may be related to the number of days postpartum in which the animals were diagnosed. The hyperglycemic condition and the increase in serum cortisol concentrations found at M1 can be induced by the condition of metabolic stress resulting from the disease. Hyperinsulinemia were recorded in the present study could be an important factor related to the pathogenesis of DA, since there seems to be a correlation between hyperinsulinemia and decreased abomasal emptying rate. The RQUICKI and RQUICKI-βHB indices was significantly lower at M1, which may indicate lower sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin at this time. Changes in serum activity of LDH and CK may result from tissue damage due to organ displacement, in addition to damage associated with surgery and the administration of injectable drugs, mainly intramuscularly. The elevation in plasma L-lactate at M1 and in the RDA group may be associated with abomasal hypoperfusion. The high positive correlations found between L-lactate and the variables glucose, insulin, and cortisol reinforcing the association between the concentration of L-lactate and the moment of greatest stress. The increase in cardiac biomarkers may be related to the occurrence of ischemia/reperfusion injury in the abomasum, which involves oxidative stress and the production of inflammatory mediators. The hyperglycemic condition and the higher concentrations of NEFA can also contribute to the occurrence of myocardial injury. The correlations found between cardiac biomarkers and plasma L-lactate, strengthen the idea that there is a relationship between L-lactate and myocardial injury. In this sense, the measurement of blood concentrations of cTnI, CK-MB, and L-lactate could contribute as severity markers and prognosis indicators in cattle with DA.