Metastatic cutaneous melanoma in equine: Anatomopathological aspects

Cutaneous melanoma is a neoplasm originating from melanocytes. In equines, a variable incidence of 6 to 14% of the total tegumentary neoplasms. The occurrence of metastasis is uncommon. In this sense, the objective was to describe a case of metastatic cutaneous melanoma in the equine species. A 15-year-old mixed-breed mare, died and was sent to perform necroscopic examination. During the processing of samples of various tissues and organs submitted to histopathological analysis. The main macroscopic alterations observed corresponded to proliferations in cutaneous glandular tissue of the udder, mammary lymph nodes, heart, lung, parietal pleura, liver and spleen, with sometimes blackened cutting surface. The morphological pattern, throughout the udder tissue extension, was compatible with melanoma. Histopathological evaluation of the two affected organs revealed a similar microscopic appearance. When associating the anatomopathological findings, a picture of metastatic cutaneous melanoma was defined. Melanoma should be considered as one of the possible diseases that affect the integument wrapping of the udder of mares of advanced age. A thorough evaluation of the animal is useful, since the metastatic potential is a real possibility

Effects of sudden melon intake on ruminal parameters of non-adapted sheep

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of varying amounts of melon with high sugar content offered to sheep without prior melon experience and that were not adapted to consuming it. We used 12 eight-month-old, rumen-cannulated crossbred sheep weighing 25 kg each. The animals received a base diet of roughage, and then half were randomly selected to have 25% of their diet replaced with melon (G25%) and the other half had 75% of their diet replaced with melon (75%). Ruminal fluid was collected before administration of melon and at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after the administration of the fruit. Sheep from the G25% group presented volatile fatty acid ruminal acidosis (sub-acute) between 3 and 6 h after consumption. This acidosis was characterized by a rumen pH slightly lower than 5.6, increased discrete L-lactic acid content, and increased redox potential (RP) and methylene blue redox (MBR) time of the ruminal fluid. The G75% group presented lactic ruminal acidosis at T6h, characterized by a rumen pH lower than 5.0, high lactate-L content, increased RP and MBR time, and increased ruminal fluid osmolarity. Therefore, offering large amounts of melon (75% of dry matter (DM)) is not recommended but 25% of DM of this fruit can be used safely

Avaliação clínica de ovinos não adaptados submetidos à ingestão súbita de melão com alto teor de açúcar

This study evaluated the clinical effects of two different amounts of melon, with a high sugar content, suddenly offered to unadapted sheep. Twelve rumem cannulated crossbred 8-months-old sheep , weighing 25 kg each, were used. These sheep had never been fed with food concentrated with sugar or fruits. The animals were kept in collective pens with a basal diet of roughage and then randomly divided into two equal groups. The sheep in the two groups received 25% and 75% of dry matter (DM) of the diet the crushed melon, administered by the rumen cannula. Physical examination and measurement of rumen fluid pH was performed at the following times: 0, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h. The animals of G25% did not present clinical signs despite subacute acidosis expected after administration of the melon. However, in the G75%, sheep developed clinical manifestation indicative of lactic acidosis with rumen fluid pH lower than 5.0 from T6h, but did not present with dehydration. In sheep from G75 %, tachycardia was observed at 3 h and continued until the end of the study; tachypnea was also observed at 3 h, which was caused by increased abdominal circumference. Based on the results obtained, the supplementation of high amounts of melon (75% DM) in the diet is not recommended for sheep, although the use of 25% DM is safe. However, greater amounts of this fruit could be used in the diet of sheep with gradual adaptation to the substrate.No presente trabalho estudaram-se os efeitos de duas quantidades diferentes de melão com alto teor de açúcares, oferecidas subitamente a ovinos não adaptados, sobre algumas variáveis clínicas. Foram utilizados 12 ovinos canulados, mestiços da raça Santa Inês, machos, pesando 25 kg, com oito meses de idade e que nunca haviam recebido rações concentradas, frutas ou raízes. Os animais foram mantidos em baias coletivas com dieta basal composta de volumoso e distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos iguais que receberam, subitamente, quantidades de melão triturado correspondentes a 25 e 75% da matéria seca (MS) da dieta, administradas pela cânula ruminal. Foi realizado exame físico e mensuração do pH do fluido ruminal nos seguintes momentos: zero, 3, 6, 12, 18 e 24 h. Os animais do G25% não manifestaram sintomatologia clínica, apesar da acidose subaguda esperada após a administração de melão. Os animais do G75% desenvolveram quadro clínico indicativo de acidose láctica ruminal, com pH deste fluido inferior a 5,0 a partir do T6h, mas sem apresentar desidratação. Nos ovinos do G75% foi observada taquicardia a partir do momento 3 horas até o final do estudo e discreta taquipnéia no momento 3 horas, causadas pelo aumento da circunferência abdominal. Não se recomenda o oferecimento de altas quantidades de melão (75% da M.S.), porém a quantidade correspondente a 25% da M.S. é segura. Maiores concentrações dessa fruta na dieta podem ser utilizadas desde que se tomem cuidados para a adaptação gradual dos animais ao substrato

Highly debilitating natural Trypanosoma vivax infections in Brazilian calves: epidemiology, pathology, and probable transplacental transmission

Clinical, epidemiological, and pathological aspects of trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma vivax in calves were reported for the first time in northeast Brazil. Clinical and epidemiological data, packed cell volumes (PCV), and parasitemia were assessed in 150 calves in May 2009 (rainy season-survey 1) and in 153 calves in November 2009 (dry season-survey 2) in three farms (A, B, and C). Prevalence of T. vivax in calves examined in the survey 1 was 63.3%, 65.0%, and 80.0% in farms A, B, and C, respectively. Morbidity varied from 63.3% to 80%, mortality from 15% to 30% and lethality from 23% to 37.5%. In survey 1, for all farms, high parasitemia (from 30.3 to 26.2x10(6) parasites/mL), fever (from 39.8 to 40.3 degrees C), low PCV (from 15.7% to 18.1%), and body score (from 2.5 to 3.5) were detected. Calves showed depression, weight loss, pale mucous membranes, enlarged lymph nodes, edema of the dewlap, cough, coryza, and diarrhea. The animals from farms A and B were treated with diminazene aceturate. Six months after, in survey 2, non-treated calves from farm C showed values for prevalence (81.82), morbidity (81.82), mortality (12.73), and lethality (15.55) similar to those in survey 1 (P>0.05). Also in survey 2, four calves aging merely 1-3 days old presented high parasitemia levels (from 32x10(6) to 74x10(6) parasites/mL), suggesting transplacental transmission. In conclusion, trypanosomiasis by T. vivax constitutes high prevalent disease for calves raised in Brazilian semiarid and may have transplacental transmission