Arthrogryposis in Murrah buffaloes in southern Brazil

Congenital arthrogryposis is described in a Murrah buffalo herd. The disease was characterized by curvature and multiple articular rigidity of the hindlimbs or of all limbs without associated defects except for one case of brachygnatia. Histologically there was reduction of motor neurons from the ventral horns of the spinal cord and hypoplasia of the limb muscles. Analysis of the herd breeding records suggests that the disease is genetically transmitted by an autosomal recessive trait.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Pentalogy of Fallot in a Crioulo Foal

Background: Cardiac anomalies account for 3.5% of congenital defects in horses. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is characterized by ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, dextroposition the aorta and right ventricular hypertrophy secondary.Pentalogy of Fallot (POF) is a variation and is characterized by a defect in the right atrioventricular valve or persistence of the ductus arteriosus, in addition to the other defects observed in tetralogy. Affected animals usually have stunted growth,exercise intolerance, weakness, lethargy, cyanosis, dyspnea and syncope. The aim of this study was to describe a case of POF, as diagnosed in a Crioulo foal in southern Brazil.Case: Clinical signs were observed at the ffth day of life and were characterized by cyanosis, intense tracheal stertor, tachycardia, marked heart murmur, HR 160 bpm, RR 80 breaths/min, T 39.8°C and syncope. These signs worsened with physical activity. Endoscopic evaluation of the upper airways revealed no anatomical conformation changes or tissue dysfunction. A cardiac ultrasound showed a loss of continuity of the interventricular septum, right ventricular wall thickening, and a hyperechoic appearance of the area where the right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid) should be. The crises have become more severe and more frequent, the animal began to show signs of ischemia, such as loss of motor coordination and limited mobility. The foal died at 15 days old. At necropsy the liver was congested and had a nutmeg appearance, there was foam in the trachea, and the lungs were edematous. There was hydropericardium, and the heart was increased in size with a globoid shape. The heart had thickening of the walls of the right and left ventricle and pulmonary artery stenosis. There was also an oval orifce 2.5 cm in diameter in the interventricular septum connecting the ventricles (ventricular septal defect), an overriding aorta and aplasia of the tricuspid valve. Histologically the liver had centrilobular to mediozonal necrosis, and there was pulmonary edema and congestion.Discussion: The diagnosis of pentalogy of Fallot was based on the clinical signs, the ultrasound results and the macroscopic lesions observed at necropsy. Tetralogy of Fallot is one of the most common congenital cardiac malformations observed in horses, however, in a study of congenital malformations in this species, only 3.5% had cardiac malformations out ofthe 608 foals examined. The prevalence of heart defects in horses compared with other domestic species is relatively low (0.1% - 0.5%). In this case, the malformation was probably sporadic because the foal was the only animal to be born with this malformation on the farm. In the Crioulo breed, congenital defect reports are scarce. In a retrospective study of equine diseases in southern Brazil over a period of 35 years, malformations were not observed in 708 horses of this breed, whichis the predominant breed in the region. In the present case, the fact that the mare had another three healthy foals with the same stallion reduces the possibility that this was a case of hereditary origin. It is likely that this case is of a sporadic nature with no chance of determining the cause. The differential diagnoses in animals with lethargy, cyanosis, and exerciseintolerance or syncope include complicated or multiple cardiac defects. There are no previous reports of TOF and POF in the Crioulo breed in Brazil.Keywords: Pentalogia de Fallot, cardiac ultrasound, cardiac malformation, horse

Pitiose equina em áreas úmidas do leste do Uruguai

Equine pythiosis is an ulcerative and granulomatous disease of the skin, caused by the oomycete Pythium insidiosum (Pythiaceae). The objective of this study was to describe seven cases of equine pythiosis that occurred from 2012 to 2017 in the eastern region of Uruguay. Six of the seven cases occurred in the eastern wetland ecosystems of the Merin basin, and the remaining case occurred in the wetland fluvial plains of the Tacuarembó River. Lesions consisted of a large, rapidly growing ulcerated tumor with abundant granulation tissue, serosanguineous secretion, and fistulous tracts containing large concretions or kunkers. The animals presented intense pruritus, claudication and loss of body condition, with death or euthanasia in extremis in six cases. The main histological lesions consisted of an eosinophilic and pyogranulomatous inflammatory process, with numerous foci of eosinophilic necrosis (kunkers), collagenolysis, and a Splendore–Hoeppli reaction. In all cases, silver coloration (Grocott) showed intralesional hyphae compatible with P. insidiosum, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in three cases. A horse in the terminal phase of the disease was treated with triamcinolone acetonide (50mg IM every 15 days), and fully recovered after 1 year. It is concluded that equine pythiosis is prevalent in the wetland ecosystems of eastern Uruguay and that treatment with triamcinolone is auspicious.Pitiose é uma doença granulomatosa e ulcerativa da pele dos equinos causada pelo oomyceto Pythium insidiosum (Pythiaceae). O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever sete casos de pitiose equina que ocorreram de 2012 a 2017 na região leste do Uruguai. Seis dos sete casos ocorreram no ecossistema de áreas pantanosas da bacia da bacia da Lagoa Mirim Merin e o restante nas planícies fluviais pantanosas do rio Tacuarembó. As lesões se caracterizaram por tumores ulcerados de crescimento rápido com abundante tecido de granulação, secreção serossanguinolenta e presença de tratos fistulosos contendo material coraloide ou kunkers. Os equinos apresentavam prurido intenso, claudicação e perda da condição corporal e seis morreram ou foram eutanasiados in extremis. As principais lesões histológicas consistiam de um processo inflamatório piogranulomatoso com numerosos focos de necrose eosinofílicos (kunkers), colagenólise e reação de Splendori-Hoepli. Em todos os casos a impregnação pela prata (Grocott) revelou a presença de hifas intralesionais compatíveis com P. insidiosum, o que foi confirmado pela imuno-histoquímica em três casos. Um equino em fase terminal da doença foi tratado com triamcinolona acetonida (50mg, IM, a cada 15 dias), recuperando-se completamente após um ano. Conclui-se que a pitiose é uma enfermidade presente em áreas úmidas na região leste do Uruguai e o tratamento com triamcinolona pode ser uma alternativa promissora.Fil: Romero, Agustín. Laboratorio Regional Este; UruguayFil: García, Juan Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Centro Universitario Regional Este; UruguayFil: Balestié, Sofía. Veterinarian; UruguayFil: Malfatto, Felipe. No especifíca;Fil: Vicentino, Alejandra. No especifíca;Fil: Sallis, Elisa Simone V.. Universidade Federal de Pelotas; BrasilFil: Schild, Ana Lucia. Universidade Federal de Pelotas; BrasilFil: Dutra, Fernando. Laboratorio Regional Este; Urugua

Lontra longicaudis de vida livre infectada por parvovirus canino e parasitada por Dioctophyma renale

This study describes a case of parvovirus infection in a river otter (Lontra longicaudis) assisted at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Wildlife Screening Center, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Clinical signs included apathy, dark and fetid diarrhea, and crusted lesions on the palmar pads of the fore and hind limbs. The animal died after undergoing support treatment with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and fluid therapy. At necropsy, the intestines were reddened and edematous and the right kidney was diminished by one third of its normal size and covered with whitish, spongy material. A female Dioctophyma renale was found free in the abdominal cavity. Histologically, dilatation of the intestinal crypts and fusion and blunting of the intestinal villi were observed. In addition, moderate, multifocal lymphocytic enteritis with lymphoid depletion in Peyer’s patches and mesenteric lymph nodes were present. Immunohistochemistry with anti-canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody (anti-CPV) was strongly positive in the bone marrow cells and enterocytes of the intestinal crypts, confirming the diagnosis of parvovirus infection. The peritoneum on the right kidney was expanded with a cuboidal cell border, forming multiple papillary projections associated with eggs of D. renale and severe inflammatory infiltrate (giant cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells). Areas of necrosis and mineralization were also observed. Due to fragmentation and degradation of its natural habitat, the otter approached the urban area and was contaminated with the virus, which is hosted and disseminated by domestic animals. Infection with D. renale can be associated with the large population of parasitized domestic animals, which eliminate the helminth eggs through urine, contaminating the environment where the parasite intermediate and paratenic hosts co-inhabit. The diseases of these animals can be a decline factor of wild populations that inhabit the region and are an alert to spillover risk.O animal estava debilitado, apático, apresentava diarreia escura e fétida e lesões crostosas nos coxins palmares dos membros torácicos e pélvicos, morrendo após tratamento de suporte com antibiótico, anti-inflamatório e fluidoterapia. Na necropsia os intestinos estavam edematosos e avermelhados e o rim direito estava recoberto de material brancacento e esponjoso, com comprometimento de cerca de um terço do órgão. Foi observado, também, um exemplar de Dioctophyma renale, fêmea, livre na cavidade abdominal. Histologicamente havia fusionamento das vilosidades, dilatação das criptas intestinais com enterite linfocítica moderada multifocal e depleção linfoide nos linfonodos mesentéricos. Na técnica de imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) com anticorpo monoclonal anti-Parvovírus canino (Anti-CPV) houve marcação positiva nos enterócitos da base das vilosidades intestinais e na medula óssea, confirmando o diagnóstico de parvovirose. O peritônio sobre o rim direito estava espessado e revestido por células cuboides, formando múltiplas projeções papilares, nas quais observava-se acentuado infiltrado de células gigantes, macrófagos, linfócitos, eosinófilos e plasmócitos. Entre as projeções papilares havia ovos de Dioctophyma renale, áreas de necrose, calcificação e células gigantes. Conclui-se que a lontra, em função da fragmentação e degradação de seu habitat natural, aproximou-se do centro urbano e contaminou-se com o vírus, o qual é mantido e disseminado por animais domésticos. Por sua vez, a infecção por D. renale pode estar relacionada com a presença de animais domésticos parasitados, os quais eliminam ovos do helminto através da urina contaminando o ambiente, onde coabitam hospedeiros intermediários e paratênicos do parasito. As doenças desses animais podem ser um fator de declínio das populações de animais silvestres e alerta para o risco de spill-over na região

Penile Fractures in Young Bulls Raised in Feedlots in Southern Brazil

Background: Penile fracture is a pathology of young cattle that perform precocious and disordered breeding. The incompatibility of height between males and females and sodomy between males cause a great pressure on the sigmoid flexure and retractor muscle of the penis, which are the main causes and sites of organ injury. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and pathological aspects of penile fractures observed in young bulls raised in pre-export feedlots (PEFs) in southern Brazil.Cases: In 2 PEFs located in the municipalities of Pelotas (property 1) and Capão do Leão (property 2), 3 male cattle [1 from property 1 and 2 from property 2] presented edema of the foreskin and perineum, associated with dysuria. The evolution of the clinical picture was approximately 20 days in all cases, with evolution to death. The bovine necropsied on property 1 had an increased volume and inguinal edema, involving the penis and scrotal sac. Necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and local musculature was also observed. The testicles were surrounded by the necrotic tissue, and the right testis was swollen, with flaccid parenchyma adhering to the tunica albuginea. In the necropsy of 1 bull from property 2, an increase in the inguinal volume was observed, with an extensive area of necrosis and edema extending from the prepuce to the caudal musculature of the scrotal sac. There were also marked varicosis in the sigmoid flexure and necrosis of the adjacent region, without the involvement of the corpus cavernosum. During the necropsy of the 2 young bulls, fragments of organs from the abdominal, thoracic, and brain cavities were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. From the bull of the property 2, an anatomical piece consisting of the penis, prepuce, and testicles was also collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. After 48 h, the tissue samples were cleaved, embedded in paraffin, cut into 3-µm-thick sections, and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (HE). A histological evaluation of the penile lesions in both cattle revealed intense hemorrhage, congestion, and necrosis of the muscles and tissues adjacent to the corpus cavernosum. In addition to areas of dystrophic calcification, neutrophil and macrophage infiltration was also observed. In the bull from the property 1, an intense edema and proliferation of fibrous tissue surrounding the urethra were noted. There were also marked tubular degeneration and intense infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages in the inner portion of the tunica albuginea.Discussion: In the present cases, the diagnosis was based on epidemiological data associated with clinical signs and pathology. The macroscopic lesions observed were probably due to the involvement of blood vessels adjacent to the penis, which suffered trauma during sodomy mating among cattle. These lesions have been described in other reports of this pathology and in diseases, such as acropostitis-phimosis, fibropapilloma of the glans, preputial abscess, and urolithiasis, and the differential diagnosis of these diseases must be carried out, as they have different etiologies. In the bulls of the present study, no lesions were observed in the corpus cavernosum, and this condition was attributed to the presence of varicosis and accumulation of urine in the prepuce, due to the difficulty in exposing the penis. Histologically, there were intense hemorrhage, congestion, and necrosis of the muscles and tissues adjacent to the corpus cavernosum, with the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, and areas of dystrophic calcification. The presence of necrotic lesions in tissues adjacent to the penis may be related to hypoxia, vascular lesions, or the action of chemical elements present in the urine. In both cases, vascular lesions were present, which were attributed to the main triggering factor for the disease.Keywords: pre-export feedlots, beef cattle, sodomy, penile trauma

Mediastinal Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma in a Canine with Pulmonary and Cerebral Metastasis

Background: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (EOS), a rare variant of osteosarcoma (OS), is a malignant neoplasm that develops in soft tissues without primary bone involvement. This study aims to describe a case of EOS with a mediastinal location in a canine.Case: A 10-year-old male, Uruguayan, Cimarron dog was presented to the Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (LRD/FV/UFPel) for necropsy. The dog had a history of submandibular swelling, progressive hind limb paralysis, muscle atrophy, and breathing difficulties. During necropsy, in the thoracic cavity, approximately 900 mL of serosanguinous exudate and a reddish-brown, bossed mediastinal mass measuring 15.0 cm in the longest axis were also noted. The lung exhibited multifocal to coalescent, white, firm nodules extending from the pleura to the parenchyma and measuring up to 4.5 cm in diameter. In the parietal and occipital region of the brain, a matte wine mass measuring 2.3 cm in the longest axis was observed. Fragments of the neoplastic mass, organs of the abdominal and thoracic cavities, and the brain were harvested and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. After 48 h, the samples were routinely processed, incorporated in paraffin, cut into 3 µm-thick sections, and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE). Selected sections of the neoplasm, the lung, and the brain were subjected to Von Kossa staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. For IHC, primary anti-cytokeratin monoclonal antibodies (clone AE1 / AE3, BioCare Medical) at a 1:100 dilution, vimentin (clone V9, BioCare Medical) at a 1:100 dilution, S100 Protein (clone 15E2E2, BioCare Medical) at a 1:100 dilution, and Ki67 (SP6 clone, BioCare Medical) at a 1:50 dilution were used. Immunostaining was visualized using 3-3' diaminabenzidine (DAB). Histological evaluation of the mediastinal mass, the pulmonary nodules, and the central nervous system among polygonal mesenchymal cells was conducted. Marked pleomorphism with euchromatic, rounded to oval nuclei, evident nucleoli, and poorly delimited eosinophilic cytoplasm. Neoplastic cells were arranged in nests and bundles with an invasive growth pattern. Osteoid and bone matrix formation as well as multinucleated giant cells of the osteoclast type were observed. The bone matrix was better evidenced in Von Kossa staining. IHC in all analyzed sections of the neoplastic cells showed positive immunostaining for Vimentin and Ki67. In the sections incubated with anti-cytokeratin and S100 protein antibodies showed no presence of neoplastic cells.Discussion: The diagnosis of EOS was based on the absence of primary bone lesions during microscopic necroscopy and on the exclusion of other histogenetic origins using IHC. The absence of primary bone lesions was the main attribute that differentiates EOS from other variants osteosarcomas, such as central/medullary and surface OS (periosteal and paraosteal) most frequently in canine species. The origin of EOS is uncertain. However, its occurrence has been originated with in pluripotent cells or previous injuries, such as retention of surgical sponges and vaccination sites. In this case, since the animal had no clinical history of injuries or surgical procedures that could induce the formation of a mediastinal neoplasm, the probable origin of the neoplasm was pluripotent cells. In dogs, EOS occurs mainly in the mammary glands, digestive system, liver, spleen, and subcutaneous tissue. Furthermore, the mediastinal location observed in this study was described only in goats. The clinical signs are nonspecific and varies with the location of the tumor, as observed in the present report. EOS may also present mediastinal location in the canine species. Necropsy, histopathological examination, and IHC were essential to establish the diagnosis of this OS variant

Múltipla resistência anti-helmíntica em rebanhos ovinos no sul do Brasil

Gastrointestinal parasites represent an important cause of reduced productivity of sheep worldwide. As anthelmintic are still the main control tool for these parasites, this work evaluated the efficacy of commercially available active principles in 22 sheep flocks in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In each farm 10 sheep were randomly distributed in seven groups with the following treatments: abamectin; albendazole; closantel; levamisole; monepantel; trichlorphon and no anthelmintic (control). All flocks showed resistance to at least three anthelmintics and in 20 farms only two products demonstrated efficacy for parasitic control. In two farms, there was no susceptibility to the six active principles tested. The results of this study provide evidence that the common commercially available anthelmintic are not assuring effective chemical control of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in ovine flocks in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul. Monepantel, the newest introduced drug in the Brazilian market was not effective in 18% of the flocks tested, confirming that the parasitic resistance can be established quickly after the introduction of new molecules mainly when alternative program of parasite control is not performed.As parasitoses gastrintestinais representam importante causa de queda na produtividade na ovinocultura mundial. Como a utilização de anti-helmínticos é, ainda, a principal forma de controle parasitário, o presente estudo avaliou a eficácia de princípios ativos comercialmente disponíveis, em 22 rebanhos ovinos da região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Em cada propriedade foram utilizados 10 ovinos divididos em sete grupos que receberam os seguintes tratamentos: abamectina; albendazole; closantel; levamisole; monepantel; e triclorfon. Um grupo permaneceu como controle, sem tratamento anti-helmíntico. Nas 22 propriedades do estudo houve resistência, no mínimo, a três anti-helmínticos. Em 20 propriedades apenas dois produtos demonstraram eficácia para o controle parasitário. Em duas propriedades não houve sensibilidade aos seis princípios ativos testados. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstraram que os anti-helmínticos disponíveis no marcado Brasileiro não asseguram um controle parasitário efetivo nos rebanhos ovinos da região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, incluindo o monepantel que foi ineficaz em 18% dos rebanhos testados, confirmando que a resistência dos parasitos aos princípios ativos pode se estabelecer rapidamente após a introdução de novas moléculas, principalmente quando programas alternativos de controle não são realizados

Equine poisoning by coffee husk (Coffea canephora) in northern Espírito Santo, Brazil

Background: Brazil is the largest coffee (Coffea canephora) producer in the world, and Espírito Santo state is the second largest national producer of this commodity. Caffeine poisoning has been described in several animal and human species and is generally associated with accidental and/or intentional ingestion of caffeine-containing products. In horses, there are few reports in the literature about coffee poisoning, and most animals show clinical signs of excitability, involuntary muscle tremors, and chewing movements. Therefore, the objectives of the present study are to describe the clinical and epidemiological aspects of coffee (Coffea canephora) poisoning in horses in northern Espírito Santo, Brazil.Cases: Two horses from northern Espírito Santo presented with clinical signs of excessive sweating, reluctance to enter the trailer, muscle tremors, aggression, incoordination, constant tremors of the lips and tongue, chewing movements, and falling. Clinical signs began after the animals were confined in stalls containing coffee husk (Coffea canephora) for at least one week. After three days in the stall, the horse began to show clinical signs characterized by excessive sweating, reluctance to enter the trailer, aggression, and incoordination. On physical examination, there was marked dehydration, tachycardia (120 bpm), tachypnea (80 mpm) and a body temperature of 39.1ºC. In addition, the animal had cecum and ventral colon hypomotility. The horse was treated as soon as it was admitted to the hospital with a 10 mL / h intravenous drip of Ringer lactate solution; 100 mL intravenous mercepton every 24 h; 10 mL intramuscular vitamin B1 every 24 h, and 1.1 mL intravenous acepromazine 1%; when it showed increased excitability, it was treated for neurological signs and recovered four days after admission. The second animal was a 3-year-old female Mangalarga Marchador horse, weighing 280 kg. The animal was confined for 30 days with coffee husk bedding. The horse was fed 8 kg of corn silage and 4 kg of granulated feed per day. After two weeks in confinement, the animal began to show severe incoordination, extremely aggressive behavior, muscle tremors, constant tremors of the lips and tongue, chewing movements, excessive sweating, and falling.Discussion: The diagnosis of coffee husk poisoning was based on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the disease. In Espírito Santo, it seems to be common to use coffee husk as bedding material for horses, mostly as a substitute for sand and wood shavings. In the properties where the animals lived, the coffee was planted to sell, and the remains from production, especially the husks, were used as bedding for the animals. It has been reported that when horses are placed in stalls with coffee husks, they tend to eat the husks spontaneously, resulting in intoxication. The clinical signs observed in this study were similar to those described in horses experimentally intoxicated by the plant. The neurological effects observed were due to the action of caffeine as an adenosine antagonist. The observed neurological clinical signs observed in these cases were nonspecific, and other disorders of the equine central nervous system, such as rabies and leukoencephalomalacia, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of coffee poisoning. Coffee husks should not be used as bedding for horses, as it can cause animal poisoning and death due to the excitatory effects of caffeine, which can lead to spontaneous falls and serious trauma

Aspectos epidemiológicos de um surto de babesiose cerebral em bovinos em zona livre de carrapato

Descrevem-se os aspectos epidemiológicos de um surto de babesiose cerebral ocorrido em bovinos no município de Santa Vitória do Palmar, RS em uma propriedade localizada geograficamente na Latitude S 33°05'23" e Longitude WO 53°09'29", região considerada zona livre de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Em meados de novembro de 2007 foram transferidos para essa propriedade quatro touros, quatro novilhas e duas vacas provenientes do município de Minas do Leão,RS localizado geograficamente na Latitude S 30°12'07" e Longitude WO 52°03'25". De um total de 393 animais, 40 bovinos adultos morreram no período entre 19 de janeiro e 2 de março de 2008. O diagnóstico foi realizado pela observação das lesões macroscópicas e pela presença de numerosas formas parasitárias de Babesia bovis em impressões de fragmentos do córtex telencefálico coradas por Giemsa, que foram enviados ao Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária da UFPel (LRD). Sugere-se que o clima favorável com temperaturas médias entre 23,2°C e 23,6°C e umidade relativa do ar média entre 77,5° e 75,3% observados no período determinaram a ocorrência de uma geração de carrapatos que ao infestarem e inocularem o agente em animais sem nenhuma imunidade contra o mesmo desencadearam o surto

Arthrogryposis in Murrah buffaloes in southern Brazil

Congenital arthrogryposis is described in a Murrah buffalo herd. The disease was characterized by curvature and multiple articular rigidity of the hindlimbs or of all limbs without associated defects except for one case of brachygnatia. Histologically there was reduction of motor neurons from the ventral horns of the spinal cord and hypoplasia of the limb muscles. Analysis of the herd breeding records suggests that the disease is genetically transmitted by an autosomal recessive trait.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria