Ferramentas de qualidade em abatedouros-frigoríficos de frangos de corte no Brasil

O aumento da produção e das exportações da carne de frango brasileiras ocasionou o desenvolvimento de um mercado complexo e competitivo, acompanhado pelo crescimento nos níveis de exigência dos consumidores em relação a qualidade dos produtos. Além disso, essas condições resultaram na atualização das legislações nacionais e internacionais que visam o bem estar animal, a garantia de produtos com padrão de identidade e qualidade, e a produção e comercialização de um alimento seguro. Na busca pela qualidade do produto, é indispensável um rigoroso controle dos processos de elaboração e manipulação dos alimentos, uma vez que as doenças transmitidas por eles causam anualmente grande prejuízo para a saúde dos consumidores. O matadouro-frigorífico é a última etapa da cadeia e é o responsável por garantir a produção e a entrega de um alimento seguro (o produto final) e de qualidade à população e, portanto, a implementação de ferramentas de controle de qualidade é um pré-requisito fundamental para manter a cadeia competitiva e cumprir as exigências legais nacionais e internacionais. A presente monografia visa abordar as principais ferramentas de controle de qualidade implementadas em abatedouros-frigoríficos de frango de corte no Brasil.The increase in Brazilian chicken meat production and exports caused the market to become complex and competitive, accompanied by the growth in consumer demand levels related to the quality of the products. Furthermore, these conditions resulted in the update of national and international legislation aimed at animal welfare, guaranteeing products with identity and quality standards, and the production and trade of safe food. In the search for product quality, a rigorous control of the processes of elaboration and handling of food is indispensable, since the diseases transmitted by them annually cause great damage to the health of consumers. The slaughterhouse is the last stage in the food chain and is responsible for guaranteeing the production and delivery of a safe and quality food (final product) to the population and, therefore, the implementation of quality control tools is a fundamental prerequisite to keep the chain competitive and comply with national and international legal requirements. This monograph aims to address the main quality control tools implemented in broiler slaughterhouses in Brazil

Does preappointment gabapentin affect neurological examination findings? a prospective, randomized and blinded study in healthy cats

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a preappointment oral dose of gabapentin on the neurological examination of cats. Methods A prospective, randomized and blinded clinical trial was conducted in 35 client-owned healthy cats. Cats were scheduled for two appointments and randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a 100 mg gabapentin capsule prior to the second veterinary visit. A neurological examination was performed during each visit, and the results were compared between groups. Normal/abnormal response rates for each test were based on the number of cats that allowed the test to be performed. Results Gabapentin was administered to 17 cats. Gait and postural reactions were significantly affected in the gabapentin group. Comparing the gabapentin with the placebo groups, proprioceptive ataxia was identified in 4/17(23.5%) vs 0/18 cats (P=0.0288); paw placement deficits were seen in 10/11(90.9%) vs 1/4(25%) cats; table tactile placement deficits were identified in 13/17(76.5%) vs 0/18 cats (P<0.0001); hopping deficits were seen in 5/17(29.4%) vs 0/16 cats (P=0.0185); and abnormalities on wheelbarrowing and extensor postural thrust were reported in 5/17(29.4%) vs 0/18 cats (P=0.0129). These results had no correlation with age or dose/kg received. No significant difference was noted in the assessment of level and content of consciousness, posture, cranial nerves and spinal nerves. No significant differences were noted in test compliance or examination duration. Conclusions and relevance Gabapentin significantly altered gait analyses and postural reactions in this group of healthy cats. The administration of gabapentin could lead to false–positive results and, possibly, an incorrect identification of neurological lesions. In contrast, gabapentin did not impair the assessment of cranial nerves and spinal reflexes, which can be assessed in patients receiving the drug