Eugenol and tricaine methanesulfonate as anhestesics for the pearl cichlid

Anesthesia reduces the handling process duration and prevent fish injuries. The anesthetic effect and ideal concentrations of eugenol and tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) were tested for pearl cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis) juveniles with an average weight of 4.4 g in water at 24ºC. The criterion for determining the optimal dose considered an induction time of one minute. Experiment 1 tested the concentrations of 25, 75, 150 and 300 mg L-1 of eugenol. The best results were obtained at doses of 150 and 300 mg L-1. Experiment 2 aimed to establish a more accurate result by testing the concentrations of 180, 210, 240 and 270 mg L-1, and led to an estimation of 217 mg L-1 of eugenol to induce anesthesia in one minute. Experiment 3 evaluated 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mg L-1 of tricaine, of which the concentration of 294 mg L-1 was estimated to induce anesthesia in one minute. No significant differences were observed for recovery times when using either of the anesthetics. No mortality was observed within 24 hours after the experiments for any concentration of the anesthetics. The present study recommends 217 mg L-1 of eugenol or 394 mg L-1 of tricaine for anesthesia of the pearl cichlid.

Guarda responsável de animais de estimação na área urbana do município de Pelotas, RS, Brasil / Responsible pet animal guardianship in the urban area of the municipality of Pelotas in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

O presente estudo teve por objetivo estimar a presença de cães e gatos em domicílios da zona urbana do município e avaliar a guarda responsável e seus fatores associados. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, de base populacional com processo de amostragem em múltiplos estágios e com os setores censitários do censo demográfico do ano de 2010, realizado pelo IBGE, utilizados como conglomerados. A unidade em estudo foi o domicílio. O desfecho foi a guarda responsável, definida por um escore que levou em consideração as seguintes variáveis: esterilização, vacinação antirrábica, consulta médica veterinária, controle de endoparasitas, acesso dos animais às áreas públicas e o recolhimento das fezes nestes locais e controle de ectoparasitas. Entre os 1.558 domicílios investigados, 58,9% possuíam animais de estimação (cão e/ou gato). O estudo revela que o escore de posse responsável aumenta com a escolaridade do chefe da família e é maior entre os moradores de apartamento. A maioria dos domicílios investigados atendeu apenas a metade dos critérios. Os resultados deste estudo apontam para a necessidade de políticas públicas que orientem a população sobre a guarda responsável e que ofertem serviços de imunizações e esterilização para os animais.

The study sought to estimate the presence of cats and dogs in households in the urban area of the city and assess responsible guardianship and associated factors. A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using the multi-stage sampling process and the census sectors of the demographic census of the year 2010 carried out by IBGE were used as conglomerates. The unit under study was the household. The outcome was responsible guardianship, defined by a score that took into account the following variables: sterilization, anti-rabies vaccination, veterinary medical consultation, control of endoparasites, access of animals to public areas, control of ectoparasites and the collection of feces of animals in public areas. Of the 1,558 households investigated, 58.9% had pets (cat or dog). The study reveals that the score of responsible guardianship increases with the education level of the head of the household and is highest among apartment dwellers. The majority of the households investigated met only half of the criteria. The results of this study point to the need for public policies that instruct the population on responsible guardianship, and that offer immunizations and sterilization services for animals.