A brief overview of animal symptom checkers.

Symptom checkers are tools that provide health information, including possible conditions, after entering one or more symptoms. Some symptom checkers also provide advice on how urgent medical attention should be sought. In addition to human symptom checkers, several tools are also available to check the symptoms of animals and provide veterinary triage advice. Unlike in human symptom checkers, this widespread availability has not lead to investigations of these tools. Indeed, little to no peer-reviewed research has been published regarding animal symptom checkers. This paper aims to describe some examples of animal symptom checkers. In addition, the proposals for future research are formulated by translating knowledge obtained from research into human symptom checkers.

Development and validation of a graphic 2D investigator's global assessment instrument for grading the overall severity of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials enrolling dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) use validated instruments that aggregate the extent and severity of selected skin lesions; none of these provides a global assessment of the severity of all lesions. OBJECTIVES: To validate an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) instrument to globally evaluate the severity of skin lesions in dogs with AD. ANIMALS: Forty dogs with AD. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A 2D graphic IGA (2D-IGA) instrument was created to subjectively score, with a single dot, the overall extent and severity of all canine AD lesions. This tool was tested for its validity (content, construct and criterion), reliability (inter- and intraobserver) and sensitivity to change. RESULTS: The content of the 2D-IGA was first validated by a supportive vote by the International Committee of Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA) membership. Its construct was verified by positive correlations between the 2D-IGA scores and those of the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04) and the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI) (Spearman's rank-order correlation, P < 0.0001). The positive correlation (P < 0.0001) between an Owner Global Assessment of Disease Severity (OGADS) and the 2D-IGA indirectly satisfied its criterion. Scores graded by the same investigator hours apart and those between investigators were positively correlated (P < 0.0001), thereby validating this scale's intra- and interobserver reliabilities. Finally, the changes in 2D-IGA values during treatment were correlated positively with scores of an Owner Global Assessment of Treatment Efficacy (OGATE; P < 0.0001), thus showing its sensitivity to change. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This novel 2D-IGA is a simple static graphic instrument that could be useful for clinical trials testing the efficacy of interventions for canine AD.

Epidemiological characterization of Leptospira spp. infection in working horses and in an occupationally exposed population in six Colombian police stations / Caracterización epidemiológica de la infección por Leptospira spp. en caballos de trabajo y en personas ocupacionalmente expuestas en seis unidades de la Policía Nacional de Colombia

Introduction: Police working horses are in close contact with their managers and the general population during recreational and patrol activities, which can favor the transmission of leptospirosis among the horses and the occupationally exposed personnel. Objective. To characterize epidemiologically leptospirosis through serology, urine culture and PCR in working horses and in the occupationally exposed population in six police stations in Colombia. Materials and methods. We tested 153 castrated male horses and 123 people in six police stations in the municipalities of Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá, and Cali. Three structured formats were applied and blood samples were obtained from people and horses, which were processed with the Macroscopic Agglutination Test, (MAT) for 24 serogroups. Horses were subject to a clinical examination, and urine samples were obtained for urine culture and conventional PCR. Results. The seroprevalence of human Leptospira spp. was 3.25% (n=4) while in horses it was 85% (n=130). Among the horses, serogroups Djasiman and Shermani were the most prevalent. The urine culture was positive in 64.7% (99/153) of the samples, whereas PCR analyzes were negative. A statistically significant association was found between the frequency of exiting the facilities (p=0.009) and the presence of wildlife (p=0.0051) with the infection by serogroup Shermani. Conclusion. The epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in horses suggest an endemic presentation of the infection and its role as reservoirs of the bacteria; however, it is necessary to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease with complementary studies.

Introducción. Los caballos de trabajo de la Policía Nacional tienen un estrecho contacto con sus manejadores y la población en general durante las actividades recreativas y de patrullaje, lo cual puede favorecer la transmisión de la leptospirosis en los caballos y el personal ocupacionalmente expuesto. Objetivo. Caracterizar epidemiológicamente la leptospirosis mediante pruebas de serología, urocultivo y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR) en caballos de trabajo y personal con riesgo ocupacional pertenecientes a seis unidades de la Policía Nacional de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron 153 caballos machos castrados y 123 personas en las seis unidades en los municipios de Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá y Cali. Se utilizaron tres formatos estructurados para recabar información y se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas de las personas y de los caballos, las cuales se procesaron con la prueba de aglutinación microscópica (Macroscopic Agglutination Test, MAT) para 24 serogrupos. Se practicó el examen clínico de los caballos y se obtuvieron muestras de orina para el urocultivo y la PCR convencional. Resultados. La seroprevalencia de Leptospira spp. fue de 3,25 % (n=4) en las personas y de 85 % (n=130) en los caballos. Entre los caballos, los serogrupos Djasiman y Shermani fueron los más prevalentes. El urocultivo fue positivo en el 64,7 % (99/153) de las muestras, en tanto que los análisis de PCR fueron negativos. Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa de la frecuencia de salida de las instalaciones (p=0,009) y la presencia de fauna silvestre (p=0,051) con la infección por el serogrupo Shermani. Conclusión. Las características epidemiológicas de la leptospirosis en los caballos sugieren una presentación endémica de la infección y su papel como reservorios de la bacteria; sin embargo, debe dilucidarse la patogenia de la enfermedad con estudios complementarios.

Caracterización epidemiológica de la infección por Leptospira spp. en caballos de trabajo y en personas ocupacionalmente expuestas en seis unidades de la Policía Nacional de Colombia / Epidemiological characterization of Leptospira spp. infection in working horses and in an occupationally exposed population in six Colombian police stations

Resumen Introducción. Los caballos de trabajo de la Policía Nacional tienen un estrecho contacto con sus manejadores y la población en general durante las actividades recreativas y de patrullaje, lo cual puede favorecer la transmisión de la leptospirosis en los caballos y el personal ocupacionalmente expuesto. Objetivo. Caracterizar epidemiológicamente la leptospirosis mediante pruebas de serología, urocultivo y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR) en caballos de trabajo y personal con riesgo ocupacional pertenecientes a seis unidades de la Policía Nacional de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron 153 caballos machos castrados y 123 personas en las seis unidades en los municipios de Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá y Cali. Se utilizaron tres formatos estructurados para recabar información y se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas de las personas y de los caballos, las cuales se procesaron con la prueba de aglutinación microscópica (Macroscopic Agglutination Test, MAT) para 24 serogrupos. Se practicó el examen clínico de los caballos y se obtuvieron muestras de orina para el urocultivo y la PCR convencional. Resultados. La seroprevalencia de Leptospira spp. fue de 3,25 % (n=4) en las personas y de 85 % (n=130) en los caballos. Entre los caballos, los serogrupos Djasiman y Shermani fueron los más prevalentes. El urocultivo fue positivo en el 64,7 % (99/153) de las muestras, en tanto que los análisis de PCR fueron negativos. Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa de la frecuencia de salida de las instalaciones (p=0,009) y la presencia de fauna silvestre (p=0,051) con la infección por el serogrupo Shermani. Conclusión. Las características epidemiológicas de la leptospirosis en los caballos sugieren una presentación endémica de la infección y su papel como reservorios de la bacteria; sin embargo, debe dilucidarse la patogenia de la enfermedad con estudios complementarios.

Abstract Introduction: Police working horses are in close contact with their managers and the general population during recreational and patrol activities, which can favor the transmission of leptospirosis among the horses and the occupationally exposed personnel. Objective. To characterize epidemiologically leptospirosis through serology, urine culture and PCR in working horses and in the occupationally exposed population in six police stations in Colombia. Materials and methods. We tested 153 castrated male horses and 123 people in six police stations in the municipalities of Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Ibagué, Tuluá, and Cali. Three structured formats were applied and blood samples were obtained from people and horses, which were processed with the Macroscopic Agglutination Test, (MAT) for 24 serogroups. Horses were subject to a clinical examination, and urine samples were obtained for urine culture and conventional PCR. Results. The seroprevalence of human Leptospira spp. was 3.25% (n=4) while in horses it was 85% (n=130). Among the horses, serogroups Djasiman and Shermani were the most prevalent. The urine culture was positive in 64.7% (99/153) of the samples, whereas PCR analyzes were negative. A statistically significant association was found between the frequency of exiting the facilities (p=0.009) and the presence of wildlife (p=0.0051) with the infection by serogroup Shermani. Conclusion. The epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in horses suggest an endemic presentation of the infection and its role as reservoirs of the bacteria; however, it is necessary to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease with complementary studies.

Symptoms of Canine Leishmaniosis in Tunisian Dogs.

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a fatal disease caused by Leishmania infantum which is a zoonotic protozoan transmitted to humans from dogs through sandflies. In Tunisia, there is a lack of knowledge on CanL risk and protective factors that limits the possibilities to design control strategies. In this study, 269 dogs suffering from CanL that were presented by their owners to the clinic of the National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet (Tunisia), were examined. Male dogs were more infected than female dogs (sex-ratio = 1.53). The age distribution in dogs has a normal distribution; mostly animals less than 4 years old (48.7%) gets affected by this disease. The majority of the animals were German Shepherded (14.4%) followed by Staffordshire (12.6%) and Rottweiler (9.6%). Most of the dogs live outdoor (87%), did not receive any acaricidal treatment (88.5%) and were not dewormed (70.3%). Poor body condition (73.2%), depilation (69.1%), lymph node enlargement (67.3%) and lethargy (60.2%) were the most frequent symptoms. Further studies need to be carried out to establish the presence of a relation between the zymodems and the clinical typology of CanL. It is also important to know if these disparities were due to differences in the canine population under study, to inherent differences in susceptibility to the disease or to a genetic diversity of the parasite.

La leishmaniose viscérale canine est une maladie fatale due à Leishmania infantum qui est un protozoaire zoonotique transmis aux humains par les chiens par l'intermédiaire de phlébotomes. En Tunisie, il y a un manque d'informations sur la leishmaniose viscérale canine, les facteurs de risque et de protection, limitant les possibilités de développement de stratégies de contrôle. Les auteurs ont examiné 269 chiens présentés par leurs propriétaires en consultation à la clinique de l'École nationale de médecine vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet (Tunisie), présentant une leishmaniose viscérale canine en Tunisie. Les chiens mâles étaient plus infectés que les chiens femelles (sex-ratio = 1,53). La distribution de l'âge des chiens est en cloche, la maladie a concerné principalement les animaux âgés de moins de 4 ans (48,7 %). La majorité des animaux étaient de race berger allemand (14,4 %), suivis par les Staffordshire bull-terrier (12,6 %) et les rottweilers (9,6 %). La majorité des chiens vivaient à l'extérieur (87 %), ne recevaient pas de traitements acaricides (88,5 %) et n'étaient pas vermifugés (70,3 %). Le mauvais état général (73,2 %), la dépilation (69,1 %), l'hypertrophie des nœuds lymphatiques (67,3 %) et la léthargie (60,2 %) étaient les symptômes les plus fréquents. Des études ultérieures sont nécessaires pour établir une relation entre les zymodèmes et la typologie clinique de la leishmaniose viscérale du chien. Il serait intéressant également de savoir si ces disparités étaient dues à une différence de la population canine étudiée, à une différence de la sensibilité des chiens ou à une diversité génétique du parasite.

Psychometric properties of the Canine Symptom Assessment Scale, a multidimensional owner-reported questionnaire instrument for assessment of physical symptoms in dogs with solid tumors.

OBJECTIVE To describe development and initial psychometric testing of the Canine Symptom Assessment Scale (CSAS), a multidimensional owner-reported questionnaire instrument, in a population of dogs with solid tumors enrolled in clinical trials. DESIGN Questionnaire development and validation study. ANIMALS 238 client-owned dogs with solid tumors. PROCEDURES A 14-symptom questionnaire was developed. Symptoms were defined as subjective physical disturbances dogs experienced during the course of daily living as assessed through proxy reports of pet owners. For each symptom, owners reported frequency and severity of the symptom and extent of distress caused by the symptom for the dog and the owner. Questionnaire content, symptom prevalence and dimensionality, internal consistency, and factor structure were examined. Construct and criterion validity were examined via comparison with the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI). RESULTS Symptom prevalence was high, with pain and lack of energy reported in most dogs. Severity, versus frequency, was most highly correlated with both dog and owner distress. Two symptoms were removed from consideration because of poor performance. Analysis of the remaining 12 symptoms revealed that they could be grouped into 3 factors: malaise, anxiety, and digestive upset. The CSAS factor and total scores demonstrated predictable relationships with quality of life and pain scores as measured by the CBPI, including a significant association between increasing symptom burden and decreasing quality of life. The Cronbach α for the CSAS was 0.77. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The 12-item CSAS was a psychometrically sound owner-reported instrument for assessment of symptom frequency and characteristics in client-owned dogs with solid tumors. Potential applications include clinical research and practice settings.

Randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial shows no benefit of homeopathic mastitis treatment in dairy cows.

Mastitis is one of the most common diseases in dairy production, and homeopathic remedies have been used increasingly in recent years to treat it. Clinical trials evaluating homeopathy have often been criticized for their inadequate scientific approach. The objective of this triple-blind, randomized controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of homeopathic treatment in bovine clinical mastitis. The study was conducted on a conventionally managed dairy farm between June 2013 and May 2014. Dairy cows with acute mastitis were randomly allocated to homeopathy (n = 70) or placebo (n = 92), for a total of 162 animals. The homeopathic treatment was selected based on clinical symptoms but most commonly consisted of a combination of nosodes with Streptococcinum, Staphylococcinum, Pyrogenium, and Escherichia coli at a potency of 200c. Treatment was administered to cows in the homeopathy group at least once per day for an average of 5 d. The cows in the placebo group were treated similarly, using a placebo preparation instead (lactose globules without active ingredients). If necessary, we also used allopathic drugs (e.g., antibiotics, udder creams, and anti-inflammatory drugs) in both groups. We recorded data relating to the clinical signs of mastitis, treatment, time to recovery, milk yield, somatic cell count at first milk recording after mastitis, and culling. We observed cows for up to 200 d after clinical recovery. Base-level data did not differ between the homeopathy and placebo groups. Mastitis lasted for an average of 6 d in both groups. We observed no significant differences in time to recovery, somatic cell count, risk of clinical cure within 14 d after disease occurrence, mastitis recurrence risk, or culling risk. The results indicated no additional effect of homeopathic treatment compared with placebo. The advantages or disadvantages of homeopathy should be carefully assessed for individual farms.

C-Peptides for diagnostics and therapy: a veterinary medicine point of view / Peptídeos-C para diagnóstico e terapia: um ponto de vista na medicina veterinária

Empirical studies proved that C-peptides are performing numerous intrinsic biological roles, and serve as a marker for pancreatic performance analysis. Since the last decade, C-peptide assays for differential diagnosis in veterinary diabetic patients are becoming more available, but still only for a very limited number of species. Studies on C-peptide as a diagnostic tool, therapy for associated complications, or as replacement therapies for C-peptide deficiency still showed not to be a common practice in veterinary medicine. This review was conducted to determine the potential importance of C-peptide in Veterinary Medicine, relevant in the diagnosis of diabetes and for other metabolic processes, as well as its proposed therapeutic benefits. Numerous articles were identified that reported positive results in their experimental studies, whether C-peptide as a biomarker for pancreatic performance in dogs, cats, and horses, as a non-invasive method to monitor nutritional status in primates, or to investigate its potential therapeutic benefits for diabetes-related illnesses.(AU)

Os estudos empíricos provaram que o peptídeo C realiza várias funções biológicas intrínsecas e serve também como um marcador para a análise de desempenho do pâncreas. Nesta última década os ensaios peptídeo C para o diagnóstico diferencial em doentes diabéticos veterinários estão mais disponíveis, contudo apenas em um limitado número de espécies. Estudos sobre C-peptídeo como ferramenta de diagnóstico, terapia de complicações associadas ou como terapias de reposição na sua deficiência ainda não é prática comum na Medicina Veterinária. Esta avaliação foi realizada para determinar a importância potencial de peptídeo C na Medicina Veterinária, relevante no diagnóstico de diabetes e também em outros processos metabólicos, assim como os benefícios terapêuticos propostos. Foram identificados numerosos artigos que reportaram resultados positivos nos seus estudos experimentais, quer o peptídeo C fosse utilizado como biomarcador para o desempenho do pâncreas em cães, gatos e cavalos, como um método não invasivo para monitorar o estado nutricional em primatas, quer para investigar o seu potencial terapêutico benéfico para doenças relacionadas ao diabetes.(AU)

Preliminary study on attitudes, opinions and knowledge of Italian veterinarians with regard to abdominal visceral pain in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitudes, opinions and knowledge of Italian veterinarians regarding abdominal visceral pain in canine practice. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective online survey. METHODS: An online questionnaire was created on a Google Form spreadsheet and the weblink was circulated to Italian veterinarians on several mailing lists. The questionnaire, which was available between November 2012 and July 2013, comprised 18 closed, semi-closed and open questions divided into five sections (aetiology, recognition and assessment, drug choices for canine visceral pain, general knowledge about pain management and desire for further education, and demographic information). RESULTS: A total of 527 responses to the questionnaire were completed. Pancreatitis (19%), gastroenteritis (17%) and gastrointestinal obstructions or foreign bodies (9%) were highlighted as the most frequent causes of abdominal visceral pain. Posture, gait and movement changes (32%) and physiological changes (31%) were commonly quoted for pain recognition and assessment. Most respondents (74%) did not use pain scoring systems. Pancreatitis and peritonitis were considered the most painful abdominal conditions. Opioids (40%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (21%) and tramadol (20%) were cited as drugs for the management of visceral pain. A large percentage of respondents (97%) believed that their knowledge regarding pain management required improvement. There is practitioner interest for more continuing education in the subject. Most respondents were women (66%), aged between 25 and 40 years (57%). Internal medicine (56%), surgery (34%) and anaesthesiology (29%) were the main three speciality areas of interest in this study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This online survey represents the opinion of a small number of Italian veterinarians regarding the assessment and treatment of canine abdominal visceral pain. The results show that Italian veterinarians are aware of the main causes and clinical signs of canine visceral pain. Pain-scoring systems are not often used for the recognition and assessment of pain; however, according to these veterinarians, visceral pain is commonly diagnosed.

Intoxicação aguda por Pteridium arachnoideum e Pteridium caudatum em bovinos e distribuição das plantas em Mato Grosso / Acute poisoning by Pteridium arachnoideum and Pteridium caudatum in cattle and distribution of the plants in Mato Grosso

São descritos os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos de um surto de intoxicação por Pteridium arachnoideum e Pteridium caudatum em bovinos no Estado de Mato Grosso. A distribuição dessas plantas no Estado, a intensidade de invasão de pastagens e alguns fatores associados à invasão das pastagens por Pteridium spp. são também descritos. Pteridium spp. foi observada em 83 propriedades de nove municípios de Mato Grosso e deste total, amostras de 22 propriedades foram coletadas para identificação taxonômica. Em 22 propriedades identifica-se P. arachnoideum e em duas dessas havia também P. caudatum. O desmatamento e a realização de queimadas parecem estar relacionados com a invasão de Pteridium spp. nas pastagens. Na propriedade em que ocorreu a doença, 306 bovinos foram introduzidos em uma pastagem formada por Brachiaria brizantha intensamente invadida por P. arachnoideum e P. caudatum e desses 22 bovinos adoeceram e morreram. Os principais sinais clínicos foram febre alta, apatia, fadiga, fraqueza e decúbito. Na necropsia havia graus variáveis de hemorragias em vários órgãos e cavidades e infartos ocasionais. Microscopicamente, a alteração mais importante consistiu em aplasia severa da medula óssea vermelha. Os achados epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos associados à identoificação taxonômica da planta fundamentam o diagnóstico de intoxicação aguda por P. arachnoideum e P. caudatum em bovinos. O crescente desmatamento e a frequente utilização de queimadas em Mato Grosso podem contribuir para que esta doença venha a ser uma importante fonte de prejuízos para a pecuária do Estado.

Epidemiological features, clinical signs and pathological findings of a spontaneous acute poisoning by Pteridium arachnoideum and Pteridium caudatum in cattle in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, are described. The plant distribution, magnitude and some aspects about the pasture invasion by P. arachnoideum and P. caudatum in the State are also described. Pteridium spp. were found in 83 farms from nine counties and 22 of them were submitted to taxonomic identification. P. arachnoideum was found in 22 farms and in two farms also P. caudatum. Deforestation and burning appear to be associated with pasture invasion by Pteridium spp. On the farm where the poisoning occurred 306 cattle were introduced into a pasture of Brachiaria brizantha intensely invaded by P. arachnoideum and P. caudatum. Twenty two cattle were poisoned by the plants and died. The main clinical signs were hemorrhages, high fever, apathy, fatigue, weakness and recumbency. Gross findings included variable degrees of hemorrhages in several organs and cavities with occasional infarcts. The most consistent histological finding was marked bone marrow aplasia. Epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings associated with the taxonomic identofication of the plant support the diagnosis of acute poisoning by P. arachnoideum and P. caudatum in cattle. The increasing rate of deforestation and frequent burning in Mato Grosso can contribute to this disease which becomes a major cause of economic losses to livestock production in the State.

Envenenamento crotálico em cães / Crotalic envenomation in dogs

No Brasil, foram notificados no ano de 2011 30.826 casos de acidentes ofídicos em seres humanos, sendo que destes, 71,9% foram serpentes do gênero Bothrops. Todavia, dados do Serviço de Toxicologia do Hospital João XXIII (Belo Horizonte, MG) reportam que a maior parte dos acidentes por serpentes são decorrentes da espécie Caudisona durissa (Crotalus durissus) (ANDRADE FILHO et al., 2013). Do mesmo modo, no Hospital Veterinário da Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), o percentual de atendimentos decorrentes de picadas com serpentes da espécie C. durissa no ano de 2012 até maio de 2013 foi de 90% (foi atendido um total de 10 animais envenenados por serpentes neste período e apenas um animal foi serpente Bothrops). Os diagnósticos caninos foram realizados com base na identificação da serpente, nas manifestações clínicas e achados laboratoriais.

Manejo emergencial do hipoadrenocorticismo em cão – relato de caso / Emergency management of hypoadrenocorticism in dog – case report

O hipoadrenocorticismo é uma endocrinopatia incomum de difícil diagnóstico em cães (ROMÃO e ANTUNES, 2012). Os sinais clínicos são bastante variáveis, e o paciente pode apresentar desde uma simples gastroenterite até sinais de fraqueza e coma, em decorrência da falta de glicocorticóides e mineralocorticóides (ROMÃO e ANTUNES, 2012). O tratamento consiste em restabelecer rapidamente a volemia, principalmente na crise adrenal aguda, com administração de fluidoterapia intravenosa e glicocorticóide (EMANUELLI et al., 2007). O presente trabalho objetiva relatar o tratamento emergencial de um caso de hipoadrenocortiscismo em uma cadela.

Acidente ofídico em um cão - relato de caso / g - case report

As serpentes peçonhentas dos gêneros Bothrops (jararacas), Micrurus (corais), Crotalus (cascavéis) e Lachesis (surucucus) são as mais importantes em acidentes ofídicos no Brasil. A maior incidência destes acidentes na Medicina Veterinária é causada por serpentes do gênero Bothrops. Os cães são altamente suscetíveis a acidentes botrópicos devido ao seu comportamento curioso, e os locais comumente atingidos no ataque da serpente são o focinho e o pescoço. Cães e gatos são geralmente tratados algumas horas após a picada, quando os sintomas já são bem evidentes. Devido à atividade proteolítica, hipotensora e coagulante do veneno, o tratamento imediato é um fator decisivo para o prognóstico do paciente. O objetivo deste resumo é descrever o caso de um acidente ofídico em um cão atendido em hospital universitário.

Acidente ofídico em um cão - relato de caso / Ophidian accident in a dog - case report

Foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, um canino, da raça Bulldog, de oito anos, pesando 32 kg, o qual habitava em um sítio. Foi relatado que o animal havia sofrido um acidente ofídico há duas horas e recebeu soro antiofídico em doses não conhecidas, por via subcutânea, cerca de uma hora após o acidente. A cobra foi descrita como da espécie Bothrops alternatus. O exame clínico mostrou edema acentuado na região submandibular direita, hematoma e lesões com sangramento no ponto de inoculação no pescoço. O animal foi hospitalizado e foram realizados hemograma e exames bioquímicos (ALT, creatinina, ureia), os quais não tiveram alterações, além de testes de coagulação (TP, TTPa), os quais se mostraram incoaguláveis (acima de 30s).

Some virulence genes of Escherichia coli isolated from cloacal swabs of healthy Alagoas Curassows (Pauxi mitu) in Brazil / Alguns genes de virulência de Escherichia coli isoladas de mutuns-do-nordeste (Pauxi mitu) sadios no Brasil

Birds of the Cracidae family (curassows, guans, and chachalacas) are endemic of the Neotropics and 50 species are currently classified. Brazil has 22 species, seven of which are considered threatened. The Alagoas Curassow (Pauxi mitu) species is considered extinct in the wild; but about 120 birds are alive in captivity. Conservation of this species depends entirely on correct management. Health reports of both wildlife and captive curassows are rare. In this study the presence of Escherichia coli was evaluated in 23 healthy Alagoas Curassows from two private breeding centres. E. coli was isolated from cloacal swabs, and the presence of genes encoding cytotoxic necrotising factor 1 (cnf1), alpha-haemolysin (hly), aerobactin (iuc), serum resistance (iss) and the following adhesions: S fimbriae (sfa), pili associated with pyelonephritis (pap) and temperature-sensitive haemagglutinin (tsh) were investigated. E. coli was isolated from 78.3% (18/23) of the birds, and the percentage of curassows colonized by E. coli was similar between the two facilities. From the 22 E. coli isolates, 15 (68.2%) were positive for at least one virulence factor by PCR, and the most frequently found gene was iss (50%). No curassows had clinical signs of disease. Nevertheless, the presence of some E. coli strains may be a concern to the wildlife in captivity. Additional health surveillance studies are essential to guarantee successful conservation programmes for threatened cracids in Brazil.

Aves da família Cracidae (mutuns, jacutingas e aracuãs) são endêmicas da região Neotropical com 50 espécies atualmente classificadas. O Brasil possui 22 espécies nesta família e sete delas são consideradas ameaçadas de extinção. O mutum-do-nordeste (Pauxi mitu) é considerado extinto na natureza, no entanto, aproximadamente 120 indivíduos são mantidos em cativeiro. A conservação desta espécie depende inteiramente de um manejo correto. Informações sobre o status sanitário de mutuns são raras, tanto em vida livre quanto em cativeiro. Neste estudo a presença de Escherichia coli foi avaliada em 23 mutuns-do-nordeste sadios de dois criatórios particulares. E. coli foi isolada a partir de suabes cloacais, em seguida, foi avaliada a presença de genes que codificam fator citotóxico necrotizante 1 (cnf1), alfa-hemolisina (hly), produção de aerobactina (iuc) e resistência sérica (iss) e genes que codificam os seguintes fatores de virulência: fímbria S (sfa), pili associado à pielonefrite (pap) e hemaglutinina termosensível (tsh). E. coli foi isolada de 78,3% (18/23) das aves e o percentual de mutuns positivos para E. coli foi semelhante entre as duas criações. De 22 isolados de E. coli, 15 (68,2%) foram positivos para pelo menos um fator de virulência pela PCR e o gene mais frequente foi o iss (50%). Nenhuma ave apresentava sinal clínico de doença, no entanto, a presença de determinadas cepas de E. coli pode representar uma preocupação em relação às aves silvestres mantidas em cativeiro. Estudos adicionais de monitoria do status sanitário do plantel são essenciais para garantir o sucesso de futuros programas de conservação de cracídeos ameaçados no Brasil.

Occurrence of Chlamydophila felis in a cattery in Osasco city, São Paulo state / Ocorrência de Chlamydophila felis em um gatil na região de Osasco, São Paulo

Chlamydophila felis is associated with upper respiratory tract infections. In the present study, 31 cats from a noncommercial shelter located in Osasco, SP, Brazil, were examined. The cats presented with clinical manifestations, which were classified from grade 1 to 4, with 4 indicating severe manifestations. In total, 16.13% of the cats presented with grade 1 severity of clinical manifestations, 25.81% presented with grade 2, 38.71% presented with grade 3, and 19.35% presented with grade 4. PCR was used to detect C. felis in samples taken from the oral mucosa and ocular conjunctiva of both eyes using sterile, dry cotton swabs. Overall, 58% of the samples were positive for C. felis. Of these animals, none showed clinical manifestations that were classified as grade 1, whereas 5.56% of cats were classified as grade 2, 61.11% were classified as grade 3, and 33.33% were classified as grade 4. The median clinical manifestation intensity score for the first group was 3 and ranged from 2 to 4. In the second group not positive for C. felis, 38.45% of the animals (5/13) presented with manifestations classified as grade 1, 53.85% (7/13) were classified as grade 2, 7.69% (1/13) were classified as grade 3, and no animals were classified as grade 4. The median clinical manifestation intensity score for the second group was 2 and ranged from 1 to 3. In this study, there was a high occurrence of C. felis in animals with clinical manifestations.

A Chlamydophila felis está associada à infecção de trato respiratório superior. No presente estudo, foram utilizados 31 felinos de um gatil não comercial, localizado em Osasco/SP. Os gatos apresentavam manifestações clínicas, classificadas de 1 a 4, sendo 4 atribuído àqueles que apresentavam pior manifestação clínica. Foi observada a intensidade de manifestação clínica grau 1 em 16,13% dos gatos, a 2 em 25,81%, a 3 em 38,71% e a 4 em 19,35%. A detecção de C. felis foi realizada por técnica de PCR em amostras obtidas com suabes de algodão, seco e estéril, de mucosa oral e de conjuntiva ocular de ambos os olhos. Verificou-se que 58% das amostras para C. felis foram positivas, entre esses animais, nenhum apresentou manifestação clínica classificada como grau 1, o grau 2 foi observado em 5,56% dos gatos, 61,11% para o 3 e 33,33% dos animais apresentava a intensidade 4. Verificou-se que para o primeiro grupo a mediana dos escores de intensidade das manifestações clínicas observadas foi de 3, variando de 2 a 4. No segundo grupo, foi observado 38,45% (5/13) dos animais para a intensidade 1, 53,85% (7/13) para a 2 e 7,69% (1/13) para a 3, nenhum animal deste grupo apresentou o grau 4. Verificou-se para o segundo grupo, a mediana dos escores de intensidade das manifestações clínicas observadas foi de 2, variando de 1 a 3. Neste trabalho foi observada uma elevada ocorrência de C. felis em animais com manifestação clínica.

Detecção de formas amastigotas em exame parasitológico de esfregaço obtido a partir de suabe conjuntival de cães com leishmaniose visceral / Detection of amastigote forms in a parasitological exam of smears made from conjuntival swab in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis

Leishmaniose é uma enfermidade multissistêmica cujas manifestações clínicas são extremamente variáveis. Em cães sinais clínicos oftálmicos são relativamente frequentes, ainda que outros sinais sistêmicos não sejam identificados. Atualmente, o diagnóstico da doença baseia-se em métodos parasitológicos, sorológicos e moleculares, mas, até o momento, a identificação de formas amastigotas desse parasito em esfregaços feitos a partir de suabes conjuntivais não é empregada rotineiramente. Valendo-se de cães sorologicamente positivos para leishmaniose, portadores (G1) ou não (G2) de alterações oftálmicas, este estudo avaliou a viabilidade do esfregaço a partir de suabe conjuntival como método de diagnóstico para a enfermidade. O exame suprarreferido foi positivo em 60% dos animais do G1 e 38,1% do G2, no entanto não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação à positividade nos dois grupos (P=0,2167). Os dados apontam para uma tendência de os cães com leishmaniose e com sinais oftálmicos serem positivos ao exame parasitológico de esfregaço a partir de suabe conjuntival, podendo esse método ser útil no diagnóstico parasitológico da leishmaniose canina.

Leishmaniasisis is a multisystemic disease with varying clinical presentations. In dogs, alterations in the eyes are commonly observed even in animals with no systemic signs. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis is currently based on parasitological, serological and molecular methods, although the identification of amastigote forms of this parasite in conjunctival swabs is not a routine technique in clinical practice. Serologically positive dogs for leishmaniasis presenting (G1) or not (G2) ocular alterations were enrolled in this study to evaluate the conjunctival swab as a method for the diagnosis of this disease. The parasitological evaluation of the swabs disclosed 60% positivity for dogs in group 1, whereas only 38.1% of dogs in group 2 were positive. However, no significant difference was documented between the two groups (P=0.2167). Our data suggest a tendency for dogs with ocular signs to be tested positive in the conjunctival swab exam, thus, this method is useful in the diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis.