Risk factors to incidental leptospirosis and its role on the reproduction of ewes and goats of Espírito Santo state,Brazil

Ovine and caprine stockbreeding have been gaining attention in developing countries as an attractive investment. On these animals, infectious diseases of the reproductive tract, such as leptospirosis, can compromise the production leading to economic losses. The present study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with incidental leptospirosis and its influence on the reproductive parameters of ewes and goats of Espírito Santo state, Brazil. A total of 737 animals distributed on 24 herds/flocks were studied, and an overall prevalence of 10.9 % seroreactive animals was observed. Serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was the most frequent in goats (97.0 %) as well as in ewes (78.3 %). Regarding risk factors related to leptospirosis, the presence of waterholes and the semi-intensive breeding system were the most important associated to seroreactivity. Besides, there was an observed association between seroreactivity and reproductive failures (P?<?0.05). Moreover, seroreactive ewes (relative risk (RR)?=?1.3) and goats (RR?=?1.9) presented more chances to have abortions than seronegative animals. Furthermore, seroreactive ewes presented 11.6 more chances of having premature births when compared to the seronegative ones. It can be concluded that Leptospira infection, mainly those caused incidental strains (such as Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup), is a significant factor to reduce the productivity of small ruminants’ herds/flocks in the studied region, and environmental measures must be considered on control programs.

     

Long-term prospective evaluation of intestinal anastomosis using stainless steel staples in 14 dogs

This prospective clinical study evaluated the use, complications, and clinical and ultrasonographic follow-ups of end-to-end intestinal anastomoses with skin staples in naturally occurring diseases in canine small and large intestines. Intestinal anastomoses were performed in 14 dogs and pre-, peri-, and postoperative data were recorded. Postoperative clinical and ultrasound evaluations were performed at regular intervals for 1 year. The mean time taken to construct the anastomosis was 5 min. There were no intraoperative complications. Hemorrhage and colonic stricture were the main postoperative complications. Staple loss occurred in 2 cases. Absence of wall layering and focal wall thickening were observed in all cases at each ultrasonographic follow-up. Hyperechoic fat was observed in all but 1 of the cases at month 1. Nine dogs were alive with normal digestive function at the end of the study. The skin stapler technique enabled rapid construction of consistent anastomoses with inexpensive stapling material.     

不同类农作物秸秆在肉羊瘤胃中的降解特性研究

本试验旨在研究不同类农作物秸秆在肉羊瘤胃中的降解规律,以3头安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的杜×寒肉用绵公羊为试验动物,以青贮玉米秸为对照材料,采用半体内尼龙袋法对不同产地的6类19个秸秆样品干物质(DM)和中性洗涤纤维(NDF)的降解率和降解参数进行测定。结果表明:秸秆DM和NDF的瘤胃降解规律相近,48 h后趋于稳定,72 h消失率和有效降解率(ED)最高的为藤蔓类的地瓜秧和花生秧,接近青贮玉米秸,玉米秸、大豆秸和稻草秸较低,小麦秸最低(P0.05);DM和NDF有效降解率与粗蛋白质(CP)、NDF和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)的相关性较强(P0.01),拟合方程分别为DMD=0.9900+0.3270 CP-0.8099 NDF-0.1880 ADF(R~2=0.8860,P0.0001)、NDFD=0.5111+0.3833 CP-0.1519 NDF-0.3963 ADF(R~2=0.7585,P0.0001)。地瓜秧和花生秧在瘤胃中降解快,可作为肉羊较好的饲料来源,而玉米秸、大豆秸、稻草秸和小麦秸在瘤胃中降解效果较差。     

Anatomical Variations of the Blood Vascular System in Veterinary Medicine

Traditional veterinary anatomical models describe the branches of the caudal gluteal artery as the iliolumbar, cranial gluteal, lateral caudal, satellite of the ischiatic nerve and dorsal perineal arteries. However, some classical veterinary anatomy textbooks often indicate variations the general organization of the arterial tree, without giving any pattern of origin or illustrations of the different branching. The aim of this study was to investigate the presumptive variability of the caudal gluteal artery. Two hundred and thirty‐two pelvic halves from 116 adult dogs were examined. Twelve anatomical variations were found, nine occurring in more than 5% of the dogs, and three in <5%. A ‘long‐type’ internal iliac artery, which means short caudal gluteal and internal pudendal arteries, was identified, while a ‘perineal trunk’ was observed as an interesting arterial variation. If the caudal segment alone is taken into consideration, identical vascular patterns in both hemi‐pelvises are found in 17% of the dogs. Significant statistical correlation was found for four different types of anatomic variations and gender, two types of variations and body size, one type of variation for body side and one type of variation for head shape.