Flávio Desessards De La Corte

Criptococose pulmonar granulomatosa em um eqüino

A case of cryptococcal granulomatous pneumonia is described in an 8-year-old, male, Quarter Horse with chronic laminitis of 2 years duration. Multiple soft gelatinous nodules were randomly distributed in the lungs. Microscopically, there were cavities filled with numerous yeast-like organisms surrounded by a clear halo and evoking a mild granulomatous reaction. An Alcian blue- and PAS-positive mucinous capsule surrounded the yeast-like structures morphologically typical of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Harpejamento em eqüinos no Rio Grande do Sul

The epidemiology, clinical, gross and histological findings of cases of stringhalt occurring in horses from eight farms in six counties in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from 2000-2005 are reported. At least 10 horses were affected. Ages of affected horses were 1-13 years (average 6.2 years) and 1-2 horses were affected in each farm. Factors that might have influenced the appearance of the disease included dearth of forage due to insufficient rainfall. The presence of the plant Hypochaeris radicata, often implicated as a cause of stringhalt in horses, was observed in the pasture of three out of five evaluated farms and in six of these farms the pasture was poor due to scarse precipitation. Estimated morbidity was 17.3% and lethality was close to zero although two horses were euthanatized for necropsy. Characteristic clinical signs included excessive flexion of the stifle and hock joints, impaired ambulation and bunny hop-type of gait. Clinical disease was graded by number scores from 1-5, higher numbers indicating increasing severity. Three horses were graded as 1, one horse as 2, three horses as 3, one horse as 4 and two horses as 5. Treatment with phenytoin in two horses and with phenytoin and tenectomy in another one did not result in amelioration of the clinical signs. Four out of ten clinical examined horses with stringhalt recovered with no treatment within 2-4 months of clinical disease and four affected horses did not recover even after 9-17 months of clinical disease, when they were lastly examined. Necropsy findings included atrophy of skeletal muscle of the large muscular groups which was confirmed histologically. Histological evaluation of peripheral nerves of one of the euthanatized horses revealed reduction or absence of myelinated fibers. Ultrastructural findings included signs of demyelination, regeneration and remyelination of peripheral nerves.

Acute myonecrosis in horse caused by Clostridium novyi type A

The objective of this study was to describe the first report involving a case of equine acute myonecrosis caused by C. novyi type A with an emphasis on clinical signs, the pathological and bacteriological analysis, and molecular identification of the microorganisms as the key of the definitive diagnosis.

Avaliação de sete protocolos para obtenção de plasma rico em plaquetas na espécie equina

PRP is plasma that contains a high numbers of platelets and growth factors in a small volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate seven different protocols to obtain PRP by the manual method according to their capacity to concentrate platelets, leukocyte and erythrocyte contamination and correlation between platelet count and TGF-β1 growth factor levels in PRP samples. Ten healthy horses with a mean age of 7 years (±2.39), weighing on average 500 kg (±67.1) were used in this study. The protocols tested varied according to the speed and time used at the two centrifugations. PRP samples were analyzed regarding platelet concentration, leukocyte and erythrocyte contamination and TGF-β1 levels quantified by ELISA. No significant differences among protocols were observed regarding the ability to concentrate platelets and TGF-β1. However, protocol I showed significantly higher erythrocyte and leukocyte counts in PRP samples than the other protocols, reason why it was considered inadequate for the volume of blood processed in this experiment. The remaining protocols are suitable for extracting PRP.

Fechamento das placas epifisárias do metacarpiano principal, do rádio e da tíbia em potros Crioulos

Aiming at documenting the closure of the physeal plates of the long bones, 92 Criollo foals, males and females, between 6 and 29 months of age, were used in this study. Dorsopalmar radiographs were taken from the distal portion of the radius, 3rd metacarpal bone and tibia. The radiographic image of the growth plate was classified as visible, partially visible or not visible. At 7 months of age the growth plate of the 3rd metacarpal bone was no longer visible. In the distal physis of the tibia the growth plate was no longer visible at 23 months and at 25 months of age in the radius. The results of this study show that period of closure of the physeal plates of the main metacaopal bone, the radius and tibia is similar to the some described in other breeds.

Fertilidade pós-parto em éguas Puro-Sangue de Corrida

Observaram-se 549 eguas da raca Puro-Sangue de Corrida paridas durante o segundo semestre, no periodo de 1o de julho de 1983 a 31 de dezembro de 1994, com a finalidade de se analisar o indice de concepcao pos-parto, a duracao e a fertilidade dos cios pos-parto, os percentuais de produtos nascidos no ano seguinte e relaciona-los com a idade das eguas. Verificou-se que eguas com idade superior a 13 anos apresentam uma capacidade significativamente menor de conceber e levar a gestacao a termo do que eguas mais novas. O 1o cio pos-parto ocorre em media aos 12,3 (± 10,9) dias pos-parto e, quando apresenta uma duracao de 8 a 14 dias, e significativamente mais fertil do que quando tem uma duracao fora destes limites. A taxa de prenhez observada no 2o cio pos-parto foi significativamente superior a do 1o cio pos-parto.

Relevância da ultra-sonografia dos tendões flexores em cavalos Puro Sangue de corrida na adaptação ao treinamento

The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of twenty four thoroughbreds was ultrasonographically evaluated before and during their initial training to determine the effect of exercise on the tendon CSA, texture and echogenicity to characterize the response to training. Ultrasonographic transverse images of the left forelimb were obtained every fifteen days. The SDFT CSA of zones IA and IIIA showed a decrease (P<0.05, f=0.010 e f=0.023 res.) during the breaking and training period and an increase (P< 0.05) of zone IIIC (f=0.039). Evaluating just the training period, SDFT CSA results of zones IA, IIIA and IIIC were similar. The DDFT showed no variation during the breaking phase but when the training phase was evaluated there was a decrease (P<0.05) in zones IA (f=0.006) and IIIA (f=0.006). Evaluating both breaking and training periods the DDFT showed a decrease (P<0.05) in zones IA (f=0.027), IIIA (f=0.0001) and IIIB (f=0.0031). Fiber texture and tendon echogenicity showed no significant difference between breaking and last reading during training. This study provides evidence of variation of adaptation among the ultrasonographic zones of both SDFT and DDFT to exercise during training of thoroughbred horses. Ultra-sonography is not the most indicated method to evaluate the adaptation of the SDFT and DDFT to training in thoroughbred horses.

Laminite crônica em equídeos da raça Crioula: características clínicas e radiográficas

This study aimed to analyze the clinical and radiographic profile of Criollo horses affected by chronic laminitis brought to the Equine Clinic between 2010 and 2011. Medical records, daily clinical evaluations and radiographic studies were analyzed. Data of nine horses, 55.6% (5/9) females and 44.4% (4/9) intact males with a mean age 8.6±5.9 years and 104.2±91.7 days of hospitalization were included. Laminitis occurred on all four limbs on 22.2% (2/9), while 77.8% (7/9) occurred only on the forelimbs. One out of nine cases laminites was due to endotoxemia (11.1%), 44.4% (4/9) was related to equine metabolic syndrome and on 44.4% (4/9) the cause could not be determined. Sinking of third phalanx ≥20mm identified on radiographic studies occurred on 66.7% (6/9) horses. Only 11.1% (1/9) of the animals presented unilateral sinking of the third phalanx. Sinking of the third phalanx was not correlated with the degree of lameness. Rotation of the distal phalanx (≥5.5°) on at least one member was observed in 66.7% (6/9). There was a positive correlation of the third phalanx rotation degree and the lameness degree (0.1≤r<0.5; P<0.05). Two patients (22.2%) required tenotomy of the deep digital flexor tendon. Insulin resistance was the predisposing cause laminitis most common in this study. Supportive therapy, intensive nursing care, corrective trimming and shoeing provided a high survival rate after discharge so that the animals could be kept comfortable without pain medication.

Claudicação em cavalos Crioulos atletas

This study aimed to identify the source of lameness in Criollo horses that are competing in the most important discipline for this breed in Southern Brazil and also in reining competitions. Clinical records of adult Criollo horses (n=201), 5.6 2.1 years of age, that underwent lameness examination due to history of poor performance or lameness between 2002/2009 were analyzed. Lameness was diagnosed in the front limbs in 47.1% (n=105) and in the hind limbs 52.9% of the cases (n=118). In males 60.0% of the lameness cases were located in the hind limbs. In females 57.1% of the lameness cases were located in the front limbs. In the front limbs (47.1%, n=105/201), problems proximal to the fetlock were diagnosed in 17.1% (18/105). Fetlock problems were diagnosed in 14.3% (15/105) and lesions located distal to the fetlock level were seen in 68.6% (72/105) of the lameness cases diagnosed in the front limbs. In the hind limbs, problems located proximal to the tarsus were seen in 17.8% (21/118), 78.8% (93/118) in the tarsus and 3.4% (4/118) of the cases were seen distal to the tarsus. The distal interfalangeal joint in the front limbs and the distal tarsal joints in the hind limbs were the two most important sources of lameness. Criollo horses presented similar lameness problems as described in other show horses (reining, cutting and roping). This is the first lameness study done in Criollo horses and it will help to better understand the musculoskeletal diseases affecting this breed.

Indução da ovulação com gonadotrofina coriônica humana em éguas Crioulas

The effect of age, follicular diameter and month of the breeding season (September to January) on the hCG induction of ovulation was evaluated using 123 Criollo mares. Age varied between two and 24 years and the animals were examined daily by rectal palpation and ultrasonography with a 5 MHz linear transducer. When ovarian follicles reached a diameter of 30 to 35 mm, ovulation was induced with an i.v. injection of 1000 IU (n = 39); 1500 IU (n = 41) or 2000 IU (n = 43) of hCG. The mares were bred the next day and examined daily until ovulation was detected. The percentage of mares ovulating before 24 h of hCG injection was 10.3%, 7.3% and 4.7%; until 48 h after injection 92.3%, 85.3% and 86.0% of the mares treated with 1000, 1500 and 2000 IU of hCG, respectively, ovulated. The month of the breeding season, age of the mares and follicular diameter had no influence on ovulatory response. The three hCG doses used in Criollo mares (P > 0.05) result in the induction of ovulation within 48 h after injection when a pre-ovulatory follicle with a 30 to 35 mm diameter was identified. A single dose of 1000 IU of hCG is efficient to induce ovulation in Criollo mares.