Jackson Schade

Auscultatory and electrocardiographic characteristics of Crioulo horses

In order to determine auscultatory and electrocardiographic characteristics of Crioulo horses, one hundred animals ranging between one and twenty-six years of age (21 stallions, nine geldings, 27 pregnant mares e 43 not pregnant mares) were evaluated. The cardiac auscultation was performed during the clinical examination of the cardiovascular system, evaluating frequency, rate, normal and abnormal heart sounds (heart murmurs). The electrocardiographic examination followed the bipolar base-apex derivative system with animals at rest, by using an ECG-PC TEB equipment. The cardiac frequency, heart rate, morphology, duration, wave and complex amplitudes and interval durations were determined. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests with an error probability of 5%. The cardiac auscultation revealed presence of functional systolic and diastolic murmur (10.00%) and systolic murmur compatible with tricuspid regurgitation besides normal heart sounds S1 (100.0%), S2 (100.0%), S3 (19.0%) and S4 (34.0%). The cardiac frequency obtained the average of 43.64 bpm, observing significative differences in relation to sexual and age factors and training level. The sinus rhythm was the most frequent (57.00%), followed by sinus tachycardia (38.00%) and sinus arrhythmia (5.00%), being observed rhythm disturbances in 16% of tracings. The P and T waves were observed more frequently in their forms P bifida positive (95.00%) and biphasic T (91.00%), being variable at tracing. There were also observed Q waves in 12.00% of the tracings. Thus, it was concluded that the auscultatory characteristics of Crioulo horses are according to the described in the literature for the species and the sexual factor, category, age factor and training level can influence some electrocardiographic parameters.

Perfil bioquímico sérico de equinos clinicamente sadios da raça Campeiro

Amostras de sangue foram obtidas de 138 equinos registrados da raca Campeiro, com idade media de 9,7±5,4 anos, sendo 14 machos (10,15%) e 124 femeas (89,85%). Observaram-se valores medios da atividade serica de GGT: 13,73±4,08 U/L; AST: 246,34±72,87U/L; ALT: 5,13±1,18U/L; FA: 284,32±53,33UI/L; CK: 132,54±72,25U/L; LDH: 511,38±143,65U/L; e das concentracoes sericas de ureia: 38,65±12,62mg/dL e de creatinina: 1,24±0,24mg/dL. Os valores medios de AST, FA, ALT, ureia e creatinina foram semelhantes aos propostos na literatura para outras racas. Os valores de CK, GGT e LDH foram superiores aos comumente utilizados como referencias. Nao houve diferenca nas concentracoes de nenhum dos componentes sericos avaliados nas diferentes idades analisadas. Maiores valores medios nas concentracoes de ureia e menores de creatinina foram observados nas femeas em relacao aos machos, assim como a maior atividade serica de FA em femeas gestantes em relacao as eguas vazias. O perfil bioquimico serico de equinos sadios da raca Campeiro apresenta variacoes peculiares que devem ser levadas em consideracao na interpretacao de exames laboratoriais.

Hemogram, Fibrinogen Concentration and Plasma Total Protein from Calves of Criollo Lageano Breed Variety Hornless and Aberdeen Angus Breed (Red Angus) on the First Six Months of Life

Background: Neonatal period in bovine presents important variations in hematologic and immunologic parameters, and the resulting mortality rates may be due to increased susceptibility to disease. Race, age, environmental, climate and management factors are sources of CBC’s parameters variation in cattle. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the CBC variables and concentrations of total protein (PTP) and plasma fibrinogen calves of Criolo Lageano Breed variety hornless and Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) in the first six months of life, which are produced under extensive management at the Planalto Serrano Catarinense (southern Brazil). Materials, Methods & Results: Two groups were selected, comprising 11 calves of Hornless Criolo Lageano and 14 calves of the Aberdeen Angus breed (Red Angus). Blood samples were collected for complete blood count and determination of total protein concentrations, and plasma fibrinogen in the periods between 24 h and 36, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days of life. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance for repeated measures (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). During the experimental period infestations by ticks in both races were observed. In the first month of life, blood smears revealed the presence of blood parasites of the genus Babesia spp. and Anaplasma sp. The fluctuations seen for erythrocyte in the neonatal period (30 days), although not significant, consisted of raising the number of values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV), and reduction in mean corpuscular volume values (MCV). From 90 days of age there was a significant reduction in number of red blood cells and VG values, and elevated MCV values and mean corpuscular volume (MCHC) for the Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus). For the WBC, the neonatal period was marked by increase in the number of lymphocytes and decrease in neutrophil ratio: lymphocyte (N, L) with respect to the inversion of 15 days. In the age group 90 days of life was evident increase in the number of leukocytes and lymphocytes in both races. The plasma fibrinogen concentrations showed no significant variations during the trial period. The plasma total protein (PTP), had higher values on the second day of life, with reductions up to 60 days and gradual increase in subsequent times. Discussion: The fluctuations related to the values of erythrocyte variables in the neonatal period are consistent with results reported by other authors in calves of other races. Changes in erythrocyte values observed from 90 days of age on race Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) can be attributed to infection by blood parasites and consequent hemolysis. As for the leucocyte count, increasing the number of lymphocytes and inversion of N:L is the neonatal period in a physiological variation and confirms observations made by other authors in calves of other races. In the age group 90 days, leukocytosis by lymphocytosis was related to natural premonition against Babesia spp. and Anaplasma spp., which is documented in cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. When analyzing the PTP values on the second day of life, it can be said that there has been proper transfer of passive immunity in both races, given the high correlation of PTP values and gamma globulins. The reduction of PTP and subsequent elevation values are characteristic of the physiological curve related to degradation of passively transferred immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin synthesis by competent immune system.

Aural Plaques in Crossbred Working Horses

Background: The aural plaque is a papillomatosis variant that occurs in the inner surface of the auricular pavilion of equine. The disease is associated with economic losses in the equine sector, since it reduces the commercial value of the severely affected animals. However, there are few studies evaluating the occurrence of aural plaques in different breeds and equine populations in Brazil and in other countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency, clinical and histological characteristics of the aural plaques in working horses from Lages, SC, Brazil. Materials, Methods & Results: Seventy-three crossbreed equines were used, including 48 males and 25 females between 1 and 25 years old, and that were used as working horses (traction) in the urban perimeter in the city of Lages, SC. The findings related to breed, age, sex, presence or absence of compatible lesions with aural plaques, anatomical location and lesion characteristics were evaluated and annotated. The lesions were photographed and drawn on paper to determine the size and distribution in the ear and were reevaluated for a period of two months with an interval of 30 days between each evaluation. The number of aural plaques was determined by manual counting in each auricular pavilion, which were divided into four quadrants (left and right upper, right and left lower). When the plaque was located in the median region of the quadrants, it was described in the region of the greatest location. To evaluate the histopathologic features, three equines that bearer typical lesions of aural plate were submitted to a biopsy. The statistical analysis of the data was performed through the descriptive analysis, and the chi-square test was used to identify the relationship between sex, presence or not of aural plaque and anatomical location of the lesions, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey’s test to determine the most affected quadrant, being accepted a level of significance of 5%. The frequency of affected animals by aural plaques was 56.16% (41/73), being 68% (17/25) females and 50% (24/48) males, with no predilection for sex. The superficial, depigmented and punctate lesions frequently were the most observed, being unilaterals in 63.41% (26/41) and bilaterals in 36.59% (15/41) of the animals. There was a difference for the distribution of the unilateral or bilateral lesions and the upper quadrants of the inner face of the ear frequently were the most affected. The regression of the size or number of plaques was not observed during the period of clinical follow-up. Besides, it was not observed significant increase in lesion size or appearance of new aural plaques during the evaluation period. Pain or itching were not associated with the lesions. The histopathological characteristics consisted in pronounced hyperplasia of the epidermis, deepening to the dermis, diffuse moderate orthokeratotic hyperkeratinization and acanthosis. Discussion: The high frequency of aural plaques in the study may be related to the work environment and breeding of these animals. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of this disease in raised and used for traction horses in the urban environment. The arrangement of the plaques on the surface of the ear was higher in the regions of the upper quadrants, suggesting that this distribution may be related to the greater exposure and access of the region to the viral transmission through insects and arthropods implicated as vectors. No regression and no increase in size or appearance of the new aural plaques were also described in previous studies. Besides, the absence of pain or itching associated with the lesions confirm which the lesions are asymptomatic. Clinical and histopathological characteristics were similar to those previously described in horses of the other breeds.

Transferência de imunidade passiva e proteinograma sérico em bezerros das raças Crioula Lageana variedade Mocha e Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) nos primeiros seis meses de vida

The Criollo Lageano breed is an alternative for modern farming, due to its high genetic variability, rusticity and adaptation to environmental conditions of the Plateau of Santa Catarina, Brazil. These characteristics can influence important physiological events which should be investigated, because they can assist in developing future programs of animal breeding. It is known that failure of passive transfer (FPT) is an important factor for the increase in neonatal mortality in cattle. Thus, it is essential to evaluate aspects related to FPT in Criollo Lageano calves and the comparison with other beef breed created in the Plateau of Santa Catarina. Aiming to evaluate and to compare the passive transfer of immunity and serum protein concentrations, two experimental groups of 11 calves of Criollo Lageano (CL) hornless variety and 14 Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) calves were selected. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture for the measurement of total serum protein (TSP) by serum protein electrophoresis in agarose gel and the activity of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) by the method of the turbidity zinc sulphate, between 24 and 36 hours, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days. Statistical analysis of data was performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey test for comparison of means (P<0.05) and correlation between variables. Values of TSP, globulins, immunoglobulins, IgG and serum GGT activity at birth (24-36 hours) confirmed that there was adequate TIP with no significant difference between the races, except for the serum GGT activity. Physiological variations in the curve of serum proteins from birth to 180 days of age were identified. Strong positive correlation was found between the values of gamma globulin and IgG (r=0.814 and r=0.877 for CL to AA), PTS (r=0.783 and r=0.947 for CL to AA), globulins (r=0.945 and r=0.985 for CL to AA), indicating that these variables will be good indicators of TIP in calves at the second day of life (24-36 hours). The correlation between gamma globulin and activity of GGT was weakly positive (r=0.251) for CL and strongly positive (r=0.815) for the Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus), in which a wide variation in GGT values after 24 hours of life of the calf were noticed. No difference was found in FPT between Criollo Lageano hornless variety and Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus), and was successful way in both breeds. It can be suggested that Criollo Lageano hornless variety breed is later in active antibody synthesis, highlighting the precocity of taurine evident in Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) breed.