João Luiz Rossi Junior

Estudo comparativo sobre prevalência de doença periodontal em Panthera onca mantida em cativeiro e em indivíduos de natureza

The aim was to survey the main oral lesions related with periodontal disease of jaguars, Panthera onca, living in captivity or in the wild, as conservation of threatened animals from extinction, as in case of the jaguar, and the preservation of such species in free life may be determined by environmental conditions which can influence oral health. Forty-two jaguars (P. onca) kept in captivity in 18 institutions in the state of Sao Paulo were studied. The animals to be examined were anesthetized by the Plan of Neotropical Handling of Felids. Additionally, 4 jaguars (P. onca) proceeding from wild life were captured for the study on Farm Sete, municipality of Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul, in the southern Pantanal. All animals surveyed in captivity showed various degrees of oral lesions related to periodontal disease. The animals living in the wild did not present any clinical signs of oral lesions.

Atrição dental em Didelphis albiventris e D. marsupialis (Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) do Sul do Brasil

This work deals with the study of dental wear down (atrittion and/or abrasion) in 168 specimens of Didelphis albiventris and D. marsupialis from Southern Brazil. Wear down was very important, with high frequency of tertiary dentine and exposition of the pulp cavity/radicular canal, due to the association of fractures and wear down. Fractures predispose wear down which, on the other side, favors fractures. The degree of attrition increased with age. The order of growing frequency of tertiary dentin in poscanines was: first, second and third molars, third and second premolars, and finally fourth molar. Differently from others omnivorous in Didelphis tooth wear down seems rather related to fractures due to food (followed by attrition) than to teeth contact. Contrary to literature, tribosphenic molars seems not to be “ideals” for such omnivorous diet, as is evident from the high frequency of wear down, fractures and teeth cavities exposition.

Comparação da contenção farmacológica com cetamina e xilazina, administradas pela via intramuscular no membro torácico ou pélvico, em jacarés-do-papo-amarelo juvenis

Reptiles possess a renal portal system which can divert part of the blood from the caudal portions of the body to the kidney before it reaches the systemic circulation. In view of this, it has been recommended the administration of injectable medications in the forelimbs, in order to avoid immediate glomerular filtration, which might result in a reduction of the expected effect. The aim of this study was to compare qualitative and quantitative aspects of the pharmacological restraint provided by the combination of ketamine (30mg/kg) and xylazine (1mg/kg), injected into the forelimb or hindlimb, in broad-snouted caiman juveniles (Caiman latirostris). Eight male animals, with a mean weight (±SD) of 1.3 (±0.3) kg, and aged about 2 years old, were anesthetized on two separate occasions with an interval of 7 days. On each occasion, the animals were randomly assigned to receive the anesthetic combination intramuscularly into the forelimb (FL treatment) or hindlimb (HL treatment). The time intervals between administration of treatment and loss of the righting reflex (induction time), between the loss and return of this reflex (duration of important clinical effect), and between the return of the righting reflex and first movements of ambulation (duration of residual effect) were measured as well as heart and respiratory rates and cloacal and environmental temperatures. Sedation/anesthesia scores were evaluated using a scale ranging from 0 (alert/conscious) to 10 (deep anesthesia/overdose). In the HL treatment, loss of righting reflex was not observed in two animals. Considering only those animals whose loss of righting reflex was observed, the induction time (21±9 and 17±5 minutes), the duration of important clinical effect (35±19 and 43±21 minutes), and the duration of residual effect (28±31 and 12±11 minutes) were similar between the FL and HL treatments, respectively (mean±SD). Sedation/anesthesia scores were significantly higher than at baseline from 20 to 50 minutes in both treatments and, at 30 minutes (peak sedative effect), the median score (interquartile range) was 3.5(2.3-4.0) in the FL treatment and 3.0(2.0-4.0) in the HL treatment. Differences between treatments in physiological variables were not observed. In both treatments, withdrawal reflex in response to digital clamping was not absent at any timepoint. The administration of xylazine-ketamine combination in the forelimb or hindlimb of broad-snouted caiman juveniles provides similar effects, suggesting that the influence of the renal portal system is not clinically relevant. At the doses used, such combination does not induce surgical anesthesia and the immobility/pharmacological restraint is unpredictable and of short duration.

Acompanhamento do crescimento dental em Puma concolor mantido em cativeiro

The development of dentistry is delayed in the preventive internal medicine for wild animals. Some international papers about wild animal dentistry have already been published regarding some species in wild life or kept in captivity in different geographical regions, but not specifically about the great neotropical felines Panthera onca and Puma concolor. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of malocclusion in neotropical felines maintained in the state of Sao Paulo. For the study a sample of 42 jaguars (Panthera onca) and 36 pumas (Puma concolor) was used, totalizing 78 animals, proceeding from 18 institutions where such species were kept in captivity. All animals were examined if the occlusion was in accordance with the normal for the species. The teeth were identified one by one, examined directly by means of a dental explorer. Malocclusion was present in 47.61% (20 cases) in Panthera onca, and in 5.55% (2 cases) of Puma concolor. The animals with malocclusions apparently did not have problems of food apprehension or chewing ability, although they presented a more reduced interproximal space, with food accumulation the lack of removal of which could provoke oral problems.

Measurement of Incisor Overjet and Physiological Diastemata Parameters in Quarter Horse Foals.

Cephalometric studies are important to quantify abnormalities of jaw length and positioning. In this study, 4 to 7-month-old Quarter horse foals (n = 51) were examined to determine overjet (horizontal overlap) prevalence and measure the size of the physiological diastemata. Results were analyzed in relation to age, sex, and lineage. Another aim of this study was to develop a simple field technique for measuring incisor malocclusion and physiological diastemata dimensions that could be used to monitor the growth of the rostral components of maxilla, incisive bone, and mandible. The overall prevalence of overjet lesions in these foals was 51%. Females were overrepresented (61.5%). Overjet occurred more commonly in show foals (50% prevalence) than other working (7.7%) and race (42.3%) lineage foals. Significant differences were found between maxillary and mandibular physiological diastemata lengths in foals of all ages and, as expected, there was a positive statistical correlation between age and maxillary and mandibular physiological diastemata measurements. Incisor overjet was present in 44.4% of 4-month-old foals, 45.5% of 5-month-old foals, 58.3% of 6-month-old foals, and 60% of 7-month-old foals. There was a weak positive correlation between age and the presence of incisor overjet. It was concluded that incisor overjet was common among Quarter horse foals, especially those from show and race lineages. The field technique for physiological diastema measurements was considered effective.

Estudo das alterações ante-morte da cavidade oral de mãos-peladas (Procyon cancrivorus) de vida livre e de cativeiro

Most diseases of animals in nature and captivity is linked to human proximity, resulting from habitat fragmentation and degradation of these animal habitats, the isolation of the species and the close contact between them and domestic animals and manhood. We studied 104 crab-eating raccoons (Procyon cancrivorus) skulls by direct assessment of sheet filling veterinary dental and photographic documentation reporting these abnormalities, which were classified and recorded for statistical purposes. The findings show that the captive animals were most affected with injuries related to periodontal disease, such as calculus, alveolar bone resorption, dehiscence, fenestration, furcation exposure, as well as malocclusion, crowding and severe levels of tooth wear. The free-living animals showed the highest rates of fractures, ante-mortem tooth loss and tooth blackout, which feature larger dental injuries during the feeding process. The intention was therefore to establish a parameter of oral health status of the species studied, their frequency and whether it has the same oral diseases in the wild life and in captivity, relating the prevalence of oral diseases with ecological characteristics of the specie.

QUANTITATIVE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF THE LIVER IN JUVENILE GREEN SEA TURTLES (CHELONIA MYDAS)

Abstract:  Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is a highly sensitive, applicable technique for determining the x-ray attenuation of organs. This technique reveals great precision in the detection of alterations in the x-ray attenuation of hepatic parenchyma, although the lack of studies establishing normal values limits its application in wild animals. The objective of this study was to establish mean hepatic attenuation values in four healthy juvenile sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) using QCT. Helical computed tomography scans were performed and regions of interest selected in the liver after multi-planar reconstruction images were obtained. The mean attenuation value for the hepatic parenchyma in these four turtles was 60.09 ± 5.3 standard deviation Hounsfield units. Determining normal x-ray attenuation values of the liver increases knowledge of the computed tomographic anatomy of this species and may be useful in the investigation of hepatic diseases.

Prevalência de maloclusão em Panthera onca e Puma concolor mantidas em cativeiro no Estado de São Paulo

O desenvolvimento da Odontologia Veterinaria foi tardio na Clinica Medico Veterinaria Preventiva de Animais Selvagens. Alguns trabalhos a respeito da Odontologia de Animais Selvagens ja foram realizados com animais originarios de cativeiro e vida livre de varias especies de diversas distribuicoes geograficas, mas nao especificos aos grandes felinos neotropicais (Panthera onca e Puma concolor). Objetivou-se neste trabalho fazer levantamento sobre a prevalencia de maloclusao em grandes felinos neotropicais manejados nas instituicoes visitadas no Estado de Sao Paulo. Para os estudos utilizamos amostra constituida de 42 oncas-pintadas (Panthera onca) e 36 sucuaranas (Puma concolor), totalizando 78 animais, provenientes de 18 instituicoes mantenedoras de tais especies em cativeiro no Estado de Sao Paulo. Todos os animais foram examinados, observando-se se a oclusao estava de acordo com o normal para as especies. Os dentes foram identificados um a um, examinados diretamente por meio de explorador odontologico. A maloclusao esteve presente em 47,61% (20 casos) em Panthera onca e dois individuos de Puma concolor (5,55.00%). Os animais que apresentaram maloclusoes aparentemente nao tinham problemas de apreensao de alimentos ou de mastigacao, embora apresentassem acumulo de alimentos ou indutos moles na regiao dos dentes com espaco interproximal mais reduzido, o que podera levar a problemas futuros devido a falta de remocao desses indutos dos dentes.

Valores hematológicos e bioquímicos de pinguins-de-Magalhães em reabilitação no Espírito Santo, sudeste do Brasil

Este trabalho apresenta valores hematologicos e bioquimicos de pinguins-de-Magalhaes (Spheniscus magellanicus) juvenis que arribaram no Espirito Santo e Rio de Janeiro, litoral sudeste do Brasil, e foram encaminhados a reabilitacao. Os valores medios obtidos foram: eritrocitos 2.55±0.54 milhoes/μL; hemoglobina 13,37±3,91g/dL; hematocrito 41,5±0,04%; proteina plasmatica 6,34±0,81g/dL; leucocitos 16.301±6.402/μL; trombocitos 20.516±4.591 celulas/μL; volume corpuscular medio (VCM) 172,0±53,0 fL; concentracao de hemoglobina corpuscular media (CHCM) 26,41±0,02%; alanina transaminase (ALT) 50,0±17,89 U/L; acido urico 8,93±3,0mg/dL; albumina 1,68±0,53g/dL; calcio 9,7±0,57mg/dL; fosforo 10,39±8,5mg/dL e glicose 211,6±30,3mg/dL. Valores de eritrocitos, VCM e CHCM foram discrepantes em relacao aos valores de referencia atuais. Valores de leucocitos e trombocitos tem significado inconclusivo. Hematocrito, hemoglobina, proteina plasmatica e valores bioquimicos forneceram importante contribuicao para o estabelecimento de parâmetros de referencia.

A review of the recent records of pinnipeds (Mammalia, Carnivora) on the coast of Espírito Santo state, Brazil

To improve the knowledge of the occurrence of pinnipeds along the coast of Espirito Santo state, Brazil, we compiled occurrence data of pinnipeds from the period from 1987 to 2010 based on the scientific literature, newspapers and novel observations. Twenty-two records were found, which correspond to three species: South American Fur Seal ( Arctocephalus australis ), Subantarctic Fur Seal ( Arctocephalus tropicalis ), and Southern Elephant Seal ( Mirounga leonina ). All records of pinnipeds are limited to the state’s southern coast (south of 20˚07ʹ S), which is consistent with the southern origin of these vagrant individuals. However, there may be bias due to the larger human population density in that region and the greater likelihood of observation. All records for which the date is known occurred during June to September, the austral winter. These records demonstrate that although the Espirito Santo coast is more than 2,000 km north from the nearest breeding colony of these species, it may still serve as wintering grounds for vagrant pinnipeds.