Thiago Rinaldi Muller

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.

Biometrics of hoof balance in equids

Differences in hoof balance between horses, mules and donkeys were identified in order to form more specific considerations for proper management of the animals. Measurements of the natural dimensions of hooves in sixty animals were used: 20 horses from the Crioulo breed, 20 mules and 20 donkeys from the Pega breed. Liveweight was estimated using the correlation equations in each species by heart girth. Using a caliper rule, tape measure and hoof gauge, measurements of the length and width of the frog, hoof height, angle of heel, medial and lateral dorsal length, angle of the toe and crown circumference of the hooves of forelimbs and hindlimb were taken. Within each group the hooves of the hindlimbs exhibited narrower measurements than the hooves of the forelimbs and no difference was observed between the hoof angle of both members of groups. The conformation of the hooves of donkeys is shown to be substantially different from that observed in horses, the mules being in an intermediate condition, being smaller, angled and robust frog and proportionally more developed. Similarly, the hooves of donkeys provide greater support area compared to mules and horses, in descending order, even being dimensionally smaller. We conclude that the hooves of horses, mules and donkeys, have specific patterns of geometric balance that must be taken into consideration at the time of trimming and imbalance inferences.