An allergy to bites from Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) occurs because of a hypersensitivity reaction caused by the inoculation of insect salivary antigens during the bite, resulting in immune-mediated dermatitis. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have focused on allergic dermatitis in donkeys in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinicopathological, and therapeutic aspects of allergic dermatitis in donkeys and to identify the insects involved in its epidemiology. This study reported the occurrence of dermatitis in 17 animals. The clinical signs were restlessness and severe itching. Skin lesions were found on the head, depigmented areas of the muzzle and cheeks, flanks, pelvic and thoracic limbs, and the scrotal sac. The lesions were characterized by areas of alopecia with crusts accompanied by serosanguineous exudates. Histologically, the lesions were characterized as moderate superficial dermatitis with irregular epidermal acanthosis and pronounced diffuse orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. In total, 378 Culicoides specimens were collected, with Culicoides ocumarensis Ortiz being the most abundant species. The combined application of copaiba oil and a multivitamin emulsion exhibited potential for topical treatment of allergic dermatitis caused by insect bites in donkeys. Our study revealed an association between allergic dermatitis in donkeys and Culicoides.
Bothrops atrox is the most common viper in the Amazon, and its venom causes local and systemic changes. This report describes the clinicopathological and laboratory findings of ophidism due to Bothrops in six horses in Pará, Brazil. The animals, which belonged to five different rural properties, showed clinical signs of apathy, anorexia, and increased touch sensitivity in areas of increased volume. Three animals were bitten in the distal part of the pelvic limbs and three in the head area. The affected animals in the distal limb area exhibited marked edema extending from the fetlock to the thigh and had difficulty moving. Those affected in the head region exhibited an increase in volume that gave the appearance of a “rhinoceros head,” as well as blackening of the mucosa of the lips and gums. All animals exhibited tachycardia and tachypnea, and laboratory findings of two animals showed anemia, leukocytosis, increased clotting time, and elevated liver (AST and GGT) and kidney enzymes (urea and creatinine). Treatment was ineffective, and three of four treated animals died. Necropsy was performed on three animals, revealing extensive hemorrhage in the tissues at the snake bite sites and incoagulable bloody fluid in the cavities. Congestion was observed in the diaphragm, in the serosa of the small intestine, and in lighter areas on the renal surface. Histopathology showed muscle degeneration, necrosis, acute tubular necrosis, hemorrhage, and hyaline casts in the kidneys. This case report highlights the clinicopathological findings of snakebite in horses. In addition, this seems to be the first report of bothropic envenom in a mule in Brazil.
Amazona amazonica, popularly known as the mangrove parrot, belongs to the order Psittaciformes and is widely distributed across South America, occurring in all regions of Brazil. Although this species is commonly admitted to veterinary care, detailed hematological data are scarce. These data are crucial for guiding clinical interventions, monitoring specimens in human care environments, and providing research references. Hematological reference intervals were established for man-grove parrots kept in a fauna management establishment located in the Amazon biome in the state of Pará, Brazil. The study included 32 Amazona amazonica parrots. Average values for the analyzed analytes in the complete blood count (CBC) were: red blood cells (RBC) 2.42 million/µL; hemoglobin 15.92 g/dL; hematocrit 50.31%; MCV 205.47 fL; MCHC 31.7%; MCH 66.73 pg; white blood cells (WBC) 6,281.4 cells/µL; heterophils 2,671.1 cells/µL; lymphocytes 3,452.27 cells/µL; eosinophils 0 cells/µL; basophils 22.63 cells/µL; monocytes 106.41 cells/µL; thrombocytes 29.44; PPT 6.71 g/dL. Morphological characteristics of the cells were similar to those of other parrots. This research is pioneering in deter-mining hematological reference intervals for mangrove parrots under human care in a holding facility in the Amazon biome. These data can be used as a reference for animals of the species raised under similar conditions.
A Universidade exerce papel fundamental na promoção de ações extensionistas, sendo um elo entre o saber científico e a comunidade. Nesse contexto, o projeto de extensão “Um olhar microscópico: ensino fundamental e superior”, da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), buscou minimizar os efeitos da ausência de laboratórios de ciências nas escolas públicas do município de Castanhal-PA. O projeto teve como objetivo proporcionar a alunos do ensino fundamental público experiências práticas no ambiente universitário, estimulando o interesse pela ciência. Foram organizadas visitas ao Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária e a outros setores do Hospital Veterinário Universitário, da UFPA. As atividades incluíram palestras, manipulação de microscópios, observação de amostras, interação com profissionais e discussões sobre guarda responsável, saúde animal e proteção da fauna silvestre. Participaram 241 alunos, entre eles estudantes com deficiência, promovendo inclusão social e educacional. A avaliação foi feita por meio de questionários com perguntas objetivas e espaço para comentários livres. Os resultados evidenciaram o impacto positivo da iniciativa, com relatos de entusiasmo, aprendizado e interesse pela área científica. O projeto reforça a importância das atividades práticas no ensino de ciências e do papel transformador da Universidade por meio da extensão, especialmente em contextos de vulnerabilidade educacional.
1 January 2023 in Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
The objective of this work was to describe the clinical, pathological, and serological aspects of paratuberculosis in a bullock on dairy and beef farm in the municipality of Inhangapí, state of Pará. The animal was raised extensively and presented progressive weight loss, pale mucous membranes, and chronic diarrhea. A blood sample was collected for serology by the indirect ELISA technique. Due to the unfavorable prognosis, the animal was euthanized and necropsied. At necropsy, there was thickened and wrinkled intestinal mucosa, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and liquid intestinal contents with a brown color. Organ fragments were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde, embedded in paraffin wax, cut, and stained by hematoxylin and eosin and by Ziehl-Neelsen techniques. Histopathology showed intense granulomatous infiltration with Langhans giant cells in the lamina propria and submucosa of the small intestine, Peyer patches and mesenteric lymph nodes. Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed many intralesional acid-fast bacilli. Antibody searching against Mycobacterium avium (subsp.) paratuberculosis was positive. The diagnosis of paratuberculosis was based on epidemiological, clinical, pathological, and serological data. This is the first report of clinical paratuberculosis, confirmed by pathology and serology, in a bullock in the state of Pará.
1 January 2024 in Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
A 7-year-old quarter horse mare showed swelling of the tongue, head and neck region, dyspnea, and red urine after eight days of administration of intravenous medications by the animal's handler. The horse was referred to the University Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Pará and, at the clinical examination, showed apathy, edema in the head, neck, and tongue region, which was slightly cyanotic and with loss of epithelium in the dorsal region. The maxillary, linguofacial and external jugular veins were bilaterally engorged, firm to palpation and with cord-shaped appearance, with extension of the head to the entrance to the thoracic cavity. Ultrasound examination showed a thrombi with a hyperechoic and heterogeneous appearance that completely obstructed the vessel. The horse died five days after entering the Hospital and at necropsy it was observed: maxillary, linguofacial and external jugular veins bilaterally filled with firm, dark red to blackish thrombi; ulcerated areas in the final third of the esophagus and the stomach; lighter areas on the surface of the kidneys and dark areas at the corticomedullary junction. Based on clinical, ultrasonographic and necropsy findings, iatrogenic thrombophlebitis was diagnosed, associated with repeated injections of drugs administered intravenously.