This study examined the effectiveness of control measures for caprine arthritis-encephalitis in a herd with 431 dairy goats in an intensive rearing system. All animals older than six months were initially tested by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and separated into seropositive and seronegative. Control measures were implemented for two years and ten months. Five serological examinations were subsequently performed two by AGID and three by the Western Blot (WB) technique. In these tests, animals that tested negative in the previous serological examination were evaluated along with those older than six months which had not yet been examined. The effectiveness of control was evaluated based on the incidence of the disease. Seroconverted animals were stratified according to age, physiological status and dam serology. For the effect of time, logistic regression was performed at the 5% significance level, with values converted into likelihood. General incidence and incidence as a function of age and physiological status were evaluated by analysis of variance, with means compared by Tukey’s test at 5% significance. The ratio test was used for incidence and physiological status, and the agreement between the AGID and WB tests was determined by the Kappa coefficient. Animals that seroconverted and were born to positive dams were compared with those born to dams negative at birth by the Chi-square test, and the same was applied for the number of discarded animals. Initially, 54.24% (179/330) positive and 257 seroconverted animals were identified after the start of control. Higher incidence occurred in the animals aged between 13 and 36 months and in lactating does. Seroconversions among offspring of seropositive dams were higher than in the offspring of seronegative dams (p < 0.001). High infection rates were identified in the sires. The obtained results were not satisfactory, as the measures did not help to prevent new cases, indicating that there are moments of infection yet to be elucidated. On farms that aim to control the disease, the following measures are required in addition to those already recommended: use of diagnostic tests with less frequency; application of high-sensitivity tests in the offspring; immediate separation of kids from dams at birth; separation of kids according to the serological status of the dams; inclusion of kids from unsupervised births in the group of kids from positive dams; and keeping positive and negative animals on different farms or greatly distanced. In herds for which there is an intention to establish control, it is important to determine whether the productive losses associated with the disease are greater than the costs of implementing more efficient measures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lung maturity of premature and full-term lambs by analyzing amniotic fluid using the following methods: Clements test, Nile blue cytology test, hematoxylin-Shorr stain, lamellar body count, and radiographic tests. The use of these methods is intended to identify high-risk newborns and provide immediate clinical intervention after birth. Altogether, 56 animals (24 ewes and 32 lambs) were included in the study and divided into 3 groups. Group I consisted of 8 ewes that were at approximately 145 days of gestation; this group delivered 10 lambs naturally. Group II consisted of 8 ewes that were at 138 days’ gestation; this group delivered 11 lambs by cesarean section. Group III consisted of 8 ewes at 138 days’ gestation; this group was administered intramuscular dexamethasone (16mg/animal) 36 hours prior to a cesarean section. Group III delivered11 lambs. Cytological tests were performed using a microscope with a maximum magnification of 1000x, while the Clements test was visually observed by one of the researchers. Amnioticfluid lamellar body counts were measured using transmission electron microscopy. Among the staining methods, hematoxylin-Shorr was reliable, and Group III had a greater number of orangeophilic cells when compared to Group II, probably due to corticoid administration. The Clements test showed pulmonary maturity in approximately 20% of Group I lambs and Group II showed 9.1% of bubbles; however, Group III had the highest pulmonary maturity percentage (36.4%). The lamellar bodies were measured, and all groups had sizes between 0.019 and 0.590μm. Radiographic evaluation revealed that the majority of lambs presented some level of pulmonary radiodensity, indicating an acinar pattern at birth. These results are in line with the expectations of each group. We found that the normal group showed greater pulmonary maturity, whereas Group II presented pulmonary immaturity, which is expected because this group comprised lambs born prematurely and Group III showed pulmonary maturity almost comparable to the normal delivery group (Group I). This is due to the fact that although these animals are premature, the use of dexamethasone helped in pulmonary maturation. Therefore, these pulmonary maturity tests are considered effective when more than one technique is used and can be used routinely in the care of a pregnant ewe in labor, where a simple collection of amniotic fluid can predict a high-risk pregnancy and alert the veterinarian if the newborn needs intensive supportive treatment.

RESUMO Avaliou-se a maturidade pulmonar de cabritos no líquido amniótico de suas mães pela coloração de Shor, pelo azul de Nilo e pela contagem de corpos lamelares, bem como a vitalidade e os níveis de glicose e lactato séricos em cabritos nascidos a termo e prematuros. Para tanto, foram utilizados 32 cabritos, divididos em três grupos, a saber: grupo I: cabritos nascidos de cesarianas com 149 dias de gestação; grupo II: cabritos nascidos de cesarianas com 143 dias de gestação; e grupo III: cabritos nascidos de cesarianas com 143 dias de gestação, oriundos de mães que receberam, por via intramuscular, 20mg/cabra de dexametasona, 36 horas antes da cirurgia eletiva. A coloração de Shorr e a contagem de corpos lamelares demonstraram ser métodos diagnósticos promissores para a avaliação da maturidade pulmonar em neonatos caprinos. Contudo, a administração de dexametasona nas cabras no período antenatal não influenciou a maturidade fetal. Constatou-se, entretanto, que a avaliação física do paciente, logo após o nascimento, também se mostra fundamental no que tange à percepção da vitalidade e da viabilidade de cabritos recém-nascidos.

 RESUMOO objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as variáveis hematológicas e o perfil bioquímico renal sérico de cordeiros nascidos a termo e prematuros do nascimento às 48 horas de vida, bem como verificar a influência da dexametasona sobre tais variáveis. Foram constituídos quatros grupos experimentais: PN (cordeiros nascidos de parto normal, n=15, média de 146 dias); PNDEX (cordeiros nascidos de parto normal cujas mães receberam 16mg de dexametasona aos 141 de gestação, n=8, média de 143 dias); PRE (cordeiros prematuros nascidos de cesarianas aos 138 dias de gestação, n=10) e PREDEX (cordeiros prematuros nascidos de cesarianas aos 138 dias de gestação cujas mães receberam 16mg de dexametasona dois dias antes, n=9). Os valores médios do volume globular e de hemoglobina diminuíram ao longo das 48 horas de observação, nos quatro grupos experimentais, porém dentro dos limites fisiológicos para a espécie. Houve variação da concentração plasmática de proteínas totais em todos os momentos, sendo os menores valores no grupo PRE. A contagem leucocitária foi mais alta no grupo PN apenas no M24h. Ao longo do período, apenas o grupo PN mostrou diferença entre o M24h e os demais momentos, e o grupo PRE apresentou os menores valores de neutrófilos no M0h, M15min e M60min. As concentrações séricas de creatinina foram mais altas no grupo PRE no M60min, M24h e M48h. Em todos os grupos, houve diminuição no M24h e M48h. Os parâmetros avaliados foram afetados pela prematuridade na espécie ovina e a dexametasona teve influência positiva sobre a taxa de sobrevivência dos animais prematuros.Palavras-chave: ovinos, bioquímico, hematologia, prematuros ABSTRACT

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O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a transferência de imunidade passiva de cabras, que pariram com mastite, para seus respectivos cabritos. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos, a saber: grupo 1 (GI), constituído por cabritos, filhos de cabras sem isolamento microbiológico em ambas as glândulas mamárias, e grupo 2 (GII), composto por cabritos, filhos de cabras com resultado positivo à lactocultura, em pelo menos uma das glândulas mamárias. Foram coletadas amostras de colostro e sangue à parição, bem como às 24 e às 48 horas após o parto/nascimento. O diagnóstico e o monitoramento da mastite nos animais foram realizados por meio do California Mastitis Test (CMT), contagem de células somáticas e isolamento microbiológico. A proteína total foi mensurada pelo método do biureto, e as concentrações de imunoglobulina A (IgA), imunoglobulina G (IgG), transferrina, albumina e haptoglobina por meio da eletrofoerese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE). Os agentes mais isolados na cultura microbiológica foram os Staphylococcus coagulase negativa. Não houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre os valores médios de imunoglobulina G (IgG) nos cabritos provenientes de cabras com mastite quando comparados aos recém-nascidos oriundos de cabras livres de infecções intramamárias. Da mesma forma, a atividade de gamaglutamiltransferase (GGT) não mostrou diferença entre os grupos em todos os momentos avaliados. A ingestão de colostro decorrente de cabras com mastite não causou falha na transferência de imunidade passiva nos respectivos conceptos.

Mastitis is a multifactorial disease whose prevalence is affected by the type of pathogenic agent involved, the constitution of the animal, and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the physical and laboratory characteristics of colostrum from dairy goats in the postpartum period, and the physical characteristics of the mammary glands in the same period. Of the 71 mammary glands evaluated, 12 were positive for bacterial isolates and the most frequent pathogenic agents were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (n = 11). Median somatic cell counts (SCC) in animals positive for bacterial isolates were greater than in animals without bacterial isolates at parturition (696.0 vs. 256.0 x 10 3 mL -1 ) and 48 h postpartum (1,350 vs. 437.0 x 10 3 mL -1 ). In addition, 34 samples were positive for the California Mastitis Test (CMT; score >1+), indicating a positive relationship between this test and bacterial isolation. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most prevalent pathogenic agents, resulting in increase in SCC. Postpartum changes in mammary secretions were not good predictors of bacterial mastitis. Physical examination of mammary glands did not reveal significant changes for the diagnosis of mastitis in the postpartum period. Key words: Goats. Colostrum. Udder examination. Mastitis. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). ResumoA mastite é uma doença multifatorial que sofre influência do tipo de patógeno envolvido, constituição dos animais e condições ambientais. Foi realizado estudo com objetivo de avaliar as características físicas e laboratoriais do colostro de cabras no período pós-parto, assim como características físicas das glândulas mamárias no mesmo período. As glândulas mamárias foram submetidas a avaliações físicas que não resultaram em alterações significativas ao longo dos momentos pesquisados. Das 71 metades mamárias analisadas, 12 apresentaram isolamento microbiológico e o agente mais frequente foi Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (n=11). A mediana da contagem de células somáticas (CCS) dos animais positivos à lactocultura foi maior do que daqueles que não tiveram isolamento microbiano nas colheitas realizadas no momento do parto (696 x 10³ mL -1 ) e após 48h (1.350 x 10³ mL -1 ). O California Mastitis Test (CMT) mostrou-se positivo (>1+) em 34 amostras analisadas logo após o parto, revelando uma associação entre o referido teste e o isolamento microbiano. O grupo de agentes mais prevalente no

Background: Hemoparasitoses are extremely important in the clinical routine because they affect a large number of dogs. In spite of the abundance of studies on this topic, hormonal alterations caused by infection with these agents are still poorly known. Therefore, the goal of this work was to assess the serum levels of thyroid hormones of dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) alone, and dogs infected with E. canis and Babesia canis vogeli (B. vogeli) and/or Anaplasma platys (A. platys) before and after treatment with doxycycline chlorohydrate. This study also aimed at checking for presence of euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) in these animals.Materials, Methods & Results: The concentrations of the thyroid hormones total triiodothyronine (TT3), total tetraiodothyronine (TT4), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), and canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (cTSH) were assessed by chemiluminescence in 12 dogs. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used to confirm diagnoses. The dogs were divided into 2 groups: G1, which comprised animals infected by E. canis alone, and G2, which included animals simultaneously infected by E. canis and B. vogeli and/or A. platys. The serum concentrations of the thyroid hormones were measured at two time points: before (D1) and after (D2) the 28-day treatment with generic doxycycline chlorohydrate (DC) at a dose of 10 mg/kg SID. On D2, another nPCR was carried out to check the efficacy of the treatment. On D2, in both groups, all dogs became negative for E. canis; however, 8 animals remained infected or were reinfected by other hemoparasites. On D1, 4 dogs in G1 exhibited low TT3 in conjunction with low TT4; one of the dogs had increased TT3 alone, and another dog had an increased TT3 accompanied by decreased TT4. In G2, on D1, one dog exhibited high TT3 accompanied by a decreased concentration of TT4; 2 dogs had decreased TT4; 2 dogs had increased TT3; and one dog had both TT3 and TT4 decreased. On D2, with only one exception, the animals in G1 that became negative for all hemoparasites under study exhibited normal serum levels of TT3 and TT4. Three dogs in G1, which were reinfected on D2, sustained decreased TT4 serum concentrations. Whereas, in G1 on D2, only one dog remained with a reduced serum TT4 concentration.Discussion: DC was effective at eliminating infection by E. canis in all dogs on D2. Even though this drug was unable to prevent reinfection of the animals by other hemoparasites, and in spite of divergent results on its efficacy at eliminating babesiosis and anaplasmosis, a clinical improvement was observed in all patients. A decrease in the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones (ESS) may occur in dogs with severe non-thyroid related diseases. Different authors have demonstrated the presence of ESS in dogs with hemoparasitoses; however, this is the first study to provide evidence on the existence of this syndrome in dogs with hemoparasitoses in Brazil, including dogs simultaneously infected by E. canis and B. vogeli and/or A. platys.We observed a reduction in TT3 and/or TT4 in dogs infected by E. canis, B. vogeli, and A. platys. We believe these results may help assessment of prognosis and patient follow-up, as TT4 concentrations returned to normal levels in all dogs that became negative for all hemoparasites after treatment; and only one dog in G1 sustained increased TT3, albeit lower than observed on D1. In animals of G1 that were reinfected after treatment started, TT3 returned to normal, even though TT4 levels remained decreased. In sum, all dogs in G1 and G2 exhibited TT3 and/or TT4 concentrations outside of the reference value ranges on D1, which indicates that alterations in the levels of thyroid hormones were due to infection by the hemoparasites. The animals infected by E. canis alone or simultaneously infected by B. vogeli and/or A. platys exhibited ESS.