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Sodium monensin is the most frequently used ionophore as a growth promoter in ruminant diets. It has numerous benefits; however its toxic effects have also been observed in several animal species. Naturally occurring cases have not yet been reported in goats. This study describes an outbreak of accidental poisoning, characterizing its clinical, laboratory and pathological findings. Thirty-seven of 40 Anglo Nubian goat kids became intoxicated after receiving a diet that was erroneously supplemented with sodium monensin. They ingested an estimated toxic dose between 25 and 39 mg/kg BW. Clinical evolution was monitored (n = 27), followed by serum creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities measurements, and blood gas analysis. Postmortem examinations were performed between 1 and 8 days of evolution (n = 14). Clinical signs began 5 h after ingestion and included reticuloruminal hypomotility, lethargy, anorexia, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, wet cough, pulmonary and tracheal crackles, and serous nasal discharge. The morbidity and lethality rates were 92.5 and 62.1%, respectively. CK and AST activities increased, reaching median values of 10,860 and 1596 U/L, respectively; the hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis was mild. The lesions were characterized by degeneration and necrosis of the cardiac and skeletal muscles, pulmonary congestion and edema, and passive liver congestion. The kids essentially developed cardiomyopathy with left and right congestive heart failures. Unlike in other ruminant species, skeletal muscle functional disability was infrequent. It can be concluded that monensin is toxic to goats and should be used with caution in their diet., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes are significant for antemortem diagnoses of some neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the concentration of L-lactate in CSF could be used to differentiate healthy from encephalitic cattle. Cerebrospinal fluid samples from healthy cattle ( n = 10) and from those naturally affected by rabies ( n = 15), bovine herpesvirus type 5 meningoencephalitis ( n = 16), histophilosis ( n = 6), or bacterial encephalitis ( n = 4), including 1 case of listeriosis, were collected and analyzed. Physical, biochemical (i.e., protein and glucose), and cellular analyses were performed in fresh samples. L-lactate, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), calcium, and magnesium concentrations were measured in CSF samples that were kept frozen. L-lactate concentrations were also measured in plasma. Analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed considering L-lactate in CSF of healthy versus encephalitic cattle. The CSF L-lactate concentration was significantly higher in cattle with bacterial encephalitis than in healthy cattle; however, it did not differ between viral and bacterial encephalitis. The calcium concentrations were lower in cattle with encephalitis. L-lactate concentration in CSF > 3.6 mmol/L can be accepted as a cut-off value to indicate encephalitis. Thus, L-lactate in CSF is important for the diagnosis of encephalitis in cattle. Despite the small number of cases of bacterial encephalitis, it is suggested that L-lactate was not important for the differentiation between viral and bacterial encephalitis. Additional studies with a greater number of observations are necessary to clarify this, specifically in cases of listeriosis., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)

The effectiveness of 7% hypertonic saline solution (HSS) and 6% hypertonic bicarbonate solution (HBS) followed by intraruminal water administration for the treatment of acute rumen lactic acidosis (ARLA) has not been evaluated yet. The hypothesis of the study is that treatment with HBS causes a faster correction of imbalances and clinical recovery than treatment with HSS. ARLA was induced in six healthy mature female sheep with sucrose twice. The sheep received both treatment regimens in a cross over design. After 18 h of induction, rumen lavage was performed and IV infusion of 7% HSS (4 mL/kg BW) or 6% HBS (6.7 mL/kg BW) was done over 5 min, followed by intraruminal administration of water (8% BW). The solutions provided 4.8 mmol/kg BW of sodium. Physical and laboratory tests were performed for 168 h. Both treatments increased plasma volume. After HSS treatment, pH and HCO 3 - returned to baseline values at 144 h and BE at 168 h. With HBS treatment, pH returned to baseline at 24 h, and HCO 3 - and BE at 48 h. In both treatments, the ruminal motility and the maximum hay intake were restored at 96 and 120 h, respectively. In conclusion, administration of HSS or HBS followed by intraruminal water corrects dehydration and mild-to-moderate metabolic acidosis in sheep with ARLA. Treatment with HBS promoted a faster correction of metabolic acidosis and could be indicated for the most severe cases., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fibropapillomatosis is a panzootic and chronic disease among Chelonia mydas-usually associated with anthropogenic impacts. This study contributes towards understanding fibropapillomatosis implications for C. mydas populations as a reflector of environmental quality, via prevalence and histological, molecular and blood analyses at a World Heritage site in southern Brazil. Sixty-three juvenile C. mydas (31.3-54.5 cm curved carapace length-CCL) were sampled during two years. Eighteen specimens (~ 29%) had tumours (which were biopsied), while 45 had none. Degenerative changes in the epidermis and Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 DNA detection with three variants support a herpesvirus infection. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that variants A and B were similar to a herpesvirus lineage from the Atlantic group, but variant C was similar to a herpesvirus from the eastern Pacific lineage and represents the first published case for marine turtles off Brazil. Significantly lower levels of seven blood parameters, but greater numbers of eosinophils, were observed in tumour-afflicted animals. These observations were attributed to metabolism efficiencies and/or differences in diet associated with temporal-recruitment bias and disease development, and greater non-specific immune stimulation. While most animals had adequate body condition independent of disease, longer-term studies are required to elucidate any protracted population effects.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), an immunosuppressive mycotoxin, can increase the risk of many infectious diseases and contribute to economic losses to the poultry industry. The immunosuppressive effect has mainly been investigated through oral exposure; however, birds may also be contaminated through skin absorption. The present study investigated the influence of OTA exposure on the defense system of broiler chicks through the subcutaneous route and including low doses. Groups of broiler chicks (Cobb), 05 days old, were exposed to subcutaneous inoculation of OTA at concentrations of 0.1; 0.5; 0.9; 1.3; and 1.7 mg OTA/kg body weight. The size of the lymphoid organs, circulating immune cells, and total IgY and IgA levels were evaluated 21 days post inoculation. Subcutaneous OTA exposure decreased the weight of the thymus, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius, and leukocytopenia ( p < 0.05) was detected in chicks of the OTA treated groups. In a dose-dependent way, decreased levels of circulating lymphocytes and heterophils ( p < 0.05), and increased levels of monocytes ( p < 0.05) were detected. Decreased IgY and IgA serum concentrations were noted in the OTA treated groups ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, subcutaneous OTA exposure induces immunosuppression even at low levels.

The mycotoxin, ochratoxin-A (OTA), produced by some fungi, and is a natural contaminant of many foods and animal feeds worldwide. Due to its toxic effects, the recommended maximum daily intake of OTA for poultry feeds is 0.1 mg OTA/kg (ECR2006/575/EC); this dose does not induce changes in hepatic/renal parameters, but decreases thymus size and serum globulin concentrations. Accordingly, in this study, we assessed quantitatively the total circulating IgY and IgA serum levels, in chicks consuming a 0.1 mg OTA/kg diet (limit) and higher doses (0.3⁻1.1 mg OTA/kg diet) for 14 or 21 days. We also evaluated other immunological parameters (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen weights and leukocyte profiles) at day 21. Decreased IgY serum levels were observed in all OTA-treated groups ( p < 0.05). In the low-dose group, IgA levels were decreased on day 21, but not on day 14. The size of the thymus and the bursa of Fabricius was decreased in all OTA-treated groups ( p < 0.05), whereas reduced spleen size and altered leukocyte profiles were detected only in the high-dose group ( p < 0.05). We concluded that chronic exposure to OTA, even at the recommended highest dose, affected IgY and IgA production in chicks.