Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

The objective of this research was to verify the physiological, hematological and biochemical parameters of horses submitted to the lace modality in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Six males and two females were evaluated in two moments, before and after the exercise, characterized as M0 and M1. Regarding the physiological parameters, referring to rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate in the M0 were (37,23 ± 0,25, 42,75± 6,22 and 29,75 ± 8,77), respectively, while in the M1 (37,97 ± 0,34, 64,35 ± 13,34, 60,87 ± 11,28), showing an increase after the loop test. In the erythrogram, only a change in the VCM result was observed after the exercise, as it occurs due to the increase of the erythrocytes and the release of young erythrocytes by the bone marrow. As for the biochemical parameters, there was an increase in M1 only in the result of the measurement of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and reduction of blood glucose. The results showed that physiological, hematological and biochemical changes occurred after the tests in horses, due to the physiological requirements for the equine exercise. The highest changes were observed in the physiological results, as well as the VCM, AST, LDH, CK and blood glucose of the horses submitted to the tie test in this work.

The bull horns are the most delicate anatomical part of this animal since its offensive and easily stressful character causes them to suffer traumatic injuries during the year prior to the show. Currently, the horn is protected with a fiberglass sleeve to protect its integrity. The present work studies the mechanical resistance of bull horns, analyzing the possible influence of the sheath on them. For this, horns have been collected from 50 fighting bulls, 4 to 5 years old, 25 of which had been sheathed 6 months before their show. The mechanical resistance of horns has been analyzed in the distal, middle, and proximal parts, using the Instron Electropulse E10000 equipment, following a methodology like that used by Horcajada et al. (2009). Three mechanical resistance tests were performed: direct compression, indirect traction, and flexo-traction; they showed high resistance of the horn, without differences between its different parts. A beneficial effect of the sheath is observed, favoring a greater thickness of the keratin envelope at the proximal part of the horn; the thickness was greater in the sheathed horns. In addition, greater resistance of the horns sheathed is observed in the indirect traction test; the horns of greater longitudinal and diameter resisted the highest pressures, and the corneal bone mostly absorbed the pressure exerted.

A 5-year-old Costa Rican Paso stallion had a penis trauma during coitus and developed paraphimosis complicated with edema, hematoma, local infection, and cutaneous ulcerations. A literature review about relevant aspects of this topic is performed, including animal welfare in horse breeding. Considering that penis trauma is a relatively frequent problem in equines, it is important to publish this information to benefit the general veterinary practitioner working under field conditions without suitable equine hospital support, as it happens in some countries. This paper describes how to manufacture and use a homemade genital suspender (jockstrap) properly for the successful conservative management of the problem. General instructions to prevent accidents related to the equine coitus are mentioned; this is also an important topic to avoid animal abuse.

Protothecosis is a disease caused by unicellular, achlorophilic, saprophyte, and opportunistic algae of the genus Prototheca, affecting mainly animals with immunodeficiencies. In canines with the intestinal form, it causes bloody diarrhea, which can progress to a systemic disease. At the same time, skin lesions are common in felines. In Costa Rica, P. zopfii is the species identified with the highest frequency, and P. wickerhamii was identified once. Prototheca spp. can be diagnosed using different techniques, such as cytology, histopathology, endoscopy, culture, polymerase chain reaction, biochemical method, and others. Currently, the recommended treatment is the use of amphotericin B and itraconazole, which have been reported to be effective in felines; however, there is no effective treatment in canines with systemic disease. Surgery is recommended in cases of cutaneous lesions.

The first duly confirmed case of equine salmonellosis in Costa Rica is described, a seven-month-old Ibero-American filly with a four-week-long case of diarrhea and poor body condition. The presence of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica was confirmed through a bacteriological study of stool samples. In the post-mortem study, severe extensive ulcerative and necrotizing typhlocolitis was observed.

La ascariasis es una enfermedad parasitaria que diezma la salud de cientos de miles de seres humanos, especialmente en los países en desarrollo. Sin embargo, la falta de profilaxis adecuada del parásito, asociado con un mayor riesgo de sufrir enfermedades inmunes, es un problema principalmente en los países desarrollados donde la prevalencia del parásito es muy baja. La relación evolutiva y los mecanismos por los cuales el parásito fue capaz de colonizar y establecerse en el huésped humano aún no se han descifrado. Del mismo modo, los mecanismos inmunes (proximales) de respuesta del huésped para eliminar o controlar el parásito no se entienden completamente. La comprensión de estos mecanismos nos permitirá establecer mejores tratamientos médicos, evitando efectos indeseables y más enfocados en el control de la parasitosis, así como para la terapia de estas enfermedades inmunológicas asociadas con la relación huésped-ascárido.

Se reporta, por primera vez en Costa Rica, en una granja porcina ubicada en la provincia de Cartago, la presencia del patógeno Circovirus Porcino3 (PCV3). Se utilizó la técnica de PCR en Tiempo Real. De un total de 56 pooles de muestras de sangre, provenientes de animales con sintomatología respiratoria y desmedro, 32 resultaron positivos (57,14%) y 24 negativas (42.86%) para PCV3. Solo hubo un caso positivo para PCV2 y negativo para PCV3. Es importante dar seguimiento a la presencia de esta enfermedad en el país, con el fin de conocer su epidemiología e impacto en el hato porcino nacional.

A ten-year old female cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) that suddenly died during the veterinary examination was analyzed through histopathology in the laboratory of the Avian Pathology Diagnostic Unit, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional. Macroscopic lesions showed thickening of the ascending aorta and of the aortic bifurcation, multiple nodules and tortuous vessels. Atherosclerotic lesions with variable severity were also observed. The present case report provides a description and characterization of the histopathological lesions of arteriosclerosis. The available diagnostic methods, preventive measures, and possible treatments against this avian pathology in Costa Rica are mentioned.

El no retorno al estro y la palpación del tracto reproductivo por personai calificado han sido los métodos clásicos utilizados para el diagnóstico de preñez en bovinos (29, 42). La utilización del primer método en bovinos puede conducir a un descenso en la tasa de fertilidad del hato (20), ya que para que resulte efectivo es imprescindible una detección exacta del estro por parte del personal de la finca que garantice la inseminación en el momento adecuado (5, 6, 15, 29, 45).

La presente nota es una revisión bibliográfica sobre la importancia que revisten las garrapatas en la transmisión, propagación y mantenimiento de la Peste Porcina Africana (PPA), en una región afectada por esta enfermedad. Los estudios en dicho campo se realizaron en Africa, Europa y E.E.U.U., mientras que de América Latina no se dispone de información hasta el momento.