Exogenous poisoning is a form of mistreatment inflicted upon animals, with pesticides being the primary agents associated with fatal poisoning in dogs and cats in Brazil. Given its significance for animal, human, and environmental health, the objective of this study was to conduct a retrospective necropsy study of patients diagnosed with exogenous poisoning. One hundred necropsy cases of poisoning in dogs and cats were selected over a period of 20 years (2000-2019). Reports from these cases were retrieved, and the following information was compiled: species, breed, sex, age, cause of death, diagnosis, toxicological examination, and police report. Dogs were most affected (68%; 68/100), followed by cats (32%; 32/100). Mixed-breed animals were more prevalent, representing 87.5% (28/32) of the cats and 33.82% (23/68) of the dogs. The most frequently diagnosed chemical agent was carbamate (59.37%; 19/32). During necropsy, the most common finding was congestion of one or more organs (80%; 80/100), and the most frequent cause of death was respiratory failure (47%; 47/100). A police report was filed in 29% (29/100) of the cases, with neighbors often identified as the primary suspects. Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that exogenous poisoning in dogs and cats is prevalent (14,34%; 100/697). Furthermore, as necropsy findings are nonspecific, it is essential to conduct a toxicological examination to confirm the diagnosis.

Black-eared opossums (Didelphis aurita) are neotropical marsupials least concern with extinction in Brazil. Pathologies involving this species are rarely described, and gastroschisis has never been reported before. This study aims to report a case of gastroschisis in a black-eared opossum newborn and describe the main characteristics observed. A newborn black-eared opossum in the developmental stage in marsupial pouch was received lifeless by Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Animais Selvagens (NEPAS) of Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF). The animal was examined externally, and herniated intestinal loops were observed without the presence of the peritoneum covering them, indicating gastroschisis. This report aims to contribute to the literature on small marsupial medicine by describing the occurrence of this malformation in an individual of D. aurita.

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis affecting numerous mammalian species. Wild boars have been confirmed as susceptible hosts of Toxoplasma spp., and their meat is frequently consumed by hunters, their families, and domestic dogs, posing a growing foodborne risk in South America. We conducted a pathological study on a young captive Collared Peccary that showed neurological signs. Severe brain lesions were observed, including parenchymal necrosis with demyelination, gliosis, meningitis, and perivascular cuffing. Toxoplasma cysts containing tachyzoites, as well as free tachyzoites, were identified within these lesions. Additionally, focal necrosis with inflammatory infiltration was noted in the liver and heart, along with marked pulmonary edema. Immunohistochemistry for canine distemper virus in the brain was negative. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the pathological findings of T. gondii infection in a wild boar (Dicotyles tajacu).

Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital cardiac abnormality characterized by an abnormal positioning of the cusps of the tricuspid atrioventricular valve. This study aimed to report the clinical and pathological aspects of the condition in an adult medium-sized mixed-breed dog, treated at a veterinary hospital in Brazil, through clinical evaluation, echocardiography, and post-mortem examination. This case highlights the importance of imaging exams for accurate diagnosis and the formulation of therapeutic strategies aimed at patient survival. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this congenital cardiac anomaly in a medium-sized mixed-breed dog.

An 18-year-old, American Paint mare presented for acute colic for a suspected colon torsion. On presentation, the blood and abdominal lactate were 1.3 mmol/L (normal range 0-2 mmol/L) and 5.3 mmol/L (normal range <2 mmol/L), respectively. In the following morning, her blood and abdominal lactate increased to 7.3 mmol/L and 9.9 mmol/L. Due to uncontrollable pain, lack of a surgical option due to financial limitations, and increasing suspicion for a strangulating lesion, euthanasia was elected.

Mammary gland tumors are the most common neoplasms in female intact dogs and share some biological and histopathological aspects with those in women with breast cancer, making them a good model in comparative oncology. Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in several plants, and some studies have indicated that it acts in the neoplastic process as an anticancer drug. Viscum album is a hemiparasitic plant widely used as an adjuvant treatment for cancer in some countries. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the antitumor potential of resveratrol and homeopathic Viscum album together and separately using two previously characterized canine mammary tumor cell lines (UNESP-CM9 and UNESP-CM60). The cell viability test (MTT) was performed, which revealed an IC50 of 3.11 μl/100 ml for UNESP-CM9 and 2.993 μl/100 ml for UNESP-CM60 for Viscum album, and for resveratrol, the IC50 was 281.6 μM for UNESP-CM9 and 105.5 μM for UNESP-CM60. The combination of both natural compounds led to tumor cell death at a lower IC50. The cell migration assay demonstrated an increase in cell migration time with both treatments. UNESP-CM9 closed 35.66% of the wounds in the control group and 15.51% of the wounds in the viscum group, while UNESP-CM60 closed 39.46% of the wounds in the control group and 19.95% of the wounds in the viscum group and 2.41% of the wounds in the resveratrol group. Thus, these two compounds have antitumor potential, making them possible alternatives to conventional treatments.

With the aim of evaluating the effects of caffeine on the expression of gene transcripts related to osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, during zebrafish embryonic development the embryos were divided into five groups: control (without caffeine), 0.25 mM caffeine, 0.5 mM caffeine, 1.0mM caffeine, and 2.0mM caffeine. Embryos were placed in cell culture plates with aquarium water at 280 C for 72 hours post-fertilization (hpf). Embryonic development was followed at times of six, 12 hpf, 24 hpf, 30 hpf, 48 hpf, 54 hpf, and 72 hpf. At 72 hpf, the expression of Sox9a, runx2b, osteocalcin, osteopontin, collagen 2a1, and bmp2a was analyzed using real-time RT-PCR. The 0.25mM caffeine group showed embryonic development that was visually similar to the control group despite having a significantly lower relative expression of bmp2a, runx2b, and collagen 2a1. In the 0.5mM and 1mM caffeine groups, morphological alterations such as tail folding, pericardial edema, and yolk sac deformation were observed, and the relative expression levels of bmp2a, runx2b, and collagen 2a1 were significantly lower. In contrast, osteocalcin expression was significantly higher than in the control group. In the 2mM caffeine group, the embryos did not hatch until 72 hpf and showed tail docking and pericardial and yolk sac edema. The relative expression of bmp2a and runx2b was significantly lower, whereas that of osteocalcin, osteopontin, and collagen 2a1 did not differ from that of the control group. We conclude that caffeine altered the expression of gene transcripts related to osteogenesis and chondrogenesis in zebrafish embryos, even in embryos without visible morphological changes.

The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is becoming increasingly common in zoological collection and as pets, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Here, we describe a case of cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii in a captive African pygmy hedgehog and the other anatomopathological findings. The macroscopic analysis of the lung found white-yellowish masses of gelatinous consistency. The microscopic analysis of the lung revealed severe pulmonary involvement resulting from granulomatous pneumonia caused by C. gattii yeasts, identified through polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Other histopathological findings included hepatic steatosis, biliary hyperplasia, and renal lesions with deposition of hyaline cylinders in the lumen of tubular epithelial cells, glomerulopathy, and tubular necrosis. Our findings demonstrate the importance of anatomopathological studies in diagnosing relevant diseases in the context of one health. We emphasize that adequate environmental management is essential to avoid the emergence of certain diseases in captivity.

Lipoma is a benign neoplasia originating from adipocytes. It is frequently diagnosed in veterinary medicine and usually presents as cutaneous nodules but can also occur inside body cavities in less common cases. There are several reports of abdominal cavity neoplasia in horses, an important cause of colic in these animals. No cases of neoplasia in the thoracic cavity have been reported for this species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to report an intrathoracic lipoma located in the visceral pleura of an American Quarter Horse. The equine was euthanized after relapses of surgically resolved colic and unresponsive visceral pain. At necropsy, we observed fibrinous peritonitis, adherence of intestinal loops in its abdominal cavity, and hemomelasma ilei in several intestine segments. In the thoracic cavity, a whitish, firm, pendulous structure with a regular surface measuring approximately 4.0 cm x 3.0 cm was observed in the pleura of the right caudal lung lobe–and diagnosed by histopathology as lipoma. Due to the rarity of this type of lipoma presentation and considering the absence of reports of its occurrence in horses, this report is essential to list this neoplasia as a differential in pleural masses in the species.