Vania Maria Vasconcelos Machado

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate magnetic resonance images acquired from rats subjected to a murine model of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis. Methods: The model consisted of injecting 50 Taenia crassiceps cysticerci into the cisterna magna of Wistar rats. To validate disease induction, magnetic resonance imaging was performed, focusing on the assessment of hydrocephalus and cysts distribution throughout the cerebrospinal fluid compartments. Ventricular dilation was quantified using the frontal horn ratio (FHR), calculated by dividing the maximal width of the frontal horns by the inner-table internal diameter. Results: Intracranial abnormalities were found 63.0% of the animals, predominantly ventricular dilation (> 90%), mainly involving the lateral ventricles. The most affected compartments were the cisterna magna (85.2%) and supratentorial basal cisterns (78.8%). Cysts were identified in the cerebral convexity in 10.6% of cases and in the subcutaneous tissue in 39.2% of infected animals. The mean FHR was 0.62 ± 0.13. Higher FHR values were associated with the presence of cysts in the CSF, but not in the subcutaneous tissue ( p = 0.743). Conclusion: The translational relevance of this extraparenchymal NCC model is underscored by neuroimaging findings that closely resemble the human condition, providing a valuable platform for future mechanistic studies on pathogenesis and treatment development.

O I Simpósio Internacional Intracampus de Saúde Única e Bem-estar (SIISUBE), realizado entre os dias 28 e 30 de novembro de 2025 na Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da UNESP de Botucatu (SP), constituiu um evento científico multidisciplinar voltado à integração entre saúde única, bem-estar animal, sustentabilidade, saúde pública e medicina veterinária legal. O simpósio reuniu docentes, pesquisadores, profissionais, estudantes e representantes do setor público e de organizações da sociedade civil, promovendo discussões interdisciplinares acerca da relação entre saúde humana, animal e ambiental. A programação contemplou palestras nacionais e internacionais, apresentações de projetos de extensão, relatos de experiência, debates sobre políticas públicas, medicina de abrigos, ética ambiental, comportamento animal, desastres ambientais, zoonoses e medicina veterinária legal. O evento também incentivou a produção científica por meio da apresentação de pôsteres e publicação de trabalhos nos anais da revista Veterinária e Zootecnia, abrangendo estudos relacionados à saúde pública veterinária, doenças infecciosas, bem-estar animal, fauna silvestre, epidemiologia, terapia assistida por animais e medicina veterinária forense. O SIISUBE destacou a importância da abordagem integrada da Saúde Única na promoção da qualidade de vida, prevenção de agravos e fortalecimento de políticas públicas voltadas à proteção animal e sustentabilidade socioambiental.

The impar ligament is a key stabilising structure in the podotrochlear apparatus of horses. Changes to this ligament that are pathological in nature are closely associated with lameness and reduced performance in horses. This study evaluated the diagnostic value of texture analysis (TA) using a gray-level histogram (GLH) to quantitatively assess the impar ligament via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI examinations of horses with podal abnormalities were evaluated and the cases were divided into two groups based on clinical presentation and imaging findings. Texture analysis was applied to regions of interest within the impar ligament across multiple MRI sequences. GLH-derived parameters, including mean signal intensity and standard deviation (SD), were extracted for quantitative comparison between the two groups. Differences in signal behaviour were observed. Group 1 exhibited lower mean signal intensity on T1-weighted images (50.5 ± 13.2), whereas Group 2 exhibited higher values on T2-weighted and proton density sequences (63.4 ± 14.3) as well as greater variability in signal distribution. The most pronounced differences were seen in PD/T2, TSE T2 and gradient echo sequences, which suggests that there is increased tissue heterogeneity in the affected limbs. Overall, texture analysis provided a practical and objective method of differentiating between signal patterns in the two groups, capturing subtle changes that are difficult to discern through conventional visual MRI assessment. This method is feasible with low-field MRI and shows strong potential as a complementary tool for routine musculoskeletal evaluations in equine practice.

Congenital defects are among the leading causes of neonatal mortality in small animals. Among them, cleft palate is one of the most commonly found malformations in dogs. Appropriate clinical management and surgical correction are determining factors for the survival of puppies affected by this alteration. Thus, the objective of this study is to describe 10 clinical cases of successful clinical management of cleft palate, highlighting the therapeutic strategies used, the results obtained, and the evolution of patients after treatment. Ten neonatal dogs of three breeds were treated by the Small Animal Reproduction Service of FMVZ, Unesp—Botucatu: French Bulldog (6), Pug (3), and American Bully (1) presented with cleft palate at birth or during the first week of age. Patients underwent clinical and nutritional management, in addition to immunological support. At four months of age, the patients underwent medially positioned flap repair. The animals were fed via an esophageal tube for 10 days after surgery. The clinical management proved to be effective since, throughout the follow-up, the animals showed good development and did not present complications arising from the cleft palate, and the surgical procedures were successful, restoring the quality of life of the animals.

The morphology of wild animals has been the subject of extensive research, with a focus on the reproductive system and the pelvic region as important tools. The aim of this study was to identify, differentiate, and compare information regarding the anatomical and macroscopic morphological bases, as well as imaging findings, of the male and female reproductive systems of the porcupine (Coendou spp.), in comparison with other rodent species previously studied. The study used 5 male and 5 female porcupines, already deceased, from zoological gardens and parks. The specimens were subjected to dissection techniques for macroscopic analysis of the reproductive system, and imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT), were also conducted to obtain additional information about the reproductive anatomy. The results revealed unique characteristics of the reproductive system of the porcupine compared to other rodent species. Females exhibited a bicornuate uterus with two separate uterine horns, while males had intra-abdominal testes and a long, convoluted epididymis. The comparison with other rodent species showed similarities and differences in reproductive anatomy, and the results contribute to the understanding of the reproductive anatomy of the porcupine, providing valuable information for future studies on reproduction and reproductive behavior in this species. Furthermore, the study may aid in the development of reproductive management techniques and conservation efforts for the porcupine.

Resumo A morfologia de animais silvestres tem sido objeto de muita pesquisa, com foco no sistema reprodutor e na região pélvica como ferramentas importantes. O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar, diferenciar e comparar informações sobre as bases anatômicas e morfológicas macroscópicas, e de imagenologia encontradas, sobre o sistema reprodutor feminino e masculino de ouriço-cacheiro (Coendou spp.), em comparação com outras espécies de roedores anteriormente estudadas. Foram utilizados 5 machos e 5 fêmeas de ouriço-cacheiro, já em óbito, provenientes de zoológicos e parques. Os espécimes foram submetidos às técnicas de dissecção, para análise macroscópica do sistema reprodutor, onde também foram realizados exames de imagem, como a tomografia computadorizada, para obter informações adicionais sobre a anatomia reprodutiva. Os resultados revelaram características únicas do sistema reprodutor de ouriço-cacheiro em comparação com outras espécies de roedores. As fêmeas apresentaram um útero bicorno, com dois cornos uterinos separados, enquanto os machos possuíam testículos intra-abdominais e um epidídimo longo e sinuoso. A comparação com outras espécies de roedores mostrou semelhanças e diferenças na anatomia reprodutiva, cujos resultados contribuem para a compreensão da anatomia reprodutiva do ouriço-cacheiro e fornecem informações valiosas para estudos futuros sobre a reprodução e o comportamento reprodutivo desta espécie. Além disso, o estudo pode auxiliar no desenvolvimento de técnicas de manejo reprodutivo e conservação do ouriço-cacheiro.

The study aimed to evaluate the mammary artery of Murrah crossbred buffaloes at different physiological stages using ultrasonography. Twenty-four pasture-raised animals were divided into four groups (n= 6): heifer calves, yearlings, pregnant animals, and lactating animals. Doppler examinations of the cranial and caudal mammary arteries were performed every 28 days to measure the internal diameter (ID), resistivity index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI). Over one year for heifer calves and yearlings, RI and PI decreased, while ID increased (P<0.0001). No significant differences were found between the cranial and caudal arteries. In pregnant animals, the caudal mammary artery showed lower RI and higher ID during the last five and seven months (P<0.0001), respectively, while lactating animals had higher ID in the first seven months (P<0.0001). These findings suggest the plasticity of the mammary artery during the stages of growth, pre-puberty, pregnancy, and lactation.

A case of myositis ossificans in the cervical region of a fifteen year old mare of unspecified breed, medium size, without obvious clinical signs, has been described. The disease was discovered in a radiograph image taken on a training of students in a course of radiodiagnostics. The radiograph image showed an area of increased radiopacity compatible with bone radiopacity, showing irregular contours and a multiple widespread appearance in the epaxial musculature of the cervical region. The mineralized area, considered extensive, occupied the dorsal region from the 4th cervical vertebra (C4) to the vicinity of the 1st thoracic vertebra (T1), slightly dorsal to the dorsal processes of the C4-T1 segment. An ultrasound examination of the left and right lateral cervical regions from C4 to T1 was performed on both sides of the animal using the ESAOTE® My LAB70 unit with a 12 to 18 MHz linear transducer. Based on the clinical history, radiographic and ultrasound images, and similarity to lesions reported in the literature, the diagnosis was myositis ossificans in the cervical region with partial ossification of the muscles, a condition considered uncommon in this species.

Chronic pain in horses is generally associated with diseases such as osteoarthritis and laminitis, characterized as chronic degenerative joint diseases. These consequently lead to reduced performance, early retirement and loss of animal welfare. According to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (MVTC), joint pain is characterized within the so-called Bi Syndrome, which relates to degenerative joint diseases. It is necessary, therefore, to recognize and evaluate pain aiming at the animals' quality of life and advances in the creation of diagnostic and anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapeutic possibilities in an integrative way. At MVTC, there are integrative techniques with significant potential to promote quality of life for these patients. Such therapies have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, are safe, without side effects, effective and easy to perform with adequate training. The objective of this review is to bring together the main bases for the integration of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in degenerative joint disease in equine sports medicine.