Eduarda Aléxia Nunes Louzada Dias Cavalcanti

This study reports a case of multiple congenital malformations in a burrowing owl ( Athene cunicularia ) rescued in southern Brazil. Clinical assessment revealed partial agenesis of the forelimbs, bilateral asymmetric syndactyly, and selective anonychia of the second digit in both pelvic limbs. Despite severe locomotor limitations and the inability to fly, the individual maintained a satisfactory body condition score, demonstrating the species’ adaptive and behavioural capacity. The integrity of the epithelial tissues and the symmetry of the digital alterations support a teratogenic etiology, distinguishing the condition from traumatic lesions. The absence of macroscopic chromosomal abnormalities suggests that these anomalies may be associated with environmental factors or point mutations. This report highlights the importance of wildlife rehabilitation and triage centers in detecting sentinel alterations, serving as an alert for wildlife conservation regarding potential environmental contaminants that may impair embryonic development in anthropogenic landscapes.

The Australian cattle dog (ACD) is very popular due to its working function, being used mainly for work in the management of cattle and sheep. However, there are few studies on the orthopedic conditions that affect these animals. Thus, this study aimed to radiographically evaluate and describe the elbow joints of ACDs. Radiographic images of 100 elbows were used. Joint incongruence, fragmentation of the coronoid process (FCP), non-union of the anconeal process (NUAP), presence of osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), and osteoarthrotic signs were evaluated. As a result, 83% of the evaluated elbows present no radiographic alteration, while 16% showed alterations compatible with elbow dysplasia, the presence of joint incongruence, or osteoarthrotic signs. No primary alteration of FCP, NUAP, or OCD elbow dysplasia was observed. Thus, the radiographic images of ACD elbows showed few radiographic alterations and a low prevalence of elbow dysplasia.

Spondylosis deformans is a chronic degenerative disorder of the vertebral column that has been extensively described in domestic dogs but remains poorly documented in wild canids. The crab-eating fox ( Cerdocyon thous ) is frequently admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centers, and the characterization of musculoskeletal disorders in this species is particularly relevant given its ecological plasticity and close association with anthropized environments. This report describes a case of spondylosis deformans affecting the lumbar and lumbosacral spine of an adult neutered male Cerdocyon thous maintained under human care, which presented self-mutilation behavior and clinical signs consistent with lumbosacral pain. Three radiographic examinations of the vertebral column were performed in October 2021, October 2024 and January 2026, allowing longitudinal assessment of the lesion progression and stabilization patterns. The initial examination revealed ventral osteophyte formation, narrowing of intervertebral disc spaces, and vertebral endplate sclerosis involving the caudal lumbar vertebrae and the lumbosacral segment. At the follow-up examination, progression of the degenerative changes was evident, characterized by extensive ventral bony proliferation, greater involvement of the lumbosacral region, and further reduction of intervertebral disc spaces. Longitudinal comparison demonstrated a marked increase in both the extent and severity of the lesions over a five-year follow-up period, consistent with the chronic progression of spondylosis deformans. Serial radiography proved to be a valuable tool for the recognition and monitoring of degenerative vertebral disorders and may support clinical management of wild canids under human care.

To evaluate parameters and discuss findings of urinalysis conducted in non-captive, clinically healthy adult white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris). Twenty-five urine samples from different animals were analyzed: 15 from males and 10 from females, 14 obtained by spontaneous urination and 11 by cystocentesis. The analyses included physical, chemical, and sediment examinations. The results showed that 88% of the urine samples were citrine yellow, with urine specific gravity ranging from 1.019 to 1.084 and pH between 6 and 7. In the chemical analysis, there was no colorimetric reaction for parameters such as urobilinogen, bilirubin, blood, glucose, and ketone bodies, and few samples reacted for protein content. Regarding the sediment, red blood cells, white blood cells, and bacteria were observed in small numbers in most cases. No cylinders were found but triple phosphate crystals and bilirubin were detected in some samples. The results of urinalysis conducted in D. albiventris are similar to the data described in the literature for dogs and cats. Five cases of cystitis could be diagnosed, even though it was not possible to assess clinical signs, as done for domestic animals. These findings highlight the importance of a larger sample size to devise species-specific reference values. This work contributes to both future research and the clinical routine of professionals who treat this species.

A ultrassonografia abdominal é um importante recurso para o diagnóstico de inúmeras afecções na medicina veterinária. A descrição dos achados ultrassonográficos dos órgãos abdominais considerados normais é importante para o direcionamento do diagnóstico e acompanhamento da terapêutica. Especialmente na medicina de animais silvestres, poucos estudos são realizados nesta área, por exemplo os gambás, embora amplamente distribuídos pelas Américas e frequentemente encaminhados para os centros de atendimento de animais silvestres, pouco se sabe na área da ultrassonografia. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os órgãos abdominais de gambás filhotes saudáveis. Foram avaliados 38 gambás (19 machos e 19 fêmeas) com peso entre 110 e 180 gramas. Não houve diferença significativa entre os sexos, entretanto, foi observado diferença entre as classes de pesos na mensuração dos rins e a parede da vesícula urinária. A espessura média, em centímetros, da parede gástrica foi de 0,13 (±0,01), da vesícula biliar foi de 0,05 (±0,01) e do cólon foi de 0,15 (±0,17). Na avaliação subjetiva, as características dos órgãos como ecotextura e ecogenicidade foram similares as descritas na literatura estudada e as medidas obtidas são específicas para a espécie.

Muitos filhotes órfãos de gambás são encaminhados aos Centros de Triagem de Animais Silvestres necessitando de cuidados parentais. Não há estudos sobre substitutos do leite materno, assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar duas formulações de sucedâneo do leite adaptadas de estudos realizados com pequenos animais, rotineiramente utilizadas para a alimentação desses animais. Para tanto, foram utilizados 36 neonatos de Didelphis albiventris, com peso entre 20 e 25 gramas, divididos em dois grupos, cada grupo alimentado com um tipo de sucedâneo (comercial ou caseiro). Os grupos foram acompanhados durante quatro semanas, os animais foram pesados e tiveram seu comprimento mensurado semanalmente, além das avaliações individuais diárias a cada alimentação. O volume estomacal foi mensurado em sete animais que morreram durante o período de avaliação e que não faziam parte dos grupos experimentais. Observou-se que o sucedâneo caseiro apresentou maiores níveis de energia e de gordura em comparação ao comercial, e os animais alimentados com ele apresentaram maior desenvolvimento corporal.

Australian Cattle Dogs (ACD) are medium-sized animals widely used in fieldwork for managing cattle and sheep. There needs to be more information about the conditions these dogs can develop despite being well-characterized animals since the beginning of the 20th century. Hip dysplasia (HD) is a developmental abnormality between the femoral head and the acetabular fossa, which can be debilitating. However, the available literature has no studies on the prevalence of this condition in dogs of this breed. This study aimed to evaluate radiographs of ACD qualitatively and quantitatively. For this purpose, 49 dogs considered healthy without clinical signs of HD were radiographically assessed, and the animals were classified as dysplastic (D) and non-dysplastic (ND). A frequency of 46.9% of dysplastic dogs was observed, with males being more affected. The cortical index (CI) and angle of inclination (AI) could not differentiate D from ND animals; only the Norberg angle (NA) was effective in this differentiation. No correlation was observed between AI, CI, and AN.

Melanophoroma is a neoplasm of reptilian pigment cells, considered uncommon and part of a group of neoplasms called chromatophoromas. The objective of this work was to describe a case of melanophoroma in a free‐living Lichtenstein's green racer snake (Philodryas olfersii), presenting with an ulcerative nodular neoformation in the integument of the head region. In the neurologic evaluation, a proprioceptive deficit was observed. Ultrasound, X‐ray, and mass cytology examinations were performed. Radiographic and ultrasound findings of the tumor indicated infiltrative behavior, and cytology indicated a presumptive diagnosis of a melanocytic neoplasm. Based on the results of the examinations and the patient's clinical condition, euthanasia was chosen. At necropsy, there was a nodule measuring 4.5 × 2.5 × 2.0 cm, with a blackish‐colored cut surface, mottled by gray areas, which infiltrated soft tissue and bone, and extended dorsally from the mouth to the cervical musculature. On microscopy, a non‐delimited, non‐encapsulated, and invasive neoplastic proliferation was observed, with moderate cellularity, which was predominantly composed of fusiform cells with distinct borders and foci of epithelioid cells. The cells had ample cytoplasm, which had a brown to black (melanocytic) granular pigment compatible with a melanophoroma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is a unique description of a melanophoroma in P. olfersii.

Os tamanduás são animais lentos e frequentemente são encontrados atropelados próximos a rodovias. Muitos deles sofrem traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE), que é uma afecção com alta taxa de mortalidade. Este trabalho teve como objetivo relatar o atendimento clínico de um exemplar de tamanduá-mirim (Tamandua tetradactyla) com histórico de atropelamento e suspeita de TCE. O animal foi avaliado clinicamente e submetido a exames complementares, após foi instituído tratamento de suporte e acompanhamento. O manejo clínico e o protocolo terapêutico instituídos para este caso foram semelhantes aos descritos na literatura para animais de companhia, os quais mostraram-se eficientes, sendo o animal reintroduzido ao seu habitat natural após dois meses.