núm. 15 (2008)

Globalization is a mega trend which has differentiated influences on developing countries. Veterinary Public Health and Animal Health are analyzed under globalization context on developing world. Relations among animal health and human health, knowledge society, urban development, consumer perceptions, animal production systems, agricultural policies, international trade and education are discussed. This study highlights both, the need to get adapted to challenges and opportunities offered by globalization and University education role on training suitable professionals to response the challenges of new scenarios and interaction with different actors.

Parvovirus canine type 2 is the causal agent of an infected - contagious disease that produces a hemorrhagic and acute gastroenteritis that affects young canines. The CPV-2 adapted to the canine species by mutation of the virus of the feline Panleucopenia (FPV) through their passage by wild animals like the ferret and the foxes. The great variability of the viral protein VP2 is the main cause of the wide host range, and crossed reactions among variants. The VP2 sequence has allowed identifying three variants of the virus like 2a, 2b and 2c which coexist in the world with differences in cellular tropism, pathogenesis and infection. The high genetic variation of a virus ssDNA in short periods of time indicates a high degree of selection by evolution just compared to RN virus. This high variation has not been completely clarified. The molecular techniques will allow differencing between vaccine strain and field strain as well as to have reliable and specific diagnosis techniques.

The electrocardiogram is a written register of electric changes that take place in the heart during a heart cycle. The voltage changes are the result of depolarization and repolarization of heart muscle fibers that produce electric changes able to reach body surface and that are detected by electrodes connected to a galvanometer called electrocardiograph. Heart problems are detected with the electrocardiogram, but it is necessary to know the normal values of canine electrocardiogram in a tropical country because values can change compared with normal values reported in other places. The purpose is to show variations of electrocardiogram values from clinically healthy canines from Bogotá D. C at 2600 mosl, Fusagasugá at 1700 mosl and Girardot at 326 mosl. Studied animals were separated in six groups depending on the altitude over sea level and the animal weight (less than 15 Kg and more than 15 Kg). The electrocardiograms were taken with a one channel portable electrocardiograph and derivations I, II, III, aVR, aVL, aVF, CV6LL, CV6LU, CV5RL and V10 were included. Significant differences of electrocardiogram values were observed in derivation II, in relation to the altitude over sea level and to the animals weight, which acquires importance when a diagnose of heart abnormalities is needed from animals located at different altitudes over sea levels.

The present study was carried out in the region of Los Lagos in Chile. The purpose of this research was to determine the time of apparition and the morphologic characteristics of larvae L1, L2 and L3 of large and small strongyles of horses. 10 animals belonging to “Isla Teja” of the Universidad Austral de Chile campus were used. A sample of faeces was taken from these animals and the number of eggs per gram in faecal material was determined using the McMaster’s technique. After selecting the four samples with the highest counts, eggs were planted with temperature and humidity controlled in order to subsample every 24 hours for a period of 21 days. These sub-samples were analyzed by direct observation and Baerman’s technique, scoring macro and microscopically changes. It was possible to differentiate between larvae L1, L2 and L3 of large and small strongyles. Larvae L1, L2 and L3 of small strongyles appeared from days 2, 3 and 7 respectively.

The use of coxofemoral prostheses in dogs has been one of the most preferred and efficient methods to treat coxofemoral dysplasia. Complications are frequently diagnosed by radiology and they are due to either material fabrication or host tissue reaction. Bone remodeling, osteoporosis, fractures and aseptic loosening are the common tissue reactions found in patients that have undergone implantation. This study reviews the different radiographic manifestations against coxofemoral implants and the X-Ray evaluation method in the post operatory period of coxofemoral implanted canine patients.

In a zoo near Bogotá there was high bird mortality due to avian tuberculosis, in a cage inhabited by 2 different species: reptiles (Morrocoy turtles) and birds. The study was thus aimed at establishing the presence of Mycobacterium sp by means of molecular identification (PCR-PRA) in a population of 19 Morrocoy turtles kept in captivity in the above mentioned zoo. All the turtles were therefore tuberculinised, proving negative; faecal material and environmental samples (water and soil) were collected and cultivated in OK/MSTA, LJ and OK medium respectively. Bacilloscopy was carried out on each sample. Only 4 of the faecal material samples were positive by bacilloscope; out of nine environmental samples (7 soil samples and 2 water samples), 5 were positive by bacilloscope, (4 soil samples and 1 water sample). Regarding growth, all Morrocoy turtle faecal samples were negative. There was growth in 5 soil samples and 1 water sample. Samples from the necropsy of a Slider (Icotea) turtle (Trachemys scripta spp.) (tissue, urine and abscess) were also obtained and only the abscess sample grew. Mycobacterium gordonae type 3 was identified in the abscess sample culture, Mycobacterium avium type 3 in soil samples and Mycobacterium fortuitum type 1 in water sample. The findings suggest the need of an ongoing surveillance, in order to identify the presence of mycobacteria; by means of appropriate lab tests (bacilloscopy, cultures, biochemical and molecular tests). We have to do our best to avoid that turtles continue being part of an epidemiological cycle of transmission as healthy carriers and human contact must be strictly necessary by applying biosafety regulations.

This epidemiologic study determined the prevalence of sudden death cases in cattle farms in the Ubaté municipality in the Cundinamarca department. The study’s sampling frame was the dairy herd (980); the sampling unity was each herd. The sample size was 41 herds, which were surveyed and geographically referenced. The survey included 72 questions which were analyzed and showed a prevalence of 22% farms affected by sudden death syndrome. Associated risk factors were determined in animals, such as fencing water consumption; prevalence ratio (PR) 3.08 (LC 95% 1.16-8.19). Significant differences were found out among affected and non-affected farms employing variables, such as large size farms (over 40 hectares, p <0.05), those with the largest number of pastures (over 34, p <0.05) and the dry season (p <0.05). Additionally, a bacteriological study was conducted in order to isolate pathogenic strains of Clostridium using 12 soil samples from an affected farm; from this study it was found that Clostridium sordelli was the most frequent strain. These results will allow recommending farmers to join efforts in establishing prevention and control measures for the sudden death syndrome.