Aspectos clínicos e de manejo de preguiça-de-garganta- marron Bradypus variegatus (Schinz, 1825) de vida livre na Mesorregião Metropolitana do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to look into some ways of management, physiology and sanitary aspects in a population of free living throated-brown three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus) at the Ecological Station of Caetés, Metropolitan Mesoregion of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The study was carried out in two distinct phases. The first phase was the development, testing and evaluation of a temporary marking technique and its applicability in ethological and population study. The second phase was the collection of biological material, such as blood, skin and scab samples, which were sent to respective laboratories in an effort to establish hematological and biochemical parameters, and also, reporting on the etiology of the state of the clinical dermatosis. The ungeal marking consisted of painting the dorsal and lateral areas of the thoracic claws of 46 animals using nail polish of differents colours. Monitoring was carried out by observing the animals with the use of a binocular, individual checksheets and recapture. The technique did not seem to have any adverse effect on the natural and social habits of the individuals and did not compromise the health of the claws. The markings remained legible for a period of up to 9 months, with some variation between animals. This marking technique was shown to be very satisfactory for the identification of free living animals and thus could be recommended for use in studies on sloths in captivity and semi captivity. For the hematological and biochemical studies blood samples were collected from 25 clinically healthy sloths of differents sexes and ages. The techniques used in the determination of the hemograms and proteinograms were similar to those recommended for cats and dogs. These results could be used to evaluate any physiological and pathological alteration in free living and captive brown throat sloth. For the report on the etiology of dermatosis, three clinical cases were studied. The animals had areas of alopecia on the pelvic and thoracic members with the presence of scab. Skin and scab samples were examined directly with a 30% KOH and cultivated on Myocel Agar. By direct examination arthrospores were observed on the skin. In the culture, colonies suggestive of the genera Microsporum were seen confirmed by the presence of macroconidia. This is the first reported case of the occurrence of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum in free living brown throat sloth in the State of Pernambuco. The establishing of hematological and biochemical parameters together with the study of the etiology of dermatosis are of great importance in understanding some clinical and pathological process in the specie. The first occurrence of total albinism in Bradypus variegatus in the State of Pernambuco is also told.