Dermatopatias em animais de produção no nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

In Brazil, animal production stands out considerably among the most varied zootechnical species; however, maintaining the health of the herds is still one of the main bottlenecks that the country needs to overcome in order to maintain its prominent position in the competitive environment of the market. The skin is a constant target of pathogens or environmental disturbances and is often the first to show signs of illness on the property, so that greater attention should be given to this organ as a tool to prevent the advancement and perpetuation of diseases and, consequently, reduce the impacts of disease on the farm. The objective of this work was to offer an update on the main dermatopathies in production animals in Brazil. Therefore, the study was divided into two parts: the first contains a general literature review, in which some of the skin diseases described in livestock in the Northeast are addressed, with emphasis on pathological findings. The second part is divided into three chapters and contains: a) a literature review called “skin diseases of donkeys and mules-an update”. This article was published in the international journal Animals and addresses some of the skin diseases that are described in donkeys and mules from Brazil and the world. In addition, he reports an outbreak of primary photosensitization by Froelichia humboldtiana in feral donkeys from Rio Grande do Norte, characterized by exuberant, ulcerated, exudative and pruritic lesions, especially in the face region, complicated by self-mutilation. b) A scientific article “Outbreaks of dermatopathy due to intoxication by Tephrosia noctiflora in Brazilian cattle herds”. This work will be submitted to the journal Toxicon and provides an update on cases of intoxication by Tephrosia noctiflora, a plant present in the forest zone of Brazil with the potential to cause skin, liver and kidney lesions. The outbreaks described here occurred in Pernambuco and Alagoas and affected both adult cattle and calves, characterized by weight loss and varying degrees of lichenification, hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation and secondary infection. It is possible that contact and consumption produce lesions in cattle that consume the plant even with adequate pasture supply. The last chapter (c) is a short communication entitled “Dorsal thermal necrosis in a Brazilian sheep herd”. This study will be submitted to the veterinary research journal and describes an outbreak of sun-induced skin necrosis in sheep raised in Alagoas. The animals developed lesions characterized by linear to serpiginous alopecia that progressed to skin detachment, showing the underlying dorsal musculature, from the cervical to the sacral region. The skin that fell off was dry, firm and black, while the musculature was dark red, covered with fibrin and fetid. These studies indicate that toxic and environmental disturbances are important for ruminants and horses in Northeastern Brazil and that management measures should be employed to reduce the impacts of these diseases on the herd. In all production spectrums, the negative repercussion of dermatopathies for the producer is evident. It is hoped, with these studies, that skin disorders receive due attention from producers and professionals who deal with species of zootechnical interest in Brazil in the field.