RESUMO

Histopathological and immunohistochemical methods were used to diagnose round cell tumors in 2 subantarctic fur seals Arctocephalus tropicalis with marked anemia. Although wild-born, both individuals were placed under human care while juveniles in a Brazilian aquarium. Both pinnipeds were PCR tested for herpesvirus, and 1 was infected with otariid gammaherpesvirus 5 (OtHV-5), previously described in a subantarctic fur seal stranded in Brazil. Although some gammaherpesviruses can cause sarcomas and other neoplasms, it was not possible to definitively associate OtHV-5 with the neoplasm. To our knowledge, these are the first neoplasm records in subantarctic fur seals.

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RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is widely known as a progressive disease that affects endothermic animals, leading to death and/or economical losses, while mycobacterial infections in amphibians are commonly due to nontuberculous mycobacteria. To the authors' knowledge, this report describes the first case of bovine tuberculosis in a poikilothermic animal. CASE PRESENTATION: An adult female captive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus Shaw, 1802) died in a Brazilian aquarium. Multiple granulomas with acid-fast bacilli were observed in several organs. Identification of Mycobacterium bovis was accomplished by culture and PCR methods. The other animals from the same enclosure were euthanized, but no evidence of mycobacterial infection was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The American bullfrog was introduced in several countries around the world as an alternative husbandry, and its production is purposed for zoological and aquarium collections, biomedical research, education, human consumption and pet market. The present report warns about an episode of bovine tuberculosis in an amphibian, therefore further studies are necessary to define this frog species' role in the epidemiology of M. bovis.

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RESUMO

Prolonged stress suffered by the organism in the presence of chronic diseases can result in functional and morphological changes to the adrenal glands; although the effects of chronic stress on the adrenal gland function in live dogs is well documented, studies focusing on the morphologic changes in the adrenal glands have been lacking. Thus, this study aimed to identify and connect possible morphometric and histopathological changes in the adrenal glands of necropsied dogs in the presence or absence of chronic diseases. Morphological changes in the adrenal glands of 46 necropsied dogs were evaluated through morphometric and histopathological analyses. The morphometric characteristics of the adrenal glands of dogs were influenced more by the animal’s body weight (p < 0.0001) and adrenocortical hyperplasia (p < 0.05) than by the stress associated with chronic diseases or acute conditions. Previously healthy animals with sudden death or animals that died from acute diseases had significant severe congestion in the adrenal glands (p = 0.0272), while adrenocortical hyperplasia was more frequent in the chronic diseases group (p = 0.0041). Fibrosis at the corticomedullary junction (p < 0.0001) and inflammatory infiltrate (p = 0.0015) were observed only in animals with chronic diseases. The adrenal glands of dogs with chronic cardiac dysfunction frequently showed significant necrosis (p = 0.0256), fibrosis (p = 0.0002) and lipid depletion (p = 0.0288). Thus, while the weight or dimensions of the adrenal glands of dogs at necropsy should not be used alone as parameters to indicate a relation with the stress suffered prior to death, the histopathological findings could aid and support necropsy conclusions regarding the presence of chronic diseases.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Prolonged stress suffered by the organism in the presence of chronic diseases can result in functional and morphological changes to the adrenal glands; although the effects of chronic stress on the adrenal gland function in live dogs is well documented, studies focusing on the morphologic changes in the adrenal glands have been lacking. Thus, this study aimed to identify and connect possible morphometric and histopathological changes in the adrenal glands of necropsied dogs in the presence or absence of chronic diseases. Morphological changes in the adrenal glands of 46 necropsied dogs were evaluated through morphometric and histopathological analyses. The morphometric characteristics of the adrenal glands of dogs were influenced more by the animals body weight (p < 0.0001) and adrenocortical hyperplasia (p < 0.05) than by the stress associated with chronic diseases or acute conditions. Previously healthy animals with sudden death or animals that died from acute diseases had significant severe congestion in the adrenal glands (p = 0.0272), while adrenocortical hyperplasia was more frequent in the chronic diseases group (p = 0.0041). Fibrosis at the corticomedullary junction (p < 0.0001) and inflammatory infiltrate (p = 0.0015) were observed only in animals with chronic diseases. The adrenal glands of dogs with chronic cardiac dysfunction frequently showed significant necrosis (p = 0.0256), fibrosis (p = 0.0002) and lipid depletion (p = 0.0288). Thus, while the weight or dimensions of the adrenal glands of dogs at necropsy should not be used alone as parameters to indicate a relation with the stress suffered prior to death, the histopathological findings could aid and support necropsy conclusions regarding the presence of chronic diseases.(AU)

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RESUMO

Animal cruelty is a known behavior of psychopaths, and although the serial killing of humans is widely acknowledged worldwide, this type of crime against animals is seldom discussed. This report describes the necropsy and toxicological findings of 37 dogs and cats, which were found dead in plastic bags in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The animals had all been in the care of an alleged animal rescuer and were to be referred for adoption before being found dead. In the necropsy, the animals showed varying degrees of putrefaction, indicating different periods of death, as well as single or multiple perforations on the thorax. The perforations reached the heart, lungs or large thoracic vessels, culminating in hemopericardium and hemothorax that led to death by circulatory failure and cardiac tamponade. Blood from the heart and thoracic cavity was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and tested positive for ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic. The suspect declared that she had killed only five of the animals and that they had all been fatally sick. The necropsy proved that all 37 animals were killed in the same way, that none of the animals had any terminal diseases and that a restricted drug was used. The suspect was sentenced to 12 years, 6 months and 14days of prison for the killing of the 37 animals. This was the first conviction for the crime of animal cruelty in Brazil. The combined role of police, forensic veterinary pathologists and prosecutors were essential to the conviction, which was a great historical occasion in the fight against animal cruelty.

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RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate central nervous system (CNS) lesions in non-effusive and effusive cases of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) regarding aspects related to astrocytic and microglial reactions. METHODS: Five necropsied cats that were naturally infected with FIP virus, confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, with different intensities of CNS lesions, were studied. Brain and cerebellum were evaluated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin to assess astrocytic morphology, and lectin histochemistry for Ricinus communis agglutinin-I (RCA-I) to detect microglia was performed to evaluate the glial response in the CNS of cats with FIP. RESULTS: An important astrocytic response in many areas of the CNS of all cats, including the periventricular areas of lateral ventricles and fourth ventricle, the molecular layer of the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, was visualized. This astrocytic reactivity was associated with areas of granulomatous or pyogranulomatous vasculitis/perivasculitis in most cases, and it was characterized by multifocal to coalescing astrocytosis and astrogliosis with an increase in the expression of intermediate filaments, such as GFAP. However, astrocytes exhibited strong vimentin expression in neuroparenchyma with severe inflammatory and necrotic changes, but GFAP expression was mild or absent in these cases. A microglial response was present only in severe lesions, and RCA-I expression was detected primarily in gitter cells and resting microglia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The present study indicates a strong astrocytic response, including the presence of many less differentiated vimentin-positive astrocytes and gitter cells positive for RCA-1 in severe lesions in the CNS of cats with FIP.

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O gato doméstico é uma espécie que costuma ser alvo de maus-tratos.Vários estudos demonstram que o gato sofre com dois tipos principais de atosmaliciosos: intoxicação intencional por praguicidas e traumas, que podem seracidentais ou não acidentais. Os traumas mais observados em medicina veterinária são de ordem mecânica, podendo ser causados por diversos instrumentos. Na casuística do Serviço de Patologia Animal da FMVZ-USP, identificaram-se 90 casos delesões traumáticas em gatos entre 1998 e 2012, dos quais 41,1% eram fêmeas, 27,8% machos e em 31% deles não havia essa informação. Em 67,8% dos casos, os felinos tinham até dois anos de idade. Em 54,4% dos casos, as lesões eram contusas; em 36.7%, perfurocontusas; em 3.3%, perfurocortantes; e em 5,6%, de outros tipos. Nos últimos anos, vem aumentando a demanda por necropsias com fins periciais, e o exame acurado dos traumas é fundamental à elucidação de casos suspeitos de maus-tratos.

The domestic cat is a target species in terms of cruel acts. Studies haveshown that cats suffer from two main types of malicious acts: intentional poisoning by pesticides and traumatic lesions; the latter may be of accidental or non-accidental nature. The most frequently observed traumas in veterinary medicine are of mechanicalorder and can be caused by various instruments. Between 1998 and 2012, 90 cats victims of traumatic lesions were necropsied by the Animal Pathology Service of FMVZ-USP. Among these, 41.1% were female and 27.8% were male; gender informationwas not available for the remainder 31%. 67.8% of the animals were up to 2 years old. ln 54.4% of the cases, the injuries were from blunt force trauma; in 36.7%. from stab wounds, in 3.3%, from incised-stab wounds and in 5.6% from other types of injuries. ln recent years, the demand for animal necropsies with forensic purposes has increased, and careful examination of the trauma is key to elucidating cases concerning suspicion of animal abuse.

El gato doméstico es una especie que suele sufrir malos tratos. Existenvarios estudios que demuestran que el gato sufre con dos tipos de actos maliciosos: intoxicación intencional con plaguicidas y traumas, que pueden tener origen en un accidente, o ser no accidentales. Los traumas más observados en medicina veterinariason aquellos de origen mecánico, y pueden ser causados por diversos tipos de instrumentos. Entre los años 1998 y 2012, en el Servicio de Patologia Animal de la FMVZ-USP, se identificaron 90 casos de lesiones traumáticas en gatos. De estos animales, el 41,1% eran hembras, el 27,8% machos y en el 31% de los casos no había información sobre el sexo. En el 67,8% de los casos, los felinos eran menores a 2 años. En el 54,4% de los casos, las lesiones eran contundentes ; en el 36,7%,perfurocontundentes; en el 3,3%, perfurocortantes; y en el 5,6% eran de otros tipos. En los últimos años ha aumentado la demanda para que se realicen necropsias con fines periciales, y el examen detallado de los traumas resulta fundamental para aclarar los casos sospechosos de malos tratos.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Neoplasias traqueais primárias são incomuns em cães e gatos. Os animais acometidos são geralmente de meia-idade a idosos, exceto aqueles que desenvolvem osteocondromas. As manifestações clínicas são consistentes com a obstrução das vias aéreas superiores, incluindo mais comumente tosse, intolerância ao exercício, dificuldade respiratória e cianose. O diagnóstico normalmente é feito por meio do exame radiográfico simples; a realização de traqueoscopia possibilita a identificação e a biópsia das lesões. Lesões neoplásicas devem ser diferenciadas de corpos estranhos e pólipos. Uma cadela da raça pastor alemão, de quinze anos de idade, apresentava histórico de dificuldade respiratória e tosse havia um ano, com piora progressiva. A identificação da formação foi realizada a partir do exame radiográfico simples, e o diagnóstico definitivo foi obtido pela traqueoscopia, seguida da biópsia e do exame histopatológico da formação.

Primary tracheal neoplasms are uncommon in dogs and cats. Affected animals are generally middle-aged or older, except those that develop osteochondromas. Clinical signs are consistent with upper airway obstruction, most often including cough, intolerance to exercise, breathing difficulty and cyanosis. Diagnosis is usually achieved with a simple radiographic evaluation, while the tracheoscopy allows direct visualization and sampling of the lesion. Neoplastic lesions should be differentiated from other structures such as foreign bodies and polyps. This article reports the case of a 15-year-old female German Shepherd that had a one-year history of progressive dyspnea and cough. Survey radiography helped disclose a mass, but the definite diagnosis was achieved by means of a tracheoscopy followed by biopsy and histopathological exam of the tumor.

Las neoplasias traqueales primarias son poco comunes en perros y gatos. Los animales afectados son generalmente de edad media a viejos, excepto los que desarrollan osteocondromas. Las manifestaciones clínicas son consistentes con obstrucción de las vías aéreas superiores, frecuentemente tos, intolerancia al ejercicio, dificultad respiratoria y cianosis. El diagnóstico se alcanza normalmente a través de exámen radiográfico simple; la traqueoscopía permite la identificación y biopsia delas lesiones. Las lesiones neoplásicas deben ser diferenciadas de cuerpos extraños y pólipos. Una perra Ovejero alemán de quince años presentó un histórico de dificultad respiratoria y tos desde hacía un año, con agravamiento progresivo. La identificación dela formación se consiguió a través de radiografías simples, y el diagnóstico definitivos e obtuvo por traqueoscopia, biopsia y examen histopatológico de la formación.

Assuntos

RESUMO

O gato doméstico é uma espécie que costuma ser alvo de maus-tratos.Vários estudos demonstram que o gato sofre com dois tipos principais de atosmaliciosos: intoxicação intencional por praguicidas e traumas, que podem seracidentais ou não acidentais. Os traumas mais observados em medicina veterinária são de ordem mecânica, podendo ser causados por diversos instrumentos. Na casuística do Serviço de Patologia Animal da FMVZ-USP, identificaram-se 90 casos delesões traumáticas em gatos entre 1998 e 2012, dos quais 41,1% eram fêmeas, 27,8% machos e em 31% deles não havia essa informação. Em 67,8% dos casos, os felinos tinham até dois anos de idade. Em 54,4% dos casos, as lesões eram contusas; em 36.7%, perfurocontusas; em 3.3%, perfurocortantes; e em 5,6%, de outros tipos. Nos últimos anos, vem aumentando a demanda por necropsias com fins periciais, e o exame acurado dos traumas é fundamental à elucidação de casos suspeitos de maus-tratos.(AU)

The domestic cat is a target species in terms of cruel acts. Studies haveshown that cats suffer from two main types of malicious acts: intentional poisoning by pesticides and traumatic lesions; the latter may be of accidental or non-accidental nature. The most frequently observed traumas in veterinary medicine are of mechanicalorder and can be caused by various instruments. Between 1998 and 2012, 90 cats victims of traumatic lesions were necropsied by the Animal Pathology Service of FMVZ-USP. Among these, 41.1% were female and 27.8% were male; gender informationwas not available for the remainder 31%. 67.8% of the animals were up to 2 years old. ln 54.4% of the cases, the injuries were from blunt force trauma; in 36.7%. from stab wounds, in 3.3%, from incised-stab wounds and in 5.6% from other types of injuries. ln recent years, the demand for animal necropsies with forensic purposes has increased, and careful examination of the trauma is key to elucidating cases concerning suspicion of animal abuse.(AU)

El gato doméstico es una especie que suele sufrir malos tratos. Existenvarios estudios que demuestran que el gato sufre con dos tipos de actos maliciosos: intoxicación intencional con plaguicidas y traumas, que pueden tener origen en un accidente, o ser no accidentales. Los traumas más observados en medicina veterinariason aquellos de origen mecánico, y pueden ser causados por diversos tipos de instrumentos. Entre los años 1998 y 2012, en el Servicio de Patologia Animal de la FMVZ-USP, se identificaron 90 casos de lesiones traumáticas en gatos. De estos animales, el 41,1% eran hembras, el 27,8% machos y en el 31% de los casos no había información sobre el sexo. En el 67,8% de los casos, los felinos eran menores a 2 años. En el 54,4% de los casos, las lesiones eran contundentes ; en el 36,7%,perfurocontundentes; en el 3,3%, perfurocortantes; y en el 5,6% eran de otros tipos. En los últimos años ha aumentado la demanda para que se realicen necropsias con fines periciales, y el examen detallado de los traumas resulta fundamental para aclarar los casos sospechosos de malos tratos.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Neoplasias traqueais primárias são incomuns em cães e gatos. Os animais acometidos são geralmente de meia-idade a idosos, exceto aqueles que desenvolvem osteocondromas. As manifestações clínicas são consistentes com a obstrução das vias aéreas superiores, incluindo mais comumente tosse, intolerância ao exercício, dificuldade respiratória e cianose. O diagnóstico normalmente é feito por meio do exame radiográfico simples; a realização de traqueoscopia possibilita a identificação e a biópsia das lesões. Lesões neoplásicas devem ser diferenciadas de corpos estranhos e pólipos. Uma cadela da raça pastor alemão, de quinze anos de idade, apresentava histórico de dificuldade respiratória e tosse havia um ano, com piora progressiva. A identificação da formação foi realizada a partir do exame radiográfico simples, e o diagnóstico definitivo foi obtido pela traqueoscopia, seguida da biópsia e do exame histopatológico da formação. (AU)

Primary tracheal neoplasms are uncommon in dogs and cats. Affected animals are generally middle-aged or older, except those that develop osteochondromas. Clinical signs are consistent with upper airway obstruction, most often including cough, intolerance to exercise, breathing difficulty and cyanosis. Diagnosis is usually achieved with a simple radiographic evaluation, while the tracheoscopy allows direct visualization and sampling of the lesion. Neoplastic lesions should be differentiated from other structures such as foreign bodies and polyps. This article reports the case of a 15-year-old female German Shepherd that had a one-year history of progressive dyspnea and cough. Survey radiography helped disclose a mass, but the definite diagnosis was achieved by means of a tracheoscopy followed by biopsy and histopathological exam of the tumor.(AU)

Las neoplasias traqueales primarias son poco comunes en perros y gatos. Los animales afectados son generalmente de edad media a viejos, excepto los que desarrollan osteocondromas. Las manifestaciones clínicas son consistentes con obstrucción de las vías aéreas superiores, frecuentemente tos, intolerancia al ejercicio, dificultad respiratoria y cianosis. El diagnóstico se alcanza normalmente a través de exámen radiográfico simple; la traqueoscopía permite la identificación y biopsia delas lesiones. Las lesiones neoplásicas deben ser diferenciadas de cuerpos extraños y pólipos. Una perra Ovejero alemán de quince años presentó un histórico de dificultad respiratoria y tos desde hacía un año, con agravamiento progresivo. La identificación dela formación se consiguió a través de radiografías simples, y el diagnóstico definitivos e obtuvo por traqueoscopia, biopsia y examen histopatológico de la formación.(AU)

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RESUMO

Com o crescimento do mercado pet e suas inovações, proprietáriosde cães e gatos encontram cada vez mais alternativas paraa saúde e bem-estar de seus animais. Os estabelecimentos debanho e tosa vem ganhando espaço, uma vez que muitos proprietáriosnão dispõem de tempo e habilidade para a realizaçãoda higiene de seus animais. Porém, o que muitos proprietáriose até mesmo médicos veterinários desconhecem, é que cães egatos podem vir a óbito durante tais procedimentos aparentementeinofensivos, principalmente devido ao estresse. A mortedecorrente de estresse pode ocorrer tanto em animais debilitadosquanto saudáveis, independente da raça, idade ou sexo. Em umambiente de banho e tosa, a presença de agentes estressores éinevitável, mas algumas regras devem ser seguidas a fim de minimizaro estresse nestes animais. Este trabalho tem como objetivofornecer informações acerca da causa de morte nessas circunstânciase suas implicações legais.

With the growth of the pet market and its innovations, ownersof dogs and cats have increasingly alternatives for the health andwelfare of their animals. Establishments of bathing and groomingare becoming more popular, as many owners do not have thetime and ability to provide the adequate hygiene of their pets.However, many pet owners and even veterinarians are unawarethat dogs and cats can die during bathing or grooming, due tostress. Death related to stress may happen to sick or healthyanimals, regardless of breed, age or sex. In the bathing andgrooming environment, the presence of stressors is inevitable,but some rules must be followed to minimize the stress in theseanimals. This paper aims to provide information about the causeof death of these animals and the legal implications involved.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Com o crescimento do mercado pet e suas inovações, proprietáriosde cães e gatos encontram cada vez mais alternativas paraa saúde e bem-estar de seus animais. Os estabelecimentos debanho e tosa vem ganhando espaço, uma vez que muitos proprietáriosnão dispõem de tempo e habilidade para a realizaçãoda higiene de seus animais. Porém, o que muitos proprietáriose até mesmo médicos veterinários desconhecem, é que cães egatos podem vir a óbito durante tais procedimentos aparentementeinofensivos, principalmente devido ao estresse. A mortedecorrente de estresse pode ocorrer tanto em animais debilitadosquanto saudáveis, independente da raça, idade ou sexo. Em umambiente de banho e tosa, a presença de agentes estressores éinevitável, mas algumas regras devem ser seguidas a fim de minimizaro estresse nestes animais. Este trabalho tem como objetivofornecer informações acerca da causa de morte nessas circunstânciase suas implicações legais.(AU)

With the growth of the pet market and its innovations, ownersof dogs and cats have increasingly alternatives for the health andwelfare of their animals. Establishments of bathing and groomingare becoming more popular, as many owners do not have thetime and ability to provide the adequate hygiene of their pets.However, many pet owners and even veterinarians are unawarethat dogs and cats can die during bathing or grooming, due tostress. Death related to stress may happen to sick or healthyanimals, regardless of breed, age or sex. In the bathing andgrooming environment, the presence of stressors is inevitable,but some rules must be followed to minimize the stress in theseanimals. This paper aims to provide information about the causeof death of these animals and the legal implications involved.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

O aumento da conscientização de médicos veterinários e proprietários de animais quanto às consequências legais referentes à prática da medicina veterinária se reflete na crescente demanda pela medicina veterinária legal. A patologia forense é um instrumento valioso nessa área, sendo seu conhecimento essencial em casos de óbito de animais com suspeita de maus-tratos, negligência, intoxicações exógenas e erros médicos, dentre outros. As necrópsias com fins periciais apresentam diferenças quanto ao exame necroscópico tradicional, especialmente no registro e na documentação de lesões, tornando necessário o conhecimento das bases da patologia forense. O presente trabalho visa reunir e divulgar informações técnicas quanto à patologia forense veterinária e à realização de uma necrópsia documentada com fins periciais, a fim de auxiliar o médico veterinário frente a um caso com potencial jurídico de óbito animal.

The increasing awareness of veterinarians and animal owners regarding the legal consequences of the veterinary medicine practice is reflected on the growing demand for veterinary forensic medicine. Forensic pathology is a very valuable tool in this area, being essential in cases of animal death that may suggest abuse, neglect, poisoning and medical errors, among others. Necropsies for forensic ends present some differences regarding the traditional exam, especially regarding the recording and documentation of lesions, thus rendering the knowledge of the bases of forensic pathology necessary. The present study aims to gather and disclose technical information about the performance of forensic necropsies in animals, in order to assist the veterinarian in cases of animal death with legal potential.

El aumento de la concientización de los médicos veterinarios y de los propietarios de animales en relación a las consecuencias legales relacionadas con la práctica de la medicina veterinaria puede verse reflejada en la creciente demanda por una medicina veterinaria forense. La patología forense representa un valioso instrumento en esa área, siendo esencial su conocimiento en los casos de muerte de animales donde se sospecha de malos tratos, negligencia, intoxicaciones exógenas y errores médicos, entre otras situaciones. Las necropsias con fines periciales presentan diferencias con el examen necroscópico convencional, especialmente en el registro y en la documentación de las lesiones, siendo necesario que se conozcan las bases de la patología forense. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo reunir y divulgar las informaciones técnicas relacionadas con la patología forense veterinaria, con la realización de una necropsia documentada con fines periciales, a fin de ayudar al médico veterinario en los casos donde exista un potencial jurídico relacionado con la muerte un animal.

Assuntos

RESUMO

O aumento da conscientização de médicos veterinários e proprietários de animais quanto às consequências legais referentes à prática da medicina veterinária se reflete na crescente demanda pela medicina veterinária legal. A patologia forense é um instrumento valioso nessa área, sendo seu conhecimento essencial em casos de óbito de animais com suspeita de maus-tratos, negligência, intoxicações exógenas e erros médicos, dentre outros. As necrópsias com fins periciais apresentam diferenças quanto ao exame necroscópico tradicional, especialmente no registro e na documentação de lesões, tornando necessário o conhecimento das bases da patologia forense. O presente trabalho visa reunir e divulgar informações técnicas quanto à patologia forense veterinária e à realização de uma necrópsia documentada com fins periciais, a fim de auxiliar o médico veterinário frente a um caso com potencial jurídico de óbito animal.(AU)

The increasing awareness of veterinarians and animal owners regarding the legal consequences of the veterinary medicine practice is reflected on the growing demand for veterinary forensic medicine. Forensic pathology is a very valuable tool in this area, being essential in cases of animal death that may suggest abuse, neglect, poisoning and medical errors, among others. Necropsies for forensic ends present some differences regarding the traditional exam, especially regarding the recording and documentation of lesions, thus rendering the knowledge of the bases of forensic pathology necessary. The present study aims to gather and disclose technical information about the performance of forensic necropsies in animals, in order to assist the veterinarian in cases of animal death with legal potential.(AU)

El aumento de la concientización de los médicos veterinarios y de los propietarios de animales en relación a las consecuencias legales relacionadas con la práctica de la medicina veterinaria puede verse reflejada en la creciente demanda por una medicina veterinaria forense. La patología forense representa un valioso instrumento en esa área, siendo esencial su conocimiento en los casos de muerte de animales donde se sospecha de malos tratos, negligencia, intoxicaciones exógenas y errores médicos, entre otras situaciones. Las necropsias con fines periciales presentan diferencias con el examen necroscópico convencional, especialmente en el registro y en la documentación de las lesiones, siendo necesario que se conozcan las bases de la patología forense. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo reunir y divulgar las informaciones técnicas relacionadas con la patología forense veterinaria, con la realización de una necropsia documentada con fines periciales, a fin de ayudar al médico veterinario en los casos donde exista un potencial jurídico relacionado con la muerte un animal.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Veterinary pathology specialists deal with a wide range of challenges in order to practice and provide useful results from analyzing deceased animals. The large number of species is certainly a first step that makes education in Veterinary Pathology so exciting. Knowing animal diseases is the basis of what we understand from comparative pathology and its contribution to public and environmental health. Recently a new search for veterinary pathology work is asked in situations that death of animals is linked to crime, or a crime scene investigation is taking place. Law Enforcement asks for Expert Witness Testimony to analyze cause of death of one, or even several animals that can be involved in a crime scene investigation. Different from a routine necropsy, forensic necropsies usually have medico-legal interest and this changes completely the scenario. For this purpose, postmortem examination requires additional and rigorous documentation of all steps taken from the crime scene, gross and microscopically detected lesions in the bodies and collected samples that will be analyzed in special laboratories. Criminal actions in which animals might be involved, either as a victim, a testimony or a perpetrator need a correct interpretation.

RESUMO

Veterinary pathology specialists deal with a wide range of challenges in order to practice and provide useful results from analyzing deceased animals. The large number of species is certainly a first step that makes education in Veterinary Pathology so exciting. Knowing animal diseases is the basis of what we understand from comparative pathology and its contribution to public and environmental health. Recently a new search for veterinary pathology work is asked in situations that death of animals is linked to crime, or a crime scene investigation is taking place. Law Enforcement asks for Expert Witness Testimony to analyze cause of death of one, or even several animals that can be involved in a crime scene investigation. Different from a routine necropsy, forensic necropsies usually have medico-legal interest and this changes completely the scenario. For this purpose, postmortem examination requires additional and rigorous documentation of all steps taken from the crime scene, gross and microscopically detected lesions in the bodies and collected samples that will be analyzed in special laboratories. Criminal actions in which animals might be involved, either as a victim, a testimony or a perpetrator need a correct interpretation.