RESUMO

Choloepus didactylus (two-toed sloth) is a Xenarthran mammal whose morphology has so far been little studied. Given the increasing number of sloths requiring clinical and surgical interventions, this lack of clarity regarding anatomical features and landmarks has had a negative impact on veterinary decision-making for this species. We therefore sought to describe the topography of the medullary cone (MC) of Choloepus didactylus in order to provide guidance to qualified professionals on the ideal access for locoregional anesthesia. In evaluating four specimens, radiographs and dissections revealed that Choloepus didactylus has three lumbar vertebrae and five sacral vertebrae. The lumbar intumescence is located between T14 and the cranial half of L2, the medullary cone is located between the caudal half of L2 and L3, with an average length of 2.26 cm, and the cauda equina extends from S1 to S5. Based on these anatomical findings, we propose that the lumbosacral region would be the most suitable target for epidural anesthesia in Choloepus didactylus.

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RESUMO

Anthropogenic noise has been related to stress in captive animals; despite this there have been few studies on animal welfare assessment in walk-through zoo enclosures. We aimed to investigate the behavioural effects of noise on a male-female pair of two-toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus), housed in a walk-through enclosure in a zoo in the UK. The animals were filmed for 24 h per day, during three days per week, including days with potential low and high flow of visitors, for three weeks. Sound pressure measurement was performed four times each collection day (twice in the morning, once at noon and once in the afternoon), for 15 min per session, using a sound level meter. The number of visitors passing the enclosure during each session was also recorded. The videos were analysed using focal sampling, with continuous recording of behaviour. Correlations between noise and the behaviours expressed during, and in the 24 h after the acoustic recording, were investigated. The number of visitors correlated with the acoustic parameters. At the moment of exposure, higher levels of noise correlated with decreased inactivity, and longer expression of locomotion and maintenance behaviours for the male; the female spent more time inside a box in these moments. During the 24 h hours after exposure to loud noise, the female showed no behavioural changes while the male tended to reduce foraging. The behavioural changes observed in both individuals have already been reported in other species, in response to stressful events. Our study indicates the need for a good acoustic management in walk-through zoo enclosures where sloths are housed.

RESUMO

Background: High voltage electric shock causes serious injury to the body, which can lead to a fatal condition. Sloths are commonly the target of this type of accident and factors such as the degree of tissue impairment and late medical care can contribute to the death of the animal or the indication of euthanasia. In this way, the present study aims to describe the treatment strategies in Choloepus didactylus victim of high voltage electrocution. Case: A female sloth weighing 6.15 kg was treated at the Wild Animals Sector of the Veterinary Hospital (HV-SAS) of the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) victim of high voltage electric shock with burn on the right side face, stomatitis, glossitis, lesions extensive and bullous lesions in the thoracic and pelvic limbs, in addition to an open fracture in the radioulnar joint of the left limb with signs of necrosis. After patient stabilization (fluid therapy, antibiotic therapy, pain control, cleaning and wound dressing), the patient was transfered to the impatient room. The main treatment strategies adopted were surgery, drug therapy, food and occupational therapy. The day after the patient's arrival, the amputation of the left thoracic limb was performed. On the third day of hospitalization, the right thoracic and pelvic limbs were also amputated, and on the tenth day, debridement of the right lateral face was performed. As for drug therapy, the following drugs were used postoperatively: ceftriaxone (40 mg/kg, BID, for 47 days), dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg, BID, for 4 days), silymarin (15 mg/kg, BID, for 30 days), morphine (0.4 mg/kg, BID, for 14 days; 0.8 mg/kg, SID, for 22 days) and dressing wounds on the lateral face and surgical stumps with ointment of collagenase with chloramphenicol. In food management, the animal had good acceptance of a mixture of fruits, vegetables and animal protein in a pasty presentation. The treatment by occupational therapy included basic care such as exercising, sunbathing, and desensitizing the surgical stumps (massage therapy). In conclusion, after five months, the therapeutic protocol implemented resulted in the clinical improvement of the animal, as it allowed the complete healing of the lesions on the face and surgical stumps. In addition, the care taken with the surgical stumps allowed the animal to use them as support for its locomotion. Discussion: Amputation and debridement surgeries were effective in treating electrocuted patients and should be considered when tissue is compromised, which justifies the surgical protocol adopted in this study. They were based on reports in humans, since in wild animals, although many are victims of this type of trauma, little is known about the appropriate therapeutic approach for each species. Surgical interventions associated with the antibiotic ceftriaxone were efficient for controlling the infection, since this antibiotic has a broad spectrum of activity, being used mainly in skin and soft tissue and/or bone infections, which justified its use in that patient. As for nutritional therapy, supplementation with animal protein may have contributed to the clinical improvement of the animal, since they are excellent components for tissue recovery in patients who suffered losses from burns caused by electric shocks. Stump desensitization is indicated as a treatment for neuropathic pain in amputees, and in the present study, it was essential for the animal to use the limb for locomotion. The exercises in a grassy area associated with sunbathing added as a stimulus to the patient's movement.

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RESUMO

Descreve-se o caso de uma fêmea adulta de preguiça-real (Choloepus sp.), vítima de atropelamento. O animal apresentou fratura de mandíbula e perda de parte da língua, o que prejudicou sua alimentação. Permaneceu por dez meses sob cuidados e durante esse período foram necessários tratamentos com antibióticos e antiiflamatórios, cujas doses usadas se mostraram eficazes. Após recuperação clínica do quadro inicial, o animal ainda recusava qualquer alimento sólido e por três meses foi alimentado diariamente apenas com uma dieta líquida a base de frutas, legumes, iogurte, linhaça moída, ovo, flores e folhas. Gradualmente passou a tentar comer brotos de Cecropia sp. e somente no oitavo mês se alimentava relativamente bem sozinho. Embora as preguiças sejam consideradas praticamente folívoras, o indivíduo se adaptou bem à dieta liquida, já que durante todo o processo apresentou consistência normal das fezes e boa condição clínica. Apesar de ter gasto oito meses para se readaptar à ausência de parte da língua, conclui-se que todo o manejo veterinário e alimentar foi bem sucedido.(AU)

The case of an adult female of two-toed-sloth(Choloepus sp.), victim of running over isdescribed. The animal had jaw fracture andloss of part of the tongue, which hamperedtheir food. Remained under care for tenmonths, during which treatment withantibiotics and anti-inflammatory were neededand whose doses used were effective. Afterclinical recovery of the initial condition, theanimal still refused any solid food and for threemonths was fed daily with a liquid diet basedon fruits, vegetables, yogurt, ground flaxseed,eggs, flowers and leaves. Gradually came totry to eat sprouts Cecropia sp. and only aftereight months spent to feed relatively wellalone. Although sloths are consideredfolivores, the individual has adapted well to theliquid diet, since during the whole process hadnormal stool consistency and good clinicalcondition. Despite having spent eight monthsto readjust to the absence of part of the tongue,it is concluded that all veterinary and feedingmanagement was successful.(AU)

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RESUMO

Descreve-se o caso de uma fêmea adulta de preguiça-real (Choloepus sp.), vítima de atropelamento. O animal apresentou fratura de mandíbula e perda de parte da língua, o que prejudicou sua alimentação. Permaneceu por dez meses sob cuidados e durante esse período foram necessários tratamentos com antibióticos e antiiflamatórios, cujas doses usadas se mostraram eficazes. Após recuperação clínica do quadro inicial, o animal ainda recusava qualquer alimento sólido e por três meses foi alimentado diariamente apenas com uma dieta líquida a base de frutas, legumes, iogurte, linhaça moída, ovo, flores e folhas. Gradualmente passou a tentar comer brotos de Cecropia sp. e somente no oitavo mês se alimentava relativamente bem sozinho. Embora as preguiças sejam consideradas praticamente folívoras, o indivíduo se adaptou bem à dieta liquida, já que durante todo o processo apresentou consistência normal das fezes e boa condição clínica. Apesar de ter gasto oito meses para se readaptar à ausência de parte da língua, conclui-se que todo o manejo veterinário e alimentar foi bem sucedido.

The case of an adult female of two-toed-sloth(Choloepus sp.), victim of running over isdescribed. The animal had jaw fracture andloss of part of the tongue, which hamperedtheir food. Remained under care for tenmonths, during which treatment withantibiotics and anti-inflammatory were neededand whose doses used were effective. Afterclinical recovery of the initial condition, theanimal still refused any solid food and for threemonths was fed daily with a liquid diet basedon fruits, vegetables, yogurt, ground flaxseed,eggs, flowers and leaves. Gradually came totry to eat sprouts Cecropia sp. and only aftereight months spent to feed relatively wellalone. Although sloths are consideredfolivores, the individual has adapted well to theliquid diet, since during the whole process hadnormal stool consistency and good clinicalcondition. Despite having spent eight monthsto readjust to the absence of part of the tongue,it is concluded that all veterinary and feedingmanagement was successful.

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