Prevalência e classificação de pododermatite em coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) em uma propriedade localizada no município de Serra Talhada-PE

Abstract

Cuniculture despite presenting ups and downs, presents great potential for growth and gain more and more space in the Brazilian livestock production, both with meat production and in the pet market. On a commercial scale, the need for greater zootechnical control and improved productivity makes necessary the creation in sheds and, in most cases, the use of cages. However the constant pressure of the feet on hard or humid floors, accompanied by particularities of the animals; such as weight, age, or sex, favor the appearance of pathologies such as ulcerative pododermatitis, also known as sore hocks. Pododermatitis is a silent, traumatic and chronic, common disease in the creation of rabbits. In addition to directly affecting productivity (due to loss of appetite and eventually causing anorexia) and animal welfare, causing discomfort and constant pain, it can still serve as a gate to other diseases; having as common examples, osteomyelitis and septicemia. Considering the Economic impact caused by its incidence in rabbits, the objective of the present study is to evaluate its prevalence rate in an intensive breeding system, with its subsequent classification and identification of the factors that predispose its occurrence. The study was conducted in a rabbit farm located in the city of Serra Talhada, state of Pernambuco. A total of 137 male and female non-castrated animals were evaluated in order to identify the presence of callosities on the hind legs of each animal and, if confirmed, to classify them according to the presented characteristics. From each animal were obtained: age, sex, race, body weight (kg) and the presence / absence of the disease. When detected, the area of the foot lesion (mm2), temperature of the callus (s) (oC) and its degree of classification were measured. Once the diagnosis was made, the prevalence rate was 89%, the data obtained were statistically analyzed, seeking a possible relationship between the variables selected and the presence of pododermatitis in the animals. There was a positive interaction between the presence of the disease and the variables: body weight and age. The same was not identified when the variables were race and gender. All categories presented callosity, with this, it is believed that the creation in galvanized wire cages is one of the main risk factors of the disease. The individual analysis of the animals is necessary, with some frequency, since it would allow the identification of the disease in its initial stage and, therefore, the accomplishment of the treatment of effective way. It is also recommended to use less abrasive material (such as plastic sheeting) in cages, serving as support for the feet of animals and, consequently, to reduce the incidence of pododermatitis in rabbit production.