Distúrbios locomotores associados a desordens nutricionais em galinhas de fundo de quintal - Relato de caso

Abstract

The Mandatory Supervised Internship was carried out in two different locations, with the first part performed during the period from June 1st to 30th (2023), at the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (LDA-UFRPE), totaling 176 hours. The second part, held between July 3rd and August 14th (2023), took place at the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory (LPV) and the Conservation Medicine Laboratory (LAMCON), both at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Campus II, totaling 248 hours. The internships were based on diagnosing diseases in domestic, wild, and exotic animals, emphasizing the pathology of birds and wild animals. During this period, necropsies, cytology, and biopsies were carried out, with important necropsies of wild animals at risk of extinction or domestic animals with zoonotic diseases being carried out, and highlights the relevance of the role of pathology in the conservation of species and its value in public health. Metabolic and nutritional diseases represent an important portion of illnesses in poultry, constituting a considerable cause of early slaughter in commercial farms. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are associated with locomotor disorders in poultry, which can cause syndromes that impact the mobility of these animals. Chickens without adequate nutrition often manifest syndromes known as “leg weakness” and “twisted leg” syndrome, characteristic of deficiencies in Niacin (B3), Choline (B8), Manganese, Calcium or Zinc, mainly. This study aimed to describe the clinical and anatomopathological findings of these two conditions in backyard poultry. Six chickens, of different ages and from the Agreste region of Pernambuco, were clinically examined due to the manifestation of progressive locomotor problems. One bird was sent for necropsy, the organs were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and routinely processed for histopathology. Clinically, the animals exhibited imbalance, difficulty standing, falls, and difficulty getting up. One of the birds presented a slight deviation of one of the legs, with slightly thickened hocks bilaterally and unilateral subluxation of the gastrocnemius tendon on the affected leg. The bones offered no resistance to cutting. Diseases of the locomotor system have different etiological agents, and it is necessary to analyze the macroscopic and microscopic aspects and the animal history to make a diagnosis. The occurrence of outbreaks on the property and the lesions found reflect a possible deficiency, unique or synergistic, of essential dietary components such as B vitamins, Calcium, Zinc, or Manganese, which are responsible for the integrity of connective and bone tissues, and whose lack promotes the emergence of chondrodystrophic lesions.