Culture and molecular identification of microorganisms from Digital Dermatitis lesions in dairy cattle: Leptospira, an unexpected finding

Lesoes podais em ovinos sao causas importantes de perdas economicas por quedas na produtividade, na reproducao, por gastos com tratamentos ineficientes e com o descarte de animais afetados. Dessa forma, os objetivos foram descrever as principais caracteristicas das lesoes podais observadas em ovinos da Mesorregiao Sudoeste do Rio Grande do Sul, seus aspectos epidemiologicos e a importância da ocorrencia desses disturbios para a criacao de ovinos nessa regiao. Foram coletados dados epidemiologicos e clinicopatologicos de rebanhos ovinos da regiao entre abril de 2014 e abril de 2015 atraves de visitas tecnicas em propriedades rurais. Foram avaliados rebanhos ovinos em 27 propriedades rurais localizadas em diferentes municipios, dos quais 21 registraram a ocorrencia de lesoes podais com relato de perdas economicas significativas. Aproximadamente 1.700 ovinos, em media 10% dos rebanhos, apresentavam diferentes graus de claudicacao decorrente de lesoes podais que variavam de brandas a severas. Verificou-se que diversos fatores como clima e manejo foram favoraveis para o desenvolvimento das lesoes podais e essas podem estar associadas a diferentes disturbios e agentes etiologicos. No entanto, embora essas condicoes sejam importantes, o controle e a prevencao tem se mostrado ineficientes. Observou-se ainda que a pododermatite infecciosa dos ovinos (Footrot), parece ser a principal doenca podal na regiao e atualmente pode ser considerada uma doenca negligenciada.(AU) Foot lesions in sheep are important causes of economic loss due to fall in productivity, reproduction, by spending on ineffective treatment and elimination of affected animals. The purpose of this study was described the main features of foot lesions of sheep from southwestern Rio Grande do Sul, as well as epidemiological aspects and the importance of occurrence of these lesions for sheep farming in the region. Epidemiological and clinic-pathological information of sheep herds from the region between April 2014 and April 2015, by means of visits to farms. In the study were evaluated 27 sheep flocks on farms located in different municipalities. In 21 farms was reported occurrence of foot lesions in sheep having caused significant economic losses. About 1700 sheep, 10% of herds, showed different degree of lameness caused by foot lesions ranging from mild to severe. It was found that several factors, such as climate and breeding were favorable for the development of foot injuries which may be associated with different disorders and etiologic agents. Although these injuries are important, the control and prevention has proved ineffective. Also was observed that infectious pododermatitis (Footrot) may be the main foot disease of sheep in the region, and can be considered a neglected disease.(AU)