Avaliação da sensibilidade cutânea dos membros torácicos e pélvicos de bovinos acometidos com a "síndrome da vaca caída".

Abstract

Downer cow syndrome (DCS) is a disease present in the creations of cattle from all over Brazil and the world that entails numerous financial losses due to the low survival rate of the animals affected by this syndrome. Several diseases that cause decubitus may lead to the DCS. This study aimed to evaluate the cutaneous sensibility of the fore and hindlimbs in cattle affected with DCS and use the results as parameters for the diagnosis and prognosis quick and effective. For this, five cases of animals that have prolonged decubitus in routine Veterinary Hospital (HV) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG) were analyzed. Of the five animals that came to the clinic of large animals, three are near parturition, one was due to trauma and other animal was reported as cause unknown because the animal was found lying for no apparent reason. It was observed that the sensitivity of the nerves of the fore and hindlimbs decreased with the course of time the animal spent in the decubitus. The applicability of the cutaneous nerves of the limbs tests showed a useful tool to assist the veterinarian in the diagnosis and prognosis of DCS. The evaluation of cutaneous nerves associated with clinical signs and duration of decubitus contributes to the veterinarian develop a safer prognosis, especially within the field of care.