Case suggestive of acute hemoplasmosis in nutria (Myocastor coypus): Case report

Abstract

The present study aims to report a case suggestive of Mycoplasma spp. in a nutria, in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, treated at the Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Center and Screening of Wild Animals, Federal University of Pelotas (NURFS / CETAS – UFPel), an adult and male nutria, about 4.8 kg, was rescued at Praia do Laranjal, in the municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. During the clinical care of the animal, it was observed that it had motor incoordination and prostration, besides difficulty in food intake. Blood samples were collected from the animal, packed in a tube containing anticoagulant ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), to perform blood counts. The hemogram was performed by cellular counting, using veterinary automation pocH-100iV Diff - Sysmex®; evaluation of blood smear, previously stained with Panotico Rápido®, by light microscopy; and measurement of total plasma proteins and plasma fibrinogen through refractometry. Through cell counting and measurement of total plasma proteins and plasma fibrinogen, it was possible to observe that the animal had anemia, leukocytosis and a possible hyperfibrinogenemia. Blood smear observation showed extracellular basophilic structures attached to the red blood cells, compatible with the morphological description of Mycoplasma spp., suggesting acute hemoplasmosis. In the clinical setting, antibiotic therapy with 2.5% enrofloxacin (7 mg / kg) was instituted. After 15 days of therapeutic protocol, it was possible to observe clinical improvement and erythrocyte parameters of the animal, suggesting that the success of the therapeutic protocol corroborates with the suggestive infectious disease.