ASPECTOS EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS DE ANOMALIAS CONGÊNITAS EM CAPRINOS E OVINOS NO CARIRI PARAIBANO

Abstract

In the Brazilian Northeast, several outbreaks of malformations have been reported in small ruminants. Aimed of investigating the epidemiological aspects of congenital malformations in goats and sheep, the study was carried out on 80 properties, from the Eastern and Western microregions of Cariri Paraíba from February 2015 to February 2016. The data were obtained through questionnaires during visits to the properties and part of them analyzed by the program Assistat version 7.7. A population of 6,909 animals was evaluated, being a percentage of 6.01% of animals with malformations. These malformations affected 6.28% of goats and 4.23% of sheep. Correlations between the occurrence of malformations and the breeding system adopted by the property were identified, that is, a greater occurrence of congenital anomalies in the extensive system. Different types of malformations were found, mainly arthrogryposis, palatine cleft, and labial defect, associated to the consumption of Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul (Catingueira) and Mimosa tenuiflora (Jurema) during periods of drought in the Region. In order to prevent and control the occurrence of malformations, some multidisciplinary strategies should be considered, aiming to improve the feeding and breeding management of the animals avoiding the abovementioned anomalies.