Compost barn (CB), although recent in Brazil, is increasingly gaining popularity among the intensive breeding systems in the dairy sector. This system promises to offer several advantages to producers and animals: such as providing an environment in which milk production is increased and the physical integrity of cattle is improved, reducing mastitis episodes, and promoting thermal comfort for animals. Another factor that highlights CB concerning other intensive systems is the composting process, generated by the deposition of carbon-rich materials (bedding) with nitrogen sources (urine and feces) from animals. For the full benefits of this composting to be achieved, management, especially of bedding, must be carried out correctly, considering the development requirements of the compost, the use of quality organic material, adequate ventilation, and an ideal rate of animal capacity, so that the generation of heat occurs efficiently. However, there is a general lack of information about the CB system. Hence, there is an increasing need for data surveys of Brazilian regions to compare the diversity of materials used in bedding, assessing energy efficiency and performance over time. Therefore, this bibliographical review addressed the main points of the CB system approach, considering that studies such as this are consistently relevant for rural producers, facilitating decisions regarding the implementation and management of the CB system on their farms.

The number of wandering animals in large urban centers is increasing, and the cat population is quite significant. Pre-pubertal sterilization promotes early reproductive failure of the animal; reduces the development of pathologies related to the reproductive tract, in addition of other advantages. However, anesthesia in prepubertal animals is still a challenge and the usage of opioids in those patient has been questioned due to the occurrence of hypotension in some cases. Accordingly, it is necessary further studies to verify the consequences of the use of opioids in these animals. Therefore, the present study had as objective to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of Tramadol in prepubescent queens submitted to ovariohisterectomy. Eight females of the feline species, aged between two and four months, were used. The queens were randomly divided into two groups (Control group and Tramadol group), consisting of four animals each. During the transoperative period, body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate and oxygen saturation, and noninvasive blood pressure had been monitored. They have been measured immediately prior to administration of anesthetic drugs (T0-Control) and every 4 minutes during 20 minute of transoperative period (T4, T8, T12, T16, T20); heart rate parameters; respiratory rate, body temperature, oxygen saturation level and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The Tramadol group presented lower values-of heart rate and respiratory rate when compared to those obtained in the Control group in the periods from T0 to T8. In all analyzed moments body temperature and oxygen saturation did not reveal significant difference between the two groups; with values-between 35.6° C and 37.7° C and 78.5% and 90.25%, respectively. In this study it was possible to conclude that Tramadol was efficient in analgesia after surgical sterilization of prepubertal cats, without causing significant hypotension.

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A minha família, minha mãe Maria Helena, meu pai Ademilso e minha irmã Georgeana, pelo apoio incondicional e por me permitirem seguir meus caminhos. Vocês sempre desejaram o melhor para mim e fizeram tudo que estava ao seu alcance para ajudar. A minha namorada, Nathalia, pelo apoio e companheirismo em todos os momentos durante minha vida acadêmica. Sua compreensão, paciência, amizade tornaram essa jornada muito mais feliz. Ao Prof. Dr. Iran José Oliveira da Silva, por todos os ensinamentos e por ter me transformado em um profissional melhor. Sua orientação, exigência pelo excelente e ensinamentos acadêmicos e de vida me tornaram mestre. Obrigado por tudo! Aos amigos do NUPEA