Aerobic Vaginal Microflora in Gestational and Non-Gestational Bitches (Canis lupus familiaris).

The vaginal tract comprises commensal microorganisms, which play an essential role in the health of the reproductive tract. Any dysbiosis in the vaginal microenvironment may lead to severe urinary tract infections or even infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the aerobic bacterial flora isolated from vaginal samples from 100 lactating bitches in the antepartum period (n = 3), postpartum period (n = 80), and with Lactatio sine graviditate (n = 17). Before vaginal swabs, all the bitches went through a gynecology consult, along with milk and blood sampling. Standard microbiological techniques were used for bacterial isolation. Among the 100 vaginal samples analyzed, 82% had a positive microbiological outcome, while 18% were negative. The microbiologic profile listed 17 different genera. The main isolated bacterial families were Micrococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Morganellaceae, Bacillaceae, and Rhizobiaceae. At the same time, strains like Agrobacterium radiobacter, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Chromobacterium violaceum, Burkholderia mallei, Bacillus pumllus, or Staphylococcus xylosus were isolated for the first time from the vaginal secretion of lactating bitches. The microbiological data demonstrates that lactating bitches' vaginal discharge is heterogeneous and may be affected by coitus, sampling season, age, and reproductive status.

Comparative analysis of total protein, casein, lactose, and fat content in milk of cows suffering from subclinical and clinical mastitis caused by Streptococcus spp.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to analyse the total protein (TP), casein (CAS), lactose (LAC), and fat content of milk from cows with subclinical (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) caused by Streptococcus spp. Material and Methods: A total of 60 milk samples from diseased cows and 30 milk samples from healthy cows were included in the study. Milk samples were taken from Holstein-Friesian cows from four dairy farms in Lublin Province. The bacteriological examination of the milk was performed and the somatic cells count in 1 mL of milk was determined using a SomaCount FC automatic cell counter. Determination of TP, CAS, LAC, FAT and FA levels in milk was carried out using a DairySpec FT automated Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Results: Total protein in milk from HE was significantly higher than in milk from cows with mastitis (4.04% vs 3.57% in milk from SCM cows and 3.7% in milk from CM cows, P = 0.001). The CAS level was 2.73% in milk from CM cows and 2.92% in milk from SCM cows vs 3.30% in milk from HE cows, P = 0.001. The changes in CAS and TP in milk resulted in a significant difference in the CAS/TP ratio (81.7% in milk from HE cows vs 73.8% in milk from CM cows). A decrease in levels was also recorded for LAC (4.8% in milk from HE cows vs 4.51% in milk from SCM cows and 4.01% in milk from CM cows, P = 0.001). The fat level was significantly higher in milk from healthy cows than in milk from cows with mastitis (4.0% vs 2.3% in milk from SCM cows and 1.64% in milk from CM cows, P = 0.001). Conclusion: It should be emphasised that the decrease in the levels of TP, LAC and FAT was significant not only in milk from CM cows but also in milk from SCM cows. This is very unfavourable, because the reduction in the main milk components results in poor quality dairy products and impairs line processes.

A systematic review of mammary gland inflammations in queens (Felis catus).

Mastitis is a rare condition that can be diagnosed in female cats of all breeds and ages. It is usually caused by bacterial agents and is frequently encountered secondarily in feline mammary fibroepithelial hyperplasia (FEH). If left untreated, it can peril both the queen and her kittens. Therefore, a reliable and quick diagnosis is the primary key to successful treatment. Conventional diagnosis consists of a clinical and ultrasound evaluation of the queen's mammary glands. However, there is a lack of literature specifically focused on mastitis in queens. Consequently, the present review brings forth the existing knowledge regarding mammary gland inflammations in cats, with the goal of improving current clinical evaluation and treatment plans.

Mammary gland inflammation in rabbits does (Oryctolagus cuniculus): A systematic review.

Mastitis is a common condition in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) does, especially in rabbitries where mammae inflammations are the leading pathological expression of Staphylococcus aureus infections in reproductive females. It affects both the litter and the lactating female, including subsequent lactations. Non-septic (i.e. galactostasis and cystic mastitis) and septic (i.e. Mastitis acuta; including Mastitis gangrenosa; and Mastitis chronica) mammary inflammations are acknowledged; however, the literature is scarce regarding non-septic inflammations or subclinical mastitis. Thus, the present systematic review highlights and summarizes the existing data concerning mastitis in rabbit does, including diagnosis and treatment plans.

A rare case of a double vagina in a young American Staffordshire Terrier bitch (Canis lupus familiaris). A case report.

The presence of congenital urogenital malformations is relatively common in bitches. However, cases of double vagina in the literature are scarce, and the ones reported usually accompany other urogenital defects. The vaginal anomaly was an incidental finding in the present case during a routine spay and was not accompanied by any other malformations. A detailed presentation of the diagnosis and surgical management of the double vagina is presented in the current paper. A 1-year-old nulliparous American Staffordshire Terrier bitch was presented for dysuria in the past 24 h. After inspection and palpation, a distended abdomen was noticed. Biochemistry, hematology, and urinalysis were performed. No other laboratory findings were noted besides mild hypocalcemia, hypoproteinemia, hypobilirubinemia, and increased lipase. During the ultrasonographic examination, a hypoechoic fluid accumulation was observed caudal to the urinary bladder in what seemed to be hydrocolpos. Exploratory laparotomy was recommended. Ovariohysterovaginectomy was performed, and the gross and histological findings were highly suggestive of a double vagina. The dog recovered from surgery uneventfully, and it was free of clinical signs six months after the surgery. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first case of double vagina, without any other congenital defects, ultrasonography documented and surgically corrected, in a young bitch.

Aerobic Isolates from Gestational and Non-Gestational Lactating Bitches (Canis lupus familiaris).

Mastitis is a complex and well-defined mammary gland pathology, and an emergency in bitches. In dogs, its prevalence is about 1% of all reported diseases and about 5.3% of all reproductive pathologies. Lactating bitches are naturally prone to developing mastitis since puppies can easily overstimulate the epidermal layer of nipples during feeding, facilitating bacterial colonization of the glands. This study aimed to describe the aerobic bacterial flora isolated from milk samples derived from a cohort of patients (n = 87) diagnosed with clinical mastitis (n = 29), subclinical mastitis (n = 17) and healthy mammary glands (n = 46). All of the patients underwent a gynecology consultation to diagnose mammary gland afflictions; physical examination results were coupled with traditional hematological findings. The milk samples were plated on specific microbiological media for bacterial isolation. Among the 162 milk samples analyzed, 93.2% (151/162) had a positive microbiological result, while 6.8% (11/162) were sterile. The bacteriological profile of the milk samples showed 47 different species. The most common bacterial families detected in healthy bitches and bitches with subclinical and clinical mastitis were the Staphylococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae families. The results indicated that half of the isolated bacteria are novel findings in dogs and that some of them are normal components of human milk.

Lactation-related mammary gland pathologies-A neglected emergency in the bitch.

Mastitis is a common reproductive disorder in bitches, reaching a prevalence of 0.71%. Mastitis has a wide range of forms, from asymptomatic to severe gangrenous mastitis that can lead to septic shock and death of the bitch and nurslings. However, most of the time it is overlooked, undiagnosed or mistreated. The present systematic review was performed to revise and summarize the existing knowledge related to this disorder, including diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

European dog owner perceptions of obesity and factors associated with human and canine obesity.

Obesity is a common nutrition-related disorder leading to reduced life expectancy in both humans and dogs. With the aim of identifying new prevention and control options, the study objectives were (1) to investigate dog-owner perceptions about obesity in terms of themselves and their dogs, and (2) to identify factors associated with obesity and possible social, environmental and economic drivers for its development in dog owners and their pets. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed across multiple countries. The questionnaire focused on human and canine obesity, associated factors and potential drivers, and was distributed online and in the form of hard copies among dog owners in 11 European countries. In total, 3,185 responses from ten countries were included in multivariable analyses. Between 19.1% and 48.8% of the dog owners reported to be overweight/obese. Owner-reported overweight/obesity in dogs ranged from 6.0% to 31.3% based on body condition score charts, and 31.8% to 69.4% based on body fat index charts. Common factors associated with obesity in owners and their dogs were age, gender and owners' attitudes to diet and physical activity. Dog owners who did not consider obesity to be a disease were more likely to have obese dogs.

Milk C-reactive protein in canine mastitis.

Presence of mastitis in lactating bitches can become life threatening for both the bitch and pups. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a possible utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) in both milk and serum for canine mastitis diagnosis. Our study showed that milk CRP levels ranged between 0.1 and 4.9µg/mL and from 0.3 to 40.0µg/mL in healthy and diseased bitches (P<0.01), respectively, while serum CRP levels ranged between 2.0 and 8.6µg/mL and between 0.3 and 162.3µg/mL in healthy and diseased bitches (P<0.01), respectively. Milk and serum CRP levels were higher in both clinical and subclinical mastitis when compared with healthy controls (P<0.05 in all cases). However, no significant differences were recorded in CRP concentrations between clinical and subclinical cases. Based on these results, it could be concluded that serum and milk CRP could be useful in order to diagnose canine mastitis.