Virtual surgical planning and use of a 3D-printed, patient-specific reduction system for minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of diaphyseal tibial fractures in dogs: A historic case control study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and clinical outcomes of computed tomography (CT)-based virtual surgical planning (VSP) and a three-dimensional (3D)-printed, patient-specific reduction system to conventional indirect reduction techniques for diaphyseal tibial fractures stabilized using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study with a historic control cohort. SAMPLE POPULATION: Dogs undergoing MIPO stabilization of diaphyseal tibial fractures using a custom 3D-printed reduction system (3D-MIPO; n = 15) or conventional indirect reduction techniques (c-MIPO; n = 14). METHODS: Dogs were prospectively enrolled to the 3D-MIPO group and CT scans were used to design and fabricate a custom 3D-printed reduction system to facilitate MIPO. Medical records were searched to identify dogs for the c-MIPO group. Pre-, intra- and postoperative parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS: The duration from presentation until surgery was 23 h longer in the 3D-MIPO group (p = .002). Fewer intraoperative fluoroscopic images were acquired (p < .001) and mean surgical duration was 34 min shorter in the 3D-MIPO group (p = .014). Median postoperative tibial length, frontal alignment, and sagittal alignment were within 4 mm, 3° and 3°, respectively, of the contralateral tibia in both groups and did not differ between reduction groups (p > .1). Postoperative complications occurred in 27% and 14% of fractures in the 3D-MIPO and c-MIPO groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both reduction methods yielded comparable results. Although the preoperative planning and guide preparation was time consuming, surgery times were shorter and fluoroscopy use was less in the 3D-MIPO group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: VSP and the custom 3D-printed reduction system facilitated efficient MIPO.

Effect of pre-treatment with deslorelin on the ovarian response of ewes superovulated with FSH.

This study evaluated the use of the GnRH agonist hormone, deslorelin, to control the follicular population before initiating multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) treatment. Twenty-four cross-bred Santa Inês ewes, aged between 2 and 4 years, were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 11) or a treated group (n = 13). All ewes received an intravaginal device containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate on day 0, and a new device on day 7, which remained in place until day 14. Additionally, the ewes were administered 125 µg of cloprostenol on day 7. The superovulatory treatment involved administering 200 mg of pFSH, divided into eight decreasing doses at 12-h intervals starting on day 12. On day 14, 300 IU of eCG was administered. In the deslorelin group, three doses of 100 µg of deslorelin were administered starting on day 3 after the insertion of the vaginal device, with subsequent doses given at 72-h and 144-h intervals. Natural mating was performed 36 h after the removal of the progesterone implant using males with proven fertility. Embryo collection took place on the 6th day after mating, and the recovered structures were quantified and evaluated for quality and developmental stage. Transrectal ultrasonography was conducted on days 12, 16 and 21 to evaluate the ovaries, specifically to assess the ovarian follicular population and the presence of the corpus luteum. Ewes in the control group had higher embryo recovery rates (p < .01) compared to the treated group (5.2 ± 0.8 vs. 1.1 ± 0.8), with differences observed primarily in the number of morulae. The number of corpus luteum observed during the laparotomy on day 21 was significantly higher (p < .01) in the control group (10.44 vs. 4.5 corpus luteum per ewe). Yet, the treated group had a significantly higher number of follicles (p < .05) on the first day of pFSH application (5.5 vs. 3.0 follicles per ewe). In conclusion, although the inclusion of deslorelin in the superovulation protocol resulted in increased synchronization of oestrus and follicle number, it did not lead to an increase in the number of corpus luteum or harvested embryos.

Rational use of gastroprotectants in cats: An evidence-based approach.

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Acid-related disorders including esophagitis and gastroduodenal ulceration are uncommon in the cat. However, when they occur, they can have devastating consequences and require targeted intervention, including the use of gastroprotectants. Careful consideration of the causes of esophagitis and gastroduodenal ulceration can help the clinician to determine which gastroprotectant to use, and when to begin and end gastroprotective therapy. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Gastroprotectants remain one of the most misused classes of drugs in veterinary and human medicine. There are very few studies evaluating the efficacy of gastroprotective agents in cats. Furthermore, goals for the degree of gastric acid suppression are extrapolated from studies performed in dogs and humans. AIMS: This review provides a foundation for the logical approach to the choice of gastroprotectant as indicated by the disease process, and is aimed at all veterinarians who prescribe gastroprotectants for use in cats. EVIDENCE BASE: The guidance provided in this review is supported by current literature, including consensus opinion from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Gaps in evidence for use of gastroprotectants in cats are filled by extrapolations from studies performed in dogs and humans.

Modulation of MHC expression by interferon-gamma and its influence on PBMC-mediated cytotoxicity in canine mast cell tumour cells.

Immunotherapy is a promising alternative treatment for canine mast cell tumour (MCT). However, evasion of immune recognition by downregulating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules might decline treatment efficiency. Enhancing MHC expression through interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is crucial for effective immunotherapy. In-house and reference canine MCT cell lines derived from different tissue origins were used. The impacts of IFN-γ treatment on cell viability, expression levels of MHC molecules, as well as cell apoptosis were evaluated through the MTT assay, RT-qPCR and flow cytometry. The results revealed that IFN-γ treatment significantly influenced the viability of canine MCT cell lines, with varying responses observed among different cell lines. Notably, IFN-γ treatment increased the expression of MHC I and MHC II, potentially enhancing immune recognition and MCT cell clearance. Flow cytometry analysis in PBMCs-mediated cytotoxicity assays showed no significant differences in overall apoptosis between IFN-γ treated and untreated canine MCT cell lines across various target-to-effector ratios. However, a trend towards higher percentages of late and total apoptotic cells was observed in the IFN-γ treated C18 and CMMC cell lines, but not in the VIMC and CoMS cell lines. These results indicate a variable response to IFN-γ treatment among different canine MCT cell lines. In summary, our study suggests IFN-γ's potential therapeutic role in enhancing immune recognition and clearance of MCT cells by upregulating MHC expression and possibly promoting apoptosis, despite variable responses across different cell lines. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and evaluate IFN-γ's efficacy in in vivo models.

Evaluation of variants in the ENTPD1 and ENTPD2 genes in athletic horses with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in athletic horses is characterized by the presence of blood from the lungs in the tracheobronchial tree after intense exercise. Despite the high prevalence of EIPH in horses, the primary aetiology remains unknown. Variants in the genes encoding CD39 and CD39L1 (ENTPD1 and ENTPD2, respectively) were previously reported as potential genetic causes involved in EIPH pathogenesis. However, the role of these variants in haemostatic functions is unknown. RESULTS: To investigate the association between EIPH and missense variants in the ENTPD1 (rs1152296272, rs68621348, and rs68621347) and ENTPD2 genes (rs782872967), 76 Thoroughbred horses diagnosed with EIPH and 56 without clinical signs of EIPH (control group) by trachea-bronchial endoscopy were genotyped. The rs1152296272 and rs68621347 variants were linked, which explained why the same results were found in all horses. Approximately 96% and 95% of the EIPH and control horses, respectively, carried at least one nonreference allele for these variants. In contrast, 100% of the control horses and 96% of the EIPH horses were homozygous for the reference allele for the rs68621348 variant. In the EIPH group, 1.5% of the horses were homozygotes and 24% were heterozygous for the nonreference allele of the rs782872967 variant. In the control group, the nonreference allele of this variant was observed only in heterozygotes (16%). There were no significant differences between groups for any of the variants. CONCLUSIONS: The variants previously described in the genes encoding the CD39 and CD39L1 enzymes were highly present in the studied population. However, no association was found between the occurrence of EIPH and the presence of these variants in Thoroughbred horses in this study.

Molecular findings and virological assessment of bladder papillomavirus infection in cattle.

Bovine and ovine papillomaviruses (BPVs - OaPVs) are infectious agents that have an important role in bladder carcinogenesis of cattle. In an attempt to better understand territorial prevalence of papillomavirus genotypes and gain insights into their molecular pathway(s), a virological assessment of papillomavirus infection was performed on 52 bladder tumors in cattle using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), an improved version of conventional PCR. ddPCR detected and quantified BPV DNA and mRNAs in all tumor samples, showing that these viruses play a determinant role in bovine bladder carcinogenesis. OaPV DNA and mRNA were detected and quantified in 45 bladder tumors. BPV14, BPV13, BPV2, OaPV2, OaPV1, and OaPV3 were the genotypes most closely related to bladder tumors. ddPCR quantified BPV1 and OaPV4 DNA and their transcripts less frequently. Western blot analysis revealed a significant overexpression of the phosphorylated platelet derived growth factor ß receptor (PDGFßR) as well as the transcription factor E2F3, which modulate cell cycle progression in urothelial neoplasia. Furthermore, significant overexpression of calpain1, a Cys protease, was observed in bladder tumors related to BPVs alone and in BPV and OaPV coinfection. Calpain1 has been shown to play a role in producing free transcription factors of the E2F family, and molecular findings suggest that calpain family members work cooperatively to mutually regulate their protease activities in cattle bladder tumors. Altogether, these results showed territorial prevalence of BPV and OaPV genotypes and suggested that PDGFßR and the calpain system appeared to be molecular partners of both BPVs and OaPVs.

DF-1-Derived exosomes mediate transmission of reticuloendotheliosis virus and resist REV-specific antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), a member of the family Retroviridae, is a hot area of research, and a previous study showed that exosomes purified from REV-positive semen were not blocked by REV-specific neutralizing antibodies and established productive infections. METHODS: To further verify the infectivity of exosomes from REV-infected cells, we isolated and purified exosomes from REV-infected DF-1 cells and identified them using Western blot and a transmission electron microscope. We then inoculated 7-day-old embryonated eggs, 1-day-old chicks and 23-week-old hens with and without antibody treatment. REV was administered simultaneously as a control. RESULTS: In the absence of antibodies, the results indicated that REV-exosomes and REV could infect chicks, resulting in viremia and viral shedding, compared with the infection caused by REV, REV-exosomes reduced the hatching rate and increased mortality after hatching, causing severe growth inhibition and immune organ damage in 1-day-old chicks; both REV and REV-exosomes also could infect hens, however, lead to transient infection. In the presence of antibodies, REV-exosomes were not blocked by REV-specific neutralizing antibodies and infected 7-day-old embryonated eggs. However, REV could not infect 1-day-old chicks and 23-week-old hens. CONCLUSION: In this study, we compared the infectious ability of REV-exosomes and REV, REV-exosomes could escape from REV-specific neutralizing antibodies in embryonated eggs, providing new insights into the immune escape mechanism of REV.

Efficacy of a topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel against Amblyomma maculatum infestations in cats.

Amblyomma maculatum, the Gulf Coast tick, infests a wide range of vertebrate species including livestock, dogs, cats, and humans. It is a species of significant veterinary and public health importance, especially as a vector of diseases, for instance American canine hepatozoonosis or tidewater spotted fever. An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of NexGard® Combo, a topical endectoparasiticide product for cats combining eprinomectin, praziquantel and esafoxolaner, against induced infestations of A. maculatum in cats. This Good Clinical Practice (GCP) study used a randomized, negative controlled, masked design. Ten cats were allocated to an untreated group and ten to a treated group, dosed once on Day 0 at the minimum label dose. On Days -2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42, cats were infested with ~50 unfed adult A. maculatum. On Days 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 38, and 45, i.e., 72 h after treatment and subsequent infestations, ticks were removed, counted and the numbers of live attached tick in each group were used for efficacy calculations. At each time-point, all untreated cats were adequately infested, demonstrating a vigorous tick population and an adequate study model. The curative efficacy after a single application against existing tick infestation, 72 h after treatment, was 98.7%. The preventive efficacy, 72 h after weekly infestations, over the following five weeks ranged from 93.8% to 99.4%.

Title: Efficacité d'une association topique d'esafoxolaner, d'éprinomectine et de praziquantel contre les infestations par Amblyomma maculatum chez le chat. Abstract: Amblyomma maculatum, la tique de la Gulf Coast, infeste un large éventail d'espèces de vertébrés, notamment le bétail, les chiens, les chats et les humains. Il s'agit d'une espèce d'importance significative en médecine vétérinaire et en santé publique, notamment en tant que vecteur de maladies, par exemple l'hépatozoonose canine américaine ou la fièvre pourprée des marées. Une étude expérimentale a été menée pour évaluer l'efficacité de NexGard® Combo, un produit endectoparasiticide topique pour chats associant éprinomectine, praziquantel et esafoxolaner, contre les infestations par A. maculatum provoquées chez le chat. Cette étude de bonnes pratiques cliniques (BPC) a utilisé une conception randomisée, contrôlée négativement et masquée. Dix chats ont été répartis dans un groupe non traité et dix chats dans un groupe traité, traités une fois au jour 0 à la dose minimale indiquée sur l'étiquette. Aux jours −2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 et 42, les chats ont été infestés par environ 50 A. maculatum adultes non nourris. Les jours 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 38 et 45, c'est-à-dire 72 heures après le traitement et les infestations ultérieures, les tiques ont été retirées, comptées et le nombre de tiques vivantes attachées dans chaque groupe a été utilisé pour les calculs d'efficacité. À chaque instant, tous les chats non traités étaient correctement infestés, démontrant une population de tiques vigoureuse et un modèle d'étude adéquat. L'efficacité curative après une seule application contre une infestation de tiques existante, 72 heures après le traitement, était de 98,7%. L'efficacité préventive, 72 heures après les infestations hebdomadaires, au cours des cinq semaines suivantes, variait entre 93,8% et 99,4%.

Suitability of raw and heat-treated Amaranthus spinosus in broiler diets: Effects on growth performance, meat antioxidant capacity, haemato-biochemical parameters, intestinal histomorphometry, and cecal volatile fatty acid profile.

This study aimed to examine the effects of incorporating amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus, either raw or heat-treated) into broiler diets on growth performance, meat antioxidant capacity, haemato-biochemical parameters, intestinal histomorphometry, and cecal volatile fatty acid profile. A total of 210 male Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with each treatment comprising six replicates of seven birds each. The control group received a diet based on maize and soybean meal, while the remaining dietary groups were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to the control, with exact levels of 10% and 20% raw or heat-treated amaranth in the diet. Body weight and feed intake were monitored on days 0, 10, 24, and 39 of the study. On day 39, two birds per replicate were randomly selected for blood sampling, followed by slaughtering for further parameter examination. Incorporating A. spinosus up to 20% in broiler diets had no adverse effect on body weight gain compared to the control. However, higher levels of amaranth led to a negative impact on the feed conversion ratio, attributed to increased feed intake. Furthermore, amaranth supplementation did not negatively influence carcass yield or various organ weights, except for the gizzard, which was heavier in the amaranth-fed groups. Notably, amaranth supplementation reduced abdominal fat, enhanced meat antioxidant status, and had no detrimental effects on blood biochemical or hematological indices. Additionally, amaranth feeding resulted in decreased blood triglyceride levels but had no effect on cholesterol levels. While heat treatment of amaranth did not significantly alter the performance of broiler chickens, it enhanced the beneficial effects of amaranth feeding on the histomorphological features of the duodenum and ileum, and increased blood IgG levels. The cecal volatile fatty acid profile remained largely unaffected by amaranth inclusion, although heat-treated amaranth led to increased levels of branched-chain fatty acids and valerate. Overall, the findings suggest A. spinosus as a promising alternative feed ingredient for broilers when included at 10% of the diet. However, further research is needed to investigate the effect of various amaranth species, processing methods and enzyme supplementation on poultry nutrition to expand its inclusion rate.

Evaluation of growth, antioxidant status, hepatic enzymes and immunity of Nanoselenium-Fed Cirrhinus mrigala.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of selenium nanoparticle (Se-NP) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass composition, antioxidant status, hepatic enzyme activities, and immunity of Cirrhinus mrigala. For this purpose, fish with an average initial weight of 7.44 ± 0.04 g were fed five experimental diets containing 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg kg-1 Se-NPs diets for 90 days. The analysed selenium (Se) contents of the diets were 0.35, 0.64, 0.92, 1.43, and 2.39 mg kg-1. Twenty five fish were randomly distributed in each of 5 aquarium (36 × 23.7 × 24.3 inches) in triplicate. The results showed that supplementation with Se up to 0.92 mg/kg significantly increased (p<0.05) weight gain, weight gain% (WG%), and specific growth rate (SGR) by 34%, 33%, and 16%, respectively, compared to the control diet. Dietary Se concentrations up to 0.92 mg/kg significantly increased the crude protein and crude fat and reduced (p<0.05) the moisture content as compared to the control group. Fish fed 0.92 mg kg-1 Se had significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and higher activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in liver and serum as compared to other experimental diets. Moreover, a significant increase (p<0.05) in the level of serum immunoglobulin and lysozyme (LYZ) activity was recorded in fish fed 0.92 mg/kg Se diet. Moreover, the highest (p<0.05) values of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were recorded in fish fed 2.39 mg/kg Se level. However, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity remained unaffected by dietary treatment. Broken-line regression analysis indicated that 0.83 mg/kg Se is required for the optimum growth performance of C. mrigala.

The K9 lymphoma assay allows a genetic subgrouping of canine lymphomas with improved risk classification.

We present here the K9 lymphoma assay, a novel 31-gene targeted next-generation sequencing panel designed for genomic profiling of canine lymphoid neoplasms. Addressing the growing demand for advanced diagnostics in veterinary oncology, this assay enables sensitive identification of known and actionable mutations specific to canine lymphomas, while evaluating its prognostic potential to facilitate diagnosis and prognosis. Our analysis, spanning several B- and T-cell lymphoma histotypes, unveiled distinct mutational landscapes distinguishing tumors derived from immature versus mature lymphocytes. Clustering analysis revealed a shared genetic origin between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma, aligning with findings in human lymphomas, with TRAF3 emerging as the most frequently mutated gene across B-cell lymphoma subtypes. Significantly, TP53 mutations demonstrated universal adverse prognostic implications across B-cell lymphomas. Additionally, SETD2 mutations contributed to shorter time-to-progression, underscoring the role of epigenetic dysregulation in B-cell tumors. In T-cell lymphomas, SATB1 and FBXW7 were frequently mutated, warranting further investigation in larger cohorts. Our findings advocate for tailored therapeutic approaches based on the genetic profile, impacting treatment decisions and outcomes in canine lymphoma management. This study provides pivotal insights bridging veterinary and human oncology, paving the way for comprehensive genomic diagnostics and therapeutic strategies in comparative oncology.

Diet supplementation with hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) inflorescences: effects on quanti-qualitative milk yield and fatty acid profile on grazing dairy goats.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an annual plant belonging to the family of Cannabaceae with several varieties characterized by different fatty acid profile, content in flavonoids, polyphenols, and cannabinoid compounds. Hemp is mostly used in livestock nutrition as oil or as protein cake, but not as inflorescences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary hemp inflorescences on milk yield and composition in grazing dairy goats. Twenty Camosciata delle Alpi goats at their 3rd parity and with a mean body weight of 45.2 ± 2.0 kg, immediately after kidding, were equally allocated into two groups (G: Grazing and GH: grazing and hemp). For three months, all goats were fed on a permanent pasture and received 700/head/day of concentrate; diet of group GH was supplemented with 20 g/head/day of hemp inflorescences. Goats' body weight did not change during the trial. Individual milk yield was daily recorded and samples collected every 20 days for chemical composition and fatty acid profile analysis. No significant differences were found for milk yield and chemical composition. Caproic (C6:0) (1.80 vs. 1.74%; p < 0.01) and lauric acids (C12:0) were significantly higher in milk of group GH (4.83 vs. 4.32%; p < 0.01) as well as linoleic (C18:2) (2.04 vs. 1.93%; p < 0.05), adrenic acid (C22:4) (0.046 vs. 0.031%, p < 0.05), omega-6/omega-3 ratio (3.17 vs. 2.93, p < 0.05) and total conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) (0.435 vs. 0.417%; p < 0.01). The results of this study suggest that the supplementation of grazing goats' diet with hemp inflorescences may enhance the milk nutritional characteristics by increasing its content of CLAs and other beneficial fatty acids.

Immunohistochemistry Screening of Different Tyrosine Kinase Receptors in Canine Solid Tumors-Part I: Proposal of a Receptor Panel to Predict Therapies.

The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has been growing in veterinary oncology and in the past few years several TKI have been tested in dogs. However, different from human medicine, we lack strategies to select patients to be treated with each TKI. Therefore, this study aimed to screen different tumor subtypes regarding TKI target immunoexpression as a predictor strategy to personalize the canine cancer treatment. It included 18 prostatic carcinomas, 36 soft tissue sarcomas, 20 mammary gland tumors, 6 urothelial bladder carcinomas, and 7 tumors from the endocrine system. A total of 87 patients with paraffin blocks were used to perform immunohistochemistry (IHC) of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), epidermal growth factor receptors 1 (EGFR1), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-ß), c-KIT, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/ERK2). The immunohistochemical screening revealed a heterogeneous protein expression among histological types with mesenchymal tumors showing the lowest expression level and carcinomas the highest expression. We have demonstrated by IHC screening that HER2, EGFR1, VEGFR-2, PDGFR-ß and ERK1/ERK2 are commonly overexpressed in dogs with different carcinomas, and KIT expression is considered relatively low in the analyzed samples.

Isolation of porcine circovirus 3 using primary porcine bone marrow-derived cells.

Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3) was first reported in the United States in 2016; this virus is considered to be involved in diverse pathologies, such as multisystem inflammation, porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, and reproductive disorders. However, successful isolation of PCV3 using cultured cells has been rare. In this study, we aimed to isolate PCV3 using primary porcine bone marrow-derived cells. Mononuclear cells were isolated from the femur bones of clinically healthy pigs. These primary cells were cultured for 6-10 days post-seeding and infected with PCV3-containing tissue homogenates. The cells were cultured for up to 37 days, and the culture medium was changed every 3-4 days. The growth curve of PCV3 in porcine bone marrow cells revealed a decline in growth during the first 10 days post-infection, followed by an increase leading to > 1010 genomic copies/mL of the cell culture supernatant; moreover, the virus was capable of passaging. The indirect fluorescent antibody assay for PCV3 infection revealed the presence of PCV3 capsid protein in the cytoplasm and nuclei of infected cells. Bone marrow cells were passaged for more than 20 generations (over 5 months), and PCV3 persistently infected the cells. PCV3-infected bone marrow cells expressed mesenchymal markers. These results reflect that primary porcine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells are permissive to PCV3 and continuously replicate a high copy number of the PCV3 genome. These findings regarding the high replication rate of PCV3 in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells could enhance our understanding of PCV3 pathogenicity.

Inhalational anaesthetic agent consumption within a multidisciplinary veterinary teaching hospital: an environmental audit.

Inhalational anaesthetic agents are routinely used in veterinary anaesthesia practices, yet their consumption contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. We conducted a 55-day observational study at a veterinary teaching hospital in Switzerland, monitoring isoflurane and sevoflurane consumption across small, equine and farm animal clinics and analysed the resulting environmental impact. Results revealed that in total, 9.36 L of isoflurane and 1.27 L of sevoflurane were used to anaesthetise 409 animals across 1,489 h. Consumption rates varied among species, with small and farm animals ranging between 8.7 and 13 mL/h, while equine anaesthesia exhibited a higher rate, 41.2 mL/h. Corresponding to 7.36 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in total environmental emissions or between 2.4 and 31.3 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per hour. Comparison to human anaesthesia settings showed comparable consumption rates to small animals, suggesting shared environmental implications, albeit on a smaller scale. This research highlights the importance of continued evaluation of veterinary anaesthesia practices to balance patient safety with environmental stewardship; potential mitigation strategies are explored and discussed.

miR-182, miR-221 and miR-222 are potential urinary extracellular vesicle biomarkers for canine urothelial carcinoma.

Current diagnostic methods for canine urothelial carcinoma (UC) are technically challenging or can lack specificity, hence there is a need for novel biomarkers of UC. To this end, we analysed the microRNA (miRNA) cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from urine samples of dogs with UC to identify candidate miRNA biomarkers. Urine was fractionated using ultrafiltration combined with size-exclusion chromatography and small RNA sequencing analysis was performed on both the EV enriched and (EV free) protein fractions. A greater number of candidate miRNA biomarkers were detected in the EV fraction than the protein fraction, and further validation using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was performed on the EV enriched fraction of a second cohort of dogs with UC which indicated that miR-182, miR-221 and miR-222 were significantly overrepresented in dogs with UC when compared with healthy dogs and dogs with urinary tract infections. Pathway analysis confirmed that these three miRNAs are involved in cancer. In addition, their potential downstream gene targets were predicted and PIK3R1, a well-known oncogene is likely to be a shared target between miRNA-182 and miRNA-221/222. In summary, this study highlights the potential of urinary EV-associated miRNAs as a source of biomarkers for the diagnosis of canine UC.

Effects of dietary fish to rapeseed oil ratio on steatosis symptoms in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) of different sizes.

Choline is recognized as an essential nutrient for Atlantic salmon at all developmental stages. However, its dietary requirement is not well defined. Choline plays a critical role in lipid transport, and the clearest deficiency sign is intestinal steatosis. The present work, aiming to find whether lipid source and fish size may affect steatosis symptoms, was one of a series of studies conducted to identify which production-related conditions may influence choline requirement. Six choline-deficient diets were formulated varying in ratios of rapeseed oil to fish oil and fed to Atlantic salmon of 1.5 and 4.5 kg. After eight weeks, somatic characteristics were observed, and the severity of intestinal steatosis was assessed by histological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. Fatty acid composition in pyloric intestine, mesenteric tissue, and liver samples was also quantified. The increasing rapeseed oil level increased lipid digestibility markedly, enhancing lipid supply to the fish. Moreover, small fish consumed more feed, and consequently had a higher lipid intake. In conclusion, the results showed that choline requirement depends on dietary lipid load, which depends on the fatty acid profile as well as the fish size.

Significance of scattered small echogenic foci floating in urinary bladder as ultrasonography finding in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of echogenic foci floating in the urinary bladder seen in ultrasonography in dogs, surprisingly little has been written on its significance, including its potential association with urinalysis. The objective of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of the echogenic foci floating in urinary bladders in dogs. RESULTS: - Cystosonography was performed on 45 dogs. Bladder contents were examined and divided into positive (containing echogenic particles) and negative (absent echogenic particles) groups according to the presence and absence of floating echogenic particles. Five mL of urine was collected via cystocentesis. Urine analysis and culture were done and the relationship between ultrasound evaluation and urinalysis results was investigated. In dogs with bladder echogenic particles in ultrasonography, the prevalence of hematuria, pyuria, bacteriuria, and lipiduria were 88.9%, 92.6%, 29.6%, and 70.3%, respectively. However, in dogs in which echogenic particles were not observed in their bladders, the prevalence of hematuria, pyuria, bacteriuria, and lipiduria was 77%, 50%, 5.5%, and 77%, respectively. There was a significant association between bladder debris and positive urine culture, with an odds ratio of 7.15 (95% confidence interval: 0.81-63.28) compared with matched controls. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the presence of floating echogenic particles with pyuria, and urine color ( p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the present results showed the detection of bladder debris on ultrasound can be a predictor for pyuria and positive urine culture in dogs.

Sildenafil-induced priapism in a dog : an unusual case report.

BACKGROUND: Priapism is defined as erection that lasts for more than 4 h without sexual stimulation. There are various causes of priapism, but there are no reports of sildenafil-induced priapism in dogs. In human medicine, there were no pre-marketing reports of priapism caused by sildenafil, but post-marketing surveillance has shown that it is rare. In cases of pulmonary hypertension in dogs, sildenafil is the first-line drug of choice for symptomatic relief. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old neutered male Maltese dog that presented with tachypnea and cough was diagnosed with myxomatous mitral valve disease, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) stage C, and was treated medically. Eighteen months after the diagnosis, severe pulmonary hypertension occurred due to left heart disease. At 20 months postdiagnosis, pleural effusion occurred, and sildenafil (2 mg/kg twice daily) was added to the existing treatment. Two weeks later, the dyspnea recurred, confirming pleural fluid recurrence, and sildenafil was increased to 2 mg/kg thrice daily. One day later, the patient developed persistent erections and penile pain. Penile amputation and urethrostomy were recommended but were refused; therefore, analgesia and palliative care were provided. The patient died of acute dyspnea 22 months after the first presentation, with no specific priapism recurrence at the time of death. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of sildenafil-induced priapism in a dog with pulmonary hypertension.

Morphometrical and molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in wild canids in north of Iran.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The cestode Echinococcus granulosus causes cystic echinococcosis, a zoonotic parasitic infection that constitutes a significant public health risk. This parasite has been documented to have potential reservoirs and carriers among wild canids, namely wolves, foxes and jackals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of E. granulosus sensu lato species/genotypes among wild canids in three northern, northeastern and north-western Iran regions. METHODS: From 2019 to 2022, 93 wild canid carcasses (69 jackals), (22 foxes) and (2 wolves) were collected that were killed in car accidents or illnesses. Analyses of morphology and morphometry were performed to verify the presence of E. granulosus. To determine E. granulosus s.l. species/genotypes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-RFLP (ITS1) was performed utilizing the Bsh1236I (BstUI) restriction enzyme. COX1, NADH1 and ITS1 gene sequencing were also performed to confirm the PCR-RFLP results. RESULTS: During this study, 93 wild canids were examined, and 3.2% (95% CI: 0%-7%) of the 93 were infected with Echinococcus. The north-western region of Iran showed two out of 30 jackals (6.6%) infected with adult Echinococcus compared to one out of 35 jackals (2.8%) in the northern region. DNA from Echinococcus was detected in these individuals by PCR. Based on PCR-RFLP analysis of the ITS1 gene and sequencing of COX1, NADH1 and ITS1 gene, E. granulosus sensu stricto genotype was confirmed in the jackals that had been infected. CONCLUSION: Evidence shows that E. granulosus occurs in jackals in Iran, with the E. granulosus s.s. genotype being the most common. This parasite has been identified as a zoonotic parasite with a genotype that can be transmitted to livestock and humans. Establishing effective control measures to prevent the spread of echinococcosis and ensure public health is crucial.