Uveodermatological syndrome associated with alopecia areata in a one-year-old female spayed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog.

Uveodermatological syndrome and alopecia areata are autoimmune disorders causing ocular and dermatological inflammation and alopecia, respectively, in dogs. This is the first report to document concurrent development of the two diseases in a dog, as has been reported in human patients. Clinical presentation and histopathological diagnosis, treatment and clinical follow-up are described.

Characterising the expression of the organic cation transporter OCT3 in cutaneous papillomas of dogs.

BACKGROUND: The identification of the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway as a frequent molecular event in canine cutaneous papillomas (CPs) has provided the rational foundation to explore novel molecular-targeted therapies. Recent evidence indicates that metformin reduces the size of CPs in mice by inhibiting the mTOR signalling pathway. These effects require the expression of the organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3/SLC22A3), a well-known metformin uptake transporter. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to characterise the expression pattern of the metformin uptake transporter OCT3 in canine samples of CP that have shown activation of the mTOR signalling pathway in order to predict if this hyperplastic epidermal lesion is potentially sensitive to metformin. METHODS: The expression of OCT3 was evaluated by immunohistochemical investigation in sections of a previously constructed tissue microarray containing 28 samples of canine CP and compared with that previously evaluated for the mTOR activation marker pS6. RESULTS: OCT3 was highly expressed in the membrane and cytoplasm of the basal and suprabasal epidermal cells in all samples of canine CP. This OCT3 expression was localised at similar epidermal compartments to those observed for pS6. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results show that canine CPs exhibit the expression of surrogate markers that suggest sensitivity to metformin, such as upregulated OCT3 and pS6 expression. Taken together, these findings provide the rationale for the early assessment of the use of metformin as a mechanism-based therapeutic approach for treating canine patients with persistent or multiple CPs.

Conservative management of canine cleft palate can be a viable treatment option: 65 cases (2006-2023).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate nonsurgical management outcomes of cleft palate (CP) in dogs and identify any association between cleft size, prevalence of clinical signs, and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: 65 dogs treated conservatively for CP from January 2006 through December 2023 were retrospectively identified. Diet, activity, medical history, and QoL were recorded for dogs that survived to the transition to solid food. Results were compared to those from 24 control dogs. Measurements of cleft area, width, and percentage of the hard palate occupied by the cleft were made with the use of calibrated photographs. Clefts were divided into 3 types: wide throughout, wide rostrally, and slit throughout. RESULTS: Sneezing was the most frequent clinical sign (43 of 65 over the past month, 34 of 65 when most affected). There was a greater frequency of material lodging in the cleft in the wide-throughout clefts (13 of 16 dogs) compared to the slit-throughout clefts (7 of 19 dogs). Veterinary removal of material was required in 10 of 68 episodes (7 of 31 dogs). There was no correlation between cleft size and prevalence of clinical signs or QoL. Sixty-three percent of dogs had a perfect QoL on a weighted scale, while 83.3% had a perfect score on a visual analog scale. Sixty-four of 65 owners would adopt another dog with a CP. CONCLUSIONS: Measures of QoL were favorable among dogs treated conservatively for CP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Conservative management appears to be a viable option for treatment of CPs in some dogs.

Dogs may carry Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major in their blood circulation: a molecular and hematological study.

BACKGROUND: Dogs may be infected with species of Leishmania parasites that are disseminated through blood circulation and invade the internal organs. In this study, we aim to detect the parasite in the blood of dogs using the PCR technique. The present work was performed from February 2022 to May 2023 in Fars Province, southern Iran, where the disease is endemic. RESULTS: In total, 7(5.1%) out of 135 blood samples, six were identified as Leishmania tropica and one as Leishmania major. We found no trace of Leishmania infantum, which is always known for visceral infection. In addition, no sign of cutaneous lesions or a significant disease was seen in the animals infected with both species. Of 48 dogs with anemia, two were Leishmania positive. The mean value of hematological parameters in the infected dogs was within the normal range except for a significant reduction in the platelet measures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that both Leishmania species, tropica and major, may manifest as viscerotropic leishmaniasis. More investigations are needed to understand the conditions under which these species choose the type of infection. Moreover, our data emphasize the role of asymptomatic dogs in carrying these parasites, a crucial factor in spreading the disease.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric dog bite injuries.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Shortly after the onset of the COVID Pandemic, when many schools and outside activities were suspended, dog adoption rates increased. It is unknown if increased dog adoption rates along with stay-at-home orders resulted in changes to pediatric dog bite injuries. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence and characteristics of dog bites in children seen in a pediatric emergency department (PED) during the pandemic compared to before. METHODS: A retrospective review of children evaluated in the PED of a level 1 pediatric trauma center and its satellite PED from March 2018 through February 2022 who had a discharge diagnosis of dog bite (ICD-10 W54.0XXA) was conducted. Pre-pandemic cases, March 2018 through February 2020, were compared to those that occurred during the pandemic, March 2020 through February 2022. RESULTS: There were 2,222 patients included in the study. Compared to pre-pandemic cases, the incidence for the first 12 months of the pandemic was 1.5 times higher than the pre-pandemic 12-month periods but returned closer to the pre-pandemic rates during the second 12 months of the pandemic. More patients were admitted during the pandemic (6.1% vs. 3.7%, p < 0.05). Facial and multiple injuries occurred more frequently during the pandemic (face 35.9% vs. 33.5%: multiple 18.5% vs. 15.6% p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher incidence of PED visits, higher admission rates, and an increase in multiple body part and facial injuries in children with dog bite injuries during the COVID pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. Pediatric providers should emphasize safe dog interactions with anticipatory guidance.

Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of osteosarcoma in dogs.

Malignant osteoblasts can have markedly pleomorphic phenotypes and variable amounts of tumour-associated matrix, complicating the ability of pathologists to accurately differentiate osteosarcoma (OSA) from other types of neoplasms using only histopathology. Current immunohistochemical markers for animals have limited sensitivity and specificity in identifying OSA or produce inconsistent results. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) has been used in human medicine to aid in identification of normal and neoplastic osteoblasts, and the objective of this study was to determine whether this marker could also be useful for the diagnosis of canine OSA. Initially, SATB2 IHC was performed on eight samples from cases of well-differentiated canine OSA and on other tumour types for which OSA is a differential diagnosis, as well as on normal tissues, to assess sensitivity and cross-reactivity. Following confirmation that SATB2 is immunoreactive for normal and neoplastic canine osteoblasts and negative in other non-osseous mesenchymal cell types and organs, SATB2 IHC was tested on 123 cases of poorly differentiated malignant neoplasms as part of a panel with other immunohistochemical markers, as appropriate, based on histomorphology and differential diagnoses. The conclusion is that SATB2 IHC is a sensitive and specific marker for identifying canine OSA when used in a panel with other immunohistochemical markers and in conjunction with supportive clinical history.

Postoperative Wound Infection After Primary Closure in Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Guidelines recommend three to 5 d of antibiotic prophylaxis after dog bite injury, but variation exists in clinical practice after primary closure of wounds. The purpose of this study was to analyze antibiotic duration and incidence of infection during a study period in which an institutional protocol limiting postrepair antibiotics to a maximum of 3 d was implemented. METHODS: Dog bite injuries that underwent primary closure in patients ≤18 y were retrospectively identified from 2018 to 2022 at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Protocol compliance and short course of antibiotics were defined as ≤3 d of antibiotics. Multivariable regression analysis for variables associated with wound infection was performed. RESULTS: 455 injuries were included for analysis. After protocol implementation, the mean antibiotic duration decreased from 6.8 to 4.4 d (P < 0.001). Postrepair follow-up data were available for 235 (51.6%) cases in the cohort. Multivariable logistic regression identified superficial wounds and anatomic injury location to be significantly associated with wound infection. Shorter antibiotic duration was not associated with increased risk of wound infection on regression analysis, and there was no difference in postoperative wound infection rate between short-course and long-course groups (7.5% versus 7.1%, P = 0.912). CONCLUSIONS: Standardization of postoperative antibiotic duration was associated with a decrease antibiotic duration without an increase in the incidence of wound infections after closure of dog bite wounds. This study highlights the feasibility of multidisciplinary standardization of pediatric trauma care across specialties and the safety of minimizing antibiotic duration after pediatric dog bite repairs.

How does cruciate ligament rupture treatment affect range of motion in dogs?

This study aimed at evaluating the changes in passive range of motion (ROM) of the stifle joint associated with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in dogs and assessing whether the surgical treatment carried out on the affected joints affected additional changes. A retrospective cohort study design was used. The clinical records of dogs treated with tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and tight rope (TR) were reviewed as were the extension angle (EA), flexion angle (FA) and lameness. The data recorded at T0, before surgery, were compared with the data at 1 month and 6 months post-surgery. The data were classified as normal or abnormal. The main results obtained one month after surgery indicated that dogs treated with TTA showed a significant worsening of flexion (the FA was abnormal in 69.6% of dogs at T0 and 80.4% at T1 with p = 0.0208). Dogs treated with TPLO achieved asignificant improvement in extension (the EA was normal in 16.7% of dogs at T0 and in 33.3% at T1 with p < 0.0001), and in flexion (the FA was normal in 23.8% of dogs at T0 and 43.5% at T6 with p = 0.0434). The dogs treated with TR showed a significant worsening of extension (the EA was abnormal in 68.8% of dogs at T0 and in 81.3% at T1 with p = 0.0024). Six months post-surgery, the ROM value was not normal in 100% of the stifle joints; however, the lameness significantly improved with each procedure. This study confirmed the influence of surgical procedures on changes in ROM and provided useful indications for planning therapy to improve and speed up the postoperative rehabilitation process in dogs.

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Planning, Dose Prescription and Delivery in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review on Completeness of Reporting and Proposed Reporting Items.

Increasing numbers of dogs and cats with cancer are treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic radiation therapy or stereotactic body radiotherapy (SRS, SRT or SBRT). We provide a systematic review of the current data landscape with a focus on technical and dosimetric data of stereotactic radiotherapy in veterinary oncology. Original peer-reviewed articles on dogs and cats with cancer treated with SRT were included. The systematic search included Medline via PubMed and EMBASE. The study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement. We assessed the manuscripts regarding outcome reporting, treatment planning, dose prescription, -delivery and -reporting as well as quality assurance. As of February 2024, there are 80 peer-reviewed publications on various disease entities on SRS, SRT and SBRT in veterinary medicine. Overall, we found often insufficient or highly variable technical data, with incomplete information to reproduce these treatments. While in some instances, technical factors may not impact clinical outcome, the variability found in protocols, outcome and toxicity assessments precludes accurate and reliable conclusions for a benefit of stereotactic radiotherapy for many of the treated diseases. In line with the extensive recommendations from human stereotactic radiotherapy practise, we propose a draft of reporting items for future stereotactic radiation treatments in veterinary medicine. SRS, SRT and SBRT have specific clinical and technological requirements that differ from those of standard radiation therapy. Therefore, a deep understanding of the methodologies, as well as the quality and precision of dose delivery, is essential for effective clinical knowledge transfer.

Enhancing diagnostic accuracy: Direct immunofluorescence assay as the gold standard for detecting Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in canine and feline fecal samples.

The enteric protozoan parasites Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are common cause of diarrhea in pet dogs and cats, affecting primarily young animals. This comparative study evaluates the diagnostic performance of conventional and molecular methods for the detection of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. infection in dogs and cats.The compared diagnostic assays included merthiolate-iodine-formalin (MIF) method, lateral flow immunochromatography rapid test (ICT) and real-time PCR; using direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) as golden standard. The study included the analysis of 328 fecal samples from different dog (n = 225) and cat (n = 103) populations.According to DFA, the overall prevalence of G. duodenalis was 24.4% (80/328, 95% CI: 19.8-29.4), varying from 11.6% (12/103, 95% CI: 6.2-19.5) in cats to 30.2% (68/225, 95% CI: 24.3-36.7) in dogs. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 4.0% (13/328, 95% CI: 2.1-6.7), varying from 2.9% (3/103, 95% CI: 0.6-8.3) in cats to 4.4% (10/225, 95% CI: 2.1-8.0) in dogs. MIF was only used for the detection of G. duodenalis, which was identified by this method in 22.7% of dogs and 7.8% of cats, respectively. DFA was the most sensitive technique for detecting G. duodenalis in samples from dogs and cats (p-value: < 0.001), followed by real-time PCR. Identification of Cryptosporidium infections was most effectively accomplished by the combination of DFA and PCR technique (p-value: < 0.001). In addition, epidemiological (sex, age, origin) and clinical (fecal consistency) variables were collected to assess their potential associations with an increased likelihood of infection by G. duodenalis and/or Cryptosporidium spp. Breeder dogs were more likely to harbor G. duodenalis infection (p-value: 0.004), whereas female cats were significantly more infected with Cryptosporidium (p-value: 0.003).In conclusion, DFA (alone or in combination with PCR) has been identified as the most accurate and cost-effective method for detecting G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples from pet dogs and cats. This highlights their importance in both veterinary and clinical settings for enabling prompt treatment and preventing potential transmission to humans.

Evaluation of the effect of cannabidiol administration with and without nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in dogs with mobility disorders: a prospective, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study.

Introduction: With rapidly growing interest in the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in the management of pain and other conditions, more information is needed on the safety and efficacy of this supplement, particularly its co-administration with commonly used pharmaceuticals such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This study sought to assess the effect of CBD in dogs with mobility impairments, as well as evaluate the clinical tolerance of CBD used together with NSAIDs. Materials and methods: Forty-two client-owned dogs with diagnosed mobility impairments were enrolled in this prospective, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study. Baseline data were collected for 10-14 days followed by random allocation to either placebo or CBD oil for 45 days with a 30-day washout period in between. CBD was dosed at 5 mg/kg orally every 12 h with masked placebo administered at equal volume. Outcome measures included objective gait analysis, accelerometry, and clinical metrology instruments. CBD plasma levels and serum biochemistry were also collected along with hepatic ultrasound if warranted. Results: Thirty-eight dogs finished the study with thirty-nine included for at least partial analysis. Compared to baseline, dogs receiving CBD showed evidence of improved outcomes based on blinded veterinary assessments and accelerometer data. Compared to placebo, dogs receiving CBD showed some evidence of improved outcomes on CBPI, CSOM, and blinded veterinary assessments, but not for objective outcome measures. There was evidence of increased ALP when CBD was co-administered with NSAIDs compared to CBD administration alone. Additionally, there was evidence of ALT elevations with CBD and NSAID co-administration, but this elevation did not show evidence of an increase over CBD use alone. Discussion: These results suggest a potential therapeutic benefit in the administration of CBD for the management of mobility impairments, but greater ALP elevations were seen when administered with NSAIDs. While the sample size of dogs that received further hepatic work-up for liver enzyme elevations is small, chosen diagnostics varied, and liver biopsies were not performed, there did not appear to be clinically apparent liver damage. Further research is needed to better understand the efficacy of CBD in a larger population of dogs and patient tolerance and safety when administered with NSAIDs or other medications long term.

Pan-Canadian consensus recommendations for GIST management in high- and low-throughput centres across Canada.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumours that originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal. GISTs are mainly driven by gain-of-function mutations in receptor tyrosine kinase or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment for localized tumours and all currently approved medical GIST treatments are based on orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Recent discoveries in the molecular and clinical features of GISTs have greatly impacted GIST management. Due to the provincially rather than nationally administered Canadian healthcare system, there have been inconsistencies in the treatment of GISTs across the country. Therefore, guidance on the latest knowledge, clinical management and treatment of GIST is needed to standardize the approach to GIST management nationwide. To establish pan-Canadian guidance, provide up-to-date data and harmonize the clinical practice of GIST management in high- and low-throughput centres across Canada; a panel of 20 physicians with extensive clinical experience in GIST management reviewed relevant literature. This included radiologists, pathologists, interventional radiologists, surgeons and medical oncologists across Canada. The structured literature focused on seven key domains: molecular profiling, radiological techniques/reporting, targeted localized therapy, intricacies of systemic treatments, emerging tests, multidisciplinary care and patient advocacy. This literature review, along with clinical expertise and opinion, was used to develop this concise and clinically relevant consensus paper to harmonize the knowledge and clinical practice on GIST management across Canada. The content presented here will help guide healthcare providers, especially in Canada, in terms of approaching and managing GIST.

Multicentric aggressive unclassified hematopoietic neoplasm involving the placenta in a pregnant bitch.

Hematopoietic neoplasms are common in dogs; however, their association with pregnancy has not been previously reported in veterinary medicine. This rare occurrence presents a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic, and ethical challenges. We report a case of a 3-year-old pregnant Bernese Mountain Dog diagnosed with multicentric aggressive unclassified hematopoietic cancer associated with paraneoplastic hypercalcemia during pregnancy. The dog died 7 days after diagnosis, and at Day 36 of pregnancy before any treatment decision could be made. Post-mortem evaluation, including histology, immunohistochemistry, and clonality analysis, led to the diagnosis of an unclassified hematopoietic cancer affecting the uterus and placenta, with no evidence of fetal involvement. The placenta likely acted as a barrier, preventing neoplastic involvement of the fetuses. Alternatively, the pregnancy might have been too early for the hematopoietic neoplasm to affect the labyrinth zone of the placenta and the fetuses. The dramatic disease progression could be explained by compromised cell-mediated immunity during pregnancy. This immunodeficient state is induced by embryonic, maternal, and hormonal factors, which suppress the response to mitogens to prevent rejection of the placenta and the conceptuses. Thus, pregnant dogs might exhibit increased vulnerability to cancer and infectious diseases that rely on cell-mediated immunity for host defense.

Relative Tumour Volume in Canine Oral Melanoma Staging and Prognosis.

Melanoma is one of the most common canine oral malignant tumours and is highly aggressive and metastatic, even at the early stages of development. Surgery relies on wide excision of the primary tumour and regional lymphadenectomy, with or without adjuvant therapy. Tumour location and size are important when considering staging, which ultimately affects the curative intent of surgery. Nevertheless, absolute tumour volume (TV) is not related to the vast phenotypic variability within canine breeds. This study aimed to determine the cutoff values of two ratios-tumour-to-head volume (THR) and tumour-to-body volume (TBR)-and assess whether they could be associated with the odds of finding metastasis at presentation and/or the likelihood of achieving tumour-free excision margins. A retrospective case series involving 51 dogs was used to evaluate the preoperative head/neck and chest computed tomography and histopathology of the primary mass and excised lymph nodes. Higher TV, THR% and TBR% values were associated with bone lysis and mitotic count (MC). The Ki67 index was significantly associated with local and distant metastases at presentation, whereas MC was associated with local metastasis alone. Tumour-infiltrated surgical margins were associated with caudally located tumours, regardless of the tumour size. Dogs with lymph node metastasis at presentation were seven times more prone to have local relapse. TV, THR% and TBR% values were positively associated with local lymph node metastasis at presentation. Cutoff values for both TV and TBR% were proposed to predict lymph node metastasis at presentation (TV = 6.423 cm3 and TBR% = 0.043), being supported by post-surgical survival analysis.

Leveraging single-cell transcriptomic data to uncover immune suppressive cancer cell subsets in triple-negative canine breast cancers.

Introduction: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has become an essential tool for uncovering the complexities of various physiological and immunopathological conditions in veterinary medicine. However, there is currently limited information on immune-suppressive cancer subsets in canine breast cancers. In this study, we aimed to identify and characterize immune-suppressive subsets of triple-negative canine breast cancer (TNBC) by utilizing integrated scRNA-seq data from published datasets. Methods: Published scRNA-seq datasets, including data from six groups of 30 dogs, were subjected to integrated bioinformatic analysis. Results: Immune modulatory TNBC subsets were identified through functional enrichment analysis using immune-suppressive gene sets, including those associated with anti-inflammatory and M2-like macrophages. Key immune-suppressive signaling, such as viral infection, angiogenesis, and leukocyte chemotaxis, was found to play a role in enabling TNBC to evade immune surveillance. In addition, interactome analysis revealed significant interactions between distinct subsets of cancer cells and effector T cells, suggesting potential T-cell suppression. Discussion: The present study demonstrates a versatile and scalable approach to integrating and analyzing scRNA-seq data, which successfully identified immune-modulatory subsets of canine TNBC. It also revealed potential mechanisms through which TNBC promotes immune evasion in dogs. These findings are crucial for advancing the understanding of the immune pathogenesis of canine TNBC and may aid in the development of new immune-based therapeutic strategies.

Left atrial volume and function in Cavalier King Charles spaniels at different ACVIM stages.

BACKGROUND: The correct assessment of left atrial size and function is essential to evaluate the severity of degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Evaluate left atrial (LA) dimension and function in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) at different ACVIM stages and the accuracy of linear and volumetric indexes to assess LA enlargement. ANIMALS: One hundred and ninety-eight privately owned CKCS. METHODS: Multicentric prospective observational cross-sectional study. Dogs underwent an echocardiographic exam for breed screening or cardiac examination. Linear and volumetric echocardiographic LA size and function indexes were compared between classes. RESULTS: Dogs were allocated as follows: 43 in class ACVIM A, 58 ACVIM B1, 55 ACVIM B2, and 42 ACVIM C/D. Only LA anteroposterior diameter normalized on body weight (LADn) and LA maximal, minimal and P volumes (LAVmax, LAVmin, LAVP) differed across all pairwise comparisons. Active LA emptying fraction (aLAEF) was higher in class B1 compared to class A (P < .001), and then decreased in class C/D compared to class B2 (P < .001). This suggests an increase in the left atrial active component due to the Frank-Starling mechanism in ACVIM B1 dogs, and the presence of atrial dysfunction in symptomatic dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The LADn and LAV are higher in CKCS in class ACVIM B1 compared to class ACVIM A, suggesting the presence of LA remodelling at the early stages of the disease. Atrial dysfunction is evident in symptomatic dogs.

Sociodemographic factors and dog ownership practices that perpetuate the roaming of owned dogs in selected urban and rural settings in Uganda.

We analyzed dog care practices among 1,006 owners in urban and rural areas in Uganda to identify the root causes of roaming. The dog owners were mostly male, aged 20-39 years, and low-income earners. Each household in urban areas had an average of 2.36 dogs (SD 3.35), and 2.35 dogs (SD 2.18) in rural areas. We determined that 16.1% of urban dogs and 29.4% of rural dogs roamed during the day, with numbers rising to 26.0% and 65.2% at night (p < 0.001), due to dogs being released at night for security purposes. Key drivers of roaming included inadequate confinement, particularly the lack of a secure enclosure around homes, underfeeding and abandonment. These issues were linked to poverty, low education and poor attitudes. Our findings provide a foundation for developing tailored strategies to control free-roaming dogs (FRD) in Uganda. Short-term solutions include implementing fines for owners who allow their dogs to roam, subsidized dog sterilization, and public education programs. Long-term strategies should involve policies on dog ownership, registration, breeding, and research to develop evidence-based control measures for FRD.

A pilot study on the epidemiology, diagnosis and characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in sheep, goats and dogs in Siirt province of Türkiye revealed remarkable adaptation of Echinococcus canadensis (G6/G7) in goats.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), represents one of the most significant zoonotic diseases globally, affecting both humans and animals. The objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of E. granulosus sensu lato in sheep and goats in a pilot region with a one-year slaughterhouse follow-up period and to determine the genetic differences and haplotypes among sheep, goat, and dog isolates. To this end, the prevalence of CE cysts was determined by monitoring the slaughter of sheep and goats at least three days a week at a slaughterhouse in the Siirt province of Türkiye during 2023. Additionally, faecal samples were collected from stray dogs and analysed using both flotation and molecular techniques. The presence of CE cysts was identified in 569 (11.12 %) of the 5119 sheep and 66 (2.31 %) of the 2860 goats after slaughtering. The highest positivity was observed in November (20.39 %), while the lowest was recorded in July (5.62 %). Of the sheep that detected positive, 25 (4.39 %) were less than one year old, while 544 (95.61 %) were older than one year. Of the infected sheep, 26 (4.57 %) were male and 543 (95.43 %) were female. 204 (35.85 %) sheep exhibited fluid-filled CE cysts, 338 (59.40 %) displayed calcification, and 27 (4.75 %) demonstrated the presence of newly developed cysts. The highest positivity was observed in December (5.83 %), while the lowest was recorded in May (0.62 %) in goats. Of the positive goats, two (3 %) were less than one year old, while the remaining 64 (97 %) were older than one year. Of the goats infected with CE cysts, 10 (15.15 %) were male and 56 (84.85 %) were female. Of the cysts, 56.1 % were fluid-filled, 42.4 % were calcified and 1.5 % were newly developed. Following DNA sequence analysis of CE cyst isolates obtained from the slaughterhouse, all 61 sheep sequences were identified as E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3). Of the 13 goat isolates, seven were identified as E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3), while the remaining six were classified as E. canadensis (G6/G7). The centrifugal flotation method was employed to detect the presence of Isospora spp. oocysts in eight dogs, Toxocara canis and hookworm eggs in three dogs each, and Dipyllidium caninum eggs in one dog. A total of 54 dog faeces were examined. No Taeniid eggs were observed in any of the dogs. Following PCR analysis of the mt-CO1 gene region in the dog faecal samples, four samples were positive for a 875 bp band. Only one of these bands was suitable for sequence analysis, which confirmed it as E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3).

Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the brains of rabid dogs in the Philippines.

Dogs are the primary transmitters of the rabies virus in the Philippines; however, to the best of our knowledge, no published studies have examined its detailed neuropathology. The present study analyzed the neuropathology in the cerebrum, hippocampus, thalamus, and brainstem of 70 rabid dogs with confirmed rabies infection in the Philippines. Histopathologically, inclusion bodies (Negri bodies) were detected in the hippocampus (87.14%), cerebrum (70%), and thalamus (2.86%) of the dogs. The inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm of the hippocampal and cerebral cortical pyramidal cells were large and round to oval in shape. Whereas the inclusion bodies in the neurons of the thalamus and brainstem were small, fine, and granular. In contrast to the high prevalence of inclusion bodies in the hippocampus and cerebrum, perivascular cuffing and glial nodules were more prominent in the thalamus and brainstem. Immunohistochemically using the anti-phosphoprotein (anti-P), the sensitivity of viral antigen detection was 100% in the hippocampus, thalamus, and brainstem and 97.14% in the cerebrum. Our findings confirmed that observing the inclusion bodies in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex by histopathology could facilitate rabies diagnosis in the dogs in the Philippines, and furthermore, using immunohistochemistry on the brainstem could also be useful to detect rabies virus antigens with high sensitivity.

A successful outcome in four puppies sustained swimmer puppy syndrome.

Swimmer puppy syndrome (SPS) is a rare condition that affects neonatal animals. The affected puppies are unable to stand, remain in sternal recumbency with their legs splayed laterally and ambulate with typical swimmer-like movements. This study reports the clinical findings and discusses the treatments and outcomes in four puppies of various breeds with clinical signs of SPS. Previous medical records of the animals were reviewed for history, clinical features, radiographic findings and choice of treatment. Treatment follow-up was evaluated at 15, 30, 45 days and 6 months. In three puppies all limbs were affected. In one case only the forelimbs were affected, while the hind limbs remained normal. Clinical, orthopaedic and neurological examinations, routine laboratory findings and tidal breathing flow-volume loop measurements were normal. Concurrent problems occurred in two animals and included slightly deformed chest and ventrodorsal flattening of the thorax with a slight right displacement of the heart. For the management of SPS, chest and hobble bandages were used, as well as physiotherapy and environmental management. Three puppies recovered completely after 45 days of treatment. In one case the therapy was discontinued after 2 weeks. In this case, the puppy could stand, but mild abduction of the forelimbs and lameness were obvious after 6 months. Intensive physiotherapy contributed to positive outcomes even in older puppies. Also, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of tidal breathing flow-volume loop measurement for dogs with pectus excavatum.