Occurrence and health risk assessment of mineral composition and aflatoxin M1 in cow milk samples from different areas of Sicily, Italy.

This study aimed to determine 16 mineral elements (Cd, Pb, As, Na, Mg, Al, Ca, K, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Se) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and a direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) for Hg evaluation. Aflatoxin M1 was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) in cow milk samples. This research considered 180 milk samples, 20 by province (Palermo, Catania, Messina), collected for a period of three years (2020-2022) to assess the potential risks for consumer, the safety status and nutritional quality related to mineral intake by consuming of milk. All samples showed a Pb concentration below the limit reported by European Regulation 915/2023. Cadmium and Hg concentrations were below the Limit Of Quantification (LOQ) in all samples analyzed. The milk samples analyzed proved to be a good source of Ca (up to 44.5 % of the dietary reference values), with well percentages also for Na (up to 7.6 %), K (up to 23.1 %) and Mg (up to 11.1 %). Regarding trace elements, the results reported that chromium requires attention; its value was always higher than 168.8 % in all samples analyzed. Levels of arsenic and lead were up to 20.2 % and up 7.1 % respectively. Aflatoxin M1 concentrations were below the limit of detection (< 0,009 mcg/kg) in all milk analyzed. Therefore, further studies are needed to safeguard consumer health, the quality of the product and to assess the state of animal health.

Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Osteotomy Guides and Titanium Plates for Distal Femoral Deformities in Dogs with Lateral Patellar Luxation.

The aim of this study was to describe the diagnosis and treatment of grade IV lateral patellar luxation (LPL) in two adult large breed dogs with complex femoral deformities using patient-specific three-dimensionally (3D) printed osteotomy guides and implants. Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained for virtual surgical planning (VSP) using computer-aided design (CAD) software, which allowed for 3D reconstruction and manipulation of the femoral deformities, providing a preoperative view of the correction. Of the two patients, one was affected bilaterally and the other unilaterally, but both dogs were from the same litter. Therefore, the healthy femur of the unilaterally affected patient was used as the physiological reference for the virtual surgical correction. Three distal femoral trapezoid osteotomies (DF-TO) followed by reduction and internal fixation with plates were performed using patient-specific 3D-printed osteotomy guides and implants. This type of osteotomy permitted correction of procurvatum in all the femurs to increase knee extension, raise the dog's lumbar spine and correct the kyphosis. Preoperative, expected and postoperative femoral angles were compared to evaluate the efficacy of virtual surgical planning and the outcome of surgical correction. Radiographic follow-up, passive range of motion and functional recovery were recorded. There were no major complications requiring revision surgery. Significant clinical improvement was observed in both patients. This study suggests that the treatment used represents a viable surgical alternative to restore limb alignment in patients with complex femoral deformities.

Influence of dietary supplementation with Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on sperm quality in dogs.

Maca is a traditional Andean crop used as a nutraceutical for the fertility-enhancing properties that are linked with antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the potential beneficial effects of oral Maca (Lepidium meyenii or Lepidium peruvianum) supplementation in improving reproductive performance in male dogs. Forty-eight male dogs of different breeds were enrolled in the study, fed the same maintenance diet, and exposed to the same environmental conditions. The subjects were divided into four groups of 12 dogs each: Subfertile treatment group, Subfertile control group, Normofertile treatment group, and Normofertile control group. The dogs in the treatment groups received Lepidium meyenii in their diet in a capsule formulation [75 mg/kg Maca extract 10:1, thickening agent (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), ground rice], while the control groups received placebo capsule (starch). For each subject included in the study, the spermiogram was analyzed at three time points of the sperm cycle: at day 0 (T0), day 31 (T31), and day 62 (T62). Dietary supplementation with Maca in subfertile subjects resulted in a significant increase in ejaculate volume and total sperm count compared to the control group. This increase was also observed in normofertile subjects in the treatment group. In addition, total and progressive motility as well as sperm morphology were significantly improved in the groups treated with Maca compared to the control groups. The results thus highlight, for the first time, the potential efficacy of supplementation with 75 mg/kg of Maca extract daily in improving semen quality in dogs.

Intraoperative Isoflurane End-Tidal Concentration during Infusion of Fentanyl, Tramadol, or Fentanyl-Tramadol Combination in Cats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the end-tidal concentration of isoflurane required, clinical parameters, intraoperative antinociceptive effect, and postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy, receiving fentanyl, tramadol, or fentanyl/tramadol. Sixty-six cats in three groups, were premedicated with dexmedetomidine and infused with one of the following treatments: fentanyl, tramadol, or fentanyl/tramadol combination. Anesthesia was induced with alfaxolone and maintained with isoflurane, titrated to keep heart rate, respiratory rate and systolic arterial pressure within target values recorded at endotracheal intubation. An intraoperative cumulative scale was performed. Postoperatively, a short form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale Feline was used at 2, 12, and 24 h. The groups were similar for age, weight, dose of dexmedetomidine, and alfaxalone administered. A greater reduction in the end-tidal isoflurane fraction was observed with the combined fentanyl/tramadol infusion than with either fentanyl or tramadol alone. No differences in the end-tidal isoflurane fraction were found between fentanyl or tramadol alone. Hemodynamic stability associated with minimal cardiopulmonary changes, low response to noxious intraoperative stimulation, and low postoperative pain scores were also observed with the fentanyl/tramadol combination. The fentanyl/tramadol combination provided a reduction in the end-tidal isoflurane fraction compared with fentanyl or tramadol alone.

Improved quality of life and pain relief in mature horses with osteoarthritis after oral transmucosal cannabidiol oil administration as part of an analgesic regimen.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral cannabidiol (CBD) administration in addition to a conventional analgesic protocol on the clinical signs of 20 horses with mild joint osteoarthritis. The horses were randomly assigned to either the control group (C group) or the cannabidiol group (CBD group). Both groups were treated with phenylbutazone for 5 days. The CBD group received 0.03 mg/kg cannabidiol in hemp oil orally once daily for 14 days in addition to phenylbutazone treatment. All subjects were monitored for clinical parameters, oxidative status and blood counts. Pain and quality of life were also assessed using the Horse Chronic Pain Scale (HCPS). The CBD group showed a significant reduction in heart rate, respiratory rate, white blood cell count and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde lipid peroxidation). A significant reduction in HCPS scores was seen in both groups. Lower scores were recorded in the CBD group (3 med; range: 2/4) than in the C group (7 med; range: 4/10). The addition of a cannabidiol-based product to an analgesic protocol was well tolerated and showed positive effects on the treated subjects, improving their quality of life and pain relief.

Tramadol vs. Lidocaine Administered Intraperitoneally and in Incisional Lines for the Intraoperative and Postoperative Pain Management of Romifidine-Telazol-Anesthetized Swine Undergoing Umbilical Hernia Repair.

The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of tramadol and lidocaine for local anesthesia during umbilical hernia repair in swine. The study was performed on 66 large white crossbred swine. The swine received a mixture of tiletamine/zolazepam at 5 mg/kg and romifidine at 80 µg/kg, administered intramuscularly. Then, they were divided into three groups (n = 22) that received different treatments with lidocaine at 4 mg/kg and tramadol at 4 mg/kg. The LL group received lidocaine both by infiltration of the surgical planes and intraperitoneally. The LT group received lidocaine by infiltration of the surgical planes and tramadol intraperitoneally. The TT group received tramadol both by infiltration of the surgical planes and intraperitoneally. In all groups, the infiltration of the surgical planes into the umbilical region involved both the skin and muscle planes. Heart rate, noninvasive arterial blood pressure, and respiratory frequency were recorded during surgery. The response to the surgical stimulus was evaluated using a cumulative pain scale (the cut-off point for rescue analgesia was set to 10). Postoperative pain was assessed using the UNESP-Botucatu pig composite acute pain scale (the cut-off point was set to 4). The trend of physiological variables was adequate for patients under anesthesia. No subject required intraoperative and postoperative rescue analgesia. Tramadol could therefore be used for pain management in livestock.

Treatment of Canine Disc-Associated Cervical Spondylomyelopathy with a Cervical Distraction-Stabilization Technique (C-LOX Combined with LCP Plate) and Clinical Outcomes.

Canine disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (DA-CSM) is a form of caudal CSM, characterized by the compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots due to an intervertebral disc protrusion. It is more frequent in large canine breeds. A variety of surgical techniques has been proposed for DA-CSM. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of a cervical distraction-stabilization technique using an intervertebral anchored fusion device (C-LOX) combined with a locking compression plate (LCP plate) for the treatment of DA-CSM in dogs, based on clinical and radiographical follow-up data. Thirteen dogs affected by DA-CSM were included in the study. After the surgical procedure, an improvement in neurological status was documented in 9/13 cases. This cervical distraction-stabilization technique seems to be a valuable surgical alternative to treat this canine pathology.

Hospitalization disrupts the daily rhythm of tear production in cats.

OBJECTIVE: The exposure to constant light during the hospitalization was investigated to verify its influence on the daily rhythmicity of Schirmer tear test I (STT I) in the Felis catus. ANIMAL STUDIED: One group (HG-hospitalized group) was consisted of 10 owned-cats hospitalized to perform a sterilization procedure and was exposed to a 24/0 light/dark (L/D) cycle; the cat control group (CG) was consisted of 10 staff-owned cats living in an indoor environment (12/12 L/D cycle). PROCEDURE: The STT I values was performed at 4 h intervals over a 48 h period (starting at 8:00 a.m. on Day 1 and finishing at 8:00 a.m. on Day 3) on the left (LE) and right (RE) eyes into two cat groups. A 35 x 5 mm commercial tear test strip was used to record tear production in millimeters wetting per minute (mm/min). RESULTS: Multivariate for repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant effect of time. No difference was found between LE and RE tear production, and between the two experimental conditions. Robust daily rhythmicity was exhibited by the STT I in both eyes during the entire monitoring period in control cats and only during the Day 1 in hospitalized cats. CONCLUSIONS: These data are a starting point for evaluating the imbalance of ocular physiology observed in hospitalized cats. Further studies on larger sample size and exposing the animals to various hospitalization procedures are needed to establish whether these alterations are caused by hospitalization procedures or by the light/dark schedules.

Nontraumatic Paraureteral Urinoma in a Cat with Urolithiasis.

Urinoma is an encapsulated collection of urine due to a disruption in the collection system of the urinary tract. This condition is rarely reported in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and diagnostic findings of a well-encapsulated paraureteral urinoma associated with urinary tract stones in a critical feline patient. The ultrasound examination of the abdomen revealed a well-defined collection of anechoic fluid containing the left kidney in the retroperitoneal space, while the radiographic examination revealed a loss of soft tissue contrast in the lumbar region. Both techniques confirmed the presence of stones in the bladder. Following the ultrasound-guided drainage of the lesion, the nature of the fluid was also confirmed to be urine. Due to the worsening of the cat's health, to better define the extent and genesis of the lesion, a positive contrast radiographic study was performed by means of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection of a contrast medium into the lesion, which highlighted a wide and homogeneous radiopaque area in the left retroperitoneal space. These findings were confirmed with a postmortem examination, corroborating the diagnostic suspicion of urinoma. The percutaneous contrast inoculation performed in this critically ill patient plays a role in the diagnostic process to reach a final diagnosis in cases in which the patient's clinical condition does not allow for performing an excretory positive contrast study.

Evaluation of Bone Healing Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in Non-Operative Treatment of Tibial Fracture in a Puppy Dog.

A 10-month-old mixed-breed male dog was presented with an oblique tibial fracture. The dog was treated with a Robert Jones-like bandage as a conservative approach, and was subjected to X-ray, B-mode, Color Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations during the fracture healing, in order to assess bone hemodynamic changes. B-mode, Power Doppler and CEUS examinations of the fracture gap were performed at 7, 20, 35, and 50 days post-trauma. Quantitative analysis of CEUS and perfusion parameters were obtained. On CEUS, a steep incline in signal numbers was visible in fracture gap at 7 days with peaks at 35 days, after which the vascularization decreases gradually over the next days. In this study, CEUS provided important information on the early stages of the callus formation and on the healing of neighboring tissues, allowing recognition of a correct bone healing. Moreover, the number of vascular signals on CEUS was greater than that on Doppler images on the same day. This report showed the application of CEUS in controlling the fracture healing process. CEUS could be a method of monitoring the remedial processes, assessing the tibial fracture perfusion characterized by low-velocity, small-volume blood flows.