Diagnostic Research, Epidemiology and New Therapeutic Options in Companion and Wild Animals: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 754

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: clinical oncology; clinical trials; comparative oncology; veterinary oncology; biomarkers; therapeutic targets; breast cancer; serum cancer markers; anticancer therapies; clinical pathology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of the first edition, we are pleased to announce the 2nd Edition of the Special Issue "Diagnostic Research, Epidemiology and New Therapeutic Options in Companion and Wild Animals". This new edition aims to further explore recent advances in the diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment of animal diseases, incorporating innovative technologies and methodologies that will shape the future of veterinary medicine.

In companion animals, regarding diagnoses, we have been witnessing not only a refinement of conventional techniques but also the development of less invasive procedures, allowing for safe, effective, and quick diagnoses associated with low morbidity. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into veterinary diagnostics is transforming the field, particularly in medical imaging, histopathology, and predictive analytics. AI-driven algorithms are enhancing diagnostic accuracy, enabling earlier disease detection, and improving clinical decision-making. The evaluation of new biomarkers and the advancement of molecular techniques have also contributed to novel insights into neoplastic and infectious diseases.

In line with diagnostic and therapeutic advancements in companion animals, epidemiological studies have been encouraged in both companion and wild species, whether globally distributed or endemic to specific geographic regions. These studies are essential for understanding affected populations, identifying risk factors, mapping transmission routes, and determining disease prevalence and incidence. Additionally, given that animals share ecosystems with humans, epidemiological data—particularly regarding zoonoses—are critical for public health.

The 2nd Edition of this Special Issue aims to present relevant scientific contributions in the form of original research or review articles focusing on epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of animal diseases. We especially encourage submissions exploring AI-driven diagnostic and therapeutic innovations, as well as AI-assisted epidemiological analysis. Topics may include, but are not limited to, applications of AI in veterinary imaging and pathology, seroprevalence studies, performance analysis of diagnostic techniques, minimally invasive procedures, prognostic studies, and research on treatment outcomes. Articles addressing both companion and wild animals are welcome.

Dr. Felisbina Luisa Queiroga
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnostics
  • minimally invasive procedures
  • biomarkers and prognostic factors
  • epidemiology of infectious and neoplastic diseases
  • AI-driven predictive models in treatment
  • companion and wild animal diseases
  • one health and zoonoses
  • diagnostic imaging and histopathology
  • molecular techniques in veterinary medicine
  • new therapeutic approaches (immunotherapy, gene therapy, hormone therapy)

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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22 pages, 4010 KB  
Article
Continuous Activity Monitoring Using a Wearable Sensor in Dogs with Osteoarthritis: An Exploratory Case Series
by Carina Sacoor, Sara Leitão, Carolina Domingues, Joana Babo, Cátia M. Sá, Ricardo Cabeças and Felisbina L. Queiroga
Animals 2025, 15(18), 2639; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15182639 - 9 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive disease that impacts mobility and welfare, often with subtle clinical signs that fluctuate over time. This exploratory case series evaluated the potential of a wearable sensor system (Maven Pet AI System) to detect real-time deviations in [...] Read more.
Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive disease that impacts mobility and welfare, often with subtle clinical signs that fluctuate over time. This exploratory case series evaluated the potential of a wearable sensor system (Maven Pet AI System) to detect real-time deviations in activity and rest patterns in dogs with OA under home-based conditions. Five client-owned dogs were monitored over periods ranging from 56 to 126 days, generating longitudinal data on activity and rest patterns. Nine clinically relevant events were identified: seven OA-related flare-ups and two non-orthopedic health issues. In eight of these events, deviations in activity profiles were temporally aligned with symptom onset, therapeutic response, or recovery. Statistically significant changes were observed in six out of nine events, particularly in the Active and Excited categories, while visual trend analysis revealed clinically relevant deviations even in the absence of statistical significance. In one case, decreased activity preceded owner recognition, suggesting potential for early detection. Sensor data also contextualized episodes of overexertion and non-orthopedic conditions, such as pruritus and gastroenteritis. Owner and clinician feedback indicated high usability and perceived clinical value. Despite the small sample, these findings suggest that continuous sensor-based monitoring may complement conventional evaluations and support earlier, more individualized OA management in real-world settings. Further studies are needed to validate and expand these preliminary observations. Full article
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