Diseases of the Small and Large Intestine, Liver and Pancreas in Small Animals: Second Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 2505

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Centro Veterinario Dott.ri Pisani-Carli-Chiodo, Gruppo Animalia, vVa P. Togliatti 8, 19034 Luni Mare, SP, Italy
Interests: small animal oncology and gastroenterology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Interests: veterinary clinical pathology; small animal internal medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to present you with the second edition of the Animals Special Issue on “Diseases of the Small and Large Intestine, Liver and Pancreas in Small Animals.”

After the first edition collected amazing manuscripts from eminent international authors in the field, we wish to continue to contribute to the sharing of scientific evidence in small animal gastroenterology.

This Special Issue welcomes a wide range of research articles related to small animal gastroenterology. We welcome papers from any field related to diseases of the intestine, liver, and pancreas in small animals, such as clinical and clinicopathological markers, interactions between the diet, microbiota, and gut, metabolomics, ultrasonography, and advanced imaging, interventional radiology, novel treatments, and comparative pathologies. Intestinal, pancreatic, and hepatic diseases present a daily challenge for clinicians worldwide; small animal gastroenterology is still one of the fastest-growing research fields with new diagnostic and prognostic markers and therapeutic strategies for various intestinal, pancreatic, and liver diseases.

Dr. Alessio Pierini
Dr. Eleonora Gori
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • small animal gastroenterology
  • intestine
  • liver
  • pancreas
  • microbiota
  • gut
  • clinicopathological markers

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 9364 KiB  
Article
Computed Tomographic Findings in Dogs with Hepatic Bacterial Parenchymal Infection and Abscessation
by Luis Maté de Haro, Andrea Vila, Andrea Di Bella, Claudia Mallol, Carlo Anselmi, Jose-Daniel Barreiro-Vazquez, Danica Pollard, Raquel Salgüero, Ella Fitzgerald and Beatriz Moreno-Aguado
Animals 2024, 14(23), 3399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233399 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 502
Abstract
Bacterial liver parenchymal infections in dogs are rarely documented, and their imaging characteristics are scarce in the veterinary literature, especially in Computed Tomography (CT). This retrospective multicentric study aimed to describe the CT characteristics of parenchymal bacterial liver infection and abscessation in dogs [...] Read more.
Bacterial liver parenchymal infections in dogs are rarely documented, and their imaging characteristics are scarce in the veterinary literature, especially in Computed Tomography (CT). This retrospective multicentric study aimed to describe the CT characteristics of parenchymal bacterial liver infection and abscessation in dogs and compare them with the human literature. Twenty dogs met the inclusion criteria. All dogs, except one, showed discrete hepatic lesions consistent with pyogenic liver abscess (19/20). A single case showed diffuse liver changes, which was diagnosed with granulomatous bacterial hepatitis (1/20). Multifocal lesions were associated with the presence of abdominal pain (p = 0.023). CT characteristics of pyogenic liver abscesses in our study resemble those described in the human literature, with multifocal (14/19) or single (5/19), round or ovoid (19/19), hypoattenuating hepatic lesions, which are better visualised in post-contrast images. Pyogenic liver abscesses can also show features such as the “cluster sign” (8/19), transient arterial segmental enhancement (6/10), rim enhancement (6/19), and intralesional gas (4/19). Additional CT findings, such as local lymphadenomegaly (18/20), peritoneal fat stranding (14/20), and peritoneal fluid (13/20), are also commonly observed. Full article
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10 pages, 385 KiB  
Article
Fecal Bile Acids in Canine Chronic Liver Disease: Results from 46 Dogs
by Verena Habermaass, Francesco Bartoli, Eleonora Gori, Rebecca Dini, Aurora Cogozzo, Caterina Puccinelli, Alessio Pierini and Veronica Marchetti
Animals 2024, 14(21), 3051; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213051 - 22 Oct 2024
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Abstract
The concentrations of fecal and serum bile acids (BAs) are known to be altered in human patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs), especially those with biliary tract involvement (BTD). Scarce literature is available regarding fecal BA modifications during canine CLDs. This study aimed [...] Read more.
The concentrations of fecal and serum bile acids (BAs) are known to be altered in human patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs), especially those with biliary tract involvement (BTD). Scarce literature is available regarding fecal BA modifications during canine CLDs. This study aimed to evaluate fecal BAs in canine CLDs according to different clinical and clinicopathological variables. Forty-six dogs were enrolled. Canine feces were analyzed by HPLC. Cholic Acid (CA), Chenodeoxycholic Acid (CDCA), Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA), Deoxycholic Acid (DCA), and Lithocholic Acid (LCA) were measured, and primary BAs (CA + CDCA), secondary BAs (UDCA + DCA + LCA), and the primary/secondary (P/S) ratio were calculated. Primary BAs (p < 0.0001), CA (p = 0.0003), CDCA (p = 0.003), the P/S ratio (p = 0.002), and total BAs (p = 0.005) were significatively higher in BTD dogs (n = 18) compared to in non-BTD dogs (n = 28). Fecal secondary BAs did not statistically differ between BTD and non-BTD dogs. Gastrointestinal clinical signs (p = 0.028) and diarrhea (p = 0.03) were significantly more prevalent in BTD dogs compared to in non-BTD dogs, supporting the hypothesis of some pathological mechanisms assimilable to bile acid diarrhea (BAD). Our results could reflect imbalances of the fecal BA metabolism in dogs with CLDs. Further studies involving gut microbiome and metabolomic assessment are needed to better understand the possible clinical implications of BA metabolism disruption and their potential role in canine CLDs. Full article
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7 pages, 188 KiB  
Communication
Allogenic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Infusion for the Management of Acute-Onset Pancreatitis in Dogs: A Pilot Study
by Harry Cridge and Valerie Johnson
Animals 2024, 14(19), 2905; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192905 - 9 Oct 2024
Viewed by 782
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have significant anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial in rodent models of pancreatitis. The safety and efficacy of MSCs is unknown in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP). Dogs with AP who were treated with MSCs (n = 4) were [...] Read more.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have significant anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial in rodent models of pancreatitis. The safety and efficacy of MSCs is unknown in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP). Dogs with AP who were treated with MSCs (n = 4) were identified prospectively for this pilot study from an academic hospital. Serum Spec cPL and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured on the day of MSC administration and 2 days later. The clinical severity, via the Modified Clinical Activity Index (MCAI), was also calculated. Two dogs received MSCs shortly after AP diagnosis, while the remaining dogs received MSCs due to clinically refractory disease. Changes in Spec cPL, CRP, and MCAI in the MSC-treated dogs were compared to a control population (n = 7) receiving the standard-of-care treatment for AP. No significant differences were noted between the populations for changes in Spec cPL (p = 0.79), CRP (p = 0.67), or MCAI (p = 0.91). However, subjective clinical improvements were noted within 24 h of MSC infusion in the two dogs with previously refractory disease. MSC infusions appear safe in the management of AP in dogs and may be considered in refractory disease. However, given the nature of this pilot study and its limitations, larger randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to truly evaluate the efficacy of MSC infusions in dogs with AP. Full article

Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Fecal bile acids in canine chronic hepatobiliary disease: results in 46 dogs
Authors: Verena Habermaass; Francesco Bartoli; Eleonora Gori; Rebecca Dini; Aurora Cogozzo; Caterina Puccinelli; Alessio Pierini; Veronica Marchetti
Affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital “Mario Modenato”, University of Pisa, Via Livornese Lato Monte, San Piero a Grado, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Abstract: Both fecal and serum bile acids (BAs) concentrations are known to be altered in human patients with chronic hepatobiliary diseases (CHBDs), especially with biliary involvement (BTD). Scarce literature is available regarding potential fecal BAs modifications during canine CHBDs. The present study aimed to evaluate fecal BAs in dogs with CHBDs according to different clinical and clinicopathological variables. Forty-six dogs were enrolled. Canine feces were analyzed by HPLC. Cholic Acid (CA), Chenodeoxycholic Acid (CDCA), Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA), Deoxycholic Acid (DCA), Lithocholic Acid (LCA), Deoxycholic Acid (DCA) were measured, Total Primary (CA+CDCA) and Secondary BAs (UDCA+DCA+LCA), Primary/Secondary (P/S) ratio were calculated. Primary BAs, CA, CDCA, P/S ratio and Total BAs were significatively increased in BTD dogs (n=18) compared to non-BTD (n=28). Gastrointestinal clinical signs were significantly more prevalent in BTD dogs compared to non-BTD dogs, supporting the hypothesis of some pathological mechanisms assimilable to bile acid diarrhea (BAD). Primary BAs were significantly reduced in dogs with more relevant serum Alanine-Aminotransferase increase. Our results could reflect imbalances of the Liver-Gut axis in CHBD dogs. Further studies involving gut microbiome and metabolomic assessment are needed to better understand possible clinical implications of BAs metabolism disruption and their potential role in canine CHBD.

Title: Allogenic Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Infusion for the Management of Acute-Onset Pancreatitis in Dogs
Authors: Harry Cridge; Valerie Johnson
Affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI 28824, USA.
Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have significant anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial in rodent models of pancreatitis. The safety and efficacy of MSCs is unknown in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP). Dogs with AP treated with MSCs (n=4) were identified from the case logs of an academic hospital. Serum Spec cPL and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured on day of MSC administration and 2 days later. Clinical severity, via MCAI, was also calculated. Two dogs received MSCs shortly after AP diagnosis, while the remaining dogs received MSCs due to clinically refractory disease. Changes in Spec cPL, CRP, and MCAI in the MSC-treated dogs were compared to a control population (n = 7) receiving standard of care treatment for AP. No significant differences were noted between the populations for change in Spec cPL (P = .79), CRP (P = .67), or MCAI (P = .91). However, subjective clinical improvement was noted within 24 hours of MSC infusion in the 2 dogs with previously refractory disease. MSC infusions appear safe in the management of AP in dogs and may be considered in refractory disease. Larger randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of MSC infusions in dogs with AP.

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