Pets

Beta-glucans are immunomodulatory compounds known to act as adjuvants in the beneficial regulation of various allergic conditions, particularly atopic dermatitis, as well as in the modulation of dysbiosis in patients with chronic gastrointestinal disorders. However, certain underlying conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the associated loss of oral tolerance, may alter the expected outcomes of supplementation and lead to dysregulated immune responses. This study reports cases of cutaneous allergic reactions in dogs with IBD following the oral administration of yeast-derived beta-glucan. Two dogs with controlled IBD received 9.13 ± 1.14 mg/kg of beta-glucan in a double-blind study designed to investigate its effects on the intestinal microbiota in IBD. Both animals were withdrawn from the study due to adverse effects, including cutaneous allergic manifestations and intense pruritus. These findings suggest that patients with impaired oral tolerance may develop cutaneous reactions following the ingestion of yeast-derived prebiotics.

Brachycephalic dogs commonly suffer from breathing difficulties and other chronic health problems, yet strong consumer demand is widely reported. Whether the popularity of brachycephalic breeds persists across different contexts is largely untested. Census data from 1,510,085 canine consultations conducted at a single veterinary hospital from 2004 to 2023 in Hong Kong were collected and analysed. Individual dogs (n = 96,777) were counted once, in the first year of presentation. Males (53.5% to 57.7%) and purebreds (86.2% to 91.2%) predominated each year. Neutered dogs increased from 52% to 70% annually. Poodles were the most popular breed from 2009. Brachycephalic breeds, collectively, declined progressively from 36.3% to 15.4% of the annual population. This trend was exaggerated in dogs < 1-year-old (27.4% to 11.7%). Absolute numbers of common brachycephalic breeds declined, except for French Bulldogs and Pugs. A historical cohort study was conducted with a subset of the data (2016–2023) to investigate the hypothesis that veterinary service use would be higher in brachycephalic breeds compared with other groups. The hypothesis was proven. Relative demand for brachycephalic breeds in Hong Kong is decreasing, with the exception of French Bulldogs and Pugs. Investigating drivers of these observations will inform behaviour change strategies, and facilitate comparisons across different regions.

Viper envenomation in dogs represents a significant medical emergency in regions where vipers are endemic. Despite its clinical relevance, detailed data on the haematological and biochemical alterations in canine viper envenomation remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation and haematological, biochemical and coagulative changes occurring in dogs following bites from the Vipera aspis species, and to assess their diagnostic and prognostic significance. Twelve dogs with suspected Vipera aspis envenomation were encompassed in the study. Clinical data were gathered and blood samples were collected at hospital admission (T1), 24 h (T2) and 48 h later (T3). Complete blood counts, biochemical profiles and coagulation parameters were analysed using standard automated systems. Common clinical signs included local pain and swelling, depression, fever, haematuria and melena. Haematological evaluation revealed progressive anaemia, leucocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Biochemical findings showed elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatine kinas (CK), indicating hepatic and muscular injury; however, no consistent evidence of renal failure was found. Coagulation analysis revealed a significant shortening of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) over time, alongside marked increases in fibrinogen and antithrombin III. This indicates an inflammatory rather than consumptive coagulopathy. Viper envenomation in dogs induces complex haematological and biochemical alterations, reflecting both direct venom toxicity and systemic inflammatory responses. Early recognition, supportive care and continuous laboratory monitoring are essential for improving prognosis.