Veterinary Sciences

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of emodin on the total bacterial count and immune response in various tissues of Wuchang bream infected with A. hydrophila. The experimental diets were made by supplementing emodin at 0, 30, 100, and 150 mg kg⁻¹ to basal (control) diet, respectively, and fed to fish with an initial weight of 50.4 ± 2.35 g. All fish were divided into five experimental groups: uninfected fish fed with basal control diet (negative control, NC), infected fish fed with the diet supplemented with 0 (positive control group, PC), 30 (30), 100 (100), and 150 mg/kg (150) of emodin. The fish were reared for 14 days and sampled at different time points. The results showed that the total bacterial count in the kidney, blood, and liver tissues of Wuchang bream infected with A. hydrophila was significantly affected by the supplementation and feeding time of emodin. At the beginning of the experiment, the difference in total bacterial count among the groups was not significant. On day 1, the total bacterial count in all groups was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the negative control group. On day 4, the total bacterial count in all the emodin groups was significantly reduced, and the best bactericidal effect was observed in the 100 mg kg⁻¹ group. In addition, emodin had a significant effect on the immune response of Wuchang bream after infection with A. hydrophila (p < 0.05). Compared with the other groups, the respiratory burst activity, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1) content, and white blood cell count (WBC) in the 100 and 150 mg kg⁻¹ groups could be restored to normal levels in the shortest time (p < 0.05). Furthermore, this study also measured the complement alternative pathway activity (ACH₅₀), plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the fish. The results showed that supplying 100 mg kg⁻¹ emodin to the diet could significantly (p < 0.05) increase the ACH₅₀ activity of the fish. Compared with the positive control (PC) group, the addition of emodin to the diet can inhibit the decrease in SOD activity and the increase in MDA content in the plasma of infected Wuchang bream. In conclusion, supplying 100 mg kg⁻¹ emodin to the diet can enhance the ability of Wuchang bream to resist A. hydrophila infection by reducing the total bacterial count in tissues, increasing the activity of related immune enzymes, and promoting the secretion of cytokines. This provides a theoretical basis for production practice. Full article

This study aimed to determine the impact of dietary black peppercorn (BP) and xylanase (XYL) alone or in combination on growth performance, dietary energy, nutrient digestibility and blood lipid profile when fed to male Ross 308 broiler chickens from the ages of 7 to 21 d. A wheat-soy-based basal feed that was formulated to be 0.42 MJ lower in metabolizable energy (ME) was mixed. The basal feed was then split into four batches, with the first batch set aside as the basal control; the second batch was supplemented with freshly milled BP; the third batch was supplemented with XYL; the fourth batch was supplemented with both BP and XYL, as in the previous two batches. Each diet was fed to eight pens, with two birds in a pen, following randomization. Feeding BP reduced bird growth and most of the digestibility coefficients but increased blood high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05). Dietary XYL increased bird growth, dietary ME and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05). In addition, XYL increased hepatic carotenoids and coenzyme Q₁₀, but reduced blood low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05). There were no BP by XYL interactions (p > 0.05) observed. Further research is needed to identify the optimum level of BP in broiler diets. Full article

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the duration of a flaxseed diet on fattening pigs’ antioxidant defence mechanism in blood and tissues. Eighteen 20-week-old Landrace breed fattening pigs (BW 76.61 ± 2.30 kg) were divided into three groups of six animals. The control group was fed a basal diet. The FS3 group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 10% flaxseed for 3 weeks. The FS6 group received the same basal diet with flaxseed for 6 weeks. The total antioxidant capacity of the blood, measured as the total antioxidant status (TAS), total plasma antioxidant capacity (FRAP), reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) and total antioxidant capacity (PAT), was not affected by the flaxseed diet. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were significantly decreased in the FS3 pigs in the heart (p < 0.05). However, in the FS3 group, the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity significantly increased compared to the control, but in the FS6 group, the activity was inhibited (p < 0.05). In the muscle, the CAT and GST activity was significantly decreased in the FS3 group (p < 0.05). The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content was significantly reduced in the brain, muscle and heart in the FS3 group(p < 0.05). In FS6, the TBARS content significantly increased in the heart and brain (p < 0.05). Our results showed that the health effect of a flaxseed diet is significantly conditioned by the length of the flaxseed addition. Full article

Primary lymphoma of the middle ear is rare in cats, and little information has been accumulated on the treatment and course. An 11-year-old spayed female mixed-breed cat was brought to our hospital with facial nerve paralysis, which had been stable using prednisolone for 3 months. She was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma of the right middle ear after otoscopic sampling, which showed evidence of the filling of bilateral tympanic bullae on computed tomography. Hepatic involvement was suspected, and she was treated with multidrug chemotherapy, resulting in clinical remission. On day 176, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography were performed at checkup, revealing tumor invasion into the nasopharyngeal region and the recurrence of hepatic lesions without any brain abnormality. Nasal congestion then worsened, and the patient died on day 228 after presenting with generalized seizures. Clinicians should be mindful of middle ear lymphoma as a differential diagnosis in cats who present with a sign of otitis media, especially whose condition does respond to corticosteroid treatment. The prognosis for feline middle ear lymphoma might not be as poor as previous reports, and multidrug chemotherapy might result in remission of the disease. Full article

Cystic echinococcosis, also known as hydatid disease, is a significant parasitic zoonosis with public health implications, albeit often neglected. In Portugal, data on this zoonosis are scarce despite being a mandatory notifiable disease in both humans and animals. To assess the impact of cystic echinococcosis on both livestock and humans, we compiled data from slaughterhouse records of ruminants, human hospitalizations, and confirmed cases of human echinococcosis. Overall, a total of 298 cases of cystic echinococcosis were identified in ruminants slaughtered from national farms for human consumption in Portugal between 2008 and 2022, comprising 192 cases in ovines, 95 in bovines, and 11 in caprines. Echinococcosis led to 582 hospitalizations in Portuguese public hospitals, with an average hospital stay of 11 days (±15.66), and resulted in 13 deaths (2.23%) from 2008 to 2018. Each infected animal was associated with a 7% increase in the incidence rate of human hospitalization (p = 0.002, IRR = 1.070, 95% CI: 1.025–1.117). Additionally, for every 100,000 person-years observed between 2008 and 2018, the total number of hospitalizations was 0.528. Residence in the Alentejo region was associated with a 5.3-fold increase in the incidence rate of human hospitalizations and an 8-fold higher risk of death from echinococcosis. Full article

Soil contaminants (herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals) are among the main causes of change in terrestrial ecosystems. These substances lead to a general loss of biodiversity, both of flora and fauna and being able to biomagnify and pass through the food chain, they can endanger the survival of terrestrial vertebrates at the top of this chain. This review analyzes the risks associated with exposure to glyphosate, the active principle of many herbicide products, for the reproductive health of the field lizard (Podarcis siculus) potentially exposed to the substance in its natural habitat; therefore, introducing it as a possible model organism. Data demonstrate that glyphosate is toxic for this animal, affecting the health of the reproductive organs, both in males and females, and of the liver, the main detoxifying organ and closely involved in the female reproductive process. Sharing structural and functional characteristics of these organs with many other vertebrates, the information obtained with this reptile represents a wake-up call to consider when analyzing the cost/benefit ratio of glyphosate-based substances. The data clearly demonstrate that the P. siculus lizard can be considered a good target organism to study the reproductive risk assessment and hazards of exposure to soil contaminants on wild terrestrial vertebrates. Full article

Sudden and unexpected death (SUD) is a common reason for animals to undergo post-mortem examination. There is limited literature examining the causes of SUD in cats and dogs, and no research specific to Australia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and pathology of SUD in cats and dogs in a multicentric study across Australia. Retrospective post-mortem reports of SUD in cats and dogs were obtained from four veterinary schools in Australia distributed across four states. The frequency of SUD between institutes ranged from 2.1% to 6.5%. Dogs composed the majority of the study population (76%), and males outnumbered females, particularly in the feline subpopulation. After necropsy, 37% of SUD remained cause unknown, the largest category in both cats and dogs. When cause was identified, cardiovascular disease was most common in both species, followed by gastrointestinal disease in dogs, and trauma in cats. In dogs, multinomial logistic regression identified age as a risk factor significantly associated with the four largest categories of SUD. This study identified causes of SUD in Australian cats and dogs, including novel causes not previously reported. Further, this study revealed a higher rate of unsolved SUD in Australia than can be found in the literature from other countries. Full article

There has been considerable interest in studying cancer in dogs and its potential as a model system for humans. One area of research has been the search for genetic risk variants in canine lymphoma, which is amongst the most common canine cancers. Previous studies have focused on a limited number of breeds, but none have included Border Collies. The aims of this study were to identify relationships between Border Collie lymphoma cases through an extensive pedigree investigation and to utilise relationship information to conduct genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses to identify risk regions associated with lymphoma. The expanded pedigree analysis included 83,000 Border Collies, with 71 identified lymphoma cases. The analysis identified affected close relatives, and a common ancestor was identified for 54 cases. For the genomic study, a GWAS was designed to incorporate lymphoma cases, putative “carriers”, and controls. A case-control GWAS was also conducted as a comparison. Both analyses showed significant SNPs in regions on chromosomes 18 and 27. Putative top candidate genes from these regions included DLA-79, WNT10B, LMBR1L, KMT2D, and CCNT1. Full article

Fleas are ectoparasites affecting many animal species but reports in captive nonhuman primates are rare and mainly concern pet monkeys. Moreover, to the authors’ knowledge, a detailed report on marmosets is not known at present. This case describes the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of a flea infestation by Ctenocephalides felis in a captive colony of common marmosets. Fleas, flea feces and skin lesions were identified on two animals during annual health screening. Subsequently, the entire colony was examined, and nearly half of the colony showed signs of infestation. Consequently, treatment was initiated for the entire colony and the environment. Animals received two topical administrations of imidacloprid (5 mg for animals <200 g and 10 mg for animals weighing >200 g) three weeks apart, and their enclosures were decontaminated using vaporizers containing permethrin, piperonyl butoxide, and pyriproxyfen. Subsequently, skin lesions were resolved and no evidence of fleas were noticed. No side effects of the treatment were observed. Stray cats were identified as the source of the infestation. Their access to the animal-related rooms was stopped. No reinfestation has been reported for 3 years. The topical application of imidacloprid appeared effective with no adverse events occurring, so may be appropriate for use in other non-human primates. Full article

Improving beef production efficiency, sustainability, and food security is crucial for meeting the growing global demand for beef while minimizing environmental impact, conserving resources, ensuring economic viability, and promoting animal welfare. Beta-adrenergic agonists and dietary protein have been critical factors in beef cattle production. Beta-agonists enhance growth, improve feed efficiency, and influence carcass composition, while dietary protein provides the necessary nutrients for muscle development and overall health. A balanced approach to their use and incorporation into cattle diets can lead to more efficient and sustainable beef production. However, microbiome technologies play an increasingly important role in beef cattle production, particularly by optimizing rumen fermentation, enhancing nutrient utilization, supporting gut health, and enhancing feed efficiency. Therefore, optimizing rumen fermentation, diet, and growth-promoting technologies has the potential to increase energy capture and improve performance. This review addresses the interactions among beta-adrenergic agonists, protein level and source, and the ruminal microbiome. By adopting innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and responsible management strategies, the beef industry can contribute to a more secure and sustainable food future. Continued research and development in this field can lead to innovative solutions that benefit both producers and the environment. Full article

The aim of this study was to devise an efficient technique for generating embryos from high-quality bovine females. Oocytes were collected from 20 control and 15 Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) females treated with the FSH. A combination of decreasing FSH doses (36, 36, 24, and 24 mg, 12 h apart), progesterone, estrogen, and prostaglandins were administered to synchronize and mildly stimulate the animals. The FSH-treated group (1125 oocytes) and control group (1022 oocytes) exhibited a higher proportion of grade A and B oocytes (88.2%) than the other grades (p < 0.05), with most at the germinal vesicle 2 stage (64.0%). Moreover, the FSH-treated group achieved a notably higher blastocyst rate (44.7%) compared to the control group (31.1%) (p < 0.05). After undergoing vitrification and in vitro culture (IVC) warming, embryos in the FSH group exhibited higher re-expansion rates (grade 1: 86.9%; grades 2 and 3: 57.9%) compared to those in the control (p < 0.05). This highlights the positive impact of FSH treatment on in vitro embryo production (IVEP) and the OPU rate. Full article

Congenital diseases of the large intestine of dogs and cats have scarcely been reported and mostly include fistula, atresia or colonic duplication. Cases of partial colonic agenesis have rarely been described. The purpose of this study was to report a cohort of dogs and cats diagnosed with partial colonic agenesis. The colon was measured during colonoscopy or contrast-radiography and compared to the average length described in the literature. Six dogs and 17 cats were retrospectively included. Depending on the case, partial colonic agenesis could represent an incidental finding or the likeliest cause of clinical signs. Diarrhea was reported in most cases, and no specific clinical or biological abnormality was observed. Median age of presentation was variable and long asymptomatic periods were common. Abdominal ultrasound was useful and identified a short colon in 14/17 cats but only in one dog. Endoscopy was useful to confirm the diagnosis and to identify associated lesions and complications. Among others, colonic stenosis was reported in 8/9 cases that had lifelong clinical signs and the shortest colon length. This anatomical abnormality could promote chronic inflammation that might generate fibrosis and ultimately stenosis. Full article

Increasingly hyperprolific sows and the need to reduce antibiotics represent challenges in pig farming. The aim of this work was to determine the effects of a postbiotic obtained from inactivated and stabilized whole-cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, administered during the sow’s gestation, on the performance of the mother and litter. Maternal feed intake, productive parameters, colostrum quality and post-weaning piglets’ health were assessed, including antibiotic consumption. The trial involved 183 sows, divided into two groups: (1) sows fed with a daily supplementation of postbiotic during gestation (n = 90); (2) sows without any supplement (n = 93). Piglets were followed up at two different post-weaning sites. The lactation efficiency of the treated sows improved by +5.9% (41.3 ± 11.4 vs. 35.4 ± 11.6%; p = 0.011). Lactating piglets’ mortality was lower in the treated group (25.1 ± 16.7 vs. 28.8 ± 14.4%; p = 0.048). The same tendency was shown in both the weaning sites, together with a reduced antibiotic consumption in weaning site 1 (0.72 ± 0.25 vs. 1.22 ± 0.30 DDDvet/PCU; p = 0.047). The results suggest the role of this postbiotic administered to the mother in improving the health status of the piglets. Furthermore, lactation efficiency is suggested as an interesting parameter for assessing the efficiency of farming. Full article

Previously, radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been the only assay to measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to diagnose hypersomatotropism (HS). Due to radiation concerns, availability, and the cost of IGF-1 RIA, validation of assays for automated analysers such as a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) is needed. The aim of this study was to validate a CLIA for measurement of feline IGF-1 (IMMULITE 2000^® XPi, Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, Malvern, PA, USA) compared to IGF1 RIA, establish reference interval (RI), and determine a cut-off value for diagnosis of HS in diabetic cats. Validation of assay performance included precision, linearity, and recovery studies. Right-sided RI was determined using surplus serum of 50 healthy adult cats. Surplus serum samples of diabetic cats with known IGF-1 concentration with (n = 32/68) and without HS (n = 36/68) were used for method comparison with RIA. The cut-off for diagnosis of HS was established using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) was ≤4.7%, and the inter-assay CV was ≤5.6% for samples with low, medium, and high IGF-1 concentration. Linearity was excellent (R² > 0.99). The correlation between CLIA and RIA was very high (r_s = 0.97), with a mean negative bias for CLIA of 24.5%. The upper limit of RI was 670 ng/mL. ROC analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.94, with best cut-off for diagnosis of HS at 746 ng/mL (sensitivity, 84.4%; specificity, 97.2%). The performance of CLIA was good, and the RI and cut-off for HS diagnosis established in this study allow for CLIA to be used in routine work-up of diabetic cats. Full article

The aim of this work was to assess the effects of beeswax supplementation on growth rate, feed intake, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and economic sustainability in Assaf lambs. Eighteen growing Assaf (5 months old) lambs were separated into three experimental groups (n = 6 lambs/group). The lambs were fed a basal diet without supplementation (G1) or supplemented with 2 and 4 g beeswax/head/day in G2 and G3 groups, respectively. Zootechnical performance was evaluated over a 90 day period. Feed digestibility was assessed in faeces through the acid insoluble-ash method, and rumen liquor was collected to measure ammonia (NH₃-N) and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) levels. Blood samples were obtained for the titration serum metabolites by colorimetric tests. The findings showed that G3 had an improved performance compared to the other groups (p < 0.01). The lambs in G3 revealed the highest nutrient digestibility and feed use, followed by G2, and G1. G3 recorded the highest economic efficiency followed by G2 and G1 (p < 0.01). The TVFA, acetate, and propionate concentrations were higher and the pH values, NH₃-N, and butyrate concentrations were lower in G3 compared to G2 and particularly to G1 (p < 0.01). The concentrations of total protein, globulin, and glucose were significantly higher with 4 g beeswax (p < 0.05). However, albumin, cholesterol, total lipids, urea, creatinine, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) concentrations as well as the albumin to globulin ratio decreased significantly with both levels of beeswax (p < 0.05). The addition of beeswax at the level of 4 g/head/day for growing Assaf lambs significantly improved the growth performance, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood serum parameters in addition to the economic efficiency. Full article

The immunological genes that may interact with inflammatory postpartum diseases in Italian buffaloes were examined in this study. A total number of 120 female Italian buffaloes (60 normal and 60 with inflammatory reproductive diseases) were employed. Each buffalo’s jugular vein was pierced to get five milliliters of blood. To obtain whole blood and extract DNA and RNA, the blood was placed within tubes containing sodium fluoride or EDTA anticoagulants. The immunological (IKBKG, LGALS, IL1B, CCL2, RANTES, MASP2, HMGB1, and S-LZ) genes’ nucleotide sequence differences between healthy buffaloes and buffaloes affected by inflammatory reproductive diseases were found by employing PCR-DNA sequencing. According to Fisher’s exact test (p ˂ 0.01), there were noticeably different probabilities of all major nucleotide changes spreading among buffalo groups with and without reproductive problems. Buffaloes were significantly more likely to express the examined genes when they had inflammatory reproductive diseases. The outcomes might support the significance of these markers’ nucleotide variations and gene expression patterns as indicators of the prevalence of inflammatory reproductive disorders and provide a workable buffalo management policy. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the role of neutrophils in canine leishmaniosis by assessing neutrophil activation and its relationship with different states of L. infantum infection and antibody and IFN-γ production. Dogs were categorized into five groups: healthy-seronegative (n = 25), healthy-seropositive (n = 21), LeishVet-stage I (n = 25), Leishvet-stage II (n = 41), and LeishVet-stage III–IV (n = 16). Results of the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test (NBT) showed significantly higher neutrophil activation in stage I (median:17.17, range: [7.33–31.50]%) compared to in healthy-seronegative (4.10 [1.20–18.00]%), healthy-seropositive (7.65 [3.98–21.74]%), stage II (6.50 [1.50–28.70]%), and stage III–IV (7.50 [3.00–16.75]%) groups (p < 0.0001). Healthy-seropositive dogs also displayed higher values than all groups except stage I. Stages II and III–IV did not show significant differences compared to healthy-seronegative. Regarding IFN-γ, stage I dogs had higher concentrations (median:127.90, range: [0–3998.00] pg/mL) than healthy-seronegative (0 [0–109.50] pg/mL) (p = 0.0002), stage II (9.00 [0–5086.00] pg/mL) (p = 0.045), and stage III–IV (3.50 [80.00–548.80] pg/mL) (p = 0.02) dogs. Stage II dogs showed increased IFN-γ compared to healthy-seronegative dogs (p = 0.015), while stage III–IV dogs had no significant differences compared to healthy-seronegative dogs (p = 0.12). Healthy-seropositive dogs had elevated IFN-γ concentrations compared to healthy-seronegative dogs (p = 0.001) and dogs in stage III–IV (p = 0.03). In conclusion, neutrophil activation was higher in dogs with mild disease and healthy-seropositive dogs, and a relationship between neutrophil activation and the production of IFN-γ was found. Full article

Digital dermatitis (DD) is a painful inflammation at the coronary band of the claws, a major cause of lameness in cattle and associated with infections with several Treponema spp. Clinical inspection of the feet is the best way to diagnose DD, but this is laborious and stressful for cattle. A simple diagnostic tool was developed to monitor DD prevalence at the herd level. An antibody ELISA based on antigens from four different Treponema spp. has been developed and validated in two field studies. In one study, bulk milk and individual milk samples of seven dairy herds, of which clinical claw scores were obtained, were tested. In the second study, bulk milk was tested from 110 herds of which clinical scores were obtained. A weak correlation between clinical scores of cows and the ELISA results in individual milk samples was observed. The ELISA response in bulk milk was higher in herds with higher mean clinical scores. Using the ELISA results in bulk milk, herds with a low or high proportion of cattle with DD lesions could be distinguished. This ELISA is useful to obtain insight into the DD status at the herd level, and is nowadays being used in a claw health monitoring program for dairy cattle in the Netherlands. Full article

Several studies conducted on humans demonstrate the increase in cardiac troponins and the onset of arrhythmias in the course of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The aim of the current study was to assess the blood concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and electrocardiographic findings in SIRS-affected cats. Seventeen shorthair cats hospitalized with SIRS were enrolled (Group 1). SIRS diagnosis was performed based on the detection of at least two of the four criteria such as abnormal body temperature, abnormal heart rate (i.e., tachycardia or bradycardia), abnormal respiratory rate (i.e., tachypnea or bradypnea), and alterations of white blood cell number (i.e., leukocytes or band neutrophils). Ten cats screened for elective surgery such as neutering or dental procedures were evaluated as a control population (Group 2). They were considered healthy based on history, physical examination, hematological and biochemical profile, urinalysis, coprological exam, thyroxine assay, blood pressure measurement, and echocardiography. A physical examination, complete blood cell count, biochemistry test (including an electrolyte panel), electrocardiographic examination, and cTnI assay were carried out in each cat enrolled. Traumatic events, gastrointestinal, neoplastic, respiratory, and neurological disorders were identified as causes of SIRS in Group 1. In Group 1, a significantly higher concentration of cTnI than that in Group 2 was recorded (p = 0.004). In 37.5% of cats with SIRS, ventricular premature complexes occurring in couplets with multiform configuration were detected. Similarly, to humans, data herein reported would indicate possible cardiac damage present in cats with SIRS diagnosis. Full article