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Advances in Diagnostic Strategies in Veterinary Internal Medicine: From Molecular Biomarkers to Imaging Innovations

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A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Internal Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 14 August 2026 | Viewed by 3947

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Dian Todorov Kanakov

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Guest Editor

Department of Internal Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Interests: endoscopy of small animals and horses

Prof. Dr. Lazarin Velikov Lazarov

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Guest Editor

Department of Internal Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Interests: gastroenterology; endocrinology; diagnostic imaging

Prof. Dr. Anton Georgiev Rusenov

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Guest Editor

Department of Internal Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Interests: ECG; cardiology; urology; nephrology; toxicology; dogs and cats

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Veterinary internal medicine is undergoing a rapid transformation with the emergence of novel diagnostic technologies that enhance accuracy, precision, and timeliness in clinical decision-making. This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advances in diagnostic strategies that bridge fundamental research with clinical application, including the development and validation of molecular biomarkers for early disease detection, innovative imaging modalities for improved visualization and characterization of pathological processes, and integrative diagnostic frameworks that combine laboratory assays, advanced imaging, and computational tools. Submissions addressing companion animals, livestock, and wildlife are especially encouraged, as they broaden the scope and translational impact of these innovations. This Special Issue will provide veterinary clinicians, researchers, and diagnosticians with cutting-edge insights into emerging diagnostic strategies set to shape the future of veterinary internal medicine, and we warmly invite you to contribute your valuable work to advance the field.

Prof. Dr. Dian Todorov Kanakov
Prof. Dr. Lazarin Velikov Lazarov
Prof. Dr. Anton Georgiev Rusenov
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2100 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

veterinary internal medicine
diagnostic strategies
molecular biomarkers
imaging modalities
integrative diagnostic frameworks
companion animals, livestock, and wildlife
translational innovation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

21 pages, 523 KB

Open AccessArticle

Alterations in Erythrocyte and Platelet Characteristics Are Poor Indicators of Metastasis in Dogs with Carcinoma or Sarcoma: A Preliminary Study

by Adriana A. Mulder, Amelia Goddard and Paolo Pazzi

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050465 - 11 May 2026

Viewed by 233

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of death in humans and dogs. Several erythrocyte and platelet characteristics (indices and morphology) have shown promise as indicators of metastasis in humans. Similar studies have not been performed in dogs. This study evaluated erythrocyte and platelet characteristics measured on the Advia 2120i in 59 tumor-bearing dogs with carcinoma or sarcoma. Tumor-bearing dogs with and without intracavitary hemorrhage that underwent complete post-mortem and histopathology examinations were compared to healthy age-controlled dogs. Carcinoma- and sarcoma-bearing dogs without hemorrhage were compared. All tumor-bearing dogs without hemorrhage or metastasis were compared to those with metastasis, and characteristics were evaluated as indicators of metastasis. Tumor-bearing dogs without intracavitary hemorrhage (n = 49) had decreased hematocrit (p = 0.002) and reticulocyte hemoglobin content (p = 0.022), and increase in anisocytosis (p = 0.002), polychromasia (p = 0.002), macrocytosis (p = 0.032), codocytes (p = 0.022), absolute reticulocyte count (p = 0.035), platelet concentration (p = 0.002), plateletcrit (p = 0.022), and platelet volume distribution width (p = 0.022) compared to healthy dogs (n = 20). In tumor-bearing dogs with intracavitary hemorrhage (n = 10), additional significant differences were reflective of acute hemorrhage. No difference in characteristics between carcinoma- and sarcoma-bearing dogs without hemorrhage was identified. After correction for multiple comparisons, no differences in erythrocyte or platelet characteristics were identified between tumor-bearing dogs without intracavitary hemorrhage and metastasis and those without metastasis. Significant differences in characteristics exist between tumor-bearing dogs and healthy dogs. Based on the limited number of dogs in this preliminary study, no red blood cell or platelet characteristics were associated with metastatic disease in tumor-bearing dogs without hemorrhage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diagnostic Strategies in Veterinary Internal Medicine: From Molecular Biomarkers to Imaging Innovations)

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13 pages, 910 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Serum Homocysteine and High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponins in Cats with Hepatic Lipidosis: An Observational Clinical Study

by Ahmet Cihat Tunç, Cemalettin Ayvazoğlu, Şemistan Kızıltepe, Sercan Hüseyin Bayendur and Abuzer Acar

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050413 - 23 Apr 2026

Viewed by 454

Abstract

Feline hepatic lipidosis (FHL) is a life-threatening, common hepatobiliary disease characterized by massive triglyceride accumulation in the liver, often triggered by anorexia and negative energy balance in cats. This condition causes severe metabolic stress that may secondarily impact myocardial integrity. This observational clinical study evaluated serum homocysteine (Hcy) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTnI, hs-cTnT) to assess secondary myocardial injury and their prognostic value in FHL. Fifty cats, comprising 30 with naturally occurring FHL and 20 healthy controls, were included. Serum Hcy, hs-cTnI, and hs-cTnT concentrations were measured using feline-specific ELISA kits, and routine biochemical parameters, alongside hospitalization times, were recorded. Results indicated that Hcy, total bilirubin, and liver enzymes were significantly elevated in the FHL group compared to controls (p < 0.001). However, hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT levels did not differ significantly between the groups. Notably, Hcy exhibited a strong positive correlation with hospitalization time (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). The absence of significant hs-cTn elevations suggests the feline myocardium remains largely resistant to acute necrosis during FHL. Nevertheless, relative hyperhomocysteinemia is a powerful prognostic biomarker for prolonged hospitalization in affected cats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diagnostic Strategies in Veterinary Internal Medicine: From Molecular Biomarkers to Imaging Innovations)

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15 pages, 2256 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnostic Significance of Renal Artery Resistive Index (RRI), Caudal Vena Cava Diameter (CVC), and Aorta (Ao) in Dogs with Hypovolemia

by Ghada Ashraf, Mohamed Marzok, Sabry El-khodery, Al Mohamad Zakriya, Adel Almubarak, Mohammed Albaloushi and Mohamed Ali

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040402 - 19 Apr 2026

Viewed by 642

Abstract

Hypovolemia is a systemic state characterized by severe reduction in the effective blood volume with subsequent tissue hypoperfusion. It may be due to fluid loss, decreased water intake, fluid redistribution, or systemic disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic significance of the renal artery resistive index (RRI), caudal vena cava (CVC) diameter, and aorta (Ao) diameter in dogs with hypovolemia. For this purpose, 30 dogs (hypovolemic, n = 15; control, n = 15) were investigated. Clinical variables and hematological findings were investigated for each dog. Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound was performed to measure the RRI and diameters of the CVC and Ao. Ultrasound examination revealed a markedly elevated RRI (p < 0.001) and significantly reduced CVC (p < 0.001) and Ao (p < 0.001) diameters in hypovolemic dogs compared to controls, reflecting increased vascular resistance and impaired venous return. Biochemical analysis showed significant increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and BUN:Cr ratio, while Cr remained unchanged. Hematological variables demonstrated limited diagnostic value, with only mild increases in packed cell volume (PCV%). Correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive correlation between RRI and BUN (r = 0.917; p < 0.01), RRI and BUN:Cr ratio (r = 0.664; p < 0.01), and CVC and Ao diameters (r = 0.832; p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with area under the curve (AUC) identified RRI (AUC = 0.99), CVC diameter (AUC = 0.93), and Ao diameter (AUC = 0.88) as highly accurate markers of hypovolemia, whereas the CVC:Ao ratio and hematological markers provided poor discrimination. Logistic regression confirmed significant diagnostic value for RRI, CVC diameter, Ao diameter, and BUN, but final multivariate analysis revealed RRI as the sole independent early diagnostic marker (p < 0.001; OR: 196.0; 95% CI: 11.12–34.72). In conclusion, RRI measured by Doppler ultrasound is the most reliable and sensitive early diagnostic marker for hypovolemia in dogs, outperforming conventional biochemical and hematological markers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diagnostic Strategies in Veterinary Internal Medicine: From Molecular Biomarkers to Imaging Innovations)

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17 pages, 1438 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnostic Value of Correlation Between Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index (CCECAI) and Selected Hematological and Immunological Biomarkers in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy: A Systematic Meta-Analysis

by Mohamed Marzok, Ghada Ashraf, Adel Almubarak, Hussein Babiker and Sabry El-khodery

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040316 - 26 Mar 2026

Viewed by 717

Abstract

C-reactive protein (CRP) level, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been proposed as biomarkers that reflect disease severity in canine chronic enteropathies. Their correlation with the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index (CCECAI) remains unclear. The objective of the present meta-analysis was to assess the correlation between CCECAI and hematological and immunological markers in dogs with CIE. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation of CRP, PLR, and NLR with CCECAI as a diagnostic marker. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to accomplish this procedure. Pooled correlation coefficients were calculated using Fisher’s Z-transformation under random effects models. Heterogeneity and publication bias were examined using standard procedures for the meta-analysis. Eleven studies were found to be fit: five for CRP, four for NLR, and four for PLR. The pooled correlation for CRP level was 0.229 (95% CI: 0.143–0.311, p < 0.001), with consistent findings across studies (I² = 0%). PLR demonstrated a moderate correlation (pooled r = 0.381, 95% CI: 0.238–0.508, p < 0.001; I² = 41%), while NLR showed a slightly stronger correlation (pooled r = 0.410, 95% CI: 0.286–0.521, p < 0.001) but with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 68%). Publication bias analyses indicated modest asymmetry for CRP and PLR, with Egger’s regression significant for both, whereas the NLR showed no clear evidence of bias. Trim-and-fill adjustments slightly attenuated the pooled estimates but did not alter the statistical significance. In conclusion, the correlation between CCECAI and NLR is the most promising biomarker, followed closely by PLR, whereas CRP has a weaker predictive value. The correlation between CCECAI and each of NLR and PLR may provide rapid and reliable diagnostic information about CIE in dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diagnostic Strategies in Veterinary Internal Medicine: From Molecular Biomarkers to Imaging Innovations)

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Review

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19 pages, 1521 KB

Open AccessReview

Advances in CRISPR-Cas12a/13a-Based Nucleic Acid Detection for Porcine Viral Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

by Xianyu Zhang, Xin Zhao, Yating Song, Yuewen Luo, Li Yao, Qiaolin Wu, Tingzhang Ye, Wanqin Liang, Xiaoyu Zhang, Yingyu Liang, Baizheng Liang, Jingyan Zhang and Xiangyang Li

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020141 - 31 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1317

Abstract

The global swine industry suffers persistent economic losses and health challenges due to major viral pathogens such as African swine fever virus (ASFV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and porcine circovirus (PCV). Traditional diagnostic methods, including virus isolation, serology, and quantitative PCR (qPCR), are limited by time, equipment requirements, and field applicability. Recent advances in CRISPR-based diagnostics, particularly those leveraging the collateral cleavage activity of Cas12a and Cas13a, have enabled rapid, sensitive, and field-deployable nucleic acid detection. This review outlines the principles of CRISPR-Cas12a/13a systems, their integration with isothermal amplification techniques, and their application in detecting major swine viruses. Cas12a-based platforms (e.g., DETECTR) and Cas13a-based systems (e.g., SHERLOCK) achieve detection limits as low as single-copy/μL within 25–60 min at 37 °C, offering high specificity and compatibility with visual readouts. Applications include ASFV, PRRSV, CSFV, PCV, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), porcine rotavirus (PoRV), and porcine parvovirus 7 (PPV7). Despite significant advances, challenges remain, notably the reliance on nucleic acid extraction and the need for fully integrated “sample-in, result-out” systems. Ongoing innovations in extraction-free methods, lyophilized reagents, and multiplex detection will strengthen the role of CRISPR diagnostics in swine disease surveillance and control. From an application standpoint, the technology offers a low-capital, field-adaptable alternative to qPCR, with its value proposition rooted in early outbreak containment and loss prevention. Its adoption pathway is expected to vary across production systems—serving as a sentinel tool in intensive settings, a leapfrogging solution in rapidly intensifying regions, and through shared-service models in resource-limited contexts. However, translation to routine use still requires overcoming standardization hurdles, regulatory validation, and workflow integration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diagnostic Strategies in Veterinary Internal Medicine: From Molecular Biomarkers to Imaging Innovations)

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