Search Results (279)

Systematic surveillance of World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)-listed protozoan parasites is essential for maintaining the sanitary status of seafood exports and detecting the introduction of exotic pathogens into coastal ecosystems. In 2023, we examined wild Mediterranean mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis and Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas collected from small harbors adjacent to ten major trading ports along the west and south coasts of Korea to assess the occurrence of WOAH-listed protozoan parasites and emerging Perkinsus species. A total of 1080 mussels and 1080 oysters from 18 sites were sampled in spring and autumn, and gill and digestive gland tissues were pooled from six individuals for DNA extraction. Species-specific PCR assays targeting Perkinsus marinus, P. olseni, P. beihaiensis, Bonamia ostreae, B. exitiosa, and Marteilia refringens were performed using previously validated primer sets and positive controls. All PCR assays were negative for the six protozoan parasite species in both host species across all sampling sites, indicating no detectable infections in port-adjacent wild mussel and oyster populations during the survey period. These negative results contrast with recent reports of P. marinus in wild C. gigas and B. ostreae in Ostrea denselamellosa on the west coast of Korea, suggesting that infections may currently be focal, transient, and host-specific rather than widespread in port-associated M. galloprovincialis and C. gigas populations. The present study provides baseline data on the distribution of protozoan parasites in bivalves inhabiting high-risk harbor environments and underscores the need for continued surveillance of transboundary shellfish diseases that is closely coupled with environmental monitoring. Full article

This narrative review examines the clinical application of tiletamine–zolazepam (TZ) in exotic pet and wildlife anesthesia, addressing the complexities inherent in managing a broad taxonomic spectrum with diverse physiological profiles and temperaments. As a fixed-dose combination, TZ is a cornerstone of multimodal protocols designed to achieve balanced anesthesia. Its lyophilized formulation permits reconstitution with various sedative solutions, facilitating low-volume administration, a critical requirement for the immobilization of wildlife and small exotic patients. Given the significant variability in species-specific responses and environmental influences, selecting and adapting appropriate TZ-based protocols remain a challenge for practitioners. By synthesizing heterogeneous data into expert-validated guidance, this review provides specialized and general veterinarians with practical considerations for the judicious use of TZ. Emphasis is placed on integrating TZ within multimodal protocols to mitigate arousal risks, ensure consistent immobilization, and facilitate rapid recovery. This approach seeks to optimize anesthetic outcomes and promote animal welfare across these physiologically diverse populations. Full article

The global exotic pet trade has expanded in recent decades, raising concerns related to animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and compliance with international regulations. Reptiles and amphibians constitute a major component of this trade, yet information on species availability and trade practices at exotic pet fairs remains limited. The primary aim of this study was to identify the reptile and amphibian species offered for sale at an exotic pet fair in Warsaw, Poland. Secondary objectives were to assess the declared origin of the animals and the availability of information regarding their legal and conservation status. Photographic documentation of all exhibition tables was used to record species identity, number of individuals, and labeling practices. In total, 818 individuals representing 74 species from 31 families were recorded. Reptiles, particularly squamates, dominated the assemblage, while amphibians accounted for a smaller proportion of the animals offered. More than half of the individuals were labeled as captive-bred, whereas only a small fraction were identified as imported or wild-caught; however, information on origin was absent for nearly half of the animals. Over 50% of the recorded species were listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, yet no visible information on legal or conservation status was provided at the point of sale. These findings indicate that inconsistent labeling limits transparency and informed decision-making by buyers. Full article

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease affecting livestock, causing significant economic losses. This sero-epidemiological study investigated FMD distribution and associated risk factors in cattle and buffaloes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. A total of 800 serum samples were collected from cattle (n = 610) and buffaloes (n = 190) and tested for antibodies against FMD viral structural proteins (SP) and non-structural proteins (NSP) using ELISA. Overall, 35.25% (282/800) of samples were NSP-positive, indicating natural infection. Serotype-specific analysis showed serotype O as the most prevalent (66.1%), followed by serotype A (50%) and Asia-1 (32%). Cattle exhibited higher FMD prevalence (37%; 95% CI: 33–40) than buffaloes (30%; 95% CI: 23–37). Significant spatial variations in SP and NSP Seroprevalence were observed across different areas. Risk factor analysis identified male sex, young age (1–2 years), crossbred and exotic breeds, summer season, large herd size, smallholders subsistence production systems, poor body condition, and animal movement as factors associated with significantly higher (p < 0.05) FMD circulation. These findings indicate that FMD is highly endemic in the border region and highlight the critical need for government-led mass vaccination campaigns, targeted risk-based surveillance, and stringent movement control to mitigate disease spread. Implementation of such control strategies is essential to safeguard livestock health and protect the regional economy from substantial losses. Full article

The rapid increase in companion animal ownership has intensified the demand for innovative tools that support animal health and overall welfare. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), has emerged as a promising approach in veterinary medicine. However, its application beyond clinical diagnostics, especially in behaviour and personality assessment, remains fragmented and insufficiently integrated into routine practice. This systematic review aims to synthesise current knowledge on AI-based applications in companion animal care, with a focus on behavioural monitoring, personality prediction, and welfare-related challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, a structured literature search was conducted in the Scopus and PubMed databases from 2020 to 2025. In addition, grey literature sources were searched to capture relevant non-peer-reviewed data. A total of 115 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Eligibility criteria included studies applying AI methods (machine learning or deep learning) to companion animals (dogs, cats, and exotic pets), while studies on humans, farm animals, or without AI methods were excluded. Due to the heterogeneity of included studies, no formal risk of bias assessment was performed, and results were synthesised narratively. The findings indicate that AI applications are most advanced in diagnostic imaging and clinical decision support, where data availability and methodological maturity are highest. In contrast, AI-based approaches for behaviour and personality prediction remain limited, particularly in cats and exotic companion animals, largely due to small, heterogeneous datasets, potential bias, and a lack of external validation. Emerging technologies such as wearable sensors, computer vision, and multimodal data integration demonstrate substantial potential for continuous behavioural monitoring and early detection of welfare-related issues in real household environments. Nevertheless, significant challenges persist, including data heterogeneity, limited model explainability, ethical considerations, and the absence of regulatory frameworks specifically addressing AI-based veterinary applications. Overall, this review highlights a substantial gap between the technical potential of AI and its current readiness for widespread application in companion animal behaviour and welfare assessment. Future research should prioritise large-scale and standardised data collection, cross-species validation, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure that AI-driven tools effectively support veterinary decision-making, animal welfare, and the well-being of owners. Full article

The keeping of non-traditional pets has markedly increased in recent years. These species are frequently maintained under inadequate or illegal conditions, raising substantial concerns regarding animal welfare. Authorities are regularly required to confiscate reptiles, arachnids, and other exotic taxa—often in poor health—and to accommodate them temporarily in transit facilities while long-term placement options are identified. Existing facilities are operating beyond capacity, creating an urgent need for the development of additional infrastructure. Given the potential risks associated with these animals, stringent safety measures are essential. Following an assessment of the hazards linked to housing primarily reptiles and arachnids—including risks related to venomous species, transmission of zoonotic pathogens, and the escape of potentially invasive organisms—the present paper provides a set of recommendations for the design and operation of transit housing facilities. The guidance focuses on infrastructure requirements, routine and emergency procedures, and daily management practices for both animals and facilities. Although these recommendations were developed within the specific regulatory framework of Southern Belgium, they may be applied more broadly, provided that local regulations are appropriately considered. Full article

Diagnostic imaging is essential in veterinary practice, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has emerged as a promising tool to complement radiography. This study aimed to optimize the image quality of a novel multimodality veterinary X-ray prototype integrating direct digital radiography, fluoroscopy and CBCT, and to assess its potential clinical applications, focusing on the CBCT component. The study was conducted in three phases: optimization of CBCT image quality using postmortem samples, comparison of CBCT and 16-slice multidetector CT (MDCT) images of four cadavers (two dogs and two cats), and potential clinical applications in 24 live patients. Comparative evaluation in postmortem scans revealed that CBCT achieved equal quality in 65% of bone compared to MDCT and a slightly inferior quality in 90% of soft-tissue structures using the bone reconstruction protocol, with beam hardening as the main limiting factor. Clinical validation showed that CBCT was particularly useful for identifying small fractures and mineralized structures, providing diagnostic information not clearly visible on radiographs. Integration of radiography, fluoroscopy, and CBCT in a single device facilitated workflow and allowed a more precise diagnosis in most of the patients examined with the prototype, which demonstrated promising diagnostic performance in small-animal and exotic veterinary practice. Full article

Feeding behavior in cattle affects feed efficiency, which is important for increasing the profitability of production while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact. Over a six-year period, indigenous beef cows (Afrikaner, Bonsmara, Nguni) were crossed with indigenous and exotic (Angus, Simmental) sires in a hot and arid area, to produce 15 breed groups. After weaning, the bull calves were fed in a feedlot setting wherein daily feed intake and partial body weight were measured. The serial correlations of daily feed intake and partial body weight on consecutive days were estimated for each animal. Analyses of variance for the z-transformed serial correlations of daily feed intake and partial body weight were conducted. The linear model included the fixed effect of test group comprising pen and date at the beginning of the test and a fixed breed group effect. The average serial correlation of daily feed intake (r = 0.10) was interpreted to suggest that a test period of 36 days was sufficient to achieve 80% average accuracy for the animals being tested. The average serial correlation of partial body weight was very high (r = 0.94). Thus, there seems little need to average values over days to achieve an accurate estimate of the weight of an animal at any specific point in time. Variation among animals in the serial correlation of daily feed intake indicates differences in feeding behavior over time, but this variability was not related to breed composition. The results indicate that a test period of 36 days is sufficient to achieve 80% accuracy of the mean for daily feed intake of the animals being tested. Full article

A common cause of teeth malocclusion and feeding disorders in guinea pigs is macrodontia and odontogenic abscesses. If the maxillary second or third molar teeth are affected, surgical access to them has so far been achieved through enucleation or orbital evisceration due to their location at the base of the orbit. The study aims to demonstrate a transorbital surgical approach to the apices of the maxillary molar teeth (M2 and M3) in guinea pigs, allowing preservation of the eye. Twenty six apicoectomies of maxillary M2 and M3 were performed. The surgical approach involved a skin incision above the zygomatic arch, followed by soft tissue dissection, incision of the orbital ligament, and gentle dorsolateral displacement of the eyeball. Blunt dissection between the lacrimal and zygomatic glands provided direct access to the affected tooth apices, which were removed using a dental bur. After the procedure, the soft tissues and the eye were repositioned and the skin was sutured. All animals recovered uneventfully. The described method may be applied in cases where it is necessary to perform maxillary second and/or last molar tooth apicoectomy while avoiding damage to the eyeball. Care must be taken to protect the corneal surface of the affected eye. Full article

Reproductive system diseases are common in guinea pigs, but cases presenting with the coexistence of ovarian cysts and cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) are poorly documented. This case describes a two-year-old female with abdominal tenderness and an ultrasonographic diagnosis of bilateral ovarian cysts and CEH, structured accordingly to the CARE guidelines. An ovariohysterectomy was performed via a ventral midline approach under multimodal anaesthesia and analgesia. Histopathological examination confirmed rete ovarii cysts and cystic endometrial hyperplasia. The postoperative course was uneventful, with complete recovery achieved within 21 days. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report, structured accordingly to the CARE guidelines, to provide complete clinical aspects, diagnostic testing (including imaging), treatment, and final confirmation of the diagnosis of both lesions in the same patient. Abdominal ultrasonography proved to be an essential tool for the simultaneous diagnosis of ovarian and uterine abnormalities in guinea pigs. Surgical management combined with multimodal anaesthesia ensured safe outcomes and satisfactory recovery. This case report also highlights the importance and value of structuring veterinary case reports according to the CARE guidelines, thereby improving the quality, transparency, and reproducibility of clinical reporting in exotic animal medicine. Full article

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a small Gram-positive rod causing erysipelas in many animal species and humans. In poultry, disease which takes an acute form with high mortality is noted mostly in turkey, hen, and goo se flocks. Especially in geese, erysipelas cause high economic losses. In this study, we determined the phenotypic and genotypic features of Erysipelothrix strains isolated from diseased geese, using the API Coryne tests for biochemical characteristics and PCR, random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for genetic characteristics. The isolates were confirmed with PCR to be E. rhusiopathiae and belonged to serotypes 1b, 2, and 5 with 1b serotype domination (55.3%). Among 47 isolates, five RAPD profiles (marked as A–E) and 7 PFGE profiles (marked I–VII) were noted. The RAPD profiles contained four to six bands and the PFGE profiles nine to eleven bands. The most common RAPD profile was B profile (42.5%), and the most common PFGE profile was I (36.2%). Five biochemical types of E. rhusipathiae were identified with the most common biochemical type (pyrrolidonyl arylamidase, acetyl-b-glucosaminidase, glucose, ribose, lactose- positive), which included 68.1% isolates and was matched to E. rhusiopathiae in 99.9%. Differences in biochemical reactions among the strains were related to the ability to degrade pyrazinamidase, alkaline phosphatase, and ribose. This study shows that most E. rhusiopathiae strains isolated from geese differ in their phenotypic and molecular characteristics, and there are no distinctive features that are typical of strains from geese. Full article

Free-roaming dogs are a neglected population that poses public health concerns in tourist areas. This study, conducted during both the high and low tourist seasons, aimed to (i) investigate the movement patterns of free-roaming dogs on the Lipe tourist destination island, southern Thailand, focusing on their daily distance, and (ii) identify habitat land type preferences. Between September and December 2024, eight owned and seven unowned dogs were fitted with Catlog GPS devices. Tracking data were collected for the dog’s coordinates every 15 min for at least four consecutive days. Data analysis and visualization were performed using R software. On average, dogs traveled 5300 m daily. Unowned dogs exhibited their highest speed on beaches (median = 70, IQR = 44–79 m per 15 min). Free-roaming dogs spent most of their time in human habitats. The time of day influenced dogs’ appearance across different land types. In conclusion, free-roaming dogs on the island traveled longer distances than in most previous studies. The dogs mostly preferred being around human habitats. Land types influenced dogs’ speed. Dogs appeared on different land types at different times of day. Guided by these data, we recommend (i) better dog registration and other measures to reduce free-roaming activities of dogs and (ii) regular blanket coverage of dog rabies immunization to make the island safer for tourists and residents. Full article

The pond slider (Trachemys scripta) is native to the southeastern United States but has been introduced all around the world, including to the Canary Islands (Spain), along with other less-common exotic freshwater turtles such as Graptemys pseudogeographica, Mauremys spp., and Pseudemys peninsularis. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of pathogenic bacteria in these animals and to evaluate the associated health risks for humans and local fauna. For this purpose, cloacal samples from 42 specimens collected on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) were analyzed for potentially zoonotic bacteria using selective culture media and PCR. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria were the most isolated pathogen (57.9%), followed by Yersinia enterocolitica (42.1%) and Escherichia coli carrying stx and/or eae genes (33.3%). Salmonella spp. was detected in 31.0% of the chelonians, identifying Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Typhimurium serotypes. Staphylococcus spp. showed a prevalence of 21%, mainly Staphylococcus aureus along with one antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus hominis isolate. Pseudomonas spp. were found in 10.1% of samples, although only one isolate corresponded to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Campylobacter spp. and Vibrio spp. were detected at low frequencies (<10%), and Listeria monocytogenes was not identified. Overall, the results indicate that aquatic turtle populations in the Canary Islands pose notable health risks, especially for animal handlers and people with compromised immune systems. Full article

The Cape Genet (Genetta tigrina) is one of the exotic mammal species that are becoming popular as pets. Although it is possible to find some references in the literature regarding Genetta spp. and viverrids, the information about this animal remains scarce and incomplete, starting from the anatomy, a discipline that lays the foundations for deeper knowledge of a species. The aim of the present study is to identify head structures of the Cape Genet, including the skull, brain components, and the dental formula, providing for the first time a three-dimensional anatomical model of the skull, thanks to the help of advanced diagnostic imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), defining the ideal parameters and protocols of CT, MRI, and anesthesia for this procedure in this species. Results highlight the value of CT and MRI as study tools, enabling clear visualization of cranial structures and offering a potential reference atlas for clinicians and researchers. Full article