Search Results (52)

Background: Ununited anconeal process (UAP) is one of the four primary causes of elbow dysplasia (ED). Radiography (X-ray) and computed tomography (CT) are commonly employed imaging techniques for the diagnosis of elbow dysplasia. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the frequency and distribution of UAP in dogs referred for elbow imaging and to analyze the coexistence of this disorder with other primary causes of ED, such as medial coronoid process disease (MCPD), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), and joint incongruity (IC). Methods: The study population comprised 108 dogs of both sexes, aged between 3 and 15 months, of breeds predisposed to ED: 69 German Shepherds, 23 Labrador Retrievers, and 16 Golden Retrievers. All dogs underwent both radiographic and CT examinations of the elbow joints. Categorical data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test to evaluate breed-related findings and lesion coexistence, with significance set at 5%. Inter-method reliability was assessed using Cohen’s kappa coefficient (ĸ). Results: Based on radiographic and CT findings, elbow dysplasia was diagnosed in 53 dogs and 58 dogs, respectively. UAP was identified in 9 cases and only in German Shepherds. Among the 9 UAP-positive dogs, coexistence with other ED lesions (most commonly medial coronoid process disease and joint incongruity) was observed in 8 cases. For specific UAP detection, both imaging modalities demonstrated perfect diagnostic agreement (ĸ = 1.0). Conclusions: UAP was the rarest diagnosed primary etiology of elbow dysplasia in the study population. This disorder has been found only in German Shepherds; however, this observation should be interpreted with reservation due to the unequal breed distribution within the study population. Radiography and computed tomography demonstrated equivalent diagnostic agreement for UAP identification; this result should also be interpreted cautiously due to the limitation of the small number of identified cases of this disorder. Furthermore, UAP occurred more frequently as a concomitant lesion—most commonly in association with medial coronoid process disease and joint incongruity—rather than as a solitary finding. Full article

Nasal alar arteriopathy (NAA) is a rare dermatologic condition in dogs characterized by ulcerative and potentially severe hemorrhagic lesions of the nasal alar fold. This condition has only previously been reported in German Shepherd Dogs. Achieving clinical remission can be challenging and typically involves a combination of surgical resection of the diseased tissue and immunosuppressive therapies. This report is the first to describe two cases of NAA in which clinical remission was initially achieved with oclacitinib alone. Both cases were presented to the Internal Medicine service with a complaint of unilateral recurrent epistaxis. The first case involved a 7-year-old German Shepherd dog. Clinical remission was first achieved with oclacitinib monotherapy. Relapse occurred following dose tapering, and remission was ultimately regained with dose reescalation of oclacitinib and the addition of cyclosporine. The second case involved a 3-year-old Poodle mix that achieved and maintained clinical remission with oclacitinib alone. These cases suggest that oclacitinib may be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for NAA, offering an alternative to traditional systemic immunosuppressive therapies. However, additional treatment may be required in severe cases or during oclacitinib dose reduction. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and broader applicability. Full article

Post–core restoration serves as an effective treatment for fractured canine teeth. However, the influence of post length on the stability of the teeth for small animals remains controversial. This study employs finite element analysis and a force machine in vitro to evaluate the biomechanical effects of varying fiber post lengths in maxillary canine teeth, aiming to establish theoretical guidelines for optimizing post–core restoration in canine dentistry. Three-dimensional models of the canine teeth of large, medium, and small dogs (German Shepherds, Beagles, and Teddy dogs) were constructed using finite element analysis (FEA). Fiber posts with post-to-root length ratios of 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 were established. Stress distribution (σ₁/σ₂) and total deformation under 100–1100 N loading were analyzed virtually in ANSYS (version 17.0.0.19190), as well as in a force machine in vitro. FEA and in vitro fracture tests showed good correlation (p > 0.05). Fracture loads for large, medium, and small breeds were 1115.851 ± 6.984 N (distal) and 1177.39 ± 5.82 N (lingual), 901.627 ± 7.49 N (distal) and 976.504 ± 6.399 N (lingual), and 812.733 ± 5.476 N (distal) and 897.642 ± 6.42 N (lingual), respectively. The fiber post with a root–post ratio of 2/3 exhibited the highest fracture resistance, potentially making it be the best choice for post–core restoration. Full article

Datasets from 849 dogs ≤ 3 years of age were analysed retrospectively, considering breed, sex, anatomic sites, multiplicity, tumour diameter, grading, and immunohistochemistry by using IBM^® SPSS Statistics (version 29.0.2.0). Danish–Swedish farm dogs (OR: 8.11, 95% CI 3.33–19.77, p < 0.001) and English Setters (OR: 6.68, 95% CI 3.20–13.97, p < 0.001) showed the highest odds ratios (ORs) compared to crossbreeds. German Shepherd Dogs showed lower ORs (OR: 0.05, 95% CI 0.007–0.364, p < 0.01). The most common sites affected in the young dogs were the trunk (39.2%), hind limbs (24.9%), head (10.1%), fore limbs (7.4%), and pinnae (5%). Patnaik grading revealed 330 grade I (35.7%), 580 grade II (62.8%), and 14 grade III MCTs (1.5%). Kiupel “low grade” was found in 903 MCTs (97%), and 21 MCTs were “high grade” (3%). The prevalence of grade I MCTs was higher in Boxers (48.0%, p < 0.05) and Pugs (67.9%, p < 0.01). Pinnal MCTs were mostly grade I (58.3%, p < 0.01). In 6% (n = 51), multilocalised MCTs were found, and Golden Retrievers (12.5%, p = 0.02) and Pugs (21.4%, p = 0.005) were more affected than crossbreeds. Out of 87 dogs, 20 showed a Ki-67 count above the cut-off as well as KIT staining pattern II. The findings warrant heightened vigilance in evaluating cutaneous lesions in young dogs and highlight similarities and differences compared to the general dog population. Analysis of survival data is required to evaluate how the findings translate into a clinical setting. Full article

The recovery and cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa enable genetic preservation in male dogs that die unexpectedly or require castration; however, sperm collection is typically performed immediately after surgery, and artificial insemination is often surgical. This study aimed to evaluate whether epididymides stored at 4–5 °C for 24 h prior to sperm recovery retain fertilizing capacity after cryopreservation and whether pregnancy can be achieved using endoscopically guided transcervical intrauterine insemination. Testes and epididymides from an eight-month-old German Shepherd dog were stored in physiological saline at 4–5 °C for 24 h following castration. Spermatozoa were recovered from the cauda epididymis using single-incision aspiration, evaluated, frozen according to the Uppsala method, and stored in liquid nitrogen for two months. After thawing, 62 × 10⁶ progressive motile spermatozoa were inseminated once into a bitch in heat using transcervical endoscopic guidance. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography, and nine healthy puppies were delivered at term. These findings demonstrate that 24 h refrigerated storage of the epididymis does not impair post-thaw fertilizing ability and that non-surgical transcervical intrauterine insemination represents an effective alternative to surgical techniques for the use of frozen–thawed epididymal semen in dogs. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Fatal attacks by domestic dogs, particularly against familiar owners, are rare but represent a significant forensic and public health concern. Understanding the dynamics and forensic features distinguishing predatory aggression from postmortem scavenging is essential, especially when cases involve large breeds and vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly. Case Presentation: An 82-year-old man was found dead in his home, presenting extensive mutilation of the head and neck. He lived with his daughter and her four-year-old male German Shepherd. The dog exhibited blood and tissue residues on its mouth, forelimbs, and abdomen. Autopsy findings indicated death due to hemorrhagic shock from deep cervical and facial vessel lacerations. There were no defense wounds or classic bite marks; however, massive excision of musculocutaneous tissue from the neck to the scalp suggested active predation rather than postmortem scavenging. The facial and cervical soft tissues were completely avulsed, exposing deep anatomical structures and causing the loss of the right eye and dental elements. No signs of third-party involvement, intrusion, or external aggression were identified, and the dog appeared healthy and unrestrained. Conclusions: The findings support the theory of a fatal attack by the household German Shepherd occurring shortly after the victim’s meal. This case underscores the potential for lethal aggression in domestic dogs toward familiar humans, even in the absence of provocation or prior behavioral concerns. It highlights the importance of awareness and preventive measures when managing large, powerful dog breeds in environments with elderly or otherwise vulnerable individuals. Full article

Canine systemic aspergillosis is a rare but highly serious condition, often associated with a fatal outcome. This review encompasses all reported cases of canine systemic aspergillosis from 1978 to the present, focusing exclusively on studies in which the diagnosis was confirmed through fungal culture. A total of 155 clinical cases reported in the literature were included. Among these, the German Shepherd was the most frequently affected breed (65.16%), followed by mixed-breed dogs (7.74%). The predominant Aspergillus species isolated was A. terreus (57.69%), although other species were also reported, including A. deflectus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. caninus, A. versicolor, A. alabamensis, A. citrinoterreus, and A. floccosus. Recognizing clinical signs and accurately interpreting laboratory findings are crucial for early diagnosis and timely intervention, both of which can potentially improve outcomes. This review provides a detailed discussion of these aspects. Full article

Taenia crassiceps is a cestode capable of causing severe and atypical cysticercosis in accidental intermediate hosts, including domestic dogs. Here we report a fatal disseminated T. crassiceps infection (cystiscercosis) in a 4-year-old castrated male German Shepherd from Poland that had been undergoing long-term prednisone therapy for Addison’s disease. The dog developed multiple soft subcutaneous nodules containing numerous asexually proliferating cysticerci. Necropsy revealed extensive dissemination of larvae throughout the subcutis and the thoracic and abdominal cavities, accompanied by serosanguineous effusions, necrosis, and chronic inflammatory lesions. Histological examination demonstrated cestode larvae with a scolex bearing two rows of hooks, consistent with T. crassiceps. Immunosuppression and endocrine alterations, including chronic glucocorticoid treatment and low levels of testosterone, likely promoted rapid asexual proliferation of larvae. A literature review shows that although dogs are definitive hosts of T. crassiceps, immunosuppressed individuals may also serve as accidental intermediate hosts. Early cytological evaluation of subcutaneous nodules may facilitate faster diagnosis and treatment decisions. Given the zoonotic potential of T. crassiceps and the increasing number of European cases, this parasitic infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous nodules in immunosuppressed dogs. The presented case underscores its epidemiological relevance within the One Health framework. Full article

Anaesthesia in dogs carries measurable risk, and whether this varies by breed is uncertain. We analysed a prospective, multicentre cohort of 55,019 canine anaesthetic procedures from premedication to 48 h post-extubation; after excluding euthanasias and non-anaesthetic deaths, 54,542 anaesthetics remained. Mixed-breed dogs served as the benchmark. Unadjusted mortality by breed, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) groups and sections used Wilson 95% CIs and χ²/Fisher tests; robust Poisson models adjusted for ASA status. Overall mortality was 0.69% (378/54,542; 95% CI 0.62–0.76), with mixed-breed dogs at 0.68% (109/16,129). Unadjusted rates were higher for German Shepherd Dog (1.46%), Chihuahua (1.35%) and Bulldog (1.26%); no FCI group differed, while the Chihuahueno section was higher. Brachycephalic dogs showed higher crude mortality than non-brachycephalics (0.82% vs. 0.65%), but this attenuated with ASA adjustment (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.96–1.47). MDR1-associated breeds did not differ in crude or adjusted analyses (adjusted RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.61–2.14). After ASA adjustment, excess risk persisted for Chihuahua (RR 1.80, 95% CI 1.08–2.99) and Spanish Water Dog (RR 2.72, 95% CI 1.23–6.01), but not for German Shepherd Dog or Bulldog. Anaesthetic mortality was low overall; between-breed differences largely reflected case severity, supporting breed-aware, ASA-centred risk communication and further breed-specific research. Full article

Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are among the most frequently diagnosed neoplasms in female dogs, with complex etiologies involving age, breed, body size, and reproductive status. This retrospective study analyzed 250 cases comprising 361 mammary tumors to evaluate demographic patterns, histopathological subtypes, and their topographical distribution. The majority of tumors (88.64%) were malignant, with complex carcinoma being the most common subtype (24%), followed by intraductal papillary carcinoma (14.95%). The mean age at diagnosis was 9.36 years, with 60.8% of cases occurring in dogs older than 8 years. Mixed-breed dogs were most frequently affected, followed by Bichon-type breeds and German Shepherds. Small-sized dogs (<10 kg) accounted for 43.5% of cases. Regarding the reproductive status, 35.6% of dogs were unspayed, while the remainder were either intact or had an undetermined status, reflecting regional spaying practices. A statistically significant association was identified between histological subtype and mammary gland location, revealing non-random, region-specific tumor distribution. Complex carcinomas were frequently located in the left canial abdominal mammary segment (L.A2), right canial abdominal mammary segment (R.A2), and left inguinal mammary segment (L.ING); mixed and tubular carcinomas were more prevalent in R.A2 and R.ING; and tubulopapillary carcinomas appeared predominantly in L.ING. While no significant overall association was found between tumor grade and gland location, grade III carcinomas showed a possible predilection for the left inguinal gland (L.INGH), indicating a regional tendency that warrants further investigation. These findings underscore the importance of anatomical factors in the development of CMTs and support the integration of gland-specific tumor patterns into diagnostic assessment and surgical decision-making. Full article

Aggressive canine behavior poses a significant threat to public health. Understanding aggressive behavior is crucial for canine socialization and human–dog interactions. This study conducted an exploratory analysis of working dogs to investigate changes in gut microbiota and neurotransmitters associated with aggressive behavior. Notably, it represents the first research to systematically differentiate canine aggression into offensive and defensive subtypes for investigation. In this study, 56 working dogs from three regions of China, comprising different breeds (11 Spaniels, 13 German Shepherds, and 32 Belgian Malinois), aged 4.89 ± 1.54 years, and of both sexes (38 males and 18 females), were assessed and grouped for aggressive behavior using a C-BARQ-based questionnaire. Then, 16S rRNA sequencing and ELISA were employed to compare differences in gut microbiota and serotonin concentrations between aggressive (n = 35) and non-aggressive (n = 21) groups, as well as between offensive (n = 26) and defensive (n = 9) aggression subgroups. β-diversity analysis confirmed no significant correlation between aggressive behavior and gut microbiota composition (p > 0.05), suggesting a limited role of gut microbiota in modulating host behavior. Comparative analysis of gut microbiota composition revealed no significant differences in phylum-level abundance among different aggression types (p > 0.05). Notably, the non-aggressive group exhibited significantly higher relative abundances of Escherichia-Shigella, Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-003, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 compared to the aggressive group (p < 0.05). Random forest analysis identified Lactobacillus as a biomarker for canine aggressive behavior and Turicibacter as a discriminatory factor between offensive and defensive aggression. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between aggression and 5-HT neurotransmission. Serum serotonin levels were significantly lower in both the defensive (39.92 ± 2.58 ng/mL) and offensive (50.07 ± 3.90 ng/mL) aggression groups compared to the non-aggressive group (59.49 ± 2.76 ng/mL), with the lowest levels found in defensively aggressive dogs. The defensive group showed significantly lower serotonin levels than the offensive group (p < 0.001). The results demonstrate that different behavioral phenotypes in aggressive dogs lead to distinct gut microbiome compositions. This suggests that microbiome analysis may facilitate early diagnosis and preventive intervention before aggressive behavior manifests. As such, 5-HT shows potential as a monitoring tool for diagnosing canine aggression, with significant practical applications in canine behavior management. Full article

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) syndrome is a life-threatening emergency and its physiopathology and treatment have been studied for decades. Despite ongoing research, the mortality rate is still high. The aims of this study are to describe the treatment and outcome of GDV patients treated from 2011 to 2024 at the veterinary teaching hospital of Grugliasco (Turin, Italy); to analyze risk and prognostic factors, comparing the obtained data with current literature; and to evaluate how patients’ management has changed over the years. The study included 130 dogs with a confirmed GDV diagnosis that underwent surgery. The data were extracted from the digital and hardcopy clinical record, combined with the imaging diagnostic software and an interview submitted to the dogs’ owners. The analysis showed the predominance (25.38%) of German Shepherd dogs, as well as of males (59.25%); among the latter, intact dogs were most represented (53.1%). Age between 5–10 years was most frequent in the examined population (54.69%). The surgical technique went through changes during the examined period: the belt loop has been abandoned in favor of the incisional gastropexy. The survival rate of GDV surgically treated dogs was 86.4%. Lactate blood concentration and splenectomy were not assessed as relevant prognostic factors. Full article

Gazing toward humans is fundamental in dog–human communication. This study aimed to characterize companion dogs based on their gazing behavior and to explore the potential links between gazing, personality (liveliness, confidence, aggressiveness, and attachment), emotional comfort provided to the owners, and breed. We observed 171 dogs in an ambiguous situation involving a moving stimulus, a remote-controlled toy car and gathered additional data with questionnaires. Our behavior analysis, based on gaze frequency directed at the owner and experimenter, identified four distinct clusters of dogs: low gazers, experimenter-focused gazers, owner-focused gazers, and frequent gazers. We found that experimenter-focused gazers exhibited lower levels of liveliness than frequent gazers and were reported to be less aggressive than low gazers and frequent gazers. Owner-focused gazers provided more emotional comfort to their owners than low gazers. Regarding breeds, 56.5% of German shepherd dogs were low gazers, compared to only 5.3% of golden retrievers. Age, sex, neutered status, and approaching the stimulus were not associated with cluster membership. These results highlight the complexity of dog–human communication, suggesting that personality, emotional factors, and breed shape how dogs seek guidance and support from humans or express anxiety. Full article

This study investigates the efficacy of various genomic prediction models—Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GBLUP), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP)—in predicting genomic breeding values (gEBVs). The phenotypic data include three binary health traits (anodontia, distichiasis, oral papillomatosis) and one behavioral trait (distraction) in a population of guide dogs. These traits impact the potential for success in guide dogs and are therefore routinely characterized but were chosen based on differences in heritability and case counts specifically to assess gEBV model performance. Utilizing a dataset from The Seeing Eye organization, which includes German Shepherds (n = 482), Golden Retrievers (n = 239), Labrador Retrievers (n = 1188), and Labrador and Golden Retriever crosses (n = 111), we assessed model performance within and across different breeds, trait heritability, case counts, and SNP marker densities. Our results indicate that no significant differences were found in model performance across varying heritabilities, case counts, or SNP densities, with all models performing similarly. Given its lack of need for parameter optimization, GBLUP was the most efficient model. Distichiasis showed the highest overall predictive performance, likely due to its higher heritability, while anodontia and distraction exhibited moderate accuracy, and oral papillomatosis had the lowest accuracy, correlating with its low heritability. These findings underscore that lower density SNP datasets can effectively construct gEBVs, suggesting that high-cost, high-density genotyping may not always be necessary. Additionally, the similar performance of all models indicates that simpler models like GBLUP, which requires less fine tuning, may be sufficient for genomic prediction in canine breeding programs. The research highlights the importance of standardized phenotypic assessments and carefully constructed reference populations to optimize the utility of genomic selection in canine breeding programs. Full article

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome (ORS) refers to a condition affecting spayed females, characterized by clinical signs typically seen in intact bitches. In this report, Callie, a 6-year-old spayed female German Shepherd, was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Bari for a specialist examination due to serosanguineous discharge from the vulva. All diagnostic tests recommended in the literature were performed to diagnose ORS. Notably, the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) assay, considered the gold standard for ORS diagnosis, was used, and the dog tested negative based on the established bibliographic cut-off values. However, advanced diagnostic techniques, including CT scans and laparoscopy, were performed, and histological examination ultimately confirmed the presence of ovarian tissue in the dog’s abdominal cavity. This clinical case underscores the importance of combining hormonal tests with advanced imaging and surgical diagnostics to ensure accurate diagnosis. It highlights the limitations of relying solely on AMH values and emphasizes the need for further research into diagnostic tests, their cut-off values, and the role of collateral examinations to achieve definitive diagnoses in cases where hormonal assays yield inconclusive results. Full article