Search Results (127)

In humans, surgical repair is commonly performed for infective endocarditis (IE) associated with mitral valve destruction. However, extensive valve destruction may make repair impossible and require prosthetic valve replacement. In small-breed dogs, appropriately sized prosthetic valves are lacking, and complete surgical mitral valve reconstruction in dogs has not been reported. We encountered a Chihuahua that developed IE after mitral valve repair. During reoperation for progressive mitral regurgitation recurrence, the mitral leaflets were extensively destroyed and torn, and re-repair using native tissue was impossible; the entire valve was therefore reconstructed with fresh autologous pericardium. A graft was harvested and fashioned into a cylindrical valve based on a design previously described in a human study. Intraoperative saline testing and immediate postoperative echocardiography confirmed adequate opening and closure of the reconstructed pericardial valve, with only mild mitral regurgitation and no stenosis. The dog died on the second day after reoperative day of an uncontrolled infection caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. This case demonstrates that an autologous pericardial valve can provide short-term mechanical function as a mitral valve in a small-breed dog and indicates that infection control is the principal determinant of outcome. Full article

Dog breeding has received increasing attention due to concerns about animal welfare and the ethics of companion animal commercialization, yet smaller-scale breeders remain underrepresented in research despite potentially operating under different conditions. A survey of responding Canadian dog breeders (n = 464) provided quantitative and qualitative data on demographics, housing and breeding practices, and perspectives on welfare and regulation; quantitative responses were analyzed descriptively and with latent class analysis, and open-ended responses were thematically coded. Most participants were small-scale breeders who reported keeping dogs in home environments, averaging 3.28 breeding dams annually and maintaining relatively low caretaker-to-dog ratios compared to previously studied large-scale operations, while reporting frequent use of enrichment, socialization, and training practices. Qualitative findings indicated that responding breeders emphasized the importance of early-life care and responsible ownership, and expressed concerns that regulations and public discourse often do not reflect small-scale breeding contexts. Participants also identified broader welfare risks within the industry, including overbreeding and inadequate health and behavioural care. Overall, these findings suggest that small-scale breeding represents a distinct model within the Canadian dog breeding sector and highlight the importance of incorporating breeder perspectives when developing welfare policies and future research priorities. Full article

Cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) is among the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is the current standard of care; however, long-term radiographic data on tibial plateau angle (TPA) stability specific to small-breed dogs (<10 kg) remain limited. This retrospective study evaluated radiographic correction and long-term stability of TPA following TPLO in small-breed dogs and assessed whether observed TPA changes fell within the range of measurement error. Thirty stifles from 25 small-breed dogs (body weight 2.56–9.46 kg) that underwent TPLO between 2022 and 2025 were reviewed, with a mean follow-up of 12.6 ± 6.8 months. TPA was measured preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, at 1–2 months, and at ≥6 months using digital orthopedic planning software. Preoperative TPA averaged 31.23 ± 4.60° and decreased to 4.68 ± 1.84° immediately after surgery; at ≥6 months, mean TPA was 5.19 ± 1.83°. The mean change (ΔTPA) was 0.52 ± 0.64° (95% CI: 0.28–0.75°). Although statistically significant (p < 0.001), this fell below the 1.5° intraobserver measurement error previously reported. Body weight showed no correlation with ΔTPA (r = −0.059, p = 0.756). These findings were robust in a sensitivity analysis restricted to one stifle per dog (n = 25; mean ΔTPA 0.56 ± 0.67°) and in the subgroup without concurrent medial patellar luxation (n = 19; mean ΔTPA 0.40 ± 0.49°), both remaining within the reported measurement error. TPLO achieved effective and radiographically stable TPA correction in small-breed dogs. Full article

This study evaluated fracture risk associated with varying trochlear groove depth-to-patellar thickness (D/T) ratios in toy and small-breed dogs using finite element analysis and cadaveric mechanical testing. Finite element models derived from computed tomography data of a 4.5-kg toy poodle were adjusted to simulate D/T ratios ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 and analyzed for von Mises stress, principal strain, safety factor, and fatigue life under standing, trotting, and jumping conditions. Increasing D/T ratios led to progressive rises in stress and compressive strain, with the safety factor falling below 1.0 during jumping at ratios of 1.0 or higher. Fatigue life declined sharply beyond a ratio of 1.25 and reached zero-cycle failure at 2.0. Complementary mechanical testing of six distal femurs (6.42–8.7 kg), surgically modified to D/T ratios of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5, revealed fracture patterns consistent with finite element predictions. These findings suggest that excessive trochlear deepening may compromise femoral integrity and elevate fracture risk, particularly under cyclic loading. Maintaining a D/T ratio between 0.75 and 1.0 may provide an optimal balance between effective patellar tracking and mechanical safety. Full article

Background: Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) are common neurological disorders in Pomeranian dogs. The familial aggregation of these disorders has not been thoroughly characterised in this breed. Methods: A cohort of 999 Pomeranians examined with MRI for CM/SM was retrospectively reviewed. Siblings within litters were identified and compared, and the familial aggregation between offspring and parents screened for these conditions was investigated. Results: The mean central canal dilation (CCD) increased statistically significantly with the age of the dog at the time of the MRI scan. Forty-three per cent of all the dogs were free of CM, with 57% had CM. SM was detected in 31% of all the dogs, while 69% were not affected. Only 37% of all the dogs were free of both conditions. SM was observed in 6% of all the dogs without being affected by CM. Thirty-nine litters were identified in which two or more siblings were scanned. Siblings within the same litter had comparable scans in almost all the cases. Although pups from affected parents have a higher risk of SM, and pups bred from unaffected parents have a lower incidence of SM, the statistical significance could only be demonstrated for the >3 years of age category of SM in offspring, compared with the presence of SM in the mother. It could not be demonstrated for CM. Conclusions: Both CM and SM are frequently observed in this breed, and SM tends to progress over time. Siblings often show comparable findings. The screening results obtained from mothers aged >3 years indicated that SM-affected mothers are more likely to have affected offspring. CM/SM are most likely heritable traits in this breed, and to reduce the frequency of affected pups, breeders are encouraged to screen their breeding stock and use only unaffected parents. Full article

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

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common acquired cardiac disease in small-breed dogs and shows particularly high prevalence and early onset in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS). Although MMVD is considered a complex, polygenic disease, the clinical relevance of individual genetic variants remains incompletely understood. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene variant rs850683722 has previously been associated with altered ACE activity and differences in renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system-related responses in dogs with MMVD. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rs850683722 in a Polish population of CKCS dogs and to assess whether this variant is associated with the clinical course of MMVD. A total of 105 CKCS dogs were included in the study. All dogs underwent standardized cardiovascular evaluation, including echocardiography, electrocardiography, and systolic blood pressure measurement. MMVD diagnosis and staging were performed according to current ACVIM consensus criteria. Genotyping of the rs850683722 variant was performed using Sanger sequencing for 95 dogs, while next-generation sequencing data was obtained for 10 dogs. Genotype distribution, allele frequencies, conformity with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), sex-related differences, and associations between genotype and age at progression to selected MMVD stages or the primary clinical endpoint were assessed statistically. The most frequent genotype was AA, detected in fifty-nine dogs, followed by GG in thirty-seven dogs and AG in nine dogs. When dogs carrying at least one A allele were considered variant-positive, the overall prevalence of the variant-positive genotype was 64.8%. The calculated allele frequencies were 0.605 for the A allele and 0.395 for the G allele. The observed genotype distribution deviated markedly from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, mainly because of a pronounced deficit of heterozygous dogs. No significant association was detected between genotype and sex. Genotype was also not significantly associated with age at progression to stage B2 or stage C. A statistically significant difference in age of death was demonstrated by genotype, but this difference was not reflected in the survival analysis. The rs850683722 variant was highly prevalent in the studied Polish CKCS population, with a frequency comparable to previously reported data for this breed. Despite its documented biological association with ACE activity and RAAS-related responses, the variant was not significantly associated with the clinical progression of MMVD in this cohort. These findings suggest that rs850683722 alone seems unlikely to be a reliable marker for predicting the severity or rate of MMVD progression in Polish CKCS dogs. Further studies including larger cohorts, longer follow-up, pedigree information, and the direct assessment of RAAS activity may help clarify whether this variant has stage-dependent or treatment-related clinical relevance. Full article

Although extensively studied in humans, data on the middle cranial fossa foramina remain limited in dogs, despite their different skull morphology and high relevance to veterinary neurology, surgery and oncology. In this retrospective anatomic study, we aimed to fill this gap by presenting the morphometric data of these foramina in domestic dogs of different breeds, ages, body weights, and skull sizes. The study used CBCT images of 40 dogs. Dogs were divided into three groups (small, medium, and large), regardless of sex, body weight, and breed, using neurocranium length. Then, morphological and morphometric analyses of the foramina were performed. The neurocranium length of each group differed significantly from the others (p < 0.001). In each group, the orbital fissure and round and oval foramina were bilaterally located rostrally to caudally and were of similar size (p > 0.05). While the orbital fissure was a canal in 80% of dogs, in dogs with medium and large skull sizes (17.5%), the spinous foramen showed variation, becoming both a foramen and a canal. The opening sizes increased along with the skull size (p < 0.001); the widest opening was the orbital fissure, and the narrowest opening (except for the spinous foramen) was the oval foramen. The findings may guide skull base surgeries, regional anesthesia, and the diagnosis of cranial nerve dysfunctions. Furthermore, a classification based on neurocranial length is anticipated to provide more objective craniometric measurements in animals with diverse head types and body weights. Full article

Spinal arachnoid diverticulum is a fluid-filled dilation within the subarachnoid space that can result in compressive myelopathy, prompting investigation into optimal surgical management and outcomes. This retrospective study reviewed clinical records of dogs treated surgically between January 2021 and July 2025, including 11 cases that met the criteria of chronic progressive para- or tetraparesis, MRI-confirmed diagnosis, and use of a standardized surgical technique. All dogs underwent dorsal laminectomy followed by durotomy, durectomy, and microsurgical dissection of adhesions performed by the same surgeon, with optical magnification and specialized instruments to ensure consistency. The condition was more common in males, with French Bulldogs overrepresented (n = 6); lesions were thoracolumbar in small breeds and cervical in the single large-breed dog. Short-term outcomes, assessed one month postoperatively, showed neurological improvement in all but one dog. These findings suggest that the described microsurgical approach is feasible and associated with favorable short-term neurological recovery in most cases. However, the absence of long-term follow-up limits definitive conclusions, and further studies are needed to evaluate sustained outcomes. Full article

Background: Emerging evidence indicates that epilepsy extends beyond the brain, involving systemic metabolic, immune, and microbiome perturbations that shape neuronal excitability and treatment response. Canine idiopathic epilepsy (CE) offers a naturally occurring model with strong electrophysiological, pharmacological, and clinical homology to human epilepsies. Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic literature search was performed in Web of Science and MEDLINE (PubMed) to identify original studies reporting metabolic, immunometabolic, or neurochemical alterations in CE compared with healthy controls. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed original research involving client-owned dogs diagnosed with CE according to international consensus criteria (IVETF guidelines). Studies focusing exclusively on genetics or neuroimaging without metabolic outcomes were excluded. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened for eligibility, and data were extracted from included studies using a standardized approach. Identified metabolic domains were synthesized narratively and grouped into functional systems, including amino acid and lipid metabolism, micronutrients, neurotransmission, oxidative stress, inflammation and immunology, endocannabinoid signalling, microRNAs, and gut–brain axis-related pathways. In a second step, the identified metabolic domains were evaluated for translational relevance through a targeted, non-systematic narrative synthesis of the human epilepsy literature. This approach aimed to assess cross-species parallels and to provide a conceptual framework to guide future research, rather than to perform a comprehensive systematic review of metabolic alterations in human epilepsy. Results: Across CE studies, consistent alterations were observed in multiple interconnected functional systems, including metabolic, immune, and gut–brain axis pathways, in agreement with findings reported for human epilepsy. These data support a model of epileptogenesis involving systemic dysfunction beyond the central nervous system. Translationally, these findings suggest opportunities for biomarker development, patient stratification, and mechanism-based interventions, including dietary and metabolic approaches (e.g., medium-chain triglyceride supplementation), microbiome modulation, and immunometabolic targeting. The current evidence is limited by small and heterogeneous cohorts, potential confounding effects of antiseizure medications, variability in dietary and fasting conditions, breed-related effects, and a predominance of associative over causal relationships. Conclusions: This review positions CE as a reference framework for future research into epilepsy metabolism, integrating current evidence and its translational relevance to human disease. The findings support a shift toward a systems-level view of epileptogenesis, involving interconnected metabolic, immune, and gut–brain axis pathways beyond the brain. CE represents a valuable translational model to identify shared mechanisms, inform biomarker discovery, and guide the development of mechanism-based therapeutic strategies across veterinary and human epilepsy. 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

Congenital atlantoaxial instability (AAI) occurs more often in young, small-breed dogs, usually resulting from malformations in the craniocervical junction. These malformations cause atlantoaxial subluxation or luxation and compression of the cervical spinal cord. As a result, dogs can have varying levels of neurological problems. While surgery is commonly used to realign the vertebrae, outcomes after surgery vary widely, and complications are common. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps identify abnormalities in the vertebral canal, spinal cord damage, and other brain diseases, which can affect the dog’s prognosis. This retrospective study assessed MRI findings and their association with surgical outcomes in 20 dogs with AAI. Older age and certain MRI results—such as severe ventral spinal cord compression associated with greater preoperative neurological severity and syringomyelia—were associated with less favorable surgical outcomes. Many MRI abnormalities were found, but not all predicted poor outcomes. These results show the importance of thorough MRI before surgery and also suggest that a younger age and not having syringomyelia are good indicators of improved recovery after AAI surgery. Full article

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is a common orthopedic condition in dogs, and tibial tuberosity advancement is a well-established surgical treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of a cageless tibial tuberosity advancement technique in small-breed dogs. Medical records of 63 dogs (77 stifles) treated using this technique were reviewed. Fixation was achieved using three construct types: a screw–pin construct (the majority of cases), a screw-only construct, or a screw combined with two pins. Due to small subgroup sizes, fixation-type outcomes were primarily analyzed descriptively. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed immediately after surgery and at eight weeks postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were graded based on limb function, and radiographic bone healing was scored using a standardized scale. Postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed in relation to patient and procedural variables. No intraoperative complications were observed, while postoperative complications occurred in 27% of dogs and were predominantly minor and implant-related. Lameness scores improved significantly over the follow-up period. All treated stifles demonstrated stable implants, maintained advancement, and satisfactory bone healing. The use of bone graft material appeared to be associated with fewer complications and more favorable clinical outcomes; however, this observation should be interpreted with caution given the retrospective and non-randomized design of the study. In this retrospective case series, cageless tibial tuberosity advancement using screw-based fixation (predominantly screw–pin constructs) was associated with favorable short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes. These findings should be considered preliminary and limited to short-term evaluation, given the retrospective design, absence of a control group, and relatively short follow-up period. Further prospective studies with larger populations, standardized outcome measures, and longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings. Full article

Assistive mobility devices for small animals require reliable monitoring to ensure safe and comfortable operation without increasing system complexity or invasiveness. This study presents a low-cost monitoring platform that integrates a laser-induced graphene (LIG) contact-temperature sensor into a passive mobility device for small dogs, supported by a lightweight Internet of Things (IoT) architecture. The system combines contact temperature, ambient temperature, speed, and obstacle distance using an energy-aware acquisition strategy and prioritized wireless transmission for near-real-time monitoring. An unsupervised anomaly detection framework based on Isolation Forest identifies potentially unsafe operating conditions without labeled pathological data by leveraging absolute temperature and the differential feature $\Delta T$ between contact and ambient measurements. Experimental validation was conducted under controlled indoor conditions across six independent sessions with a small-breed dog, including static and dynamic phases to ensure repeatability. The system achieved packet delivery ratios of approximately 95%, with typical end-to-end latencies below 500 ms and worst-case delays below 850 ms. The proposed approach detected localized thermal deviations associated with friction or prolonged contact while remaining robust to normal activity- and environment-driven variations. These results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating LIG-based sensing and unsupervised analytics into assistive animal mobility platforms to enhance safety through continuous, non-invasive monitoring. Full article