Frontiers in Veterinary Science最新文献

The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is a multifunctional animal indispensable for the livelihoods and food security of pastoralist communities residing in arid and semi-arid regions. Despite its socio-economic and cultural significance, the welfare of camels has garnered limited scientific scrutiny, particularly regarding the effects of parasitic diseases. These diseases pose a significant barrier to camel health, resulting in considerable production losses and severe welfare challenges. This review consolidates evidence on the impact of parasitic infections, which include hemoparasites (Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia, and Theileria), ectoparasites (ticks and mange mites), and endoparasites (gastrointestinal nematodes and coccidia) on the welfare of dromedary camels. We investigate the physiological and emotional repercussions of parasitism through the lenses of the Five Freedoms and the Five Domains model. This review demonstrates that parasitic diseases severely impact camel welfare, yet it highlights significant deficiencies in the species-specific assessment and surveillance systems needed to address these problems. Furthermore, it underscores the relationship between camel welfare, human health through zoonotic parasites, and the socio-economic stability of pastoral communities. The review concludes that an integrated, multidisciplinary approach combining veterinary parasitology, animal welfare science, and socioeconomics is urgently required. We advocate for the implementation of a cohesive One Health/One Welfare framework to establish validated welfare indicators, enhance diagnostic and control strategies, promote community engagement, and inform effective policies. This strategy is crucial for alleviating suffering, improving productivity, and sustaining livelihoods that depend on camels in the face of climate change.

Objective: This study aimed to document changes in the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) in dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy (iPLE) undergoing glucocorticoid therapy and with no overt evidence of concurrent renal disease.

Methods: Dogs with histologically confirmed iPLE, a serum albumin level of <2.0 g/dL, gastrointestinal signs for ≥2 weeks, and no recent glucocorticoid use were prospectively enrolled at any of the four referral centers between 24 December 2020 and 25 May 2023. Dogs with azotemia, hepatopathy, urinary sediment abnormalities, or confirmed intestinal parasites were excluded. All dogs received prednisone or prednisolone (1 mg/kg BID), clopidogrel, and a new hypoallergenic or low-fat diet. Repeat urinalysis, UPC measurement, urine culture, blood pressure measurement, and serum chemistry analysis were performed after 1-2 weeks (T1) and 2-3 months (T2). Canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) scores were assessed at T0 and T1 for correlation with UPC.

Results: Twelve dogs with iPLE were enrolled. Eight dogs were excluded due to comorbidities, loss to follow-up, or euthanasia. The median UPC increased from baseline (0.10) to T1 (0.25) and T2 (0.30). No dog had a UPC of >0.9. Mean CCECAI scores decreased from baseline (8.75) to T1 (3.08). UPC correlated with CCECAI at baseline [ρ (95%CI) 0.71 (0.22-0.91)], but not at follow-up [T1: ρ (95%CI) 0.04 (-0.55-0.60)] or changed from T0 to T1 [ρ (95%CI) 0.15 (-0.67-0.46)].

Conclusion: Glucocorticoids increase the UPC in dogs with iPLE to the same extent as has previously been shown in healthy dogs.

Clinical relevance: Clinically significant proteinuria in iPLE dogs treated with glucocorticoids should prompt clinicians to consider alternative etiologies.

Recombinant myxoma virus (ha-MYXV) is an important causative agent of a fatal disease affecting hares (Lepus spp.). It was first identified in the Iberian Peninsula in 2018 and it subsequently spread to Western Europe during 2023-2024. Here, we report the emergence of this severe disease in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The ha-MYXV was first detected in a European hare (Lepus europaeus) found dead in the Czech Republic on August 25, 2025. By the end of September, a total of 21 cases had been confirmed, 20 in European hares and one in a European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In Slovakia, the virus was first detected in a hare found dead on October 9, 2025, followed by three additional cases. Our findings indicate the ongoing expansion of ha-MYXV, supported by evidence of cross-species transmission and an increasing geographic distribution to other Central European countries, with a projected fatal impact on European hare (Lepus europaeus) populations, as previously observed on the Iberian Peninsula.

Background: Feral dogs in Arequipa, Peru, inhabit caves in periurban areas and they may access and rely on organic waste from landfills and livestock from backyard farms. These feral dogs frequently attack small and medium farm animals and occasionally people, posing significant public health risks. Beyond the physical injuries resulting from the attacks, these dogs pose a threat for dog-mediated human rabies as there is active virus transmission in the dog population of Arequipa city. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Arequipa, including restaurant closures, led to a decline in backyard farming and organic waste, thereby reducing food availability for feral dogs.

Methods: We longitudinally (2019-2022) examined the impact of pandemic restrictions on feral dog presence in the periurban areas of Arequipa. Monthly surveys recorded direct and indirect evidence of feral dog presence in caves. An interrupted time series (ITS) analysis evaluated changes in the number of caves with evidence of feral dogs before and after pandemic restrictions. In addition, we conducted in-depth interviews with local farmers to understand the interactions and conflicts between feral dogs and human populations in those periods.

Results: Over 29 months (7 pre-pandemic, 22 during/post-pandemic), an average of 16.42 caves per month showed evidence of feral dog presence, mostly in the form of indirect evidence. Following the pandemic restrictions, the total number of occupied caves decreased by 42% (p < 0.010), with a 41% reduction in indirect evidence (p = 0.012) and a striking 76% decrease in direct evidence of feral dogs (p < 0.001). Farmers described an initial increase in dog attacks immediately following the onset of restrictions, followed by an overall decline as feral dog numbers decreased.

Conclusion: The observed population decline suggests that reduced food availability impacted the local feral dog population. The greater reduction in direct evidence compared to indirect signs indicates a decline in active feral dog presence. These findings describe shifts in feral dog population dynamics during the period of COVID-19 restrictions. The factors driving these changes remain uncertain and could include mortality, migration, or altered behavior. Understanding how food availability and other environmental conditions influence these dynamics is essential for designing interventions that minimize unintended consequences of disease transmission and animal welfare.

Background: Biosecurity plays an important role in the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in the equine population. With competition organizers responsible for implementing and upholding biosecurity requirements at competitions, it is important to understand the biosecurity landscape at these locations where Ontario horses commonly travel and interact in large group settings.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the perspectives, challenges and experiences of competition organizers of both sanctioned and unsanctioned events in Ontario, Canada regarding implementing equine biosecurity at competitions.

Study design: This study used a qualitative content analysis in order to gather data describing the lived experiences of competition organizers.

Methods: Of 53 invited participants, semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted virtually with 10 Ontario competition organizers in English disciplines (Eventing, Dressage, Hunter/Jumper). A qualitative, inductive coding method was used to analyze the interview data.

Results: Interviews resulted in two major categories: (i) biosecurity at competitions is a balancing act among other important considerations and (ii) there is a disconnect between groups that play key roles in biosecurity at competitions.

Main limitations: The recruitment process allowed for the possibility of introducing self-selection bias where some of the participants may have an existing interest in biosecurity, which may not be representative of all competition organizers. Individual interviews as well as the design of the interview guide helped to mitigate some potential for social desirability bias.

Conclusion: Biosecurity at equestrian competitions is a multifaceted issue that requires stakeholder input and buy-in to be successful. However, there is an overall willingness from competition organizers to work toward finding a path forward to improving biosecurity and maintaining equine health and welfare at competitions.

This study aimed to assess the impact of cows' age (in months) on production performance and evaluate the feasibility of using on-site data to inform precision agricultural practices on farms. Cows were randomly categorized by age in months, and the influence of lactation days was controlled using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Weighted linear models (WLM) was employed to control the effect of aggregating data. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to explore the relationships among production traits and to elucidate their underlying principles, providing insights for precision management in large-scale farms. The findings were as follows: (1) the age in months had no significant effect on dry matter intake (DMI), residual feed intake (RFI), or daily milk yield (MY; p > 0.05); (2) PCA scatter plots revealed no distinct separation between groups, supporting the ANCOVA result that production traits did not differ significantly across the groups. However, the centroid of Group A showed separation from other groups along the second principal component, which was predominantly influenced by age in months, indicating that group distribution in the loading diagram corresponded to the fundamental grouping principle. This study concluded that, at least within the age range of 38.78-53.83 months, cows' age in months did not significantly affect performance. The alignment with ANCOVA results suggests that on-site field data, when analyzed appropriately, can serve as a valuable reference for precision farm management practices.

Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses, significantly impacts livestock health, welfare, and productivity. Green synthesis has emerged as a sustainable approach for enhancing the stability and bioavailability of natural antioxidants in animal feed. Unlike conventional extraction methods, green-synthesized antioxidants derived from plant extracts, essential oils, and agro-industrial by-products offer improved oxidative stability, reduced toxicity, and enhanced bioactivity. These bioengineered antioxidants not only mitigate oxidative stress but also support immune function, improve feed efficiency, and enhance meat quality by reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing vitamin E content. Furthermore, the incorporation of green-synthesized antioxidants in livestock nutrition contributes to environmentally friendly production practices, aligning with sustainable agriculture and consumer demand for natural animal products. This review examines the potential of green-synthesized antioxidants, their role in improving oxidative stability, and their impact on animal welfare, performance, and product quality.

Live trapping is a common method in wildlife research and management, yet it poses inherent risks to animal welfare. This study systematically evaluated injury incidence and severity in coypus (Myocastor coypus) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) captured using three commercially available live trap types: a standard wooden box trap (WBT), a metallic, sheet metal trap (SMT), and a wire grid trap (WGT). A total of 55 coypus and 45 raccoons were examined following a trap confinement duration of a maximum of six hours. Injuries were assessed using standardized necropsy protocols and categorized by anatomical location, severity, and presumed cause. Results showed species-specific injury patterns, with raccoons exhibiting more frequent and severe injuries than coypus. Raccoons primarily sustained skin lesions and dental trauma, consistent with their manipulative, escape-oriented behavior, while coypu injuries were predominantly localized to the snout and incisors. Although not statistically significant, trap design influenced injury profiles: the WBT was associated with severe injuries in raccoons, particularly to the forelimbs and dentition, while the WGT prompted intense escape behaviors without a proportional increase in trauma. The SMT resulted in fewer external injuries but did present species-specific risks, such as claw-abrasion and tail entrapment. Approximately 93% of raccoons and 55% of coypus exhibited external injuries, including 14 severe cases and 5 confirmed fractures. These findings underscore the importance of species-specific trap assessment and design optimization to mitigate animal suffering. Given the limitations of traditional injury scoring systems and behavioral indicators when applied to wild animals, this study highlights the need for integrated, evidence-based welfare assessments in field settings. Future research should prioritize refinement of trapping methods and standardized welfare evaluation frameworks to support ethical and effective wildlife management.

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by the rickettsia Anaplasma marginale, is an economically important and globally distributed tick- and blood-borne disease of cattle. Although cases are known to be widespread in Missouri, current spatiotemporal trends, presence of high-risk areas, and any potential drivers for disease trends in Missouri are poorly documented. To address these knowledge gaps, this study analyzed spatiotemporal patterns of annual, county-level anaplasmosis case counts using a Bayesian hierarchical framework. Seropositive cases of anaplasmosis detected at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (n = 1,944) between the years 2010-2021 were used to construct data-driven Bayesian hierarchical models. All the models consisted of imputation sub-models to alleviate issues related to missing observations from spatiotemporal units (114 counties and 1 independent city, 12 years). Three progressively complex models with different assumptions for capturing the spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal interactions that explained the variability in case counts were prepared. Model-1 included linear predictors decomposed into structured and unstructured terms for the temporal and spatial processes. Model-2 included separate temporal terms for smoothing each spatial entity and spatial smoothing terms for each temporal entity. This model was extended in Model-3, which included space-time interaction effect using first-order conditional autoregressive (CAR) priors. Based on the Deviance Information Criterion (DIC), Model 3 was superior at explaining space/time variability in the detected seropositive cases of bovine anaplasmosis. These findings indicate that distribution and risk of bovine anaplasmosis seroprevalence in Missouri are non-uniform, and potentially driven by environmental and/or management factors, operating at local and regional scales, that when identified could inform mitigation strategies.

Introduction: Telemedicine is becoming relevant for veterinarians and pet owners alike. It is insufficient to merely consider the technical requirements. Acceptance, practical applicability and actual user demand are equally important. This research study explores the potential for telemedicine services in small animal practices, examining the perspectives of pet owners and veterinary experts.

Methods: A parallel mixed-method design was conducted, comprising a survey of 404 pet owners and interviews with veterinary experts. The primary objective of the study was to explore whether consumers would find an expanded range of telemedicine services appealing and to evaluate the (dis-)advantages of digital veterinary services with respect to animal welfare and owner satisfaction. Additionally, the role of digital services and a first overview of the willingness to pay for these were investigated.

Results: The survey indicated that digital forms of communication are frequently utilised to contact veterinary practices. Conversely, audiovisual formats play a minor role. Veterinarians and pet-owners appreciate time savings, flexibility and stress reduction for animals as advantages. The lack of physical examination and technical hurdles are considered the main disadvantages. The willingness to pay for healthcare services is influenced by the format: video consultations are more likely to be accepted, while text-based services are often expected to be free. Expert interviews served to broaden the scope of discussion, offering insights into the practical implementation of telemedicine methodologies. SWOT analysis revealed that primary strengths of veterinary telemedicine are time savings, flexibility and stress reduction for both animals and their owners.

Discussion: This digitalisation is regarded as a potential catalyst for enhancing access to and quality of veterinary care, particularly in regions characterised by structural deficiencies or for cases that necessitate specialists´ expertise. Conversely, the following limitations must be acknowledged: firstly, absence of physical examinations; secondly, presence of technical challenges; thirdly, occasional inadequacy of digital competencies. Risks associated with telemedicine include legal uncertainties, data protection concerns and the potential weakening of the personal veterinarian-client relationship due to external providers. Achieving sustainable integration necessitates the establishment of clear legal requirements, technical standards and educational initiatives. These measures are crucial for fostering trust and ensuring the effective incorporation of telemedicine into routine clinical practice.