Veterinary Medicine and Science最新文献

Objective: To report a case of a ruptured gallbladder intramural haematoma with a concurrent ruptured gallbladder mucocele in a dog.

Animal: A 10-year-old neutered male Poodle mix.

Study design: Case report.

Case history: The patient was presented for assessment of anorexia, vomiting and a severe mixed hepatopathy. Abdominal ultrasound revealed peritoneal effusion and a ruptured gallbladder mass with a concurrent gallbladder mucocele suspected. Evaluation of the abdominal fluid was supportive of a haemoabdomen with simultaneous bile peritonitis. Emergent cholecystectomy was pursued and two points of rupture were noted, one at the gallbladder neck and a second associated with the mass-like lesion. The gallbladder was submitted for histopathologic analysis.

Results: Cholecystectomy was performed routinely. Histopathology revealed a ruptured intramural gallbladder haematoma with concurrent gallbladder mucocele. The dog recovered well from surgery and was discharged 2 days post-operatively. Owner reports no clinical concerns at 2 months post-operatively.

Conclusion: Gallbladder intramural haematoma is a rare clinical finding in veterinary medicine, but should be considered in diagnostic workup for gallbladder masses.

A 7-year-old, 3.44-kg, spayed female Poodle was referred for acute kidney injury following firocoxib administration. Initial diagnostics revealed severe uraemia, oliguria and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Despite fluid resuscitation and diuretic therapy, oliguria persisted, necessitating haemodialysis. On Day 2, post-haemodialysis, the patient developed progressive pulmonary infiltration. The acute onset of tachypnoea, in the absence of cardiac disease or fluid overload, suggested noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Differential diagnoses included uraemic pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and transfusion-related acute lung injury. After three haemodialysis sessions, urine output increased to polyuria; however, respiratory symptoms and radiographic abnormalities persisted. By Day 7, pulmonary infiltration had significantly decreased on radiographs, although tachypnoea remained. As polyuria continued, uraemia and radiographic findings progressively improved and tachypnoea resolved by Day 12. The patient was discharged, and by Day 18, follow-up radiographs confirmed complete resolution of pulmonary changes. In this case report, we documented the serial progression and resolution of severe noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema, successfully managed with haemodialysis and supportive care, highlighting the therapeutic importance of addressing the primary uraemic insult.

Background: Most laying hen diets are based on corn-soybean meal, in which methionine and lysine are limiting amino acids.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate on the effects of digestible lysine (dLys) and total sulphur amino acids (dTSAA) levels in the diet on productive performance of aged laying hens.

Methods: A total of 384 Shaver White laying hens aged 105‒116 weeks were used in a randomized complete block design as a 2×4 factorial, with 8 treatments and 6 replicates of 8 hens each. Main effects included dLys concentrations of 0.75% and 0.80% and dTSAA of 0.70%, 0.73%, 0.76% and 0.79% of diet.

Results: Diet containing 0.80% dLys and 0.73% dTSAA increased egg weight (EW) during 109‒112 week and overall period (p < 0.05). The interaction effects of dLys and dTSAA at the levels of 0.80 dLys along with 0.73% dTSAA resulted in the highest EW at the age of 105‒108 weeks (p < 0.05). Egg mass, egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and egg quality indices including albumen quality, shell thickness, yolk, albumen and shell percentages were not significantly affected by the different levels of dLys and dTSAA in the diet.

Conclusions: Increasing the level of dTSAA in the diet increased EW, but increasing the level of dLys had no significant effect on this index. The highest EW was observed in dLys 0.80% with dTSAA 0.73% and the lowest EW was observed in dLys 0.75% with dTSAA 0.79% during 105-116 weeks of age. The highest egg specific gravity was observed in the dLys level 0.75% with dTSAA 079%.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of flushing diet supplemented with omega-6 and omega-3 sources on reproductive performance and blood biochemical parameters in ewes. Twenty-five Shall ewes (30 ± 6 months) allocated to a completely randomized design with three experimental groups: (1) control diet with no fat supplementation (CON, n = 9), (2) control diet supplemented with calcium salt of soybean oil (CSSO, n = 8) and (3) diet supplemented with calcium salt of flaxseed oil (CSFO, n = 8). The ratio of omega-6/omega-3 in CON, CSSO and CSFO groups was 3.2, 5.3 and 1.5, respectively. The oestrous cycle of all ewes was synchronized with a progesterone-impregnated sponge for a period of 13 days. From 4 days before to one day after removing sponges, the growth and activity of ovarian follicles were checked using transrectal ultrasound technique. Results showed supplementation diet with CSFO increased the number of large follicles near the time of sponge removal (p < 0.05). The CSFO group showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in progesterone concentration on Day 12 post-oestrus and improved oxidative status with decreasing (p < 0.05) in MDA and increasing (p = 0.06) TAC. The CSSO supplementation increased (p < 0.05) blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels. However, numerically higher prolificacy and fecundity were observed in the CSFO group. In conclusion, CSFO supplementation enhanced follicular growth and luteal function without affecting oestrus timing and reproductive outcome in Shall ewes.

Background: Epizootic lymphangitis (EEL), caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum (HCF), is a neglected equine fungal disease lacking effective vaccines. The newly developed inactivated '8ZH' vaccine requires safety validation in the target species.

Objectives: To evaluate the biochemical, haematological and clinical safety of the inactivated HCF '8ZH' vaccine in foals.

Methods: A controlled, single-blinded study was conducted on 30 clinically healthy foals (4-6 months), randomized into vaccinated (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Vaccinated animals received a 5 mL intramuscular dose (10 mg antigen, MONTANIDE GEL 01 PR adjuvant) on Day 0 and a booster on Day 21. Clinical observations (temperature, appetite, behaviour, injection site) were recorded daily. Blood was collected at baseline and on Days 7, 14, 21, 35 and 42 for biochemical, haematological and acute-phase protein analysis. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: No severe or adverse reactions were observed. Mild, transient injection-site swelling (< 4 cm) occurred in three vaccinated foals and resolved spontaneously. All animals maintained normal temperature and appetite. AST showed a transient increase on Day 14 (p = 0.04); WBC also rose (p = 0.03), indicating a typical immune response. Other parameters, including ALT, GGT, creatinine, total bilirubin and acute-phase proteins (SAA, fibrinogen, haptoglobin), remained within physiological limits. No statistically significant long-term deviations or toxic effects were noted.

Conclusions: The inactivated HCF '8ZH' vaccine demonstrated a favourable safety profile in foals. These results support its continued development for use in EEL prevention programs.

Background: This study aimed to identify the primary factors influencing the economic sustainability of sheep enterprises in Türkiye.

Materials and methods: Data were collected through face-to-face surveys conducted with 201 enterprises across Ankara, Balıkesir, Erzurum, Eskişehir and Konya during the 2023 production period. The sample was selected using stratified random sampling, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software, incorporating both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Results: The results identified five key dimensions explaining economic sustainability: financial sustainability, innovation and investment, welfare, marketing and technical/productivity factors. The 'Enterprise Performance Scale' developed for this study proved to be a valid and reliable instrument (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin [KMO] = 0.853; Cronbach's alpha = 0.867). Among these dimensions, the technical/productivity factor exhibited the highest influence and showed strong correlations with other factors (r = 0.828). The findings suggest that economic sustainability is a multidimensional construct, with the identified factors complementing one another.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that economic sustainability in sheep enterprises is shaped by a multidimensional structure in which financial, technical and organizational capacities complement one another. Strengthening these dimensions particularly through improved marketing, technology adoption and producer cooperation can directly inform policy strategies aimed at enhancing the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the sheep farming sector in Türkiye.

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) determine the feasibility of calculating percentage myocardial collagen (PMC) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine tissue samples, (2) explore relationships between PMC, mast cell (MC) count and myocardial arteriosclerosis/arteriolosclerosis (MA) and (3) calculate the sample size required to compare PMC between dogs with and without myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Methods: Histological sections were prepared from retrospective samples of formalin-fixed, wax-embedded ventricular myocardial tissue from 15 dogs with, and seven dogs without, MMVD. Sections from each sample were stained with Masson's trichrome, haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) or toluidine blue. In each Masson's trichrome-stained section, digital images of 12 random fields were captured and the total image area and total collagen area were measured using computer-assisted morphometric analysis. Mean collagen area, mean total image area and mean PMC ([mean collagen area/mean total area] × 100) were calculated per sample. MCs were counted manually in toluidine blue-stained sections and the mean MC count was calculated from 10 fields. MA was identified by visual inspection of transversely cut vessels in each H&E-stained section.

Results: No significant difference was detected between MMVD and control dogs in PMC (p = 0.063), MC (p = 0.476) or MA (p = 0.172). A sample size calculation suggests that data from at least 26 MMVD dogs and 26 controls are required to detect a difference in PMC. No significant association was detected between PMC and MC count (p = 0.606) in cases of MMVD.

Clinical significance: The methods described are feasible and the sample size for a definitive study has been estimated.

Canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1), as a member of the Varicellovirus, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae and family Herpesviridae, is mainly transmitted at birth but can also spread venereally and transplacentally. In addition, CHV-1 establishes a latent carrier state in the body and can reactivate due to stress or immunosuppression. CHV-1 distribution varies worldwide but is believed to have a global distribution. CHV-1 infection in adult canines can manifest as a spectrum of ocular from eyelid inflammation (blepharitis) and conjunctival inflammation (conjunctivitis) to more severe corneal conditions, including ulcerative and non-ulcerative keratitis. Moreover, CHV-1 in adult canines can lead to a range of reproductive effects, from submucosal vascular congestion and bleeding to foetal expulsion and preterm birth of live offspring. Subclinical or mildly symptomatic upper respiratory tract disease can manifest in juvenile and adult canines. Prophylactic topical antimicrobial therapy is recommended to prevent disease progression in dogs with CHV-1 ocular disease. However, the environmental temperature increase for affected puppies fails to modify the disease progression. Environmental variables, including breeding facility size and animal population density, facilitate herpesvirus transmission and subsequent immune responses. There are various diagnostic techniques, but the most prevalent method is polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for viral DNA detection. Due to the global distribution of the virus and its effects, such as ocular and reproductive effects and subsequent financial losses, it is recommended that infected dogs be identified and treated promptly, as well as prevent its transmission.

Background: Understanding the structure of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and accurately estimating the effective population size (Ne) are crucial for maintaining genetic diversity and ensuring population survival. These metrics are vital for decision-making in conservation genetics and breeding programs.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyse the LD structure and estimate Ne in global Holstein cattle populations to assess genetic diversity and population dynamics.

Methods: Genomic data from 2127 cows across eight countries (Poland, Sweden, Ireland, Iran, France, China, Canada and the Netherlands) were analysed. Data quality control was performed using PLINK 1.9. Adjusted R-squared (r²) values for SNP markers up to 38 Mbp and Ne values from ancestral generations to the present were calculated using SNeP 1.1.

Results: LD values decreased nonlinearly with increasing physical distance, ranging from 0.102-0.320 at <25 kbp to 0.007-0.059 at 38 Mbp. Ne values have declined significantly since 2000 generations ago, with a sharp reduction from 70 to 10 generations ago. However, the decline slowed in the last 10 generations, with slight increases in some populations. Current Ne values range from 74 (French Holstein) to 171 (Polish Holstein). The rapid decline in Ne is attributed to the intensive use of limited superior bulls, reducing genetic diversity.

Conclusions: The recent slowdown in Ne decline and slight increases in some populations may reflect improved breeding strategies, including genetic material importation. These findings highlight the importance of managing genetic diversity and mitigating inbreeding effects in Holstein cattle populations. Effective breeding programs are essential to sustain genetic health, productivity and long-term adaptability in commercial dairy cattle.

This case report highlights Serratia marcescens as a causative agent of deep pyoderma in a Border Collie which presented with multiple erythematous lesions on the abdomen and back. The diagnosis of deep pyoderma was confirmed through clinical evaluation and bacterial identification. This case is the first reported instance of S. marcescens infection in a dog in China, and it was successfully managed with targeted antibiotic therapy.