Veterinary Sciences最新文献

African swine fever (ASF), caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), has resulted in significant losses in the global pig industry. Considering the absence of effective vaccines, developing drugs against ASFV may be a crucial strategy for its prevention and control in the future. In this study, punicalagin, a polyphenolic substance extracted from pomegranate peel, was found to significantly inhibit ASFV replication in MA-104, PK-15, WSL, and 3D4/21 cells by screening an antiviral compound library containing 536 compounds. Time-of-addition studies demonstrated that punicalagin acted on early viral replication stages, impinging on viral attachment and internalization. Meanwhile, punicalagin could directly inactivate the virus according to virucidal assay. RT-qPCR and Western blot results indicated that punicalagin modulated the NF-κB/STAT3/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway and reduced the levels of inflammatory mediators induced by ASFV. In conclusion, this study reveals the anti-ASFV activity of punicalagin and the mechanism of action, which may have great potential for developing effective drugs against ASFV.

A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on the canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI), fecal consistency, and microbiome of dogs with tylosin-responsive enteropathy (TRE). The trial consisted of four phases: (1) screening with discontinuation of tylosin for 4 weeks, (2) inclusion with re-introduction of tylosin for 3-7 days, (3) treatment with FMT/placebo for 4 weeks, and (4) post-treatment with follow-up for 4 weeks after treatment cessation. The study found that the treatment efficacy of FMT (71.4%) was slightly higher than that of placebo (50%), but this difference was not statistically significant due to underpowering. The most abundant bacterial species detected in the fecal microbiomes of dogs with TRE before FMT or placebo treatment were Blautia hansenii, Ruminococcus gnavus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium dakarense, Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides vulgatus, and Faecalimonas umbilicata. After FMT, the microbiomes exhibited increases in Clostridium dakarense, Clostridium paraputrificum, and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum. The microbiome alpha diversity of TRE dogs was lower when on tylosin treatment compared to healthy dogs, but it increased after treatment in both the FMT and placebo groups. Comparisons with the stool donor showed that, on average, 30.4% of donor strains were engrafted in FMT recipients, with the most common strains being several Blautia sp., Ruminococcus gnavus, unclassified Lachnoclostridium, Collinsella intestinalis, and Fournierella massiliensis.

Pet nutrition awareness has risen enormously, with an increasing interest in homemade diets aimed at controlling food composition. The literature in this field is scarce, especially regarding the homemade diet's long-term effects on pathological conditions. This prospective study encompassed 167 healthy and sick dogs subjected to a customized dietary plan based on homemade food. After an initial visit, dog owners provided questionnaires with follow-up data on their perceptions of physical sign changes or symptom modifications. A total of 104 (62%) subjects maintained the homemade diet, while 63 reverted to their previous diet. The median follow-up was 14 months. Out of 31 healthy dogs that continued the nutritional plan, 70% exhibited improvements in their coat condition and 47% a decrease in evacuation frequency. Regarding weight loss goals, 67% of dogs achieved their target. The 67 pathological dogs that completed the follow-up were primarily affected by gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders. Dogs with chronic enteropathy improved their symptoms in 95% of the cases, subjects with dermatological pathologies in 83%, and patients presenting both disorders in 100%. These clinical results are promising. Personalized and well-balanced homemade diets noticeably enhanced the overall pet's health, with an almost complete remission of symptoms in pathological dogs.

This study investigates the susceptibility of common pathogens to totarol and assesses its clinical effectiveness in promoting wound healing in client-owned dogs with open wounds. Twenty-three client-owned dogs with open wounds were divided into two groups: (1) the treatment group (T-group) and (2) the control group (C-group). Clinical samples were collected from the wounds for the bacterial identification and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of totarol. In the T-group, wounds were treated with standard wound care together with the application at a dosage of 0.3 mL (two sprays) of commercial totarol product per 25 cm² of the wound area. The C-group received only standard wound care. This in vitro study found that totarol exhibited antimicrobial activity against both standard pathogens and clinical wound pathogens. The MIC values of totarol dissolved in absolute ethyl alcohol were 4 µg/mL for Gram-positive pathogens and ranged from 256 to 512 µg/mL for Gram-negative pathogens. However, the MIC values of the commercial totarol product ranged from 512 to 1024 for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Clinically, the use of a commercial totarol product as an adjunctive therapy significantly improved wound healing, as indicated by a greater percentage of wound area reduction (p < 0.05). From day 2 to day 7 of the treatment, the percentage of wound area reduction differed significantly between the T-group and the C-group. At the end of the study, the average percentage of wound area reduction was 69.18% ± 18.12 and 41.50% ± 20.23 in the T-group and C-group, respectively. The finding of this study illustrates the antimicrobial properties of totarol and its product against prevalent wound pathogens. These results suggest the potential of totarol as an adjunctive option for canine wound care.

Porcine rotavirus (PoRV) is a significant enteric pathogen causing gastroenteritis in piglets, which causes huge economic loss to the Chinese pig industry. In this study, six porcine rotavirus A strains were isolated from three adjacent sow farms belonging to the same company within one year, which suffered severe diarrhea outbreaks. AHBZ2303 (G11P[7]) and AHBZ2305 (G9P[23]), AHBZ2304 (G9P[23]) and AHBZ2312 (G4P[6]), AHBZ2310 (G9P[23]) and AHBZ2402 (G5P[23]) were isolated from Farm A, B and C, respectively. All six isolates were related to human rotavirus through complete genome analysis, suggesting the potential cross-species infection between humans and pigs. Evolutionary analysis revealed that AHBZ2303 and AHBZ2304 likely emerged simultaneously in Farm A and B, and then AHBZ2304 was introduced to Farm A and C, leading to the emergence of AHBZ2305 and AHBZ2310. Recombination and large variation were identified for AHBZ2312 and AHBZ2402. These findings provided insights into the transmission and evolution of PoRV among farms and underscored the need for enhanced monitoring to mitigate the risk of outbreaks from novel variants.

MTs are prevalent in dogs, representing the most frequent oral malignancy, compared to cats, in which ocular melanomas predominate. This study investigates the canine and feline MT epidemiology (2005-2024) of cases submitted to the Veterinary Pathology Service (University of Perugia). Among the canine neoplasms, 845 (4%) were melanocytic: 329 (39%) melanocytomas; 512 (61%) melanomas. Of these, 485 (57%) were cutaneous (4% of canine cutaneous neoplasms), 193 (23%) were oral (50% of oral canine neoplasms), and 104 (12%) were mucocutaneous. The average age of affected dogs was 10 years. Older dogs were more likely to have melanomas compared to melanocytomas (p < 0.001). There were 60 (1%) feline MTs: 6 (10%) melanocytomas; 53 (88%) melanomas. Of these, 29 (48%) were cutaneous (1% of feline cutaneous tumors), 18 (30%) were ocular, and 9 (15%) were oral (22% of feline oral tumors). The average age of affected cats was 11 years. In dogs, mucocutaneous melanomas were more common compared to cutaneous ones (p < 0.05); oral melanomas were more common compared to all other sites (p < 0.001). In cats, ocular melanomas were more common compared to cutaneous ones (p < 0.05). Our study provides the MT prevalence in a selected canine and feline population, revealing MT epidemiological patterns, highlighting species-specific differences in the tumor prevalence, localization, and age distribution.

As part of the spine, the vertebral canal represents a central structure protecting the spinal cord running within it. Since alterations to the spinal canal and adjacent structures can have a significant impact on the spinal cord, knowledge of the physiological vertebral canal dimensions is essential. Compression of spinal nerves at the lumbosacral junction is the primary cause of cauda equina syndrome (CES). Although CES is common in dogs, it is rarely documented in cats. Given the lack of information on normal vertebral canal dimensions in cats, it is necessary to collect data and verify currently used measurements, to determine if and to what extent comparisons with dogs are valid. In 50 cats, interpedicular (ID) and midsagittal (SD) diameters were examined from the first thoracic (Th1) to the first sacral vertebra (S1). In 28 of these animals, the intervertebral disc width (IVDW) was measured. All data were gathered through gross anatomical dissection of the cats. Significant lumen reduction was evident in all cats from L6 to S1 with the narrowest point at S1. Narrowings were also found in the thoracic spine. The widest points coincide with the spinal cord enlargements. IVDW shows relatively constant values up to Th10-Th11 and peaks at L7-S1 in 95.65% of cats. While distinct similarities to dogs were observed, differences exist. The findings allow conclusions as to whether relations between the parameters and resulting predispositions to pathological changes can be derived. This could help the understanding of the pathogenesis of feline spinal diseases, particularly compressive myelopathies. Further studies are necessary to investigate the impact of age, sex and breed.

As a cornerstone of higher education in China, the quality of undergraduate teaching is crucial for nurturing high-caliber innovative talents that meet the needs of national and social development. Small-class teaching has emerged as a focal point in the reform of undergraduate education and represents an important approach to cultivating top-notch innovative talents. Veterinary medicine is a scientific discipline that encompasses the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of animal diseases. It also involves efforts to prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans. The training of professionals in this field should emphasize the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Therefore, small-class teaching facilitates open communication between educators and students, which is instrumental in fostering a new generation of veterinarians equipped with robust professional knowledge, excellent practical abilities, and strong scientific literacy. This paper provides a preliminary exploration into the strategy and direction of small-class teaching within China's veterinary medicine undergraduate programs by summarizing its characteristics, advantages, and existing challenges. The unique traits of veterinary medicine are also taken into consideration during this analysis.

Mastitis is an important factor affecting the health of cows that leads to elevated somatic cell counts in milk, which can seriously affect milk quality and result in huge economic losses for the livestock industry. Therefore, the aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of melatonin on performance and mastitis in dairy cows. Forty-eight Holstein cows with a similar body weight (470 ± 10 kg), parity (2.75 ± 1.23), number of lactation days (143 ± 43 days), BCS (3.0-3.5), milk yield (36.80 ± 4.18 kg), and somatic cell count (300,000-500,000 cells/mL) were selected and randomly divided into four groups: control (CON group), trial Ⅰ (T80 group), trial Ⅱ (T120 group), and trial Ⅲ (T160 group). Twelve cows in trial groups I, II, and III were pre-dispensed 80, 120, and 160 mg of melatonin in edible glutinous rice capsules along with the basal ration, respectively, while the control group was fed an empty glutinous rice capsule along with the ration. The trial period was 37 days, which included a 7-day adaptive phase followed by a 30-day experimental period. At the end of the trial period, feeding was ended and the cows were observed for 7 days. Milk samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 37 to determine the somatic cell number and milk composition. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, 30, and 37 of the trial to determine the serum biochemical indicators, antioxidant and immune indicators, and the amount of melatonin in the blood. The results showed that the somatic cell counts of lactating cows in the CON group were lower than those in the T120 group on days 14 (p < 0.05) and 28 (p < 0.01) at 1 week after melatonin cessation. The milk protein percentage and milk fat percentage of cows in the T120 group were higher than those in the CON group (p < 0.01). The total protein and globulin content in the T120 group were higher than those in the CON group (p < 0.01). In terms of antioxidant capacity and immunity, the cows 1 week after melatonin cessation showed higher superoxide dismutase activity and interleukin-10 contents (p < 0.01) compared with the CON group and lower malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor-alpha contents (p < 0.01) compared with the T120 group. The melatonin content in the T120 group was increased relative to that in the other groups. In conclusion, exogenous melatonin can increase the content of milk components, reduce the somatic cell count, and improve the antioxidant capacity and immune responses to a certain extent. Under the experimental conditions, 120 mg/day melatonin is recommended for mid- to late-lactation cows.

Effective clinical reasoning is essential for veterinary medical education, particularly in managing complex cases. This review explores strategies for learning clinical reasoning by veterinary medical learners, using a case example of mastitis to illustrate key concepts. Clinical reasoning encompasses cognitive, metacognitive, social, and situational activities, yet the literature on practical applications in veterinary education remains limited. The review discusses various stages of clinical reasoning, including data collection, problem representation, differential diagnosis, and management planning. It emphasizes the importance of integrating client-centered care and iterative evaluation into the clinical decision-making process. Key learning strategies include facilitation in using the domains of clinical reasoning-concepts, data collection, and analysis, taking action, and reflection on encounters. This review highlights best practices such as forward and backward reasoning, reflective practice, and the use of practical examples to enhance learners' diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. The insights provided aim to enhance the training of veterinary learners, ensuring they can navigate day 1 as well as complex cases with improved diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.