Veterinary Sciences最新文献

In modern animal production systems, the use of alternative feed sources is essential for reducing production costs, protecting natural resources, and improving meat quality. This study evaluated the impact of a unique silage-one produced by agro-industrial by-products-on the growth, meat quality, and health parameters of finishing pigs. Eighteen pigs (120 days old, 59.47 ± 0.85 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments containing 0% (A), 5% (B), or 10% (C) silage. After 60 days, blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analyses; this was followed by slaughter for the collection of muscle tissues (triceps brachii, external abdominal oblique) and intestinal digesta (ileum, cecum). Final body weight did not differ among groups (124.54 ± 1.51 kg), and meat composition (fat, protein, collagen, and ash) and pH were unaffected (p > 0.05). ALT levels were significantly lower in group C than in A (p = 0.030). In the ileum, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci populations decreased, whereas Lactobacilli increased in B and C (p ≤ 0.05). Cecal Enterococci were reduced in both B and C (p ≤ 0.01), with a tendency for increased Lactobacilli in B. Group C showed higher total phenolic content (p ≤ 0.05) and an improved ω-6/ω-3 ratio (15.09 vs. 17.54 in A). The TBARS values did not differ among treatments. Campylobacter jejuni counts were lower in treatment C, and no Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes were detected in any samples. The meat color of the triceps brachii was redder in treatments B and C (p = 0.001). Overall, the innovative silage increased phenolic content, supported improvements in gut microbiota, and maintained meat quality, indicating its potential as a sustainable feed ingredient.

With the growing popularity of equestrian sports, the incidence of athletic injuries in horses has also risen. Among these injuries, proximal sesamoid bone fracture (PSBF) and flexor tendinitis are particularly common in the forelimbs of sport horses and represent major causes of musculoskeletal impairment. A 5-year-old horse presented with obvious symptoms such as swelling at the left fetlock joint and metacarpal region after exercise. Through lameness assessment, diagnostic imaging, and hematological testing, the horse was diagnosed with PSBF complicated by flexor tendinitis. The affected horse was treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs combined with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy. After treatment, local microcirculation at the fracture and flexor tendon sites was improved, tissue healing was accelerated, and clinical indicators were stabilized. This case report demonstrates the potential of LIPUS-assisted therapy in promoting the recovery of horses with PSBF and concurrent flexor tendinitis, providing a valuable clinical reference for the management of complex musculoskeletal injuries in veterinary practice.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is the primary cause of viral enteritis in dogs, while canine bocavirus (CBoV) and canine bufavirus (CBuV) have emerged as significant components of the canine enteric virome. Previous studies on CPV in Sichuan had limited geographic coverage and sample size, and lacked data on CBoV and CBuV. This study used PCR to investigate the genetic diversity of CPV, CBoV and CBuV and to examine their co-infection status in diarrheic dogs across five regions of Sichuan between 2020 and 2022. The results revealed that CPV-2 was the most prevalent virus (33.3%, 48/144), while CBoV (5.56%, 8/144) and CBuV (4.17%, 6/144) were detected for the first time in Sichuan province. Genetic analysis revealed CPV-2c to be the predominant genotype (95.8% (46/48)), replacing the previously circulating strains CPV-2a and CPV-new 2a. The study also identified several typical and novel mutations in the VP2 protein in the CPV-2c strains, including Ala5Gly, Trp214Cys and Thr440Ala. Additionally, four co-infection cases (2.78%) were observed, including a triple CPV/CBoV/CBuV infection in Xichang (XC05). Phylogenetic analysis revealed genetic diversity, with CBoV strains clustering into CBoV-1 and CBoV-2 subspecies, while CBuV strains formed two distinct clusters. Our findings emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring of the dynamic epidemiological situation of CPV, CBoV and CBuV in Sichuan Province.

Investigation and quality assessment of veterinary orthopaedic implants are seldom undertaken, despite their critical role in clinical outcomes. Dimensional accuracy is particularly important for screw-bone interface stability. This study aimed to evaluate the dimensional consistency of commonly used veterinary bone screws. Sixty unused stainless steel cortical screws (2.0 mm and 3.5 mm) were randomly selected from larger batches. Each screw was examined microscopically, and six measurements were obtained from three distinct regions along the screw length. Major (outer) diameter and pitch were recorded and compared against standard tolerance ranges. For 2.0 mm screws, 28.6% of major diameter and 75% of pitch measurements were outside the tolerance range. For 3.5 mm screws, only 56% (major diameter) and 26% (pitch) of measurements fell within tolerance. With the exception of the major diameter of the 2.0 mm screws, most screws exhibited dimensional variation along their length. This study demonstrates considerable variability in screw dimensions within and between individual screws of the same classification. While tolerance ranges are expected between different screws, dimensional uniformity is essential along the length of a single screw. The observed variability indicates suboptimal manufacturing quality, which may compromise screw-bone interface integrity and clinical performance. These findings highlight the need for improved quality control in the production of veterinary orthopaedic implants.

Companion animal endocrinology has benefited from international standardisation of disease terminology for diabetes mellitus, Cushing's syndrome, and hypoadrenocorticism through Project Agreeing Language in Veterinary Endocrinology (ALIVE). A group of 14 experts and one chair convened for the third cycle of Project ALIVE, focusing on thyroid disease terminology. The cycle employed the modified Delphi approach from previous cycles, augmented by procedural refinements-such as inclusion of an off-site chair and stricter adherence to timelines -to improve efficiency and flexibility. Novel in this round was the integration of feedback from a previous cycle, which resulted in updated definitions for diabetes mellitus originally developed in ALIVE Cycle 1. Outcomes: A 100% consensus was achieved among panellists and 91.4-100% among 105 members of international veterinary endocrinology societies (32% of total memberships) over 78 thyroid-related terminology items and five revised definitions pertaining to diabetes mellitus. These standardised definitions are expected to facilitate clearer communication and education, enhance diagnostic consistency, support research comparability, and improve clinical care in feline and canine endocrine diseases.

The search for natural alternatives to in-feed antibiotics is a central focus in sustainable poultry production. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of Sanguinarine (SA) and Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (ABPS), two bioactive compounds derived from Chinese herbs, on the growth performance and immune function of yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 1728 one-day-old female broilers were randomly allocated to 36 treatment groups in a 6 × 6 factorial arrangement, with factors being six levels of SA (0, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.75 mg/kg) and six levels of ABPS (0, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mg/kg). Over an 8-week period, growth performance indicators, including average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), were monitored. Immune status was assessed through relative weights of immune organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, spleen) and lymphocyte proliferation at 4 and 8 weeks of age. The results demonstrated that SA supplementation significantly improved ADG during the initial 0-2-week period, while its effects on ADFI and FCR varied across different growth stages. ABPS supplementation was most effective in reducing FCR throughout the experiment, with the optimal effect observed at 500 mg/kg. Regarding immune parameters, SA at 0.7 mg/kg yielded the highest relative immune organ weights and lymphocyte proliferation at 4 weeks, whereas 0.5 mg/kg was most effective for lymphocyte proliferation at 8 weeks. ABPS at 500 mg/kg consistently promoted immune organ development and lymphocyte proliferation. A significant synergistic interaction between SA and ABPS was identified for several key outcomes. This interaction influenced ADG and ADFI at 8 weeks of age, relative thymus weight at 4 weeks, and lymphocyte proliferation at both 4 and 8 weeks. Notably, the combination of SA at 0.5 mg/kg and ABPS at 300 mg/kg (A₃B₃) produced a marked enhancement in lymphocyte proliferation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with SA, ABPS, or their combination can modulate growth performance and enhance immune function in yellow-feathered broilers. The effects are dose-dependent and can be synergistic, with the combination of 0.5 mg/kg SA and 300 mg/kg ABPS showing particular promise for boosting cell-mediated immunity. These findings support the potential of SA and ABPS as beneficial natural feed additives for antibiotic-free poultry production.

Hepatic abscesses are uncommon in dogs and typically develop secondary to biliary tract disease or ascending bacterial infections. Although congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (EHPSS) is known to impair hepatic perfusion and immune clearance, its potential role in predisposing geriatric dogs to hepatic abscess formation has not been previously reported. This case report describes the diagnostic approach, therapeutic decision-making, and clinical outcome of a geriatric dog in which a multidrug-resistant hepatic abscess occurred in association with congenital EHPSS, and to propose a pathophysiologic link between chronic portal hypoperfusion and intrahepatic infection. An 11-year-old neutered male Maltese dog with a known EHPSS presented with acute anorexia and lethargy. Diagnostic imaging revealed a hepatic abscess adjacent to the gallbladder, and cytology confirmed a septic process. Despite targeted meropenem therapy based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing, the abscess failed to regress and C-reactive protein levels continued to rise. Concern for persistent biliary contamination and impaired hepatic immune clearance led to surgical intervention. A combined procedure-partial hepatic lobectomy, cholecystectomy, and shunt attenuation-was performed. Postoperative hypotension was managed successfully with vasopressors and transfusion. The patient recovered uneventfully, and at four-month follow-up, hepatic enzyme activities normalized and liver size increased. These findings highlight the need to evaluate hepatic infections in dogs with EHPSS as a potential consequence of impaired hepatic immune clearance rather than an incidental finding.

Access to specialist veterinary oncology services may be influenced by geographic, demographic, and patient-related factors. Understanding travel burden is important for identifying potential barriers to care and designing more equitable service delivery models. This study quantified the distance travelled by owners seeking specialist oncology care at a UK veterinary teaching hospital and examined whether species, age, breed, and insurance status were associated with travel patterns. A retrospective review was conducted of all dogs and cats presenting to the Oncology Service at the Hospital for Small Animals, University of Edinburgh, between 1 December 2018 and 31 October 2025. Owner postcodes were used to calculate distances from residence to the hospital. Distances were compared across species (dog vs. cat), breed (pure-breed vs. mixed-breed), age (<7 vs. ≥7 years), and insurance status (insured vs. uninsured). A total of 3074 cases were included. In univariate analysis, dogs travelled significantly further than cats (p < 0.001), pure-breed animals travelled significantly further than mixed-breed animals (p < 0.001), and younger animals travelled significantly further than older animals (p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, species, age, and insurance status were significant, with dogs (p < 0.001), younger animals (p = 0.012), and uninsured animals (p = 0.008) travelling further. These findings highlight potential geographic inequities in access to specialist care and underscore the need for alternative service-delivery strategies to improve accessibility, particularly for cats and younger animals.

The complement system is crucial for immune defense, linking innate and adaptive immunity. In the classical and lectin pathways, C4 is split into C4b, triggering opsonization, lysis, and the removal of pathogens and damaged cells. Dysregulated activation of C4 and other components of the classical pathway can lead to tissue damage and heightened inflammation, whereas appropriate regulation of C4b activity serves to mitigate excessive inflammation and prevent injury. ELISA analysis demonstrated C4 activation and cleavage during the co-incubation of PRRSV with fresh porcine serum. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that porcine red blood cells could immunologically adhere to PRRSV, and C4b was involved in this adhesion process. BLAST (NCBI BLAST+ 2.14.1) analysis revealed that porcine CR1-like CCPs 1-3, CR1-like CCPs 12-14, and CR1-like CCPs 19-21 share high similarity with the CCP 1-3 region of human CR1, which mediates C4b binding. Yeast two-hybrid assays confirmed that all three CR1-like fragments bind C4b. To elucidate the interaction mechanism, homology models of C4b and CR1-like fragments were constructed, followed by molecular docking and dynamics simulations, identifying 18 key amino acids in porcine CR1-like involved in C4b binding. Surface plasmon resonance further validated the binding affinity of CR1-like CCPs 1-3, its mutant 118I, and C4b. These results enhance our understanding of complement regulation and provide a foundation for developing therapeutic strategies targeting complement-related diseases.

To investigate the molecular characteristics of H3N2 canine influenza viruses circulating in Jiangsu, China, we isolated a H3N2 strain (A/Canine/Nanjing/CnNj01-2025) from a dog presenting with respiratory signs at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Nanjing Agricultural University. All eight gene segments were sequenced and compared with those of two human H3N2 strains and five avian H3N2 strains. Antigenicity and receptor-binding properties were also assessed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the canine isolate descended from the avian lineage and formed an independent evolutionary clade, while the human strains were more distantly related to the avian lineage. Glycosylation analysis of the HA protein revealed that the canine strain carried seven N-glycosylation sites, including a unique site at residue 97/81 (HA/H3 numbering), which serves as a molecular signature of the canine strain. Several amino-acid substitutions were identified in major antigenic sites, including D97/81N, A176/160T, N204/188D, V212/196I, and W237/222L. Analysis of internal genes showed that the canine strain harbored PB2 292T and 590S mammalian adaptation mutations, which are also present in human strains. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays of the canine strain indicated moderate serologic cross-reactivity with a human H3N2 antiserum (16-fold reduction), whereas avian strains showed no cross-reactivity. Receptor-binding assays demonstrated that the virus retained predominant α-2,3 sialic acid binding, comparable to that of avian influenza viruses, and gained a modest affinity for human-type α-2,6 sialic acid receptors. Therefore, the canine H3N2 virus has undergone significant antigenic drift, developed partial serological cross-reactivity with human strains, and acquired detectable but limited binding affinity for human-type receptors. Overall, our findings suggest that the current canine H3N2 influenza virus exhibits distinct genetic and antigenic variations from human and avian strains. Continuous molecular and serological surveillance of canine influenza viruses is therefore warranted to monitor their evolutionary trends and assess the potential for cross-species transmission.