A 5-year-old, 2.7 kg, spayed female Scottish Fold cat presented with hematemesis after administration of oral zaltoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, by the owner. Diagnostic imaging and blood analyses indicated development of acute kidney injury (AKI) resulting from zaltoprofen ingestion. To correct dehydration and anemic conditions, the cat received intravenous fluid therapy with whole blood transfusion and peroral N-acetylcysteine. Clinical signs resolved, but persistent azotemia was unresolved indicating that AKI could progress to chronic kidney disease. This case suggests that although zaltoprofen may have low adverse effects on humans, administration of zaltoprofen in cats can have serious adverse effects.

A 15-year-old castrated mixed breed dog presented due to a 5-month history of cough and difficulty in ambulation. Necropsy showed multiple periosteal and intramedullary infiltrative masses in the appendicular skeleton. In addition, single and multiple neoplastic nodules were observed in several organs, including the lungs, liver, kidney, and heart. Microscopically, several skeletal neoplastic masses and nodules in the parenchymal organs revealed similar changes. The neoplastic cells were spindle- to polygonal-shaped with prominent osteoid production and occasional cartilaginous and bone formation. Based on the gross findings and histopathology results, the case was diagnosed as multicentric osteosarcoma with systemic metastases.

Intercostal abdominal hernia in the 11th intercostal space was identified in a leopard cat. Although mild leukopenia was found in laboratory examinations, no remarkable abnormality was revealed in medical imaging. To investigate abdominal organs, diagnostic laparoscopy was performed after hernia repair. In laparoscopic view, closure of the herniation site and a lesion with whitish discoloration in the liver (left medial lobe) were observed. Subsequently, laparoscopic liver biopsy was performed against the affected hepatic tissue. Histologically, the sample was diagnosed as mild hepatic lipidosis. Laparoscopy is considered useful for abdominal visceral examination and liver biopsy in a leopard cat patient.

Porcine ear necrosis syndrome is characterized by erosive and ulcerative lesions at the margin or tip of the pinna. Three growing pigs of different ages exhibited retarded growth accompanied by reddening and necrosis of ear prior to death. Gross examination showed reddening, swelling, black discoloration, scaling, and variable-sized yellowish materials and edema in ear cross section. Microscopically, thrombosis, abscess, ulceration, epidermal hyperplasia, and dermal pyogranulomatous inflammation with an intralesional bacterial colony were observed. Staphylococcus hyicus was isolated in all pigs' ears and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus was detected by PCR and immunohistochemistry.

The present study was performed to evaluate the hangover relieving effect of germinated buckwheat (GB) and Sanghwang mushroom mycelium cultured in GB (SGB). Both GB and SGB showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities and significantly increased (p less than 0.001) aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities; up to 140% increase at concentrations of 16 μL/mL. Locomotor activity test results from alcohol-SGB and alcohol-GB groups showed improved motor activities over that of the alcohol-water group at 90 min post-administration. Both alcoholGB and alcohol-SGB groups had significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) alcoholand aldehyde concentrations in blood compared to those in the alcohol-water group at 90 min post-administration. Based on cDNA microarray analysis, expressions of ALDH genes ALDH1a7 and ALDH18a1 and cytochrome P450 (CY450) gene CYP4a30b were upregulated in the alcohol-GB and alcohol-SGB groups compared to levels in the control group. Overall, the results suggest that both GB and SGB have hangover relieving effects by reducing blood acetaldehyde levels. The molecular mechanisms may involve ALDH activation and upregulated expression of alcohol metabolism-related genes such as ALDH and CYP450.

Surgical castration performed to reduce male-associated problems results in pain and microbial infections in male animals. Therefore, immunocontraception, which is mediated by the animal's own antibodies against reproductive hormones, has been recommended as an alternative to surgical castration when considering the animal's welfare. In this study, a new immunocontraceptive vaccine composed of six tandem copies of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) fused to rat granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was developed, and its efficacy was evaluated in male rats. Three different doses (10, 50, and 100 μg) of recombinant GM-CSF-GnRH protein were injected three times at intervals of two weeks into male rats. The rats vaccinated with three doses of GM-CSF-GnRH produced a significantly higher level of antibodies against GnRH than that in the negative control rats. Severe atrophy of gonads was observed in rats vaccinated with three doses of GM-CSF-GnRH but not in the negative control rats. The results reveal that the new GnRH vaccine conjugated with rat GM-CSF induces efficient immunocontraception in male rats. This formulation of the immunocontraceptive vaccine would be applicable to both domestic and pet male animals.

The microbial community is known to have a key role during the rearing period of broilers. In this study, gut microbial composition and diversity were examined to evaluate the relationships between these factors and broiler growth performance. By applying 454-pyrosequencing of the V1-V3 regions of bacterial 16S rRNA genes, six fecal samples from four- and 28-day-old chickens from three broiler farms and 24 intestinal samples of broilers with heavy and light body weights were analyzed. Microbial composition assessment revealed Firmicutes to be the most prevalent phylum at farm A, while Proteobacteria were predominant at farms B and C. Fecal microbial richness and diversity indices gradually increased from four to 28 days at all three farms. Microbial diversity assessment revealed that small intestine microbial diversity was lower in heavy birds than in light birds. In light birds, the Firmicutes proportion was lower than that in heavy birds. In conclusion, each broiler farm revealed a specific microbial profile which varied with the age of the birds. The microbial communities appeared to affect growth performance; therefore, gut microbial profiles can be utilized to monitor growth performance at broiler farms.

Porcine parvovirus, Erysipelothrix (E.) rhusiopathiae, and Leptospira (L.) interrogans are considered major etiologic agents of reproductive failure in pigs, causing economic loss in the swine industry. In this study, the safety and immunogenicity of a new octavalent inactivated vaccine were evaluated. The vaccine contained inactivated porcine parvovirus, E. rhusiopathiae, and six L. interrogans serovars (Bratislava, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona). Safety test results showed no notable side effects or clinical signs after vaccination in mice, guinea pigs, and sows. In addition, we assessed immunogenicity of the vaccine in 25 sows under field conditions. The vaccinated group (n = 20) had a significantly higher antibody level than the non-vaccinated group (n = 5). Moreover, the stillbirth rate decreased in piglets born from vaccinated sows, resulting in an increased fertility rate. The results of this study demonstrate that the new octavalent inactivated vaccine can be applied safely and effectively to improve reproductive performance in sows.

Study purposes were to evaluate ultrasonographic characteristics of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and quantitate bladder tumor size in dogs. Heterogeneous mass, wall involvement, and broad-based attachment were significantly associated with TCC, but not prominently the trigone region. Mass size evaluation revealed a significant correlation between progressive disease (PD) in TCC patients with piroxicam therapy. Largest diameter of target lesion/ body weight (cm/kg) ratio showed a high mean value in PD. A value greater than 0.3 was associated with PD with 83% sensitivity and 66% specificity. The results suggest that ultrasonography can provide evidence for diagnosing and predicting a prognosis for TCC.

Wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) may play a role transmitting several pathogens to humans and pet animals. Information concerning the incidence of rabies, canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2), canine parainfluenza virus type 5 (CPIV-5), and canine herpesvirus (CHV) is needed in wild raccoon dogs. In total, 62 brain samples of raccoon dogs were examined for rabies virus (RABV) and CDV, and 49 lung samples were screened for CDV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, and CHV. No RABV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, or CHV was identified, but nine CDV antigens (8.1%, 9/111) were detected. Moreover, 174 serum samples from wild raccoon dogs were screened for antibodies against the five major viral pathogens. The overall serosurveillance against CDV, CPV, CAdV-2, CPIV-5, and CHV in wild raccoon dogs was 60.3%, 52.9%, 59.8%, 23.6%, and 10.3%, respectively. Comparisons of the sero-surveillance of the five pathogens showed that raccoon dogs of Gyeonggi province have slightly higher sero-positive rates against CDV, CPV, and CHV than those of Gangwon province. These results indicate high incidences of CDV, CPV, and CAdV-2 in wild raccoon dogs of two Korean provinces and a latent risk of pathogen transmission to companion and domestic animals.