peer reviewed | [en] OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of ultrasound-guided intervertebral disc (IVD) injection of contrast medium and methylene blue to aid in intraoperative identification of cervical IVD spaces in dogs. METHODS: This was a single-center experimental cadaver study using randomly chosen skeletally mature dog cadavers from January 2, 2023, to March 23, 2023. For each cadaver, 1 cervical IVD was randomly selected. The ventral cervical region was ultrasonographically examined, pushing the trachea leftwards. A 50/50 contrast medium (iohexol, 300 mgI/mL) and methylene blue mixture was injected under ultrasound guidance in the IVD and ventral soft tissues. The x-rays and CT scans were performed before and after injection. Each cadaver was dissected using a ventral slot procedure. The cadavers and IVD characteristics, the success rate in ultrasonographically identifying the correct IVD space, time to injection, most caudal IVD space feasibly injectable, and semiquantitative imaging and surgical scores were recorded. RESULTS: 20 canine cadavers were used. The IVD injections were successfully performed in the correct IVD space in all cadavers. The median time to injection was 3.95 minutes (Q1 to Q3, 3.22 to 5.88 minutes). The contrast medium was clearly visible on at least 1 radiographic projection in all but 1 case and on the CT in all cases. During surgical dissection, the dye was clearly visible in all but 1 case. The dogs' weight was significantly different between most caudal IVD spaces feasibly injectable. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographical cervical IVD space identification and mixture injection are feasible and might help intraoperative cervical IVD space identification in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This technique could be used presurgically in patients with cervical IVD diseases.

peer reviewed | A male long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) was found to have a severe tail injury during a clinical examination prior to vasectomy at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. The injury involved an open wound with areas of necrosis and fracture. Based on the tail condition, the animal was treated with a partial caudectomy. Prophylactic treatment prior to surgery with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory was carried out using amoxicillin and ketorolac tromethamine, respectively. Anesthesia was maintained using propofol. Postoperatively, the anesthesia reversal agent atipamezole was administered. After the macaque exhibited clear signs of recovery from anesthesia, it was transported in a cage back to the capture site and released into its original social group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case report describing partial caudectomy in macaques.

International audience | OBJECTIVE To report clinical signs, biological anomalies, treatment, and outcome in domestic ferrets with cholecystitis, describe the ultrasonographic features of cholecystitis, and compare the ultrasonographic appearance of the hepatobiliary system between diseased and healthy ferrets. METHODS 11 ferrets with confirmed cholecystitis and abdominal ultrasonography were retrospectively included. Ten healthy ferrets were prospectively recruited to undergo hepatobiliary abdominal ultrasonography. Comparisons of explanatory variables (group, age, body weight, and sex) were performed. RESULTS The most common clinical signs were nonspecific, and icterus was observed in 1/4 of diseased ferrets. Compared with healthy individuals, diseased ferrets showed a larger common bile duct (CBD; ≥ 2.8 mm), a thicker CBD wall (≥ 0.7 mm), a thicker gallbladder (GB) wall, more frequent echoic GB luminal content, visible intrahepatic bile ducts, and a greater GB volume. Bile culture was positive in 9/11 mostly for Escherichia coli (8/9). Bile cytology indicated septic purulent cholecystitis in 7/7 ferrets. Survival time after antibiotic treatment ranged from 6 to 104 weeks, with a median of 36 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Ferrets with cholecystitis presented with nonspecific clinical signs and frequently showed hyperbilirubinemia. Ultrasonography findings such as enlarged CBD, thickened CBD wall, thicker GB wall, GB sludge, visible intrahepatic bile ducts, and enlarged GB may suggest cholecystitis. Escherichia coli was commonly isolated from bile. The medium-term mortality rate was high despite targeted antibiotherapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This is the first study describing the clinical signs, biological anomalies, ultrasonographic findings, and outcomes after treatment in a series of domestic ferrets with cholecystitis.

This study investigated the impact of adding crude fibre concentrate (CFC) to broiler chicken diets on slaughter results and breast muscle quality.

Aujeszky’s disease is caused by suid herpesvirus-1, also called Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV). The main reservoir host is the wild boar (Sus scrofa). The last data about ADV seroprevalence in wild boar in Poland came from over 10 years ago. There is a gap in knowledge about the current epidemiological situation. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise ADV seroprevalence and risk factors in hunted wild boar in south and central Poland.

The transport of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) specimens, isolates or purified RNA is traditionally performed at ultra-low temperatures using dry ice to prevent degradation. However, this method is costly and requires specialised packaging and stringent shipping conditions. The aim of this study is to evaluate existing products’ capacities to preserve NDV or its RNA under different conditions.

The study determined the effects of different forms of phosphorus deficiency on white blood cell parameters in cows during the periparturient period and on the cows’ immune status.

The global swine industry faces significant challenges related to improving the survival and health of newborn piglets. Attention has come to β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), a metabolite of leucine, for its potential in prenatal nutritional programming in sows, which can improve piglet body weight and support the development of the skeletal and digestive systems. The effects of prenatal HMB supplementation were investigated on the chemical coding of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the small intestine of neonatal piglets.

Wild European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) can carry various pathogens potentially harmful to humans. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of selected zoonotic pathogens in European hedgehogs from urban areas of central-western Poland.

Pour-on eprinomectin (EPN) is the only anthelmintic currently available that is approved for use in lactating goats with a zero-day milk withdrawal period. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the pour-on form of EPN with the efficacy of the injectable version of ivermectin (IVM) on goat farms in Slovakia.