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.

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.

Oestrosis is a type of nasal myiasis that is caused by larvae of flies from the Oestrus genus and is a disease of economic significance in small ruminants. The research aimed to investigate the prevalence of oestrosis and detect differences in the COX1 gene among haplotypes found in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Nematode-trapping fungi (NTFs) can produce various chitinases to degrade nematode body wall and eggshell chitin during predation. However, the regulatory mechanisms of their expression of chitinases still remain unclear. The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the differential protein profile of A. oligospora, an NTF, in response to chitin.

Canine mammary gland cancer (CMGC) is the most common neoplastic condition in bitches and is often fatal. There are limited treatment options for CMGC. Primary cell cultures from mammary tumours are promising preclinical in vitro models in which to study personalised treatment approaches. This preliminary study aimed to establish primary cell cultures from two canine mammary gland neoplasms: a common solid adenocarcinoma and a rare carcinosarcoma.

Sulphonamides are some of the most widely used antimicrobial drugs in the treatment of bacterial diseases in pigs. The study was conducted to compare the total exposure of tissue to a group of active substances in a single formulation and evaluate the impact of the volume of distribution, lipophilicity and tissue half-life of sulfadimethoxine, sulphathiazole, sulphamethazine and sulphacetamide in two different veterinary drug formulations – Polisulfalent, which was preparation A, and Polisulfamid, which was preparation B.

Grazing cattle are vulnerable to the harmful effects of gastrointestinal parasites. Organically farmed cattle are even more so because conventional antiparasitic treatments are restricted, yet parasite infection patterns in Polish organic herds remain poorly documented.

The hypothalamic neuropeptides kisspeptin-10 (KiSS-10), neurokinin B (NKB), and dynorphin A (Dyn A) play roles in the endocrine regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis in puberty. Livestock’s timely attainment of sexual maturity increases reproductive efficiency and raises profitability. The pituitary relationship between these neuropeptides and gonadotropins in puberty in ewes being undercharacterised. The aim of the study was to analyse their direct effect on gonadotropin secretion by pituitary cells isolated from pubescent ewes.

Racing pigeon competitions are a popular sport where success depends on birds’ ability to return fast to their loft of origin. However, many additional factors like differences in feeding, training, everyday care and even geographical loft location influence race outcomes, which has led to the development of the One Loft Race (OLR) system. The OLR system aims to eliminate these factors by housing pigeons from various lofts in equal conditions in one facility. This in turn, however, fosters inter-individual transmission of pathogens.

The testicular-only processing fluid (TOPF) obtained from piglet testicles after castration could be an alternative sample for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) laboratory diagnosis. If this matrix were proved useful, testing it would spare piglets the stress of blood drawing and eliminate some labour required to take blood samples. The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of TOPF for this diagnostic purpose.