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Malassezia (M.) pachydermatis, is often associated with secondary infection of the skin and external auditory canal in dogs and cats. The treatment of Malassezia infections is based on the local application of antifungals often combined with antiseptics. Due to increased resistance of yeast to commonly used antimycotics, especially in biofilm-forming cells, the use of natural substances, e.g. plant essential oils, appears as a new promised option. In this study, the efficacy of selected plant essential oils (EO) – oregano, rosemary, bergamot, clove, cinnamon, and thyme – in combination with chlorhexidine on both planktonic and biofilm-forming cells of M. pachydermatis, was investigated. The checkerboard test was used to determine the effect of chlorhexidine combined with individual EOs. According to the FICI (fractional inhibitory concentration index) in planktonic cells, most combinations showed additive effect, except for thyme and rosemary EO, where a synergistic effect was found (33.3 % and 16.7 % respectively). In the biofilm-forming cells, a synergistic effect was noted in chlorhexidine combined with bergamot EO, recorded in 6 isolates (33.3 %), and with thyme and oregano EO, detected in 3 isolates (16.7 %). A significant decrease (p ˂ 0.05) was found in FIC (fractional inhibitory concentration) compared to MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), for both planktonic and biofilm-forming cells. Based on the obtained results, we can conclude that the combination of chlorhexidine with EOs achieved better efficiency than when using each agent alone and made it possible to reduce the concentration of both, and a sufficient antifungal and antibiofilm effect was achieved in M. pachydermatis strains.

Trypanosoma cruzi hosts can serve as a source of infection for animals, vectors, and humans, contributing to the establishment of Chagas disease (CD) in a given area. Traditionally, the Department of Córdoba has not been considered a transmission area for CD; however, the report of several acute cases of Chagas disease highlights the importance of studying the dynamics of disease transmission in this region. This study aimed to detect T. cruzi in domestic and wild mammals in the department of Córdoba. In 2017, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in six villages in two municipalities in the department of Córdoba. Blood samples from dogs living in the zones were collected in EDTA vacutainer tubes for domestic mammals. Wild mammals were collected using Sherman and Tomahawk traps and mist nets in crops and peridomiciles. T. cruzi DNA was detected using the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) variable region and the tandem repeat satellite region of T. cruzi as molecular targets. We sampled 168 dogs and 146 wild mammals. The detected prevalence of T. cruzi was 6.37%; the TcI lineage was found in D. marsupialis, H. anomalus, and one canine. A specimen of D. marsupialis with TcI and TcII lineages was also identified. T. cruzi DNA was detected in domestic and wild animals in the study area, indicating the circulation of the parasite in peridomestic environments. D. marsupialis may represent an important host in maintaining this region's wild and domestic cycle.

Rabies is a fatal disease occurring worldwide and especially in almost all the countries in Asia and Africa including Cameroon. Though animal and human rabies is prevalent in Cameroon, the epidemiology and socio-economic burden of the disease in the country is not known. Therefore, a 10-year (October 2004–April 2013) retrospective study on the incidence of animal and human rabies and its burden in Garoua, Ngaoundéré and Yaoundé in Cameroon was carried out. Records of human cases were extracted from the database of the regional hospitals, and animal cases from the databases of Centre Pasteur and National Veterinary Laboratory. The burden of the disease was assessed through the estimation of costs linked to preventive measures (vaccination), corrective procedures (Post Exposure Treatment), Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) and overall societal cost of the disease. Overall, 56 rabies-suspected human deaths, corresponding to an incidence of 0.02 ± 0.00 ‱ and Animal Rabies Incidence (ARI) of 0.37 ± 0.00 % among 1844 suspected animal cases were recorded. The economic loss due to preventive measures of 326,046 ± 28,130.85 USD, related to corrective procedures of 806,741.25 ± 2,466.08 USD, and DALY of 1690.28 ± 4.76 years were estimated. This is the first study that highlights the enormous socio-economic burden associated with animal and human rabies in endemic parts of Cameroon and emphasizes on enhancing rabies eradication strategy focusing on the One Health approach.

Introduction: Alport syndrome (AS) is a hereditary type IV collagen disease. It starts shortly after birth, without clinical symptoms, and progresses to end-stage kidney disease early in life. The earlier therapy starts, the more effectively end-stage kidney disease can be delayed. Clearly then, to ensure preemptive therapy, early diagnosis is an essential prerequisite. Methods: To provide early diagnosis, we searched for protein biomarkers (BMs) by mass spectrometry in dogs with AS stage 0. At this very early stage, we identified 74 candidate BMs. Of these, using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), we evaluated 27 in dogs and 28 in children, 50 with AS and 104 healthy controls. Results: Most BMs from blood appeared as fractions of multiple variants of the same protein, as shown by their chromatographic distribution before mass spectrometry. Blood samples showed only minor differences because ELISAs rarely detect disease-specific variants. However, in urine , several proteins, individually or in combination, were promising indicators of very early and preclinical kidney injury. The BMs with the highest sensitivity and specificity were collagen type XIII, hyaluronan binding protein 2 (HABP2), and complement C4 binding protein (C4BP). Conclusion: We generated very strong candidate BMs by our approach of first examining preclinical AS in dogs and then validating these BMs in children at early stages of disease. These BMs might serve for screening purposes for AS before the onset of kidney damage and therefore allow preemptive therapy.

This is a review of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls of products that are for dogs and cats which took place from 2003 through 2022. It includes recalls for pet foods (food, treats, and chews), ingredients, supplements (vitamins and minerals), and drugs. There were 3,691 recalls during this period: 51% were Class I, 35% were Class II, and 14% were Class III. Food items and ingredients accounted for the majority or 68%, drugs for 27%, and supplements (vitamins and minerals) accounted for 5% of these recalls. Recalls that could be associated with dogs only accounted for 42%, with cats only 18%, and with multiple species 40%. The primary reasons for the recalls were biological contamination at 35%, chemical contamination at 32%, and cGMP violations at 8%. Almost 25% of the total recalls in the past 20 years were due to a melamine incident in 2007/2008 (73% of those were Class I). Salmonella recalls for the 20 years accounted for 23% of the total recalls (94 % of those were Class I). Although the recalls for vitamins and minerals accounted for only 5.6% percent of the total, 70% of those were Class I and 30% Class II. Pet food is a complex part of the processed food industry, and the processing of pet food is subject to at least 40 different federal regulations. To avoid recalls and be successful, pet food manufacturers need a robust food safety culture to meet all of these requirements to produce a safe product. In contrast, the melamine contamination (an adulteration event) in 2007/2008 which resulted in animal deaths and recalls is a prime example of the need for an effective and robust supplier approval program in order to avoid fraudulent suppliers in the future.

Tick-borne diseases are of substantial concern worldwide for both humans and animals, and dogs are frequently exposed to tick infestation. The aim of this study was to examine tick infestation of pet and stray dogs in Guangzhou, Southern China, as well as tick-borne pathogens of randomly sampled ticks. Ticks were found on 118 (14.1% [95% confidence interval; CI: 13.6–14.6]) out of 836 animals in four veterinary clinics and two shelters. A total of 280 individual ticks were collected from tick-infested dogs. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) was identified. PCR tests were conducted to detect six tick-borne pathogens in 280 ticks. The prevalence of tick-borne pathogens was 5.3% for Babesia spp., including Babesia vogeli (5.0% [95% CI: 4.3–6.3]) and Babesia gibsoni (0.3% [95% CI: 4.3–6.3]). These results indicated that R. sanguineus s.l. was the tick species found in dogs in Guangzhou city, and that dogs were at risk to exposure to babesiosis, implying the need for surveillance for this disease in dogs in this region.

Background: Real-time assessment of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) remains a challenge. Probe-based confocal laser microscopy (pCLE) allows a real-time in vivo visualization of the alveoli. This study aimed to develop a new non-invasive method for analyzing microscopic images in a canine model of HAPE using pCLE. Materials and methods: This was a prospective, controlled animal study in adult male beagle dogs randomized to control and HAPE groups. The HAPE group was exposed to a high altitude of 6000 m for 48 h. The blood gas levels, lung morphological changes, infectious factors, and lung wet-to-dry ratio were analyzed in different groups. The pCLE images were described based on the volume air index (VAI), which applies an integral over specific signal intensities. Results: The lung wet-to-dry weight ratio and injury scores in the HAPE group were significantly increased compared with those of the control group. The levels of infectious factors interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 were significantly increased in the HAPE group compared with those in the control group. VAI was significantly decreased in the HAPE group. Conclusion: pCLE is a potential adjudicative bronchoscopic imaging technique for assessing HAPE. VAI may be acquired from quantitative parameters in the analysis of images.

Giardia duodenalis is one of the major causes of diarrhea among humans, especially in young children. Statistical analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of G. duodenalis in humans, dogs, and cats was 9.72% (10,921/112383), 15.60% (7510/48140), and 14.53% (1125/7740), respectively. Unquestionably, the canine-specific assemblages C and D and the feline-specific assemblage F were the dominant genotypes in dogs and cats, respectively. Additionally, the prevalence of zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblages (A and B) in dogs and cats was 23.07% (875/3792) and 41.42% (169/408), respectively, implying that the potential transmission of G. duodenalis from dogs and cats to human infection cannot be ignored. The highest frequency of potentially zoonotic assemblages was found among working dogs (3.55%, 25/705) and the 1–5 age group (22.92%, 11/48). In summary, dogs and cats have a significant role in the zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis due to their close contact with humans and the higher frequency presence of zoonotic assemblages. Further studies are necessary to explore the presence of G. duodenalis among humans and animals and in environmental samples. Researchers should adopt a one-health approach to gain a deeper understanding of G. duodenalis in dogs and cats and potential transmission routes to humans.

A free-roaming dog population remains one of the major public health problems in many developing countries. In this study, we investigated the potential impact of owned roaming and stray dogs on the persistence and possible eradication of Guinea worm disease (GWD) in Chad. We developed and analysed a multi-host of Guinea worm; and considered dogs as the definitive hosts, and fish as the intermediate hosts. Currently, GWD cases in the human population are low; hence, we ignored the human population in this study. We derived the reproduction number and explored how it depends on different model parameters that define it. We calibrated the proposed model with data from literature and validated it with recently reported GWD monthly data for dog infection in Chad from 2019 to 2022. Results show that detection and tethering of infectious owned free-roaming dogs combined with culling of stray dogs are effective disease management strategies. Hence, attainment of certain threshold levels for these interventions could lead to disease eradication. Overall, the study revealed how different factors could be applied to effectively manage GWD transmission in the dog population. Findings from this study could be used to support decision-making in GWD control strategies.Mathematics Subject Classification (2010): 92B05, 93A30, 93C15.

Objectives: Several cases of reverse transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from human to pets were reported during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the World Organization for Animal Health has recommended to improve SARS-CoV-2 surveillance on household animals to assess the risk of transmission between species. After such recommendation, we studied the potential SARS-CoV-2 infection in household dogs and cats in the city of Guayaquil, the most populated city in Ecuador. Methods: Oral and nasal swab samples were collected from dogs and cats within 10 days of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result of their owners. Total ribonucleic acid was extracted and detection of viral gene targets N and ORF1ab was performed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: From the 50 cats and dogs tested, 12 were SARS-CoV-2 positive, giving a total positivity rate of 24%. A total of 1 of 8 cats tested positive, whereas 11 of 42 dogs were positive, yielding a positivity rate of 12.5% and 26.2%, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by whole genome sequencing. In addition, we also found a statistically significant association between SARS-CoV-2 pet positivity and food sharing with infected owners. Conclusion: This study is the second active surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in household dogs and cats in Latin America. Moreover, it is the first study to address the risk factors associated with potential anthropogenic SARS-CoV-2 transmission to domestic cats and dogs. Given the high presence of free-roaming dogs and cats in rural and urban areas in Latin American countries and the high capacity shown by coronaviruses for interspecies transmission, our findings support the view that SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in pets is necessary to better understand the role that pet-human interaction plays in the COVID-19 spread.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and ampicillinase C (AmpC)-carrying Enterobacteriaceae have been widely reported among companion animals. According to previous studies, dogs with a shelter or stray background might be at risk of carrying such bacteria. The aim of this study was to explore, with whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the genomic characteristics of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from imported dogs with a stray or shelter background. Methods: E. coli (n = 58) and K. pneumoniae (n = 2) isolates from imported dogs originating from seven countries were included. Phenotypic resistance was investigated by selective isolation and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Whole-genome sequencing was used to study the genomic characteristics and the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence determinants of the ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates. Results: A high diversity of different ARGs (n = 56) and sequence types (STs) (n = 32), including high-risk clonal lineages ST410 (n = 3) and ST307 (n = 1), was identified in E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively. Genes encoding resistance to β-lactams accounted for the majority, with the most frequent being blaCTX-M-15. Moreover, 17 (29%) E. coli isolates qualified as presumptive extraintestinal pathogenic and/or uropathogenic E. coli. Conclusions: Our results highlight the multiplicity of genetic backgrounds disseminating ESBL/AmpC-genes in the studied dogs, calling for further investigation of possible drivers responsible for the dissemination of ARGs in animal shelters and amongst stray dogs. From a public health perspective, enhanced genomic surveillance of ESBL/AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae in dogs is needed in Finland.

Background: Recently, vital pulp therapy is widely used all over the world. It aims to maintain the viability and function of the injured dental pulp tissue. Direct pulp capping is recognized as one of the most common used techniques in this approach. Aim of the study: we aimed to compare the histopathological response of the dental pulp following direct pulp capping using two different capping materials; the exogenous nitric oxide (NOC-18) and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) in dogs’ teeth. Methods and materials: The pulp of thirty-two premolars and canines from four dogs (eight teeth per each dog) the pulp was exposed and treated with either exogenous nitric oxide (NOC-18) and MTA (four teeth in each group). The treated teeth were extracted and prepared for histologic evaluation after one month and three months, respectively. The histologic study evaluated the formation of dentine bridge, the degree of pulpitis, calcification of the coronal pulp tissue and odontoblasts layer activity. We have the ethical approval to achieve this research from the scientific committee in Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University. Results: The results showed that the active statue of odontoblasts layer in NOC-18 group was significantly more than in MTA group after a month of recall (P: 0.003). No significant difference was found between MTA and NOC-18 categories in the formation of dentine bridge after 3 months (P: 1.000). Conclusion: Exogenous nitric oxide (NOC-18) maybe has a positive impact on formation of calcified bridge and efficacy of odontoblasts layer on directly capped dog's teeth. Exogenous NO donors might offer alternative to current pulp capping agents in Vital Pulp Therapy in endodontic.

Dog-mediated rabies is responsible for tens of thousands of human deaths annually, and in resource-constrained settings, vaccinating dogs to control the disease at source remains challenging for various reasons. Currently, rabies elimination efforts rely on mass dog vaccination by the parenteral route. While oral rabies vaccination (ORV) of dogs is primarily considered a tool to increase herd immunity, particularly by targeting free-roaming and stray dogs, here, we are showcasing an ORV-only approach as an emergency response model. Using a third-generation vaccine and a standardized egg-flavored bait, we assessed the effectiveness and vaccination under field conditions in the Zambezi region of Namibia. During this trial, with four teams and within four working days, 3097 dogs were offered a bait, of which 88,0% were considered vaccinated. Teams managed to vaccinate, on average, over 20 dogs/h, despite using a door-to-door vaccination approach.The favorable results both in terms of bait acceptance and successful vaccination as well as field applicability and effectiveness further support the great potential of ORV in dog rabies control programmes.

Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease that can infect all mammals and the main route of transmission to human is attributed to dog bites. Due to the limited information available about the rabies vaccination coverage, although Ecuador is supposed to be free of rabies, we conducted a retrospective study of the epidemiological surveillance records on the notification of dog attacks to humans in Guayaquil, the most populated city in Ecuador. The results showed an annual incidence rate of 105.6 dog bites per 100,000 inhabitants, where the most affected anatomical parts are the lower extremities; individuals from 1 to 14 years of age were the most affected age group (IC95% 1.42–1.92; p

Canine malignant mesothelioma (cMM) is a rare and drug-resistant malignant tumor. Due to few patients and experimental models, there have not been enough studies to demonstrate the pathogenesis of the disease and novel effective treatment for cMM. Since cMM resembles human MM (hMM) in histopathological characteristics, it is also considered a promising research model of hMM. Compared with conventional 2-dimensional (2D) culture methods, 3-dimensional (3D) organoid culture can recapitulate the properties of original tumor tissues. However, cMM organoids have never been developed. In the present study, we for the first time generated cMM organoids using the pleural effusion samples. Organoids from individual MM dogs were successfully generated. They exhibited the characteristics of MM and expressed mesothelial cell markers, such as WT-1 and mesothelin. The sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs was different in each strain of cMM organoids. RNA sequencing analysis showed cell adhesion molecule pathways were specifically upregulated in cMM organoids compared with their corresponding 2D cultured cells. Among these genes, the expression level of E-cadherin was drastically higher in the organoids than that in the 2D cells. In conclusion, our established cMM organoids might become a new experimental tool to provide new insights into canine and human MM therapy.

The aim of the present study was to determine the molecular characteristics of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from faecal samples of dogs and the hydatid cyst from liver of bovine, camel, cattle, and sheep and the immunodiagnosis of Hydatid cyst in human sera samples from the Gaza Strip, in Palestine. A total of 38 faecal samples were collected near farms and local markets where stray dogs were grouping there. Post-slaughtering, the livers of the bovine, camel, cattle, and sheep were examined for cysts. Where 30 suspected hydatid cysts were collected, the number and size of cysts in each liver were recorded. For serology, 23 sera specimens were collected from farmers within the Gaza Strip. According to hospital records in Gaza, 12 patients had attended three different hospitals and had tested positive for hydatid cyst/cystic echinococcosis by CT scans and histopathology. ELISA results from the 23 human patients showed that 3/23 (13%) tested positive for hydatid disease. Of the 30 bovine and cattle harboring cysts, 14/30 (46.6%) were positive for hydatid cyst/cystic echinococcosis of which 23 (76.7%) were males and 7 (23.3%) were females. The present study shows that 6/38 (15.7%) were positive for E. granulosus sensu lato from faecal analysis in dogs. Subsequent sequencing of both dogs and cattle confirmed infection by the G1 strain. The cattle/dog strain (G1) of E.granulosus sensu lato suggests that this infection is cosmopolitan in its distribution. It is concluded that the detection of hydatid cyst/cystic echinococcosis in the examined hosts either human or animals should be considered among physicians and a large sample size is recommended in future research.

Pets can have accidental, intentional, or malicious exposure to illicit drugs. It is a growing concern over the last decade because there is an increase in usage of illicit drugs in humans and diagnosis is difficult. Owners are often not aware of exposure, or they are reluctant to admit possession of recreational drugs in the household due to potential legal consequences. In addition, illicit drugs sold on the black market are often adulterated with other substances resulting in non-specific clinical presentation and aggravation of symptoms. There are affordable onsite diagnostic tests on the market which could facilitate diagnosis of intoxication with illicit drugs, but they give a lot of false positive results due to low specificity of the tests. In this paper we gathered information about the most common recreational drugs such as amphetamines, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), phencyclidine (PCP), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin mushrooms and cocaine in terms of toxicokinetic properties, mechanism of toxic action, clinical presentation and treatment in dogs and cats.

Due to the close bond between humans and companion animals, a thorough understanding of the diversity of Cryptosporidium species and Giardia assemblages in cats and dogs is essential to determine the potential zoonotic risks. Analysis of molecular studies shows that C. felis and C. canis are the main species infecting cats and dogs, respectively. These species are largely host-specific, as despite intense association with humans, prevalence of C. felis and C. canis in humans is low and predominantly in immunocompromised individuals and low-income countries. There have been reports of C. parvum in cats and dogs and two reports of C. hominis in dogs. In most studies conducted to date, however, the prevalence of zoonotic species was low and may be associated with coprophagy and or/spillback, but this remains to be determined. Results of subtyping studies suggest that for C. felis and C. canis, some zoonotic transmission may occur but host-adapted subtypes also exist. Giardia duodenalis assemblages C and D are commonly reported in dogs, with assemblages F and A most common in cats. Assemblages C, D and F are largely host-specific as there are only a handful of reports of them in humans. Reports of assemblage A and B in cats and dogs may be due to coprophagy or spillback from owners. Despite the extent of pet ownership and the close contact between humans and companion animals worldwide, the overall risk of zoonotic transmission from cats and dogs to humans is uncertain but thought to be low due to C. canis, C. felis and G. duodenalis assemblages C, D and F being predominantly host-specific, the relatively low prevalence of C. parvum (and C. hominis) in cats and dogs (which may be due to mechanical carriage), and low oo/cyst shedding. Carefully designed epidemiological studies of cats and dogs and their owners using subtyping tools are essential to better quantify the extent of spillover and spillback of Cryptosporidium and Giardia between pets and their owners.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and geographical distribution of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Mexico, including owned dogs from veterinary clinics with regular medical care and shelter dogs. The Mexican territory was divided into eight geographical regions; 22 out of 32 states were included; 110 veterinary clinics and 53 dog shelters participated. SNAP® 4Dx Plus® (IDEXX® Laboratories) was used to detect antibodies against Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis antigens. A total of 3522 apparently healthy dogs were tested, 1648 from clinics and 1874 from shelters. The highest seroprevalence of infection/exposure was found for Ehrlichia spp. (30.9%), followed by Anaplasma spp. (14.6%), D. immitis (5.3%) and B. burgdorferi (0.1%). Significantly more positive dogs were older than 3 years. Regarding differences between facility types, there were only differences for D. immitis which was more prevalent in clinics than in shelters (OR ​= ​1.97; 95% CI: 1.45–2.69; P ​

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs and cats. Early diagnosis of cancer is critical for effective treatment and improving survival rates. Nematode-NOSE (N-NOSE) is a commercially available non-invasive human cancer screening test that uses the sense of smell of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans showing a distinct chemotactic response toward the urine of an individual with cancer compared to healthy ones. 15 types of human cancer (stomach, colon-rectum, lung, breast, pancreas, liver, prostate, uterus, esophagus, gallbladder, bile duct, kidney, urinary bladder, ovary, and oropharynx cancers) can be detected by N-NOSE.A non-invasive method for accurate cancer screening is needed for pets. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of N-NOSE in detecting cancer using canine and feline urine samples. We found a significant difference in chemotaxis index values between healthy subjects and cancer patients in both canine (p

Acute renal failure is a common clinical disease in canines, affecting antioxidant levels and decreasing the body's resistance. This study aims to explore the therapeutic mechanism of Nano-selenium in acute renal failure. The histopathological and imaging changes of kidney tissue were observed with the gene and protein expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 in the kidney. According to our findings, adding nano-selenium can effectively reduce the concentration of CRE and BUN in blood and kidney tissues. It increased the activity of GSH-PX and SOD by an effective reduction of MDA. Through pathological and imaging observations, it was found that adding nano-selenium could improve the kidney tissue structure of acute renal failure. The results of the RT-qPCR experiment showed that after the addition of nano-selenium, the mRNA expression of the Keap1 gene decreased significantly. In contrast, the mRNA expression of the Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 genes increased significantly. The experimental results were further verified by western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Hence, the nano-selenium intervention improved kidney function and increased antioxidant levels in canines suffering from acute renal failure with the involvement of the Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Companion animals have the potential to greatly enhance the physical and mental health of humans, thus leading to an increased focus on the interactions between humans and pets. Currently, the inappropriate and excessive utilization of antimicrobial agents has become prevalent in veterinary clinical practice for pets. This antibiotic contamination phenomenon has a profound impact on the enrichment of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in pets. However, the pet-associated resistome, especially the novel ARGs in pets, represents a relatively neglected area. In this study, we successfully constructed a total of 12 libraries using the functional metagenomics approach to assess the diversity of ARGs in pet cats and dogs from four pet hospitals. Through the integration of functional screening and high-throughput sequencing, a total of 122 antibiotic resistance determinants were identified, of which 15 were classified as putative novel ARGs originating from five classes. Functional assessment demonstrated that 6 novel ARGs including one β-lactam, two macrolides, two aminoglycosides, and one rifamycin (RIF), namely bla PF , erm PF , msr PF , aac(6') PF , aph(3') PF , and arr PF , exhibited functionally activity in conferring bacterial phenotypic resistance by increasing the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) with a 4- to 128-fold. Genetic context analysis demonstrated that, with the exception of aac(6') PF and arr PF , the remaining four novel ARGs were found adjacent to mobile genetic elements (MGEs) including IS elements or transposases, which provided a prerequisite for horizontal transfer of these novel ARGs, thereby offering an explanation for their detection in diverse samples collected from various sampling sites. The current study has unveiled the significant role of cat and dog feces as one source of reservoirs of diverse novel ARGs, while also highlighting the potential adverse consequences of their further spread to medically significant pathogens and human commensal organisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Accurate airborne virus monitoring is important for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Although standard reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) can efficiently detect viral ribonucleic acid (RNA), it cannot determine whether the RNA is associated with active (infectious) or inactive (non-infectious) viruses. Plaque assay is the gold standard for determining viral infectivity but is laborious and time-consuming. This study explored the viral infectivity of H1N1 influenza virus and human coronavirus (HCoV-229E) using capsid integrity RT-qPCR, where virus samples were pretreated with reagents penetrating viruses with damaged capsids, impeding amplification by binding to their RNA. Therefore, the amplified signals corresponded solely to active viruses with undamaged capsids. Propidium monoazide (PMA) and platinum (IV) chloride (PtCl 4 ) were used to investigate the effects of reagent concentration. Feasibility tests revealed that PtCl 4 was more efficient than PMA, with optimal concentrations of 125-250 μM and 250-500 μM for H1N1 influenza virus and HCoV-229E, respectively. The results of percentage of active virus showed that capsid integrity RT-qPCR provided a trend similar to that of plaque assay, indicating an accurate measure of viral infectivity. Virus sampling in the laboratory and field highlighted the precision of this methodology for determining viral infectivity. Therefore, this methodology enables rapid and accurate detection of infectious airborne H1N1 influenza virus and HCoV-229E, allowing swift response to outbreaks., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Vector-borne diseases represent a major health challenge, both because of the complexity of their control, their common zoonotic nature, or the pathology they can cause in the individual. In tropical areas, surveillance of these diseases is even more important, since the activity of vectors is usually continuous throughout the year. To develop effective prophylaxis and surveillance programs, it is important to know the identity and prevalence of these pathogens as well as their distribution in a given territory. In Guadeloupe, a French archipelago located in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean, no information exists about vector-borne diseases in companion animals. With this aim, blood samples were obtained from 46 owned dogs with outdoor access from five different veterinary clinics located in the two mainland islands, and the presence of DNA of the main canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) was investigated through diverse PCR protocols. At least one pathogen was detected in 30.4 % of the dogs. The most frequently detected CVBP was Coxiella burnetii (17.4 %), followed by Dirofilaria immitis (8.7 %), and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum, Hepatozoon canis and Rickettsia spp. (2.2 % in all cases). One dog was coinfected with Candidatus M. haematoparvum and D. immitis. All samples were negative for Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, piroplasmids, and Leishmania spp. No significant differences in pathogen occurrence were observed between the two main islands or according to the dog's sex and age groups. This study contributes to filling a relevant gap in the knowledge of vector-borne diseases in the Caribbean., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The increasing population of dogs and changes in the climatic conditions have resulted in the emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in canines. These vectors borne diseases in canines pose a diagnostic challenge to the field veterinarians because of co-infections with several pathogens. Comprehensive data on the prevalence of haemoparasites and haemorickettsiales in pet and community owned dogs from south India are scant. Hence, the present study aims to find and compare the prevalence of these infections in the pet and the community owned dogs of Kerala, a south Indian state. Two hundred and seventy-two pets and 150 community owned dogs were examined by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for infections with different heamoparasites and haemorickettsials from January 2018-November 2020 in the state of Kerala. A high prevalence of Babesia gibsoni infection (42.2-60.0 %) in pet and community owned dogs, followed by Babesia vogeli (5.8-39.3 %), Hepatozoon canis (0.7-28.0 %), Trypanosoma evansi (0.0-27.3 %), Ehrlichia canis (0.3-0.6 %) and Anaplasma platys (0.0-0.6 %) was observed in the present study. Eighty-eight per cent (132/150) of the community owned dogs and 49.2 % (134/272) of the pet dogs were positive for at least one pathogen. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial nucleotide sequences of 18S rRNA and TRAP gene of B. gibsoni, 18S rRNA genes of B. vogeli and H. canis and RoTat, 1.2 virB9 and 16S rRNA genes of T. evansi, E. canis and A. platys, respectively was carried out. B. vogeli, H. canis, E. canis and A. platys revealed genetic relatedness between the Indian isolates and the isolates from other countries. However, B. gibsoni isolates from the Indian sub-continent were genetically unique compared to other Asian isolates. The clustering of T. evansi isolates from India in two clades viz., livestock origin (cattle, buffalo) and others indicated their genetic variability. The present study summarizes the prevalence of some of the haemoparasites and haemorickettsials in the dog populations of Kerala (south India) and also determined their genetic relationship with the isolates prevalent in dogs in other countries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Trichinellosis is a parasitic disease affecting various mammals (including humans), birds, and reptiles, and is widespread across multiple continents except Antarctica. The disease can be caused by several species of the genus Trichinella and there are documented cases of T. britovi globally. In Algeria, human cases of Trichinella have been reported and a study identifying T. britovi linked the infection to the consumption of jackal meat., with no reports of Trichinella spp. in animals. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the presence of Trichinella spp. infection among carnivorous species in Algeria. Between February 2022 and August 2023, 33 road-killed mammals, mainly carnivores were collected from different locations across five departments: El Tarf, Annaba, Constantine, Algiers, and Oued Souf. Comprehensive parasitological necropsies were conducted, and muscle samples from the dorsal and ventral musculature of the forelimb and the diaphragm of each animal were examined using trichinoscopy. DNA was isolated from positive muscle tissue samples and analyzed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Trichinella spp. cysts were detected in one domestic dog (Canis familiaris) from Ain Kerma, El Tarf. Molecular analysis confirmed all cysts as T. britovi. This study presents the first report of the genus T. britovi in an animal host in Algeria, highlighting the role of domestic dogs in maintaining the sylvatic life cycle of T. britovi in the region., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Andrei Daniel Mihalca is an editor for Veterinary Parasitology Regional Studies and Reports. The rest of the authors have nothing to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Oncolytic viral gene therapy is a directed approach to target cancer cells without affecting healthy cells of the body. Canine parvovirus (CPV2) is an oncolytic virus that precisely targets and destroys neoplastic cells by causing DNA damage, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis. Non-structural gene 1 (NS1) of CPV, concerned with viral DNA replication is a key mediator of cytotoxicity of CPV and can specifically cause tumor cell lysis. In the present study, by using the transcriptomics approach, we tried to identify molecular pathways and key genes involved in CPV2.NS1 mediated 4T1 mice mammary tumor cell death. We identified necroptosis and mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis as major cell death pathways leading to CPV2.NS1 transfected 4T1 cancer cell death. Various DEGs identified in our study play an important role in pathways like the PI3K/AKT pathway, diverse metabolic pathways, MAPK signaling pathway, and FGF signaling pathway, whichare mostly dysregulated in cancerous conditions. Histone variant H2A.X genes, Capn2, and Mapk10/JNK are predicted as key genes that play a role in causing endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial damage, thereby leading to necroptosis and apoptosis. This study is a preliminary work done to identify key genes and molecular pathways involved in CPV2.NS1 mediated 4T1 cancer cells death which need to be further validated to establish this viral gene as a potent oncolytic agent., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work report of the article submitted., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Leishmaniasis is a significant public health concern, with dogs as the primary reservoir in urban scenarios and facilitating transmission. Diagnosing infected dogs is a crucial step for public health interventions, and the development of new diagnostic platforms can significantly enhance efforts in various regions worldwide. Given the limited availability of diagnostic methods in Colombia, this study evaluates the effectiveness of an Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) based on the recombinant protein rLicNTPDase-2 to detect Leishmania in infected dogs. Serum samples were collected from dogs in both endemic and non-endemic areas and classified as natural standards based on prior parasitological diagnoses. The results revealed 24 true positives (TP) and 9 true negatives (TN). Subsequently, the test was then validated with samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic animals, alongside the standards, yielding a specificity of 96 %, a sensitivity of 81 %, efficiency of 90.6 %, a positive predictive value of 92.8 %, and a negative predictive value of 89.6 %. The positive likelihood ratio (RV+) was 20, while the negative likelihood ratio (RV-) was 0.19, indicating high relevance and a robust clinical utility. The area under the curve (AUC) was 1.00, suggesting that the test has excellent discriminatory ability, significantly deviating from the reference diagonal. This is further supported by the significant difference(p < 0.0001) between TN and TP results determined by Fisher's exact test. Involving 163 animals showed 47 % positive and 46 % negative results with a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mean optical density (OD) values between positive and negative samples. These findings indicate that the ELISA test effectively differentiates between positive and negative samples based on OD values. This study suggests that ELISA based on the recombinant antigen rLicNTPDase-2 could serve as a viable alternative for the serodiagnosis of leishmaniasis in canines in Colombia., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There are no competing interests that may influence the results of this study., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A novel thioxoimidazolidin-linked sialoside bovine serum albumin (WM-BSA) conjugate was synthesized and evaluated as an inhibitor of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). The multivalent conjugate was prepared by the attachment of thioxoimidazolidin-sialoside monomer (WM) to BSA via adipate linker. Surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that WM-BSA exhibited potent binding to recombinant influenza HA and NA proteins, with dissociation constants in the submicromolar range. WM-BSA also demonstrated inhibitory activities in the low micromolar range against HA and NA proteins from multiple influenza strains. Investigation of cytopathic effects in infected MDCK cells indicated that WM-BSA possessed antiviral activity with EC 50 values of 35-55 μM. The multivalent presentation of sialosides on the BSA scaffold significantly enhanced both the binding affinity and degree of inhibition compared to the monomeric compound WM. These results demonstrate the potential of multivalent sialoside-protein conjugate as a platform for developing novel anti-influenza agent., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the use of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) in dogs and cats by veterinary anaesthesiologists., Study Design: A cross-sectional online, voluntary, anonymous survey., Population: Data from 153 answered questionnaires., Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was sent via e-mail to diplomates, residents and residency-trained individuals from the American and European Colleges of Veterinary An(a)esthesia and Analgesia, to gather information on the use, perceived advantages, reasons for the use or not of TIVA and attitudes towards this technique in dogs and cats. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis to detect significant associations were performed. The effect size was estimated using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A significance level of p < 0.05 was used., Results: We obtained 153/703 responses (66% diplomates, 34% residents; overall response rate of 21.7%). Although 99% and 94% of respondents used TIVA in dogs and cats, respectively, only 14% used it frequently (several times a week) in dogs, and < 1% in cats. Most respondents used propofol (97%, dogs) and alfaxalone (85%, cats), mostly combined with opioids. Reasons for not using TIVA more frequently included prolonged recovery (49%, dogs; 61%, cats), higher cost (46%, dogs) and concerns about drug accumulation (44%, cats). Frequent TIVA use was driven by clinical indications (100%) and greater haemodynamic stability (87%). A higher proportion of respondents using TIVA frequently reported the high stability of the anaesthetic plane (20%; OR = 5.0; 95% CI: 1.4-17.8; p = 0.013) and disagreed with using TIVA only when a specific clinical indication existed (OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.4-10.0; p = 0.013)., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Although occasional, TIVA use is reported among veterinary anaesthesiologists. Clinical indications for TIVA are the most likely reason for its use, whereas factors such as a prolonged recovery or higher cost might limit its use., (Copyright © 2024 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the use of plasma transfusion in anaesthetized dogs, specifically the triggers for use, the population administered plasma, reported adverse events and human errors associated with transfusion., Study Design: Retrospective observational study., Animals: A total of 85 client-owned dogs., Methods: A search of electronic transfusion and anaesthetic records at a university teaching hospital was performed to identify dogs administered plasma during the study period (January 2017 to June 2021). Data collected included signalment, surgical procedure, intraoperative triggers for transfusion, the type of plasma, rate of transfusion and the presence of transfusion reactions, human errors or deviation from transfusion guidelines., Results: During this period, 85 dogs were administered plasma. Sepsis was diagnosed in 49/85 (58%) dogs, with 42/85 (49%) animals undergoing surgery for septic peritonitis. Perianaesthetic hypotension contributed to the decision to administer plasma in 67/85 (79%) dogs. In 33/85 (39%) dogs, hypotension was the only reason for transfusion, while 31/85 (36%) had other influencing factors, most commonly hypoproteinaemia. Fresh frozen plasma was administered in 95% of cases. Only 31% of transfusions were started at a slower 'test dose' rate and 79% of dogs administered boluses of plasma. No definite, probable or possible transfusion reactions were identified using current veterinary guidelines., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Plasma transfusions were commonly administered to dogs presenting with sepsis for haemodynamic optimization. Clinicians often chose to bolus plasma instead of initiating transfusions at the recommended initial slow starting rate. No transfusion reactions were identified; however, some reactions may have been masked by the effects of general anaesthesia and/or have been difficult to recognize in this critically ill canine population., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the perioperative analgesic effect of lateral versus latero-ventral quadratus lumborum block (QLB) in dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy., Study Design: Randomized, blinded clinical study., Animals: A total of 15 client-owned female dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy., Methods: Animals were randomly assigned to receive a bilateral QLB, performed with 0.3 mL kg -1 ropivacaine 0.5%, either with lateral (group L QLB , n = 7) or latero-ventral approach (group LV QLB , n = 7). Dogs were premedicated intramuscularly with methadone 0.2 mg kg -1 and dexmedetomidine 3 μg kg -1 . General anaesthesia was induced intravenously (IV) with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Cardiovascular and respiratory variables were continuously monitored and recorded every 5 minutes during surgery. Fentanyl 3 μg kg -1 was administered IV if there was a 20% increase in heart rate and/or mean arterial pressure from previous values recorded 5 minutes before. Meloxicam 0.2 mg kg -1 was administered IV to all dogs during recovery. The short-form of the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale was used hourly for 8 hours post-QLB. Methadone 0.2 mg kg -1 was administered IV when pain score was ≥ 6/24. A chi-square test compared the number of dogs requiring intraoperative rescue fentanyl. A Friedman test with a Dunn's post hoc was used to evaluate the trend in postoperative pain scores within each group, and a Mann-Whitney U test compared scores between the groups at each time point; p < 0.05., Results: Significantly fewer dogs required intraoperative rescue fentanyl in group L QLB than in group LV QLB . No dog required postoperative rescue methadone, and there were no significant differences in pain scores., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Bilateral QLB performed with lateral approach reduced the number of dogs requiring intraoperative rescue analgesia in comparison with the latero-ventral approach. No differences were detected postoperatively, possibly owing to the confounding effects of methadone, dexmedetomidine and meloxicam., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the effects of wrapping the extremities of small dogs with table leg covers to prevent hypothermia during anesthesia., Study Design: Randomized parallel-group study., Animals: A total of 60 adult dogs with a body mass <15 kg anesthetized for soft tissue surgery., Methods: Dogs were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group received routine intraoperative thermal support, while the limb-wrapping group had their peripheral limbs covered with table leg covers up to the mid-metacarpal/metatarsal region, in addition to routine thermal support. Rectal temperature during anesthesia was recorded and compared between the two groups. Data analyses were performed using Student's t-test for rectal temperature, Fisher's exact test for hypothermia incidence and analysis of covariance for the effect of limb-wrapping while taking other factors into account., Results: Thirty dogs were included per group. Rectal temperature did not differ between the groups at the time of intubation, but it was significantly higher in the limb-wrapping group (36.7 ± 1.0 °C) than in the control group (35.9 ± 0.8 °C) at the end of surgery (p = 0.003). The mean difference was 0.81 °C (95% confidence interval of mean difference 0.33-1.29 °C). The incidence of hypothermia (<37.0 °C) was significantly lower in the limb-wrapping group than in the control group (19/30 versus 28/30 dogs, respectively; p = 0.010)., Conclusions: For dogs with body masses <15 kg, limb-wrapping with table leg covers slowed the reduction in intraoperative rectal temperature. Limb-wrapping is inexpensive and easy to perform, making it a practical method for minimizing hypothermia during anesthesia in small dogs undergoing soft tissue surgery., Clinical Relevance: Peripheral warming with table leg covers has the potential to reduce hypothermia during soft tissue surgery in small dogs., (Copyright © 2024 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of pH with multichannel intraluminal impedance (pH-MII), pH-metry (pH) alone and MII alone to direct observation of GOR by endoscopy in anaesthetized dogs., Study Design: A prospective comparative trial in a live canine model., Animals: A group of 35 (22 females, 13 males) dogs of various breeds. The mean (range) body weight and age were 31.9 (14-40) kg and 5.6 (0.75-12) years, respectively., Methods: All dogs were premedicated with medetomidine and morphine, anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained on isoflurane in oxygen. A monitoring assembly consisting of an endoscopy camera, endotracheal tube and a disposable flexible pH-MII catheter was used to measure oesophageal pH, MII and directly visualize reflux. Visual reflux score was (0-3) and pH was recorded on a data capture sheet. Reflux was considered to have occurred whenever oesophageal pH was < 4.0 or > 7.5, device software analysing MII data detected fluid or a visual reflux score of 2 or 3 were assigned. Receiver operator curves (ROC) analysis was used to determine sensitivity and specificity for each monitoring method to detect GOR., Results: Endoscopy identified GOR in 20 dogs (57%), pH-MII in 19 dogs (54%), pH alone in 13 dogs (37%) and MII alone in 12 dogs (24%). ROC analysis showed fair accuracy for pH-MII and pH alone, whereas MII demonstrated low accuracy., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: In conclusion, pH-MII is a reliable method for detecting GOR and emerges as a promising tool for future research. Endoscopy is reliable and provides the ability to subjectively quantify the volume of reflux; however, it lacks the ability to discern the pH of refluxate. pH alone misses reflux events with intermediate pH (4.1-7.4). Incorporation of impedance addresses some of the limitations associated with pH alone and enhances diagnostic accuracy., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Previous studies of human-dog interventions vary in terms of type of interaction, which is rarely quantified, leading to contradictory findings and limited comparability. To uncover the influence of different types of interactions, the present study investigated if it was possible to detect differences in immediate physiological measurements of healthy humans during different standardised types of interaction with a dog. Thirty-three healthy participants (women = 25, men = 8, >18 years) were exposed to four different test situations with standardised types of interaction intensity with a dog in random order: no dog present (CONTROL), looking at a dog (VISUAL), petting a dog (TACTILE) or performing tricks with a dog (ACTIVE). Each test situation lasted 10 min with a 30-min break between each. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance (tonic level (SCL) and peak counts (SCR)) were continuously recorded. Blood pressure (BP) and salivary cortisol (s-cortisol) were measured before and after each test situation. Linear Mixed Models were applied. HR, HRV, BP, SCL and SCR increased with increased interaction with the dog (for all: p < 0.001). HRV increased with decreased HR (p = 0.002), increased SCL (p = 0.027), and SCR (p < 0.001) depending on the type of interaction. Generally, s-cortisol increased with increased HR (p = 0.042), SCL increased with increased SCR (p < 0.001), and SCR increased with increased HRV (p = 0.013), depending on type of interaction. The physiological measurements HR, HRV, BP, SCL and SCR are influenced by different types of dog interaction, and thus it is important to quantify and report the type of interaction in human-dog interaction studies. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID:NCT04696419)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors involved in this publication have no conflict of interests to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sinus rhythm activation time is useful to assess infarct border zone substrate., Objective: We sought to further investigate sinus activation in ventricular tachycardia (VT)., Methods: Canine postinfarction data were analyzed retrospectively. In each experiment, an infarct was created in the left ventricular wall by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. At 3 to 5 days after ligation, 196-312 bipolar electrograms were recorded from the anterior left ventricular epicardium overlapping the infarct border zone. Sustained monomorphic VT was induced by premature electrical stimulation in 50 experiments and was noninducible in 43 experiments. Acquired sinus rhythm and VT electrograms were marked for electrical activation time, and activation maps of representative sinus rhythm and VT cycles were constructed. The sinus rhythm activation signature was defined as the cumulative number of multielectrode recording sites that had activated per time epoch, and its derivative was used to predict VT inducibility and to define the sinus rhythm slow/late activation sequence., Results: Plotting mean activation signature derivative, a best cutoff value was useful to separate experiments with reentrant VT inducibility (sensitivity, 42/50) vs noninducibility (specificity, 39/43), with an accuracy of 81 of 93. For the 50 experiments with inducible VT, recording sites overlying a segment of isochrone encompassing the sinus rhythm slow/late activation sequence spanned the VT isthmus location in 32 cases (64%), partially spanned it in 15 cases (30%), but did not span it in 3 cases (6%)., Conclusion: The sinus rhythm activation signature derivative is assistive to differentiate substrate supporting reentrant VT inducibility vs noninducibility and to identify slow/late activation for targeting isthmus location., Competing Interests: Disclosures The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the portion of tidal volume (V T ) ventilating dead space volumes in nonbrachycephalic cats and dogs with small body mass receiving volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) with a fixed V T ., Study Design: Prospective, experimental study., Animals: A group of eight healthy adult cats and dogs [ideal body weight (IBW): 3.0 ± 0.5 and 3.8 ± 1.1 kg, respectively]., Methods: Anesthetized cats and dogs received VCV with a 12 mL kg -1 V T (inspiratory pause ≥ 0.5 seconds). Respiratory rate (f R ) was adjusted to maintain normocapnia. Airway dead space (V Daw ) and alveolar tidal volume (V Talv ) were measured by volumetric capnography. Physiological dead space (V Dphys ) and V Dphys /V T ratio were calculated using the Bohr-Enghoff method. Data recorded before surgery were compared by an unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05 considered significant)., Results: The IBW (p = 0.07), PaCO 2 (p = 0.40) and expired V T [V T(exp) ] (p = 0.77) did not differ significantly between species. The V Daw (mL kg -1 ) was lower in cats (3.7 ± 0.4) than in dogs (7.7 ± 0.9) (p < 0.0001). The V Talv (mL kg -1 ) was larger in cats (8.3 ± 0.7) than in dogs (4.3 ± 0.7) (p < 0.0001). Cats presented a smaller V Dphys /V T ratio (0.33 ± 0.03) and V Dphys (4.0 ± 0.3 mL kg -1 ) than dogs (V Dphys /V T : 0.60 ± 0.09; V Dphys : 7.2 ± 1.4 mL kg -1 ) (p < 0.0001). The f R and minute ventilation (V T(exp)  × f R ) were lower in cats than in dogs (p = 0.048 and p = 0.038, respectively)., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: A fixed V T results in more effective ventilation in cats than in dogs with small body mass because of species-specific differences in and V Daw and V Dphys . Because of the smaller V Daw and V Dphys in cats than in dogs, a lower f R is required to maintain normocapnia in cats., (Copyright © 2024 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of an ultrasound-guided technique targeting the medial branches of the dorsal ramus of the spinal nerves (DRSN) by injecting a dye solution at the caudal aspect of the base of lumbar mammillary processes [i.e. the retromammillary (RM) space]., Study Design: Feasibility, descriptive, anatomical study., Animals: Eleven canine cadavers., Methods: Using anatomical dissections, the relationship between the mammillary processes and the branches of the DRSN of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine was studied in two cadavers. Subsequently, ultrasound-guided RM injections were administered in nine cadavers, randomly assigned to low volume (LV; 0.01 mL kg -1 ) of a dye solution at multiple points from L3 to L6 on one side, and high volume (HV; 0.4 mL kg -1 ) at a single L4 point on the contralateral side. Gross anatomical dissections were immediately performed after the injections. The RM injections were feasible if ultrasonographic landmarks were identifiable in at least 80% of cases, and 80% of LV injections showed medial branch staining. A one-sample binomial test was used for testing feasibility., Results: The medial branches emerged shortly after the DRSN exited the intervertebral foramen and traveled towards the caudal aspect of the base of the mammillary process, which served as the target injection point. With LV, 36 out of 36 (100%) injected medial branches were stained, meeting the criteria of feasibility (p < 0.001). The median (range) number of stained medial branches per cadaver were 4 (4-4) and 2 (1-3), with LV and HV, respectively. Although no lateral branches were stained with LV, 1 (0-2) was stained with HV. Neither ventral branch staining nor epidural spread was noted in any cadaver., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Ultrasound-guided RM injections are feasible and allow for selective staining of the medial branch of the DRSN in canine cadavers at the lumbar spine., (Copyright © 2024 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate cardiopulmonary, arterial blood gas and propofol-sparing effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) constant rate infusion (CRI) in mechanically ventilated dogs maintained under total intravenous anesthesia with propofol., Study Design: Blinded, randomized, clinical trial., Animals: A total of 24 healthy adult dogs., Methods: Dogs were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine (0.05 mg kg -1 ) and morphine (0.5 mg kg -1 ), followed by an intravenous (IV) bolus of saline or MgSO 4 (50 mg kg -1 over 15 minutes) and propofol (given to effect to induce anesthesia). Anesthesia was maintained with an IV propofol infusion (beginning at 0.3 mg kg -1 minute -1 , adjusted as necessary). Concurrently, one of three IV infusions were administered: GS (0.9% NaCl), GM30 (MgSO 4 , 30 mg kg -1 hour -1 ) or GM80 (MgSO 4 , 80 mg kg -1 hour -1 ). Propofol induction and maintenance doses were recorded. The following variables were recorded at baseline (T0), after bolus treatment (T1), after beginning mechanical ventilation (T5) and every 15 minutes until the end of the procedure (T15-T120): mean arterial pressure, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, end-tidal partial pressure of CO 2 , temperature, blood gas variables, indirect calorimetry and extubation time. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant., Results: Propofol induction bolus dose was lower in GM30 (31.2%, p = 0.04) and GM80 (38.9%, p = 0.003) than in GS. The maintenance propofol infusion rate in GM80 was 16.9% lower (p = 0.03), resulting in fewer propofol CRI rescues during the perioperative period. GM30 and GM80 exhibited faster extubation times than GS (46.2%, p = 0.002 and 48.9%, p = 0.001, respectively)., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Infusion of a 50 mg kg -1 bolus, followed by CRI of MgSO 4 (30 and 80 mg kg -1 hour -1 ), reduces the propofol induction and maintenance (CRI) requirement, maintaining cardiorespiratory stability and reducing the time required to extubation., (Copyright © 2024 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The structural dynamics of the interactions between defensins or lysozymes and various saccharide chains that are covalently linked to lipids or proteins were analyzed in relation to the sub-molecular architecture of the carbohydrate binding sites of lectins. Using tissue materials from rare and endangered domestic animals as well as from dogs it was possible to compare these results with data obtained from a human glioblastoma tissue. The binding mechanisms were analyzed on a cellular and a sub-molecular size level using biophysical techniques (e.g. NMR, AFM, MS) which are supported by molecular modeling tools. This leads to characteristic structural patterns being helpful to understand glyco-biochemical pathways in which galectins, defensins or lysozymes are involved. Carbohydrate chains have a distinct impact on cell differentiation, cell migration and immunological processes. The absence or the presence of sialic acids and the conformational dynamics in glycans are often correlated with zoonoses such as influenza- and coronavirus-infections. Receptor-sensitive glycomimetics could be a solution. The new findings concerning the function of galectin-3 in the nucleus in relation to differentiation processes can be understood when the binding specificity of neuroleptic molecules as well as the interactions between proteins and nucleic acids are describable on a sub-molecular size level., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To compare perioperative opioid consumption in dogs undergoing pelvic limb surgeries and receiving a lumbosacral plexus block by combining a lumbar [lateral pre-iliac (LPI)] block with a lumbosacral trunk [i.e. parasacral (PS group) or greater ischiatic notch plane (GIN group)] block. Study design Retrospective, descriptive, exploratory, noninferiority cohort study., Methods: Medical records of 37 client-owned dogs were analyzed. Intraoperative (primary outcome) and postoperative (24 hours) opioid use, 24 hour cumulative pain scores and prevalence of complications were compared between the two groups. Opioid use was quantified in morphine equivalents (ME, mg kg -1 ). The noninferiority limit for intraoperative opioid consumption was set at 0.05 ME kg -1 hour -1 . Demographic data, procedure duration, surgery type and perioperative dexmedetomidine and ketamine use were also collected. A t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, a Fisher's exact test and multivariable linear regression were used. Significance was set at p < 0.05., Results: The GIN and PS groups comprised 17 and 20 dogs, respectively. Total intraoperative ME consumption was 0.17 (0.11-0.21) and 0.22 (0.16-0.30) mg kg -1 hour -1 for the GIN and PS groups, respectively (p = 0.077). The noninferiority analysis adjusted by surgery type and body mass revealed that the mean difference between the groups (GIN - PS) was -0.039 (95% CI -0.11-0.03, p = 0.247) ME mg kg -1 hour -1 , indicating that the GIN group was not inferior to the PS group regarding intraoperative ME consumption. Dexmedetomidine and ketamine use, postoperative ME consumption and pain scores were similar between groups., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: This retrospective study and preliminary observations support the clinical use of the GIN plane block, demonstrating its noninferiority to the PS block when combined with the LPI block for multimodal perioperative analgesia in dogs undergoing pelvic limb surgeries., (Copyright © 2024 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Taletrectinib is a potent selective ROS and pan-NTRK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and has been developed to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To facilitate pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies of taletrectinib, we developed a procedure for ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to detect the plasma level of taletrectinib in dogs. This assay procedure was validated in compliance with FDA guidance. The dog plasma samples were spiked with internal standard (IS), followed by protein precipitation, and analyzed using a Waters ACQUITY BEH C 18 column coupled to a Thermo triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Separation was executed using the acetonitrile-0.1 % formic acid solution with gradient elution, at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Taletrectinib and IS were monitored by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with m/z 406.2 > 349.2 and m/z 441.2 > 138.1, respectively. The procedure demonstrated excellent linearity with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.999 within the concentration range of 0.2-200 ng/mL. The inter- and intra-day accuracy ranged from -5.25 % to 5.26 %, and the precision was below 6.39 %. Acetonitrile-mediated protein precipitation showed high extraction efficiency and a recovery above 85 %. The procedure was then applied to quantify taletrectinib in beagle dog plasma after oral and intravenous doses and achieved success. The obtained pharmacokinetic parameters indicated high bioavailability of taletrectinib (>85 %) and extensive tissue distribution (>40 L/kg)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the expression patterns of genes associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in ovarian and uterine tissues of dogs with pyometra, categorized by cervical status (open cervix or closed cervix), which influences disease severity. The control group comprised healthy animals undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. Tissue inflammatory gene expression and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined while microbial and histopathological examinations were conducted, along with immunohistochemical evaluations. In the closed-cervix group, uterine TNF and IL6 were upregulated approximately 10-fold while IL10 was upregulated nearly 5-fold. TNF expression differed remarkably between the pyometra groups. In the closed-cervix group, PTGS2 and HMOX1 were upregulated approximately 5-fold whereas NFE2L2 expression was downregulated. The closed-cervix group also had the highest uterine MDA levels. Regarding ovarian tissue, MDA levels were higher in the closed-cervix group than in the open-cervix group while IL10 expression was lower in the closed-cervix group than the open-cervix group. In the closed-cervix group, NFE2L2 was downregulated whereas HMOX1 was upregulated. Uterine TNF levels were positively correlated with IL6, IL10, PTGS2, and HMOX1, but negatively correlated with NFE2L2. IL6 was positively correlated with IL10, PTGS2, and HMOX1. NFE2L2 was negatively correlated with IL6 and HMOX1. IL10 was positively correlated with PTGS2 and HMOX1. MDA was positively correlated with TNF, IL6, IL10, PTGS2, NFE2L2, and HMOX1. TNF levels were positively correlated with ovarian PTGS2, and with IL6 and NFE2L2. MDA was positively correlated with PTGS2 and HMOX1. MDA could be an important biomarker for understanding the severity of pyometra. Moreover, TNF expression and its relationships with various studied parameters such as IL10 may contribute to treatment and prognostic biomarker studies in closed-cervix pyometra pathology., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dirofilaria repens (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) is the causative agent of canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis. Adults of D. repens localize in the subcutaneous tissues and fasciae and most of the infected animals are asymptomatic though dermatological disorders have been described sporadically. In this study, the gonads of 100 male dogs were inspected for D. repens presence from December 2020 to January 2022. All examined dogs were older than 48 months and underwent castration for several reasons. The testes and the superficial layers were examined with the aid of stereomicroscope; in addition, the blood of all included dogs was collected and analysed by Knott's test to assess the presence of microfilariae. Six out of 100 (6 %, CI95%, 2.2-12.6 %) examined dogs were positive for D. repens presence, and in all the cases the parasites were found beneath the tunica vaginalis layers. Microfilariae were found in 15 blood samples including 5 out of those 6 testes positive dogs thus resulting in a final D. repens prevalence of 16 % (CI95%: 9.4-24.7 %). No pathological changes and or lesions due to parasite presence were observed in the testes or in their layers. The present study represents the first survey focusing on the detection of D. repens in dog testes on a large sample size. Adult parasites were found in the testes of 6 out of 16 D. repens infected dogs accounting for 37.5 % of cases and suggesting as testicular localization is not uncommon. The absence of neoplastic or inflammatory lesions in D. repens infected testes suggests as these conditions do not act as attractive stimuli for the parasite localization. Finally, considering the zoonotic potential of D. repens and the large infection prevalence here reported, active surveillance in endemic areas is strongly advocated to limit the presence of reservoir and prevent further infections to animals and humans., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Babesia (B.) microti is an intra-erythrocytic protozoan parasite that infects humans as well as domestic and wild animals. Prevalence of B. microti was investigated in 654 apparently healthy dogs belonging to 55 different breeds from three districts in Punjab province (Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur and Jhang) and two districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (Dir Upper and Charsadda) in Pakistan. The hematological profile of dogs, risk factors associated with the infection and phylogenetic diversity of the detected isolates were also evaluated. In total, 29 blood samples (4 %) scored PCR positive. Sanger sequencing of partial 18S rRNA gene confirmed the presence of B. microti. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequences based on the 18S rRNA gene displayed global phylogenetic similarity with the isolates that were previously documented from Russia, France, Poland, Spain, China, Japan and USA. The infection rate was consistent across different sampling sites and dog breeds. Sex or presence of ectoparasites on dog was also not associated with B. microti prevalence. Babesia microti infected dogs had elevated red cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (%) than uninfected animals. This study presents updated data about the prevalence of B. microti among local Pakistani dogs and will be helpful in designing control strategies against this tick-borne pathogen as the tick infesting a B. microti infected dog may transmit this parasites to human as well., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors confirm that they have no conflict of interest of any sort with any one., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Here we described a case of fatal canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in French Guiana, a non-endemic VL Amazonian area. The dog was a 2-year-old pug imported from Brazil to French Guiana. Initially seen for a pruriginous lesion on the muzzle which healed after treatment, the dog was in a deteriorated condition and had sublingual, foreleg and eye ulcers, one month later. A visceral leishmaniasis was suspected by the veterinarian. The dog was hospitalized awaiting results, which revealed the presence of L. infantum. However, the dog succumbed suddenly before the results were returned. Few imported and scarce autochthonous canine VL cases have been previously reported in French Guiana, raising the need for local epidemiological surveillance, considering the possibility of unusual transmission routes of the parasite., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis are common gastrointestinal protozoan parasites that cause diarrhea in humans and animals. Although dogs in animal shelters in South Korea can be reintroduced into human society as companions, no continuous investigations have been conducted on the prevalence and genetic characteristics of the protozoan parasites. In the present study, 345 fecal samples from dogs were obtained from animal shelters in six provinces between January and December 2022. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis were molecularly identified at the 18S rRNA gene. Cryptosporidium canis isolates were subtyped at the gp60 locus, and G. duodenalis assemblages were identified at the tpi, bg and gdh loci. Overall, 6.67% of the fecal samples tested positive for Cryptosporidium spp. and two species were identified: C. canis (5.51%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (1.16%). Significant regional differences in prevalence were identified for C. canis. Subtyping analysis of C. canis isolates revealed a predominance of the subtype families XXa and XXe over XXb, and XXc. G. duodenalis was detected in 17.68% of the samples, and significant regional differences were identified; its prevalence was also significantly highest in diarrhoeic animals. Molecular characterization of G. duodenalis reveal that most isolates belonged to the canine-specific assemblages C and D. The present results can contribute to further insights into the prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis in shelter dogs in South Korea., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)