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Background: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is used to evaluate vascularity of the gastrointestinal wall in neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. Objective: To assess the feasibility of CEUS for the evaluation of duodenal perfusion in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Animals: Forty-two dogs with IBD and 20 clinically healthy dogs. Methods: All CEUS studies of the duodenum were analyzed to obtain time-intensity curves and perfusion parameters. The procedure was repeated in 12 IBD dogs 2months after a standardized treatment. Results: On CEUS, the duodenal wall showed a typical perfusion pattern characterized by a radial and simultaneous enhancement of the wall in all dogs. On qualitative assessment, no differences were observed in contrast medium distribution between healthy and affected dogs, or between dogs with IBD before and after treatment. Peak intensity (PI) and area under the curve (AUC) significantly differed between healthy (PI=3.58 arbitrary units [au; 1.86-4.93 au] and AUC=47.63 au seconds [aus, 22.68-62.15]) and affected dogs (PI=5.10au [0.63-15.16 au] and AUC=63.62 aus [5.31-212.20 aus]; P=.03 and.03, respectively). No significant differences were found for the perfusion parameters before and after treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: We showed that CEUS allows discrimination between IBD affected dogs and healthy dogs by evaluation of time-intensity curves, but did not provide useful information for monitoring therapeutic response. The qualitative assessment identified no significant differences between healthy and affected dogs, or between dogs before and after treatment.

Pulmonary capillariasis is a parasitic disease caused by the nematode Eucoleus aerophilus which affects wild and domestic carnivores. Currently, there are no anthelmintics approved for use in the treatment of dogs infected with E. aerophilus. The use of several anthelmintics has been reported in a few case reports and field efficacy studies in cats; much less is known on the treatment of dogs infected with E. aerophilus. The paper describes a case of a 4-month-old, mixed breed intact male referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the Department of Veterinary Medical Science of the University of Bologna for a routine vaccination and tested positive for E. aerophilus. The dog has not been responding to three different administered treatments, such as moxidectin, fenbendazole, and milbemycin oxime. Eighteen months after the first fecal examination, owner has brought in the dog for a routine visit; a coprological examination was requested and performed resulting negative for parasites. Veterinary practitioners, parasitologists, diagnostic laboratories, and dog owners need to be aware of the increased danger of possible treatment failure when attempting to control parasitic infections for which there are no approved anthelmintics with established efficacies available for use.

Hematuria, or preputial hemorrhagic discharge, is an extremely common clinical sign; it can be associated with a wide range of diseases, including, even if only rarely, penile foreign bodies. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the diagnosis and therapy involving migration from the preputial ostium or penile urethra of a foreign body (awn grass) embedded in the connective tissue surrounding the penis, or in deeper inguinal tissues, in dogs with hematuria or preputial hemorrhagic discharge. In the selected cases, signaling, history, clinical signs, results of laboratory exams, endoscopic and ultrasonographic evaluation, and the technique used for foreign body removal were evaluated. Dogs with hemorrhagic discharge consequent to a penile foreign body represented 2% of the entire population considered. At physical examination, the most common features were the presence of swelling of the glans and hyperemia associated with a penile fistula (4/6 dogs), and pain during penile exteriorization (3/6 dogs). Laboratory results showed mild neutrophilic leukocytosis in 2/3 dogs and reticulocytosis in 1/3 dogs. Endoscopy, performed in 2/6 dogs, did not reveal any alterations associated with passage of the foreign body. Ultrasonography was useful in reaching a definitive diagnosis, identifying the position of the grass awn in 6/6 cases and permitting its removal in all dogs using an ultrasound-guided technique. This case report suggested that penile foreign bodies are a rare, but possible, cause of hematuria or hemorrhagic discharge in male dogs, and that ultrasonography is a useful technique in the making of a differential diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies.

Ultrasonographic morphometry of wall layers is commonly used in veterinary patients with suspected small intestinal disease, however published studies comparing this method with histopathology in horses are limited. This prospective, methods comparison study compared the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of small intestinal wall layers using ex vivo high-frequency ultrasound versus histopathology in a sample of 16 horses. Transverse section images of duodenum, distal jejunum, and ileum were acquired with a high-frequency linear transducer (7-15MHz). Transverse histological cryosections were obtained at the same level. Appearance and measurements of the intestinal wall layers were assessed on the ultrasonographic and histological images. High-frequency scanning with the probe in close contact with the serosal surface of the equine intestinal wall allowed a clear and detailed definition of wall layers. A hyperechoic line was consistently detected within the tunica muscularis in all the intestinal tracts, corresponding histologically to the interface between its longitudinal and circular muscle layers. The overall trend of the values for wall layers thickness was comparable between ex vivo ultrasonography and histology. However, a poor agreement was found between the two methods for all layers. The ultrasonographic measurements were thicker compared to histological measurements, with the exception of the total wall and the muscular layer thicknesses. These layers were thinner on ultrasonography in the duodenum and in all the intestinal segments, respectively. Findings from the current study can be used as background for future ultrasonographic investigations of small intestinal diseases in horses.

Simple Summary Chronic intestinal inflammation in dogs is a challenging disease to manage. Most studies about prognostic factors and follow-up data are only available for small populations or with short-term follow-up. The aim of this study of 165 dogs with chronic intestinal inflammation was to identify clinical and haematological factors associated with mortality, clinical response and relapse, with long-term follow-up. Nine per cent of dogs did not respond to therapy at 1 month follow-up. Most dogs with chronic intestinal inflammation had a good clinical course in most cases, and the non-response or relapse rate was 9–11%. A reduction of body condition (loss of weight), lower serum albumin concentration and presence of lacteal dilatation on intestinal histology at diagnosis were identified as factors associated with a decreased response rate, higher mortality and lower chance of achieving long-term remission. Abstract A multicentre prospective study was performed to assess whether clinical, hematobiochemical, endoscopic and histopathological parameters were associated with mortality, clinical response and relapse of disease in short- and long-term follow-up of a total of 165 dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy, of which 150 had immunosuppressant responsive enteropathy (IRE), and 15 had non-responsive enteropathy (NRE) dogs. Clinical severity (CCECAI) was evaluated from presentation (T0) to 18 months (T18) from diagnosis. T0 body condition score (BCS), selected haematological parameters and endoscopic and histopathological scores were evaluated. Presence/absence of histopathological duodenal lesions was recorded. Responders were evaluated using CCECAI at T1. Relapse was evaluated from T3 to T18. Long-term responders included dogs who responded at T1 and showed no relapse. Dogs were divided into responders/non-responders, survivors/non-survivors and relapsed/non-relapsed. At T1, 15/165 dogs (9%) were considered NRE. Sixteen dogs (11%) were considered relapsed at T3, 8% at T6 and 10% at T12, and none of 96 dogs relapsed at T18. NREs showed significantly lower BCS than IREs. Non-survivors showed a significantly lower serum albumin concentration and BCS than survivors. Non-responders, relapsed or non-survivors had higher presence of lacteal dilatation compared to long-term responders. Dogs with IRE showed a good clinical course with a low relapse rate, with only a few dogs in the NRE group. Reduction of BCS, albumin and lacteal dilatation at diagnosis may be considered negative prognostic factors for response, mortality and long-term disease remission.

A growing body of literature indicates that activation of cannabinoid receptors may exert beneficial effects on gastrointestinal inflammation and visceral hypersensitivity. The present study aimed to immunohistochemically investigate the distribution of the canonical cannabinoid receptors CB1 (CB1R) and CB2 (CB2R) and the putative cannabinoid receptors G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and serotonin receptor 5-HT1a 5-HT1aR) in tissue samples of the gastrointestinal tract of the cat. CB1R-immunoreactivity (CB1R-IR) was observed in gastric epithelial cells, intestinal enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and goblet cells, lamina propria mast cells (MCs), and enteric neurons. CB2R-IR was expressed by EECs, enterocytes, and macrophages. GPR55-IR was expressed by EECs, macrophages, immunocytes, and MP neurons. PPARα-IR was expressed by immunocytes, smooth muscle cells, and enteroglial cells. TRPA1-IR was expressed by enteric neurons and intestinal goblet cells. 5-HT1a receptor-IR was expressed by gastrointestinal epithelial cells and gastric smooth muscle cells. Cannabinoid receptors showed a wide distribution in the feline gastrointestinal tract layers. Although not yet confirmed/supported by functional evidences, the present research might represent an anatomical substrate potentially useful to support, in feline species, the therapeutic use of cannabinoids during gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases.

The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to evaluate which factors, including expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a membrane-bound protein involved in multiple drug resistance, could predict the response to treatment in canine immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy (IRE). Dogs with IRE or non-responsive enteropathy (NRE) that were examined from 2005 to 2014 were included and were divided into two groups (IRE vs. NRE). Signalment, history, and clinical and laboratory findings were collected. P-glycoprotein immunohistochemistry was carried out on duodenal biopsies of both groups stored in our biobank, and immunophenotyping and molecular clonality were performed on the NRE samples. Ninety-two dogs were enrolled, 73 IRE (79.3%) and 19 NRE (20.7%), with a prevalence of pure breed (78.3% vs. 21.7%) and male dogs (p &lt, 0.001). Factors associated with a worse prognosis were previous treatment with steroids (p = 0.033) and lower serum total protein concentration (p = 0.005). Clonality testing on the NRE duodenal biopsies showed 5/16 clonal responses, assuming a latent undiagnosed lymphoma as a possible cause of the NRE.

1,2-O-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6′-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase activity has been proposed as a faster and less expensive test used in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) compared to canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI), which is considered the most sensitive and specific serum test available for dogs. Elevations in lipase activity have been observed in dogs with naturally occurring hypercortisolism (HC) and in those treated with exogenous steroids, which complicates the diagnosis of AP in dogs with HC. We compared lipase activity measured by DGGR and 1,2-diglyceride (1,2-DiG) assays in 22 dogs with HC, 22 with AP, and 22 healthy dogs. The dogs with HC had no clinical signs or ultrasonographic findings consistent with AP. DGGR lipase activity was elevated in 64% and 73% of the dogs with HC and AP, respectively, and in 18% of healthy dogs. 1,2-DiG lipase activity was high in 23% and 36% of the dogs with HC and AP, respectively, and in 5% of the healthy dogs. Both DGGR and 1,2-DiG lipase activities were significantly different between the healthy dogs and the other 2 groups, whereas no differences were detected between the dogs with HC and those with AP. Our results support a lack of specificity for both DGGR and 1,2-DiG lipase activity assays in aiding the diagnosis of AP in dogs with HC.

OBJECTIVE To prospectively evaluate the clinical and prognostic importance of duodenal endoscopic and histologic findings, including duodenal mucosal counts of forkhead box P3-positive regulatory T cells (Foxp3+ Tregs), in dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy (IRE). ANIMALS 57 client-owned dogs with IRE. PROCEDURES The canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) was used to assess each dog when IRE was diagnosed (T0) and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months later. Dogs were grouped on the basis of clinical response (responder group vs nonresponder group) and 12-month long-term outcome (responded to treatment and did not relapse [good outcome group] vs did not respond to treatment or had relapsed [bad outcome group]). At T0, dogs underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy, with results for variables of duodenal endoscopic and histologic evaluations scored and compared across groups. RESULTS At T0, the overall median CCECAI score was 7; CCECAI score was not associated with clinical response or relapse. Dogs had significantly greater odds of being in the bad outcome group (vs the good outcome group) if they had a histologic score of 3 (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.09 to 11.3). No differences in the counts of Foxp3+ Tregs were detected between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In dogs with IRE, results indicated that evaluation of Foxp3+ Tregs did not have prognostic value, whereas a duodenal histologic score of 3 could be a negative prognostic factor for response and relapse, and higher severity scores for intraepithelial lymphocytes and lamina propria lymphocytes and plasma cells in duodenal biopsy samples may be negatively associated with response.

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) toxicity caused by defective pet food formulations is a rare occurrence described in cats. Nevertheless, it poses a health risk, even though the affected pet food is not fed as the sole diet. Excessive vitamin D3 intake might cause hypercalcemia and soft tissue mineralization, which are findings that prompt clinicians to further investigate the feasible etiology. This case series describes the effects of an extremely high vitamin D3 intake in five young cats caused by the consumption of a fish-based complementary kitten pet food (KPF) that was fed to all of the cats as part of their diet (cases 1, 2, and 3) or eaten exclusively (cases 4 and 5). Due to the different amounts of vitamin D3 consumed, diagnostic examinations showed different degrees of severity of hypercalcemia and azotemia as well as different radiographic findings in cases where diagnostic imaging was performed (cases 2, 4, and 5). All of the cats were treated by withdrawing the affected food and providing medical management of the hypercalcemia. All of the cats recovered, except for two persistent azotemic cats, which developed chronic kidney disease. The goal of this case series is, therefore, to describe the occurrence and resolution of an acute vitamin D3 toxicity due to the highest amount of dietary vitamin D3 intake that has ever been described in domestic cats.

Colic is a common digestive disorder in horses and one of the most urgent problems in equine medicine. A growing body of literature has indicated that the activation of cannabinoid receptors could exert beneficial effects on gastrointestinal inflammation and visceral hypersensitivity. The localisation of cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors in the intestine of the horse has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to immunohistochemically localise the cellular distribution of canonical and putative cannabinoid receptors in the ileum of healthy horses. Distal ileum specimens were collected from six horses at the slaughterhouse. The tissues were fixed and processed to obtain cryosections which were used to investigate the immunoreactivity of canonical cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1R) and 2 (CB2R), and three putative cannabinoid-related receptors: nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and serotonin 5-HT1a receptor (5-HT1aR). Cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors showed a wide distribution in the ileum of the horse. The epithelial cells showed immunoreactivity for CB1R, CB2R and 5-HT1aR. Lamina propria inflammatory cells showed immunoreactivity for CB2R and 5-HT1aR. The enteric neurons showed immunoreactivity for CB1R, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and PPARα. The enteric glial cells showed immunoreactivity for CB1R and PPARα. The smooth muscle cells of the tunica muscularis and the blood vessels showed immunoreactivity for PPARα. The present study represents a histological basis which could support additional studies regarding the distribution of cannabinoid receptors during gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases as well as studies assessing the effects of non-psychotic cannabis-derived molecules in horses for the management of intestinal diseases.

Canine chronic enteropathies (CEs) are inflammatory processes resulting from complex interplay between the mucosal immune system, intestinal microbiome, and dietary components in susceptible dogs. Fatty acids (FAs) play important roles in the regulation of physiologic and metabolic pathways and their role in inflammation seems to be dual, as they exhibit pro–inflammatory and anti–inflammatory functions. Analysis of red blood cell (RBC) membrane fatty acid profile represents a tool for assessing the quantity and quality of structural and functional molecular components. This study was aimed at comparing the FA membrane profile, determined by Gas Chromatography and relevant lipid parameter of 48 CE dogs compared with 68 healthy dogs. In CE patients, the levels of stearic (p &lt, 0.0001), dihomo–gamma–linolenic, eicosapentaenoic (p = 0.02), and docosahexaenoic (p = 0.02) acids were significantly higher, and those of palmitic (p &lt, 0.0001) and linoleic (p = 0.0006) acids were significantly lower. Non-responder dogs presented higher percentages of vaccenic acid (p = 0.007), compared to those of dogs that responded to diagnostic trials. These results suggest that lipidomic status may reflect the “gut health”, and the non–invasive analysis of RBC membrane might have the potential to become a candidate biomarker in the evaluation of dogs affected by CE.

Simple Summary Antimicrobial resistance is a threat that poses a great risk to public health. It has been predicted that, by 2050, there will have been 10 million deaths worldwide due to drug-resistant infections. There is a crucial need in Veterinary Medicine to reduce the use of antimicrobials to slow down the process and incidence of antimicrobial resistance as a One Health concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the appearance of bacteremia following endoscopic procedures in dogs brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the Department of Veterinary Medical Science of the University of Bologna. The results obtained from hemocultures before and after the endoscopic procedures demonstrated a low incidence of bacteremia after endoscopy. This could be seen as an attempt to reduce the use of antimicrobials to avoid the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Abstract Endoscopic procedures are widely used in veterinary medicine, and their role in producing transient bacteremia is debatable. The growing issue of antibiotic resistance requires the correct use of antibiotics, avoiding their administration when not strictly necessary. Studies highlighting post-endoscopy bacteremia in veterinary medicine are extremely rare and often involve very few animals. This study describes the results from 74 owned dogs, brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Department of Veterinary Medical Science of the University of Bologna, for the purpose of undergoing an endoscopic procedure. Two blood samples were taken from each dog, one before and one after the procedure, in order to assess the incidence of bacteremia linked to endoscopic procedures. Eight dogs were tested positive at the second blood culture with an Incidence Risk (IR) of 10.8%. No statistical differences were found by comparing positive and negative blood cultures with respect to sex, age, weight and anesthesia duration. In addition, no difference was found between airway and digestive tract procedures. The present findings showed that the probability of developing bacteremia after an endoscopic procedure was quite low, and additional studies confirming this are certainly recommended as well as the evaluation of categories of patients potentially considered at risk.

Canine immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy (IRE) is an intestinal idiopathic inflammation, in which diet and antibiotic trials failed and immunosuppressants are needed. The number of transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)-Positive Regulatory T lymphocytes have been investigated in IBD dogs in association with mortality. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance and prognostic role of histopathological changes and Foxp3-positive T cell in the clinical response and relapse. CCECAI and CIBDAI scores have been assessed at presentation (T0) and 1 (T1), 3 (T3), 6 (T6) and 12 months (T12) from diagnosis. Endoscopic biopsies histopathology and features were classified using WSAVA guidelines score. Moreover four morphologic features were evaluated: presence of crypt distension (CD), lacteal dilation (LD), mucosal fibrosis (MF) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IL). Immunohistochemistry for Foxp3 were performed in all cases. Dogs were classified as responders (decreased CCECAI and CIBDAI scores >25% at T1 compared to T0) and nonresponders (decreased CCECAI and CIBDAI 3, differences (D) between CCECAI and CIBDAI at T3, T6 and T12 and the previous closest time point were calculated obtaining DCCECAI and CIBDAI T3–T1, T6–T3, T12–T6. A DCCECAI and CIBDAI ≥2 were considered relapse. Associations between response or relapse and categorical data were evaluated using Fisher’s exact test and chi-square test. Fifty-seven dogs were prospectively enrolled. At T1, 9 and 8 dogs belongs to non-responders according to CIBDAI and CCECAI score, respectively. CIBDAI and CCECAI scores at T0 were not associated with T1 clinical response. Patients who relapsed were 5 (T3 and T6) and 4 dogs at T12, respectively. CIBDAI and CCECAI at T1, T3 and T6 were not associated with relapse. Dogs with histological WSAVA moderate had a higher response rate than severe dogs (p=0.009, OR 6.5). However, histological scores were not associated with relapse rate. The 4 histological features were not associated neither with response nor with relapse rate. Presence of IL was associated with higher CIBDAI scores (p=0.022). The percentage of Foxp3-positive cells was not associated with T0 CCECAI and CIBDAI or histological scores and morphologic features. The number of Foxp3-positive cells were not different between responders and non-responders and not related with relapse. Between the evaluated parameters, only histological grade seems to predict clinical response at T1. Furthermore, none of the clinical or histological parameters, including Foxp3, seems to predict relapse in IRE dogs.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common event during general anaesthesia but is often underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. The oesophageal pH in anaesthetised dogs undergoing endoscopic evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract (END group, n = 12) or orthopaedic surgery (ORT group, n = 12) was measured using an oesophageal probe. The dogs were sedated with acepromazine or with methadone or butorphanol, and anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Of the 24 dogs in this study, 21 (87.5%) had an episode of GER during anaesthesia. The incidence of GER, as well as the first, the minimum, and the maximum pH values, did not differ significantly between the groups. The mean maximum difference versus the first pH value was higher for dogs in the END group (&minus, 2.6 &plusmn, 3.5) as compared with those in the ORT group (&minus, 0.7 &plusmn, 2.5), although they were not statistically significant (p = 0.25). The administration of methadone or butorphanol had no significant effect on the development of acidic reflux or biliary reflux. In the acepromazine-sedated dogs, the incidence of GER did not differ significantly between patients undergoing an endoscopic procedure and those undergoing orthopaedic surgery, however, during endoscopy, fluctuations in the oesophageal pH can be expected, even without any clinical signs of GER.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been identified as the functional receptor for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus – 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has been identified in the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated in human and animal fecal samples. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of ACE2 in the gastrointestinal tract of domestic (cat) and wild (tiger) felines. Samples of the pylorus, duodenum and distal colon were collected from six cats and one tiger. The tissues were processed for immunofluorescence assay with an anti-human ACE2 antibody. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was widely expressed in the gastrointestinal mucosa of the cats and the tiger. In both the species, ACE2-immunoreactivity (ACE2-IR) was expressed by the mucosal epithelial cells of the GIT and by the enteric neurons. In the cats, ACE2-IR was also expressed by the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels and the tunica muscularis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was widely expressed in the gastrointestinal mucosa of the cats and the tiger. The expression of the ACE2 receptor in enteric neurons may support the potential neurotropic properties of SARS-CoV-2. Although the evidence of ACE2-IR in the feline GIT does not necessarily indicate the possibility of viral replication and SARS-CoV-2 spread with stool, the findings in the present study could serve as an anatomical basis for additional studies considering the risk of the SARS-CoV-2 fecal-oral transmission between cats/felids, and between cats/felids and humans.

Background: Homocysteine (HCY) was evaluated in healthy and chronic enteropathic dogs, however no studies on dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy are available. Objectives: The aim was to evaluate serum HCY concentrations and its prognostic role in dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy compared to healthy dogs. Methods: Serum HCY concentration was statistically compared between 24 healthy dogs and 29 dogs with immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy. Correlation analyses between serum total protein, albumin (ALB), C-reactive protein (CRP), folate and cobalamin, and serum HCY concentration were performed in immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathic dogs. Results: The associations between serum HCY concentration and clinical, histological, endoscopic scores and follow-up were evaluated. Mean serum HCY concentration was higher in immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathic dogs compared to control dogs (30.22 ± 8.67 μmol/L vs. 5.26 ± 2.78 μmol/L; p < 0.0001). No association between serum HCY concentration and total protein, ALB, CRP, folate concentration as well as, clinical score, histological and endoscopic scores was found. A negative correlation between serum HCY concentration and cobalamin was noted (p = 0.0025, r = −0.54). No significant difference in HCY was found between responsive and non-responsive dogs or between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusions: Although, serum HCY concentration was higher in immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy, its prognostic value remains unclear. However, further prospective, large-scale studies are warranted to better investigate the possible prognostic role of HCY in immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathic dogs.

Background Dietary interventions are thought to modify gut microbial communities in healthy individuals. In dogs with chronic enteropathies, resolution of dysbiosis, along with remission of clinical signs, is expected with treatment. Hypothesis/objective To evaluate changes in the fecal microbiota in dogs with food-responsive chronic enteropathy (FRE) and in healthy control (HC) dogs before and after an elimination dietary trial with an animal protein-free diet (APFD). Animals Dogs with FRE (n = 10) and HC (n = 14). Methods Dogs were fed the APFD for 60 days. Fecal microbiota was analyzed by Illumina 16S rRNA sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results A significantly lower bacterial alpha-diversity was observed in dogs with FRE compared with HC dogs at baseline, and compared with FRE dogs after the trial. Distinct microbial communities were observed in dogs with FRE at baseline compared with HC dogs at baseline and compared with dogs with FRE after the trial. Microbial communities still were different in FRE dogs after the trial compared with HC dogs at baseline. In HC dogs, the fecal microbiota did not show a significant modification after administration of the APFD. Conclusion and clinical importance Our results suggest that, in FRE dogs, treatment with the APFD led to a partial recovery of the fecal microbiota by significantly increasing microbiota richness, which was significantly closer to a healthy microbiota after the treatment. In contrast, no changes were detected in the fecal microbiota of HC dogs fed the same APFD.

The increasing incidence of gastrointestinal tract pathologies in dogs and the worrisome topic of antibiotic resistance have raised the need to look for new therapeutic frontiers. Of these, the use of probiotics represents a potential therapeutic alternative. Lactobacillus kefiri (Lk) is a species of Lactobacillus isolated from kefir. Previous studies have demonstrated that its administration in mice downregulates the expression of proinflammatory mediators and increases anti-inflammatory molecules in the gut immune system. It also regulates intestinal homeostasis, incrementing immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion. Since Lk has never been studied as a single probiotic in dogs, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of Lk in dogs, and its effect on IgA secretion and on intestinal microbiota composition. Ten healthy dogs without a history of gastrointestinal diseases were included. The dogs received Lk at a dose of 107 live microorganisms orally, once daily for 30 days. The fecal samples were tested before administration, in the middle, at the end, and 30 days after discontinuation. The IgA secretion concentration and the microbiota composition were evaluated on the fecal samples. The results in this study suggested that Lk did not influence the concentration of IgA, nor significant changes of the intestinal microbiota were observed during and after the treatment. Therefore, additional studies are needed to investigate if a higher daily dosage of Lk can influence the intestinal homeostasis of dogs.

The domestic cat (Felis catus) was used as a sentinel of exposure to polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in indoor urban environments y. Sera from 120 cats were pooled to form 30 different groups selected by age ( 2 ≤ 8 years; > 8 years), sex, municipality (Bologna and Turin) and environment (indoor vs. outdoor). Test portions of 1 mL were analyzed by means of gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) for six selected indicators non-dioxin-like PCBs (∑6 PCBs: congeners #28, #52, #101, #132, #153 and #180) and the results were computed in the upper-bound mode. The internal dose of PCBs attributable to the cats' alimentary lipid intake ranged from 32.4 to 1,446 ng/g (P50 165; mean 258). The Wilcoxon test revealed significantly lower PCB burden in “outdoor” groups than in “indoor” groups. Age correlated well with the heptachlorinated and most bio-accumulative congener, PCB #180, and slightly with hexachlorinated PCBs #138 and #153. Contamination attributable to house dust collected in 15 living-rooms ranged from 10.0 to 279 ng/g dry weight (P50 97.4; mean 94.4). Exposure estimates indicated a 0.6–16 ng/kg bw range of daily ∑6 PCB intake from a default value of 200 mg/cat of dust ingestion. The intake of PCBs due to dust ingestion fell within the same order of magnitude as that computed from a 60 g daily intake of commercial dry pet foods, while inhalation accounted for 0.21–8.2 ng/kg bw/day, on setting the nominal ∑6 PCB contamination in outdoor and indoor air at 0.37 and 15 ng/m3, respectively. Italian indoor cats could be exposed to higher levels of ∑6 PCBs than the Reference Dose (RfD) of 10 ng/kg/bw/day; this supports the World Health Organization's statement that the quality of the indoor environment is a major determinant of health.

Introduction: The enteric nervous system (ENS) comprises a huge amount of neurons and nerve fibers interposed between the two muscular layers of the tunica muscularis and in the submucosa. Neuropeptides produced by the ENS neurons act as neurotransmitters/neuromodulators, which control intestinal motility and mucosal functions, and play a crucial role also in the regulation of inflammatory processes via cross talk with the local immune system. A growing body of evidence indicates that the gastrointestinal inflammatory response damages the enteric neurons themselves, thus resulting in deregulations in gut motility and mucosal functions. Keywords: Enteric Nervous System; Ileum; Immunohistochemistry; Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantitatively enteric neurons immunoreactive for the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the myenteric (MP) and submucosal (SMP) plexus of the ileum of dogs without (CTRL-dogs) and with spontaneous chronic enteritis (inflamed dogs, INF). In addition, the percentage of nNOS immunoreactive neurons co-expressing VIP immunoreactivity (and vice versa) was evaluated. Methods and Material: Animal tissues were collected from the ileum of six control (CTRL) dogs (none had evident gastrointestinal disorders) and ten INF-dogs with chronic enteritis of the ileum. All the enteric neurons, VIPergic and nitrergic neurons were immunohistochemically identified with the anti-HuC/HuD, anti-VIP, and anti-nNOS antibodies, respectively. VIP- and nNOS-immunoreactive neurons were immunohistochemically quantified as a relative percentages, in consideration of the total number of HuC/HuD neurons. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results: In the myenteric plexus of INF-dogs, the percentage of VIPergic neurons (16 ± 7%) was significantly greater than that observed in the CTRL-dogs (8 ± 3%) (P = 0,022). Conversely, in the submucosal plexus of CTRL- and INF-dogs the percentages of VIPergic neurons were similar (31 ± 9% and 30 ± 11%, respectively; P = 0,786). In the myenteric plexus of INF-dogs, the percentage of nitrergic neurons (24 ± 5%) showed only a tendency to decrease in comparison to that evaluated in the CTRL-dogs (29 ± 5%) (P = 0.138); also in the submucosal plexus the percentages of nitrergic neurons of CTRL-dogs (8 ± 5%) and INF-dogs (7 ± 2%) did not show meaningful differences (P = 0.884). Co-localization studies indicated that also the percentages of nitrergic neurons co-expressing VIP immunoreactivity did not change between CTRL- and INF-dogs in the MP (23 ± 12% and 24 ± 10%, respectively; P = 0.935) and SMP (26 ± 16% and 23 ± 15%, respectively; P = 0.810). Conclusion: This is the first quantitative study about the VIPergic and nitrergic neurons harbored in the in MP and SMP of the canine ileum and the first comparison between these subclasses of neurons in dogs with and without chronic enteritis. Our findings showed significant

A 7-year old intact male Rottweiler dog was evaluated for recurrent dysphagia and regurgitation. Physical examination was unremarcable and routine blood works were within normal limits. Compute tomography revealed a defined lesion in the caudal mediastinum arising from the oesophagus. The lesion was excised using intercostal thoracotomy and the histological diagnosis was oesophageal duplication cyst. The dog recovered aneventfully and at a three-year follow-up no clinical signs were reported. Although extremely rare oesophageal duplication cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of chronic regurgitation and dysphagia associated with evidence of an oesophageal lesion.

This paper describes for the first time the isolation of Streptococcus lutetiensis in a cat with intestinal lymphoma. The Streptococcus bovis group has undergone significant taxonomic changes over the past two decades and, in 2002, Poyart et al. described two distinct novel species within the genus Streptococcus: Streptococcus lutetiensis and Streptococcus pasteurianus. The bovis group streptococci include commensal species and subspecies or opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. The cat was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Bologna for chronic diarrhoea associated with fresh blood. A diagnosis of intestinal lymphoma was advanced. S. lutetiensis was accidentally isolated from the faeces of the cat and identified through MALDI-TOF and 16s rRNA sequencing. The Kirby-Bauer test revealed that the isolate was resistant to enrofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, marbofloxacin and tetracycline. The detection of S. lutetiensis in cat faeces might suggest that it could be a normal inhabitant of cat intestinal tract or that it could be involved in the manifestation of intestinal diseases. Since bacteria belonging to the S. bovis group are considered emerging pathogens, additional research is required to evaluate the role of S. lutetiensis in cats and its role in the transmission of antimicrobial resistance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this study the isolation of Streptococcus lutetiensis from a cat with intestinal lymphoma was described for the first time. An antimicrobial susceptibility test performed by means of the disc diffusion method revealed that the isolate was resistant to enrofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, marbofloxacin and tetracycline. Nowadays the ecological or pathogenetic role of S. lutetiensis in the gut of animals remains unclear but, even if its role as commensal bacterium was confirmed, the presence of multi-resistant S. lutetiensis in cat gut could favour the transmission of antimicrobial resistance to other bacteria.

Objectives The aim of the study was to provide a detailed anatomical study of the feline bronchial and vascular structures by using CT angiography (CTA). Methods Adult cats with no respiratory clinical signs were enrolled in a CTA protocol to provide an anatomical study of the thorax. The dimensions, number of branches and branching pattern (monopodial vs dichotomic) of both bronchial and pulmonary vascular structures were evaluated under positive inspiration apnoea. A linear generalised estimating equations analysis (Spearman’s rho) was used to identify statistical correlation between tracheal diameter, age and body weight of the cats. Results Fourteen cats met the inclusion criteria. The pulmonary arteries had larger diameters than the pulmonary veins, and the pulmonary veins had larger diameters than the bronchial structures. A higher number of segmental bronchial and pulmonary vascular branches was observed in the left caudal lung lobe than in the other lobes. The monopodial branching pattern of both bronchial and pulmonary vascular structures was predominant in all cats of our study (100%) in cranial, caudal and right middle lung lobes, while a dichotomic branching pattern of the bronchial and pulmonary vascular structures of the accessory lung lobe was seen in 13 cats (93%). Thirteen cats (93%) had three pulmonary vein ostia, and one cat (7%) also presented with an additional left intermediate pulmonary vein ostium. Variation in the number of segmental pulmonary vein branches was noted in the right caudal lung lobe. There was no statistical correlation between tracheal diameter, age and weight. Conclusions and relevance Architecture of the feline bronchovascularr structures belongs to a mixed type of monopodial and dichotomic branching pattern. In cats, the pulmonary venous drainage system predominately presents three pulmonary vein ostia. Variations in the type of formation and the number of branches of the pulmonary venous drainage system were noted.

Background Brachycephalic dogs have abnormal breathing patterns similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Despite the fact that anatomic and functional alterations are well described in brachycephalic dogs, little is known about the consequences of upper airway obstruction on systemic inflammatory response and metabolic profile. Objectives To describe history, clinical presentation, and anatomic abnormalities; to evaluate systemic inflammatory response and metabolic profile; and to identify possible associations among clinical signs, anatomic abnormalities, inflammatory response, and metabolic profile in brachycephalic dogs with airway obstruction. Animals Thirty purebred brachycephalic dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS). Methods Prospective study. The following information was recorded and studied: respiratory and digestive signs, airway and digestive endoscopic anomalies, presence or absence of tracheal hypoplasia, histologic evaluation of gastrointestinal tract biopsy specimens, serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), fructosamine, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, and plasma concentrations of lipoprotein classes. Results A high proportion of dogs (76.7%) had gastrointestinal signs. Esophageal deviation, atony of the cardia of the stomach, and distal esophagitis were the most common endoscopic anomalies detected. Twenty-six (86.6%) dogs had different degrees of laryngeal collapse. Gastrointestinal histologic evaluation identified mostly chronic inflammation. Glucose, fructosamine, triglycerides, cholesterol, CRP, pre-beta, beta lipoproteins, and chylomicrons were increased to a variable extent. Significant associations among clinical signs, anatomic abnormalities, CRP, and metabolic profile were not found. Conclusion and clinical importance Despite the presence of inflammation and some mild metabolic derangements, the clinicopathological variables evaluated did not offer valuable information in dogs with BAOS.

A 6-year-old, large-breed, female dog was evaluated for gastric dilatation (GD). The dog was affected by GD volvulus, which had been surgically treated with gastric derotation and right incisional gastropexy. Recurrence of GD appeared 36 hours after surgery. The dilatation was immediately treated with an orogastric probe but still recurred 4 times. Therefore, a left-side gastropexy by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was performed to prevent intermittent GD. After PEG tube placement, the patient recovered rapidly without side effects. Several techniques of gastropexy have been described as a prophylactic method for gastric dilatation volvulus, but to the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of left-sided PEG gastropexy performed in a case of canine GD recurrence after an incisional right gastropexy.