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Intermittent hemodialysis (IH) is an important therapy in the context of kidney dysfunction in dogs. However, its impact on pro-inflammatory cytokines is unclear. This study assessed IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α serum concentrations in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing one session of IH without bypass (IH group, n  = 4) and with bypass (IH + bypass group, n  = 4). The control group (CG) included four healthy dogs. Cytokine levels were measured before, during, and after the first IH session. Comparative analyses of each cytokine within each group and time point were performed, along with a global comparison between groups. No significant changes were observed in cytokines across evaluation times in the IH groups. IL-1β was significantly higher post-session in the IH and IH + bypass groups compared to CG. Globally, IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher in the IH (11.41 pg/mL (10-16.17) and 2 pg/mL (2-88.54), respectively) and IH + bypass groups (10 pg/mL (10-10) and 2 pg/mL (2-215.5), respectively) compared to CG (0.96 pg/mL (0-3.56) and 0 pg/mL (0-0.003), respectively). The IH group also showed elevated IL-6 concentration (0.1 ng/mL (0.1-0.5)) compared to CG (0 ng/mL (0-0.1)). Higher IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations were observed in the IH group (11.41 pg/mL (10-16.17) and 0.1 ng/mL (0.1-0.1), respectively) compared to the IH + bypass group (10 pg/mL (10-10) and 0.1 ng/mL (0.1-0.5), respectively). In conclusion, a single IH session, with or without bypass, did not increase pro-inflammatory cytokines in CKD dogs with uremic syndrome but maintained the inflammatory state. Dogs undergoing IH without bypass may receive a stronger stimulus for cytokine release.

Background: Although critical to the overall condition of animals under human care, there is still limited information about oral health in neotropical primates., Methods: We analyzed the main oral conditions and microbiota using mass spectrometry from 13 capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) under human care. The findings were registered on odontograms following the Triadan system., Results: The most prevalent conditions were dental fractures (n = 9), mainly enamel fractures, and periodontal disease (n = 8), mainly grade 1 calculi. When exanimating teeth, alterations were identified in 90 out of the 416 evaluated pieces, being periodontal disease the most common (n = 60), followed by enamel fracture (n = 15) and missing teeth (n = 10). In the oral microbiota analyses, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species were the most prevalent, although no obvious association was observed between isolated organisms and oral conditions., Conclusions: These findings hold the potential to prevent oral disorders, including fractures and periodontal diseases, contribute to molecular identification of oral microbiota, and to improve the well-being of primates under human care., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Studing the nutritional needs and dietary habits of primates is essential to ensure their health and well-being. This includes the understanding of the use of nutrients and its correlation with health parameters., Methods: Diet and nutritional parameters of 13 captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) were assesed. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients were evaluated. Nutritional status was established based on body condition score (BCS) and muscle mass score (MMS)., Results: High apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were observed for crude protein and ether extract, but low for minerals and crude fiber. The ADC of EE and CF were related to MMS, and the biochemical parameters did not correlate with the AD coefficients obtained in the group. The nutritional status of the animals remained inadequate in 84.6% of the individuals, suggesting a reformulation of the diet and nutritional management., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: A urethral obstruction (UO) is an emergency commonly observed in male cats, which can result in significant clinical and laboratory alterations, leading to complications and death., Objectives: This study aimed to correlate symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) with the urea, creatinine, potassium, and bicarbonate levels in cats with UO. In addition, the correlation between clinical score and time of obstruction was evaluated., Methods: Thirty male cats were selected and allocated into a control group (CG, n = 13) and an obstruction group (OG, n = 17). The laboratory analyses were conducted before treatment (M0) and at different times after treatment (12 h [M12], 24 h [M24], and 48 h [M48]). Correlations were established between SDMA and creatinine, urea, bicarbonate, potassium, time of obstruction, and the clinical score., Results: A strong correlation (r > 0.6) was observed between SDMA and creatinine, urea, and potassium in the OG. Furthermore, there was substantial agreement (kappa value) between SDMA and creatinine at M24. A higher clinical score was associated with a longer time of obstruction. In the OG, at M48, the SDMA and creatinine levels were 50% and 41.2% higher, respectively., Conclusions: A correlation was observed between SDMA and creatinine in obstructed cats, and significant agreement between these values was observed 24 h after the unblocking treatment. A correlation among SDMA, urea, and potassium was observed. Approximately 9% more cats continued to have elevated SDMA levels after 48 h of treatment compared to creatinine. This suggests a slightly lower sensitivity of the latter biomarker but does not exclude the possibility of congruent and normalized values after a longer evaluation period., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Korean Society of Veterinary Science.)

This study aimed to determine the echocardiographic parameters of blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva, Linnaeus, 1758) with varying body condition scores. Thirty-five birds only grown in captivity were included in the study and allocated into three different groups according to their respective body condition scores: Lean, Ideal, and Obese. The group of obese parrots presented lower right ventricle dimensions in diastole than lean parrots. The fractional shortening was considerably lower in obese parrots than in parrots with lean and ideal body condition scores but without statistical significance. The flow rate and the aortic pressure gradient were lower in the lean group than in the ideal group. The alterations in the nutritional state of captive blue-fronted amazon parrots may lead to cardiovascular dysfunctions detected through an echocardiographic evaluation, which represents an important diagnostic tool for these animals. The description of the techniques and the measures obtained in this study can contribute to future research in the area., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The cardiac evaluation of wild animals is still a wide and largely unknown field for several species. Therefore, through complimentary examinations such as radiography, echocardiography and serum troponin levels, this study aimed at describing the values observed in 12 crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) anesthetized with a combination of intramuscular ketamine and midazolam. Thus, through complementary exams such as radiography, echocardiography and serum troponin levels, the aim of this study was to describe the cardiac values in 12 wild foxes (C. thous) anesthetized with an intramuscular injection of ketamine and midazolam. After anaesthetization, the radiographic, echocardiographic and immunoenzymatic reference values for the 12 males in the sample group were determined. Compared with those in domestic canids, there was a decrease in the sizes of the septum, wall and left ventricular cavity as well as decreases in the transmitral blood flow velocity indices, correlated with preserved serum cardiac troponin (cTnI) levels. Thus, M-mode echocardiography proved to be safer, with results that were comparative to those for other species of wild canids with indexed values. In addition, when evaluating the systolic function and segmentary contractions, the anesthetic combination did not have any effects on the results of complementary examinations performed in crab-eating foxes (C. thous) included in this study., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

A 2-year-old, 4.2 kg, spayed female, Maine coon cat was referred to the veterinary hospital for evaluation of hyporexia, slow growth, and chronic, intermittent, mucoid, bloody, voluminous, and fetid diarrhea. The diarrhea had been observed since the cat was acquired from a cattery at 4 months of age; with acute worsening in the 5 d before presentation. Abdominal palpation revealed moderate pain. Ultrasonographic examination showed thickening of the jejunal wall and ileal loops, increased echogenicity of the jejunal mucosa, and enlargement of the jejunal and ileocolic lymph nodes. Histopathology of full-thickness intestinal biopsies showed moderate, diffuse, lymphoplasmacytic, erosive enteritis with hemorrhage and edema. Diffuse, lymphoplasmacytic, erosive colitis with mild, interstitial fibrosis and hemorrhage was also noted. The ileocecal lymph node biopsy showed eosinophilic lymphadenitis. Based on the immunohistochemical evaluation of intestinal samples with CD3 and CD79a antibodies, a diagnosis of lymphoma was ruled out. Fecal polymerase chain reaction testing was positive for Tritrichomonas foetus . Based on these results, inflammatory bowel disease and trichomonosis were diagnosed. Treatment for the cat included a hypoallergenic diet and an oral omega-3 fatty acid supplement, in conjunction with prednisolone, to manage the inflammatory bowel disease. Ronidazole was administered to target the Tritrichomonas foetus . The cat was clinically normal during a follow-up examination after 6 months of treatment., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)

This study aimed to assess radiographic and tomographic cardiac parameters, including width and length of the heart, and the ratio of heart width to coelom width of blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) with varying body condition scores. Thirty-five captive birds were included in the study and were allocated into one of three groups according to their respective body condition score: lean, ideal and obese. No differences were observed among the groups with regard to radiographic and tomographic measurements. Computed tomography enabled better identification of the structures of the cardiovascular system without interference from the overlying structures of the celomatic cavity observed in radiographic images. However, radiographic examinations should still be considered the standard screening method to identify cardiac alterations, such as increased or reduced organ dimensions. Standardizing the techniques and measurements performed in this study may serve as a basis for further research in the field., (© 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)