Grass crude protein (CP) concentration is strongly influenced by inorganic nitrogen (N) fertiliser application. Grazing high CP (>200g/kg dry matter (DM)) pasture has been anecdotally associated with summer scour syndrome (SSS) in recently-weaned dairy-bred calves. This study investigated the effects of grazing perennial ryegrass-dominant pasture differing in CP concentration, generated through varying calcium ammonium nitrate application rates (15, low (LN); 60, moderate (MN); and 120, high (HN); kg N/ha per rotation applied 14 days pre-grazing), on rumen and blood variables, and the potential to induce SSS in recently-weaned male beef × dairy calves (n=54; mean live weight at turnout, 115kg; age, 100 days). An SSS case was defined as persistent diarrhoea and weight loss without evidence of parasitic gastroenteritis or coccidiosis. Calves (n=18 per treatment) rotationally grazed their pasture treatment (24-48hours/(sub-)paddock) for 28 days, followed by a 13‑day period without pre-grazing fertiliser, after which all calves grazed together in common pasture for 112 days. Increasing N fertiliser application rates increased grass CP concentrations (196, 227, and 261g/kg DM for LN, MN, and HN, respectively). Mean rumen ammonia, plasma ammonia and urea concentrations were generally highest in HN, intermediate in MN, and lowest in LN. Effects on rumen pH were inconsistent. Coughing and diarrhoea (loose/runny faeces) proportion was greater in HN than MN or LN. No cases of SSS occurred. Under the conditions of this study, increasing inorganic N fertiliser application rates increased grass CP, rumen ammonia, plasma ammonia and urea concentrations, and the proportion of coughing and diarrhoea, but did not induce SSS.

Neurological disorders in ruminants and South American Camelids (SACs) are rare, yet they constitute a clinically significant group owing to the complexity of their diagnosis and management. This retrospective study evaluated the prevalence, aetiologies, and clinical characteristics of central nervous system (CNS) diseases in cattle, small ruminants, and SACs admitted to the University Clinic for Ruminants in Vienna between 1992 and 2021. Medical records were reviewed, and cases were included if neurological clinical signs were documented at initial examination and/or a disorder of the CNS was confirmed as the final diagnosis. Data were analysed with respect to species, age, sex, season of presentation, and clinical outcome, with post-mortem findings evaluated where available. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests with a significance level of p<0.05 were applied. Of 21,436 patients reviewed, 508 animals met the inclusion criteria, and post-mortem examination was available in 64.2%. CNS disorders were most frequently observed in small ruminants, whereas lower proportions were observed in SACs and cattle. Inflammatory and metabolic-toxic conditions predominated, particularly in animals younger than two years. A significant seasonal pattern was identified in ruminants, with most cases presenting during winter and spring. Survival rates varied across species. These findings demonstrate that CNS diseases are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, highlighting the continued importance of early recognition, preventive management strategies, and post-mortem examination for definitive diagnosis.

Endotoxemia is a critical clinical challenge in donkeys (Equus asinus), yet species-specific studies on therapeutic management and early diagnostic markers remain limited. This study evaluated the comparative efficacy of flunixin meglumine (FM) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in an experimental asinine endotoxemia model and investigated serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and β2 -microglobulin (B2M) as early biomarkers for subclinical acute kidney injury (AKI). Twenty-four healthy adult jennies were randomized into four groups (n=6): Control group (CG: 0.9% NaCl IV), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (LPS-G: 3µg/kg IV), flunixin group (FM-G: LPS + 1.1mg/kg FM IV), and DMSO group (DMSO-G: LPS + 0.5g/kg DMSO IV). Clinical, hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress variables were monitored sequentially over 6hours. LPS infusion successfully established systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). While neither treatment aborted initial hyperacute cardiopulmonary surges, FM significantly accelerated abdominal pain resolution, preserved gastrointestinal motility, and restored appetite earlier than DMSO (P <0.05). Serum NGAL and B2M concentrations surged within 1 to 2hours post-infusion and peaking sharply at T4 prior to serum creatinine alterations. FM treatment significantly blunted acute-phase NGAL elevations (T1-T4, P <0.05) and accelerated B2M clearance back to baseline. Both therapies mitigated oxidative stress, with FM acting earlier. In conclusion, FM demonstrated superiority over DMSO in alleviating visceral pain, preserving intestinal motility, and dampening subclinical renal tubular stress in endotoxemic donkeys. Serum NGAL and B2M could likely consider sensitive, ultra-early biomarkers for subclinical AKI in asinine critical care.

The general objective of this work was the evaluation of the potential for dissemination of staphylococci within the milking system during the actual milking procedure in dairy sheep flocks. Specific objectives of the study were i) the evaluation of bacterial recovery from samples from ewes (teat duct material, milk) collected before and after milking and ii) the description of sources of potential dissemination of staphylococci to ewes during the milking procedure and iii) the identification of associations related to the milking routine for increased dissemination of staphylococci. Four dairy sheep farms with a total of 690 ewes were enrolled into the study and visited thrice, on the 2nd-3rd, 12th-15th and 22nd-27th week of the lactation period. In the milking parlour, three different teatcups were selected at random and swab samples were obtained from these, as well as from the mammary glands milked into these teatcups before and after completion of milking; in total, samplings were performed on 420 occasions in the three visits. Dissemination was defined when all isolates considered to be implicated in a chain (teat duct to teatcup to teat duct of subsequent ewes) were identified similarly at species level. Dissemination sources (milk, teat duct material) were considered for potential dissemination to subsequent dissemination targets (teatcups, teat ducts). The proportion of dissemination incidents during the milking procedure was considered and associations were evaluated. There were shifts in status in bacterial isolation in both 'directions' (i.e., '' ⟼ '+', '+' ⟼ ''), as well as samples that maintained original bacteriological status (i.e., '+' ⟼ '+', '' ⟼ '') for both teat duct material and milk. A significantly higher proportion of teatcups from which bacteria were recovered during the milking procedure, was recorded during the second visit to the farms (85.0%) (p < 0.0001). In total, 111 incidents of dissemination of staphylococci were recorded, of which a higher proportion was seen also during the second visit to the farms (38.9%) (p < 0.0001). In univariable analysis, the decreasing ambient temperature within the parlour during the milking procedure emerged with a significant association with the proportion of dissemination of staphylococci (p = 0.0003). The study highlighted a tendency for bacterial flushing from mammary glands during the milking procedure, which may contribute to reduction of potential intramammary infections. However, the bacterial flushing, occurring primarily from populations in the teat duct, can also contribute to the dissemination of pathogens to mammary glands that will be milked subsequently in the same teatcup. Low environmental temperatures appeared to increase the dissemination.

Thyroid hormones and oxidative stress are intrinsically linked, with thyroid dysfunctions often triggering redox imbalances. Beyond clinical pathology, it is crucial to investigate how environmental and physiological stressors influence thyroid function and oxidative status in livestock. Ruminants are frequently exposed to diverse stressors that compromise their health, welfare, and overall farm profitability. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing integrated therapeutic and management protocols. This review aims to synthesize recent research (2020-2026) investigating the correlation between stressor exposure and fluctuations in serum thyroid hormones and redox parameters in small ruminants. A systematic search across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified only twelve relevant studies. The stressors analyzed included extreme environmental temperatures (n=9), infectious diseases (n=2), and heavy metal exposure (n=1). Evidence suggests that environmental, pathological, and chemical challenges significantly alter thyroid profiles and redox homeostasis; Notably, antioxidant supplementation mitigated these alterations in the studies in which it was tested.

Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) has recently been identified as the etiological agent of Theiler's disease, a major cause of acute hepatitis and liver failure in horses. While iatrogenic transmission of EqPV-H is well-documented, the natural horizontal transmission of the virus remains poorly understood. This study provides the first comprehensive epidemiological investigation and molecular characterization of EqPV-H in equine populations across Italy. A total of 1320 archival serum samples from northern and southern Italy were screened for the presence of EqPV-H DNA by qPCR. The overall prevalence was 9.6% (126/1320), with a higher infection rate observed in horses from southern Italy. Moreover, 18.3% (23/126) of EqPV-H-positive horses were co-infected with equine hepacivirus (EqHV). Longitudinal monitoring of a small cohort (Collection A, n = 13) from a stable in southern Italy revealed that 8/13 (61.5%) of the animals tested positive for EqPV-H, with several horses acquiring the infection post-entry, suggesting horizontal transmission of the virus via contact with viremic resident horses. Sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analysis, were also conducted. Phylogenetic analysis of the genome sequences of two Italian strains, ITA/2021/1040 and ITA/2023/27, showed that they clustered into distinct clades, segregating independently alongside Austrian and Chinese strains, respectively. While these findings establish EqPV-H as a circulating pathogen in the Italian equine population, study limitations include the reliance on archival convenience samples and the small size of the longitudinally monitored cohort. Overall, these results demonstrate active circulation and support the hypothesis of natural horizontal transmission of the virus.

Medication is essential for maintaining health and promoting welfare in production animals. A complex medication management and use process (MMU process) in herds may contribute to medication safety risks, which can lead to errors in medication use. However, these issues are largely unstudied. This study aimed to identify risks and defenses related to the sow MMU process, including medication instructions, herd health visits, assessments of the need for medical treatment for sows, administering and recording medication use, treatment monitoring, record-keeping, and medication error monitoring. Risks were identified as factors that compromise safe medication use, while defenses referred to practices that prevent errors and support safety. A convenience sample of 14 Finnish sow herds having 150-1150 sows was recruited for the study in spring 2023. Using a semi-structured interview guide, the researcher visited the herds and interviewed the person responsible for sow medications. A qualitative abductive content analysis integrating both inductive and deductive components revealed key risks and defenses in the MMU process for sows at the herd level. Risks included poor adherence to medication instructions, difficulty assessing the need for medical treatment, inadequate monitoring practices, and flawed medication record-keeping. Defenses included clear medication instructions, adequate veterinary support, effective diagnostic methods, and competence in administering medication, including proper sow handling and administration skills. Despite the limited sample size and the context-specific nature of the data, the results suggest that improving communication, providing proper staff training, and developing documentation practices could lead to safer, more effective medication use in sows.

The complete blood count is one of the most useful complementary tests for monitoring the general condition of birds in veterinary practice. Hematological findings have been widely used to assess disease severity and prognosis in several animal species; however, their prognostic value in birds remains poorly defined. This study aimed to evaluate the association between leukogram abnormalities and clinical outcome in birds treated at a veterinary hospital, with particular emphasis on the risk of death or euthanasia. Medical records from an electronic database were retrospectively reviewed for different bird species admitted between 2017 and 2022. A total of 142 birds with complete blood count results at hospital admission were included. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the presence of band heterophils, metamyelocytes, myelocytes, toxic heterophils of different degrees, and transitional or degenerative left shift was associated with an increased risk of death or euthanasia. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis established discriminatory cut-off values for total immature heterophils (>4%), the mature-to-immature heterophil ratio index (<4.86), the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (>4), absolute band heterophil count (>268/µL), relative metamyelocytes (>1%), and relative band heterophils (>4%). These findings indicate that blood smear evaluation may provide clinically useful prognostic information, particularly through the identification of immature heterophils and toxic changes. In addition, the results reinforce the importance of accurately classifying left shifts, as patterns that do not fit the regenerative classification should be interpreted with caution because of their association with a higher risk of death or euthanasia.

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) poses significant economic threats to the cattle industry, yet molecular epidemiological data from Southwest China remain scarce. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology, genomic features, and antigenic characteristics of BCoV circulating in this region. Molecular detection showed that BCoV was frequently detected among clinically affected cattle, with farm-level clinical detection rates exceeding 75% in several major cattle-producing areas. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all identified strains belonged to the GII subclade, among which 11 formed a distinct subclade characterized by purifying selection. The high nucleotide identity (99.5-99.7%) and strict geographic clustering of these strains suggest a likely founder effect. Comparative genomic and structural analyses identified lineage-associated mutations, including substitutions in open reading frame 1ab (W673C, V2780I, M2909L, L4202F, D4642A, L6611M, T6653I, and E6785D), spike protein (D206N and V1288F), and an A43S mutation in the nucleocapsid protein. Computational analyses further suggested that altered spike protein rigidity and reduced O-glycosylation may contribute to altered receptor interaction and potentially influence viral spread. In addition, predicted epitope profiling revealed marked antigenic divergence from the classical Mebus vaccine strain, indicating potential variations in cross-reactive epitope profiles between historical vaccine lineages and currently circulating variants. Furthermore, the identification of the A43S mutation in the nucleocapsid protein also highlights the need to further re-evaluate its potential impact on antigen-based diagnostic performance. Overall, these findings expand current knowledge of BCoV diversity in Southwest China and support continued genomic surveillance, functional validation, and antigenic characterization to guide the development of locally matched vaccines and diagnostic tools.

Benzodiazepines are the recommended first-line treatment for canine seizure emergencies, and non-parenteral routes are essential when intravenous access is unavailable. Clinical trials show that intranasal midazolam controls emergency seizures more reliably than rectal diazepam, yet the cortical electrophysiological correlates of these routes remain uncharacterised in dogs. In a two-session, fixed-order (non-randomised) study, the quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) profiles of intranasal midazolam (IN-MDZ; 0.2 mg/kg), volume-matched intranasal saline (IN-SAL) and intrarectal diazepam (IR-DZP; 0.5 mg/kg) were compared in six healthy adult dogs. Propofol (1%, 0.5 mL/kg IV) was given in both sessions for electrode placement, and recording followed clinical recovery. Metrics were computed at baseline and 1, 3 and 5 min and analysed with the dog as the unit of replication (n = 6), using Friedman and exact Wilcoxon tests with false-discovery-rate (FDR) control. IN-MDZ was associated with a coherent, rapidly emerging cortical-slowing signature: at 1-3 min it separated from both controls across relative delta, beta, delta/beta, theta/alpha, alpha and entropy, unanimously and drug-specifically, the correlated indices reflecting a single coherent spectral shift reproduced at two time points. This slowing, in contrast to the beta activation reported in seizing human patients, is consistent with a genuine, rapidly acting GABAergic effect, and is concordant with the established clinical efficacy of intranasal midazolam. No contrast survived false-discovery-rate correction; the core indices nonetheless persisted on baseline-corrected change scores (r = 0.7-0.9). The study defines the qEEG endpoints, effect sizes and sample size required for an adequately powered confirmatory trial.

Rapid genetic selection for growth rate and slaughter weight in broilers has been associated with a higher incidence of skeletal disorders, particularly tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), which causes considerable economic losses in poultry production. We investigated the effects of boric acid (BA) and sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (SPP) on growth performance, bone mineralization, tibial histopathology, and osteogenic protein expression in broilers with manganese (Mn) deficiency-induced TD. A total of 360 Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial design with TD status (normal or Mn deficiency-induced TD), boron source (BA or SPP), and supplemental boron level (0, 4.37, and 8.74 mg elemental B/kg diet). Birds were randomly allocated to 12 groups with six replicates of five birds each. Clinical and histopathological findings confirmed TD induction. TD decreased body weight, feed intake, and carcass weight, while increasing feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Boron supplementation improved tibial mineral density and content in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). In TD broilers, serum osteocalcin (OCN) concentrations were higher with high-level SPP supplementation than with BA supplementation (p = 0.012). Boron source and level significantly affected serum and bone boron concentrations, bone calcium concentrations (p < 0.05). In TD broilers, tibial osteoprotegerin levels were markedly elevated in the high-level SPP group (p < 0.001), whereas SRY-box transcription factor 9, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and tumor necrosis factor-α were reduced (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that SPP exerts regulatory effects on bone metabolism and osteogenic signaling pathways in TD-affected broilers.

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is a multisystemic disease with substantial musculoskeletal involvement. We aimed to assess the usefulness of USG in diagnosing joint abnormalities in dogs with CanL using a clinical approach. Forty-three L. infantum PCR-positive dogs underwent comparative orthopedic physical examination and joint USG; 20 (20/43) also underwent radiography. Tarsal joints were systematically imaged, whereas other joints were imaged if they showed orthopedic clinical signs. Tarsal lesions were detected by joint USG in 86% (37/43) of the dogs, with osteophytes (83.8%), joint effusion (64.9%), and capsular thickening (59.4%) being the most frequent. Radiography detected tarsal lesions in 40% (8/20) of the dogs. As a definitive gold-standard procedure was not available, physical orthopedic examination served as the reference to assess method sensitivity for detecting joint alterations; USG demonstrated 89.7% sensitivity, whereas radiography demonstrated 46.7%. Overall, 86% (37/43) of the dogs had ultrasonographic joint alterations consistent with degenerative processes associated with chronic inflammation. In selected cases, synovial fluid cytology revealed Leishmania amastigotes, and histopathologic findings confirmed the severe inflammatory nature of the lesions, demonstrating synovial membrane thickening and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates. Among dogs with joint lesions detected by USG, 29.7% (11/37) had no clinical orthopedic signs, underscoring USG's potential to detect subclinical joint involvement. Using this hitherto inedited approach, we conclude that USG outperformed radiography in detecting arthropathy in CanL, including cases without overt clinical signs of joint alteration. This supports recommending joint USG as a first-line procedure for the early diagnosis of arthropathy in dogs with L. infantum infection.

General anesthesia for short periods of time in healthy horses for elective procedures produces minimal ultrasonographic changes in the lungs, but the effect of general anesthesia for exploratory celiotomy in horses has not previously been investigated. The objective of this study was to identify the degree of ultrasonographic changes in the lungs of horses following exploratory celiotomy and to identify risk factors that could increase the magnitude of change. 63 horses ≥ 2 years of age undergoing exploratory celiotomy were initially enrolled in a prospective observational study. Signalment, weight, exam findings and clinicopathologic data, surgical lesion and procedure were recorded for all horses. For survivors, time recumbent, laterality in recovery and presence of reflux or feed on the endotracheal tube in recovery were recorded. Thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) was performed pre- and 1, 3, and 5 days post-operatively on survivors. Linear mixed model with Bayesian estimation was used to explore day and group's effects on TUS scores, and significance level was set at 0.05. 82.5% (n = 52/63) horses survived surgery, and pre-operative TUS score was not associated with survival. Median Day 1 TUS scores (25.94, 95% CrI: 10.47-41.50), were significantly higher than pre-operative scores (21.19, 95% CrI: 9.75-32.50). Magnitude of change in TUS score from the pre-operative exam to Day 1 was significantly associated with the presence of feed on the endotracheal tube at the time of extubation (P = 0.03) and reflux in recovery (P = 0.006). Significant changes occur in the ultrasonographic appearance of the lungs the day following exploratory celiotomy, but appear to be self-limiting.

This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the elasticity of the uterine wall and liver in dogs diagnosed with cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra (CEH-P) complex and clinically healthy dogs in the luteal stage using two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), and to determine the relationship among the obtained elastographic parameters and clinical findings, hematological-biochemical data, Doppler ultrasonography findings expressing uterine hemodynamics, and possible prognostic indicators. The study included 49 intact female dogs, divided into two groups based on clinical examination: the control group (Group C; n = 15), consisting of healthy diestrus dogs, and the study group (Group P; n = 34), consisting of dogs with CEH-P complex. All bitches underwent abdominal ultrasonography (B-mod ultrasonography, Doppler ultrasonography, 2D-SWE). Reduced resistance pattern and notches in uterine artery waveforms were observed in Group P. Hepatic elasticity was also evaluated to assess the effects of CEH-P on the liver. Both uterine and liver elasticity values were significantly higher in Group P compared to Group C (p < 0.001), with high sensitivity and specificity values in ROC analysis. Hematology and 2D-SWE were evaluated together for accurate diagnosis of liver injury. The alanine aminotransferase/alkaline phosphatase (ALT/ALP) ratio showed high sensitivity in detecting liver injury caused by CEH-P complex in dogs. It was concluded that 2D-SWE is a non-invasive tool to evaluate elasticity changes in the uterine wall in cases of canine CEH-P. It is also useful for determining the systemic effects of CEH-P on the liver by measuring the liver stiffness.