Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly visible in veterinary medicine, not only in diagnostic and decision-support applications but also in ways that may influence how clinical reasoning is structured. Because veterinary clinical decision-making is shaped by animal welfare, owner preferences, economic constraints, and legal ambiguity, AI should be evaluated not only in terms of performance, but also in relation to epistemic authority and professional judgment. This article is a theoretical narrative review based on targeted searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The literature was examined conceptually with particular attention to clinical decision-making, explainability, automation bias, epistemic authority, and veterinary ethics. This review identifies two theoretically plausible areas of risk that may arise under certain conditions and require empirical testing in veterinary clinical settings. The first is potential authority delegation, in which AI outputs may gradually become de facto reference points that guide clinicians' reasoning and narrow the space for independent judgment. The second is potential epistemic-normative reshaping, whereby AI may indirectly influence the informational, evaluative, and justificatory framework of clinical decisions, particularly in legally uncertain and ethically contested areas such as euthanasia, off-label use, and unlicensed treatments. In veterinary medicine, the central question is not only whether AI is accurate, but what kind of position it occupies within clinical reasoning. Given these potential risks, AI should be treated as a bounded and critically reviewable support tool rather than as an epistemic authority.
Antibiotic use in canine breeding, particularly prior to mating, is frequently discussed in practice despite increasing awareness of antimicrobial stewardship and the recognition that the canine vaginal tract naturally harbors a microbiome. Diagnostic uncertainty, especially regarding bacterial culture findings and Mycoplasma spp. detection, may contribute to antimicrobial use in this setting. This study aimed to investigate antibiotic use, bacteriological testing practices, and underlying beliefs among dog breeders and veterinarians involved in canine reproduction. Two anonymous online questionnaires targeting breeders and veterinarians were distributed in Belgium and the Netherlands between October 2025 and February 2026. The surveys collected data on antibiotic use, diagnostic practices, and perceptions regarding vaginal bacteriology and the detection of Mycoplasma spp. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with antibiotic use. A total of 426 breeders and 94 veterinarians participated. Thirty-two percent of breeders reported ever administering antibiotics around the time of breeding, most commonly prior to mating. Forty-nine percent of breeders had ever had vaginal bacteriology performed in their breeding bitches, which was strongly associated with consequent antibiotic use (OR = 4.93, 95% CI 3.14-7.90, p < 0.001). In contrast, most veterinarians reported never prescribing antibiotics to clinically healthy bitches, whereas 27% had done so occasionally. Breeder request, duration of professional experience and use of genital bacteriology were positively associated with antibiotic prescribing in univariable analyses. Lack of knowledge regarding the clinical relevance of Mycoplasma spp. was observed among both breeders and veterinarians, despite frequent testing for it and a tendency toward antibiotic treatment following detection. Antibiotic use in canine breeding is influenced by bacteriological testing, diagnostic uncertainty, and precautionary decision-making. Discrepancies between breeder-reported practices and veterinarian prescribing behavior highlight the complexity of antimicrobial use in this field. Targeted education and improved communication are essential to promote evidence-based reproductive management and responsible antimicrobial use.
Swine Group A rotavirus is one of the primary intestinal pathogens causing severe diarrhea in newborn piglets, with high incidence and mortality resulting in substantial economic losses to the global swine industry. Vaccination, alongside rigorous biosecurity measures, remains the core strategy for controlling porcine Group A rotavirus infection; however, continuous genetic variation via genomic reassortment, point mutations, and diverse G/P genotype combinations drives the constant emergence of new circulating strains that may evade immune protection from existing vaccines. These genetic changes may also give rise to highly pathogenic variants, increasing large-scale outbreak risk. Therefore, developing vaccines that provide stable, broad cross-protection against viral strain diversity is particularly critical. Vaccine adjuvants play a vital role in enhancing and modulating immune responses, broadening protection spectra, and reducing the antigen dose required for protection especially valuable when facing rapidly changing genotypes or limited vaccine antigen supplies. In recent years, advances in adjuvant design and formulation strategies have clearly improved the immunogenicity and duration of protection of swine Group A rotavirus vaccines, as evidenced by significantly reduced diarrhea incidence and viral shedding intensity in vaccinated piglets. Building on an overview of the current status, advantages, and challenges of different porcine Group A rotavirus vaccine types, this review focuses on the mechanisms of action, application advantages, existing limitations, and methodological strategies of adjuvants. It further analyzes the potential contribution of adjuvant strategies to developing a universal porcine rotavirus vaccine capable of broad, long-lasting cross-protection. Finally, this review identifies key unresolved scientific questions and critical knowledge gaps in the field, with the aim of guiding future research priorities.
Laminitis is a complex and painful disease of the equine foot. Insulin dysregulation (ID) resulting in hyperinsulinemia is responsible for more than 90% of cases in the general horse and pony population. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a relatively new class of drug that has gained considerable popularity as an off-label treatment of hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis (HAL) in horses when traditional management changes and treatments are unsuccessful. In Canada, canagliflozin is the SGLT2i most available to equine veterinarians; although no dosing protocols have been well-validated in horses, it is commonly administered orally at 0.6 mg/kg once daily. However, due to its long half-life in the horse, we hypothesized that every other day (EOD) dosing might be efficacious. Here we report the clinical outcome and pharmacokinetics of once daily versus EOD canagliflozin in a teaching horse with hyperinsulinemia and a history of severe laminitis. We found that insulin levels in this patient could be maintained within normal limits using EOD oral treatment of canagliflozin at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg. Daily dosing of canagliflozin led to accumulation resulting in approximately three times the drug exposure achieved with EOD dosing, where no accumulation was observed. Maximum plasma concentrations were 934.2 ng/mL after 30 days of single daily dosing and 324.3 ng/mL after 30 days of EOD dosing. This may be a promising new dosing strategy, although prospective trials in risk-matched populations are needed to assess the incidence of medication-associated adverse events and laminitis to determine the safety profiles of canagliflozin dosing strategies.
Different conditions affecting the spinal meningeal layers have been reported in human and veterinary medicine. In veterinary medicine, two separate conditions have been reported. Spinal arachnoid diverticula (SAD) have been well documented for decades, while constrictive myelopathy (CM) in pugs was identified more recently. However, the distinction between SAD and CM in dogs can be challenging. There is a lack of understanding about the pathophysiology of these puzzling conditions, which impacts the ability to select the most appropriate treatment. In humans, four different spinal meningeal diseases are described, including intradural or extradural spinal arachnoid cysts, spinal arachnoid webs, spinal adhesive arachnoiditis, and idiopathic spinal cord herniation. Similar challenges to veterinary medicine are also encountered in human medicine. This brief comparative review aims to emphasize the parallels and obstacles found in both veterinary and human medicine and to explore potential future developments. The term 'spinal meningeal adhesive disease' is proposed as a unified term in veterinary medicine for pathologies affecting the meninges of the spinal cord (SAD and CM), potentially causing progressive clinical signs of myelopathy.
Polyaxial locking plate systems and combination-hole designs expand implant adaptability during fracture fixation; however, limited data exist regarding their mechanical behavior. This study evaluated screw push-out strength and three-point bending performance of a 3.5-mm polyaxial combination-hole locking plate. Axial screw push-out testing was performed on 31 screws inserted into three 12-hole plates and tightened to 2.0 Nm. Screws were loaded at 0° angulation under quasi-static conditions until failure. Three-point bending was conducted following ASTM F382 using a 90-mm support span to determine flexural stiffness, flexural modulus, flexural strength, and maximum load to failure. Area moment of inertia (AMI) was estimated from bending data to provide geometric context for structural performance. Data were reported descriptively. No statistical comparisons were performed. Mean screw push-out forces ranged from 2,839 ± 471 N to 3,119 ± 274 N. Three-point bending yielded flexural strengths of 641-697 MPa, flexural moduli of 55,655-63,732 MPa, flexural stiffness values of 133-141 N/mm, and maximum loads to failure of 0.63-0.65 kN. Estimated AMI values ranged from 32.4 to 38.0 mm4. Results indicate that the combination-hole configuration did not adversely affect the locking mechanism of the plate under the conditions tested. Mechanical responses were consistent across plates, demonstrating uniform screw-plate engagement and predictable bending behavior. Observed screw retention and bending responses were uniform across plates and fell within ranges reported for other veterinary locking plate systems. Results represent baseline mechanical characteristics of the screw-plate interface and plate bending behavior under controlled testing conditions. Interpretation is limited by testing at 0° angulation, a plate-only construct, and differences in testing methodologies across previously reported studies. This study provides foundational mechanical data for a 3.5-mm polyaxial combination-hole locking plate, demonstrating that incorporation of a combination-hole interface does not compromise locking screw engagement or bending behavior under baseline testing conditions. Further investigation using standardized test configurations, cyclic loading, fracture-gap models, and variable screw angulation is warranted to define comparative performance and clinical relevance.
Oxidative stress is a key pathological cause of intestinal epithelial injury and related intestinal diseases. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a natural polyphenol, has notable antioxidant activity. This study explored the multi-target protective effects of CGA on intestinal epithelial cells and mouse intestinal tissue against oxidative injury, as well as its underlying molecular mechanisms. Network pharmacology was applied to screen core targets and enriched pathways of CGA against oxidative stress. H₂O₂-induced MODE-K cell oxidative damage model and LPS-induced mouse intestinal injury model were constructed. CCK-8, biochemical detection, qPCR, molecular docking, Western blotting and histopathological assay were performed to verify the protective effects and related signaling pathways. Network pharmacology predicted PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways as crucial targets. In vitro, CGA elevated cell viability, reduced oxidative injury markers, upregulated antioxidant factors, and regulated apoptosis-related proteins. CGA blocked Keap1-Nrf2 binding, activated Nrf2/HO-1 and promoted Akt phosphorylation. In vivo, CGA alleviated LPS-induced intestinal pathological injury, while PI3K inhibitor LY294002 reversed its protective effects, confirming the critical role of PI3K/Akt-Nrf2/HO-1 axis. CGA exerts multi-target antioxidant and intestinal protective effects by inhibiting Keap1-Nrf2 interaction and activating PI3K/Akt-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis, mitigating intestinal oxidative injury. Our findings provide a mechanistic basis for the application of CGA as a functional food ingredient or dietary intervention to alleviate intestinal oxidative stress in livestock.
Antimicrobial stewardship in pig production depends not only on which drugs are used, but also on how syndrome burden is recognized, when therapy escalates from individual to group level, whether bacteriological and susceptibility-guided sampling is performed, and how medicines are recorded, stored, and administered. We investigated these connected decision layers in large-scale Hungarian pig farms. Between November 2020 and March 2021, a questionnaire-based, respondent-reported cross-sectional survey was conducted among veterinarians and, where needed, farm managers or owners from 16 commercial pig farms across five Hungarian regions. Four production-unit categories were evaluated-farrowing units (n = 14), nursery units (n = 16), finisher units (n = 12), and breeding herds (n = 14), resulting in 56 production-unit observations. Syndrome burden was scored for respiratory, gastrointestinal, joint/neurological, and urogenital disease groups, together with isolation practices, treatment escalation, bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and selected stewardship indicators. Antimicrobial decision-making was strongly syndrome- and stage-specific. Respiratory burden was highest in nursery units (93.8%) and finisher units (91.7%), gastrointestinal burden in farrowing units (100.0%) and nursery units (87.5%), joint/neurological burden in nursery units (100.0%), and urogenital burden in breeding herds (85.7%). Group treatment was common for gastrointestinal (76.9%) and respiratory syndromes (67.5%), but rare for joint/neurological syndromes (9.3%) and absent for urogenital syndromes. Bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were reported in only 46.2-61.5% of affected units, depending on syndrome group. Important stewardship gaps were also identified: only 41.1% of production units used electronic records, 62.5% stored antibiotics in locked locations, 60.7% lacked post-opening expiry labeling, and 16.1% acknowledged at least some reuse of expired products. Large-scale pig-farm antimicrobial management was not diffuse; it followed syndrome-specific therapeutic logics. However, the diagnostic and operational infrastructure supporting prudent use remained inconsistent. The most actionable gains lie in strengthening early segregation of clinically affected animals, susceptibility-guided diagnostic support, record quality, and the procedural discipline of medicine handling.
Antibiotic treatment represents one of the available control strategies for managing clinical outbreaks in flocks infected with Mycoplasma synoviae (MS). Therefore, elucidating the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of MS isolates and monitoring the evolutionary trends of resistance-associated genetic mutations are of critical importance. In present study, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 12 commonly used antimicrobial agents were evaluated for 35 MS isolates collected between 2018 and 2025 using the broth microdilution method. In addition, the molecular variation characteristics of the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) and macrolide resistance-associated genes were analyzed in the same 35 MS strains. All MS isolates exhibited low minimum inhibitory MIC values for tylvalosin (MIC₉₀ = 0.25 μg/mL) and valnemulin (MIC₉₀ = 0.0078 μg/mL), indicating high in vitro susceptibility to both agents. In contrast, the majority of isolates showed markedly elevated MICs for ciprofloxacin (0.25-32 μg/mL), enrofloxacin (0.5-16 μg/mL), and tilmicosin (0.125-8 μg/mL), suggesting reduced susceptibility or emerging resistance to these antimicrobials. The MIC values for the other ten drugs remained relatively low, indicating preserved efficacy. Two amino acid substitutions Asn345Ser in GyrB and Thr85Ile in ParC led to high level resistance to fluoroquinolones. In domain II of the 23S rRNA gene, nucleotide substitutions G778A and G915C, together with substitution G2761C in domain V, were contributed to the elevated MICs for macrolides, tetracyclines, and cephalosporins. The results of this study would deepen veterinarians' understanding of resistance mechanisms and provide scientifically validated data to guide the rational use of existing antimicrobials, as well as to support the development of novel therapeutics against MS infection.
Cytokine-mediated inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of joint disease across species, contributing to synovial activation, cartilage degradation, and structural remodeling. In both equine and human medicine, key pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6, regulate intracellular signaling pathways such as NF-κB and JAK/STAT, driving matrix degradation and immune cell recruitment. This review synthesizes current knowledge on cytokine signaling in osteoarthritis, synovitis, and septic arthritis, highlighting conserved mechanisms and species-specific differences. Comparative evaluation reveals that while cytokine profiles are largely conserved, differences in magnitude and temporal dynamics influence disease progression and therapeutic response. Emerging diagnostic applications, including synovial fluid cytokine profiling, offer potential for early detection and prognostication. Therapeutic strategies targeting cytokines, including biologics, orthobiologics, gene therapy, and mesenchymal stromal cells, demonstrate translational relevance across species. Despite advances, limitations in assay standardization and longitudinal data remain significant barriers, particularly in equine research. Strengthening cross-species methodological alignment and integrating multi-omics approaches will be critical for advancing cytokine-targeted therapies and improving outcomes in joint disease.
To address practical application and production demands, this study aims to develop a Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) subunit vaccine with high expression efficiency and immunogenicity, using molecular biology and structural biology approaches. Based on the established immunostimulatory properties of flagellin, a recombinant fusion protein was constructed by linking the Salmonella choleraesuis flagellin mutant FliCL3A to the core neutralizing epitope (COE) of the spike protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). The target protein was expressed using a CHO-S cell expression system and subsequently formulated into a subunit vaccine with adjuvant 201. Immunogenicity was systematically evaluated in a mouse model by measuring serum levels of PEDV-specific IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies, as well as the cytokines IFN-γ and IL-4. Structural prediction of the FliCL3A-COE fusion protein by AlphaFold2 indicated that the protein can spontaneously assemble into a bouquet-like multimeric structure. Following condition optimization, a CHO-S cell expression system with a transfection efficiency of approximately 80% was successfully established. Post-immunization ELISA results demonstrated that the level of PEDV-specific IgG increased progressively with the number of immunizations and reached a peak after the second booster immunization; IgA levels peaked after the first booster immunization but declined following the second booster; IgM levels reached their maximum after the primary immunization and decreased significantly with subsequent boosters. The expression trends of IFN-γ and IL-4 were consistent, both continuously increasing with each booster immunization. Compared with the commercial vaccine, the FliCL3A-COE subunit vaccine induced lower levels of IFN-γ; the levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, and IL-4 showed no significant difference from those induced by the commercial vaccine. The FliCL3A-COE fusion protein induces PEDV-specific antibodies and elicits detectable immune responses in mice. Its immunogenicity profile in terms of antibody induction is generally similar to that of a commercial vaccine, although IFN-γ responses were lower. These findings indicate that the fusion protein has certain immunostimulatory properties, but further optimization may be needed to improve its immune potency.
Degenerative joint disease, namely osteoarthritis, represents a major cause of chronic pain and functional limitation in dogs. Although rehabilitation is widely incorporated into clinical management, objective data quantifying joint mobility and muscular adaptations following structured exercise protocols remain limited. To evaluate changes in passive range of joint motion (PROM) and limb circumference following a five-week therapeutic exercise program in dogs diagnosed with degenerative joint disease. Twenty-one client-owned dogs underwent a standardized rehabilitation protocol consisting of three sessions per week. Goniometric measurements of appendicular joints and limb circumference assessments were performed before and after intervention. Deviations from published reference midpoints were calculated, and improvement in joint motion was defined as reduction in deviation regardless of direction of absolute change. Morphometric parameters were also recorded. Joints were analyzed individually to describe distribution of changes across the cohort. Across most joints, extension movements were associated with a higher proportion of PROM increases, whereas flexion showed a more mixed pattern with frequent decreases or unchanged values. The most pronounced response was observed in the hip joint. Pelvic limb musculature showed greater circumference than thoracic limb musculature, with the largest mean increase in circumference recorded in the thigh region. Body weight and trunk circumferences remained largely stable during the intervention period. Considerable inter-individual variability in response to therapy was observed. A structured exercise-based rehabilitation program was associated with measurable changes in goniometry and muscle circumference in dogs with secondary degenerative joint disease. These findings support the integration of targeted therapeutic exercise into multimodal conservative management strategies for orthopedic patients.
The immediate cardiorespiratory responses to etorphine immobilization and reversal with naltrexone in wildlife are underexplored. To evaluate the early cardiorespiratory changes after etorphine immobilization and reversal with naltrexone in sheep, as a model for wild ungulates. Six sheep instrumented with electrical impedance tomography (EIT) belt, arterial and pulmonary arterial catheters were immobilized with intramuscular etorphine (0.05 mg kg-1) and reversed with intravenous naltrexone (1 mg kg-1) 26 min later. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) and EIT derived variables (minute tidal impedance variation-TIVMIN; tidal impedance variation-TIV; respiratory rate-RR; end-expiratory lung impedance-EELI) were recorded continuously from 5 min before to 10 min after each drug. Arterial blood gasses were drawn at baseline and 5 min after each drug. Statistical analysis was performed in R to determine the timing of significant deviations from baseline, defined as the mean of the 5 min preceding drug administration, and compared with each minute thereafter. Post-administration values were expressed as ratios to baseline and analyzed using two-sided one-sample t-tests with False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction at 10% for multiple comparisons; FDR-adjusted p-values (q-values) < 0.10 were considered significant. Three minutes after etorphine, MPAP increased (q = 0.08, median 42%), accompanied by a decrease in TIVMIN (q = 0.09, median 40.9%) due to decrease in TIV and RR. Arterial blood gasses confirmed hypoxemia (PaO₂ median [range]: 57.1 [26.9-93.6] mmHg) and hypercapnia (PaCO₂ 49.45 [40-61.3] mmHg). Conversely, regional ventilation distribution and EELI remained unchanged. One minute after naltrexone, median RR (q = 0.04) and TIVMIN (q = 0.05) increased by 119.3 and 223.6% from baseline respectively, followed by increase in TIV from minute 4 (q = 0.06, median 50.8%). Arterial blood gasses improved marginally (PaO₂ 63.5 [48.6-115.7] mmHg; PaCO₂ 46 [41.5-52.4] mmHg) while MPAP did not return toward baseline. Etorphine immobilization caused early pulmonary hypertension followed by progressive hypoventilation without ventilation redistribution. Naltrexone rapidly restored ventilation, whereas pulmonary vascular effects persisted.
Urine metabolomics may offer a non-invasive way to detect systemic metabolic alterations associated with canine mammary tumors, but previous studies have been few and have not accounted for diet as a potential confounder. In this observational case-control study, urine from 118 client-owned female dogs in Finland was analyzed by untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, including 71 dogs with mammary tumors and 47 tumor-free controls. Case dogs were further evaluated by tumor malignancy (28 benign, 27 malignant, 16 with both benign and malignant tumors), tumor size (53 small, 12 medium, 6 large), and tumor number (43 single, 28 multiple). Statistical models were adjusted for diet, age, body size, and sterilization status. After covariate adjustment, no features remained significant in the overall case-control comparison or in analyses of tumor number, whereas tumor size showed the clearest signal. Three features remained significant in the covariate-adjusted analysis of variance for tumor size, and per-contrast linear models identified four false discovery rate-significant urinary features associated with tumor size and four associated with tumor malignancy. All showed lower intensities in tumor-bearing dogs than in controls. Hippurate was the most robust and consistently supported finding, with lower levels in dogs with large tumors. Several unknown aromatic and sulfur-containing features covaried with hippurate and tumor size, suggesting a broader host metabolic response. Exploratory pathway analysis indicated glucose homeostasis as the strongest enrichment signal in adjusted models, although this did not remain significant after false discovery rate correction. Adjustment for diet and other background variables substantially reduced the number of significant findings, highlighting the importance of accounting for physiological and environmental variation in veterinary metabolomics. Urine metabolomics detected a limited but biologically plausible metabolic signature associated primarily with tumor size rather than with overall case-control status or tumor number. Hippurate and a small set of unknown features emerged as candidate urinary markers of tumor-associated systemic metabolic change, supporting the value of urine as a non-invasive matrix for studying canine mammary tumors while underscoring the need for careful covariate control.
Porcine circoviruses (PCVs), belonging to the genus Circovirus in the family Circoviridae, are prevalent worldwide and pose a serious threat to the pig industry. Although vaccines against PCV2 are available, PCV3 vaccine development, prevention strategies, and surveillance for co-infections remain limited, leading to delayed outbreak responses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a bivalent subunit vaccine targeting the prevalent strains of PCV2 and PCV3. Recombinant baculoviruses, Baculovirus-PCV2-Cap and Baculovirus-PCV3-Cap, were constructed to express the PCV2-Cap and PCV3-Cap proteins, respectively. Additionally, a recombinant baculovirus, Baculovirus-PCV-Cap-2-3, was engineered to co-express both proteins. Using GEL02 as the subunit vaccine adjuvant, purified proteins were formulated at an antigen concentration of 30 μg/mL. PCV2-Cap, PCV3-Cap, and PCV-Cap-2-3 subunit vaccines were prepared and administered to 28-day-old piglets. Serological analysis showed that all vaccines induced the production of PCV-specific and neutralizing antibodies in pigs. Lymphocyte proliferation assays demonstrated that the PCV-Cap-2-3 subunit vaccine successfully induced cellular immune responses. Post-vaccination challenge protection tests showed that, following PCV2 and PCV3 challenge, the PCV-Cap-2-3 subunit vaccine group exhibited reduced pathological damage in organs compared with the PBS control group. Overall, these results indicate that the developed vaccine effectively protected against both PCV2 and PCV3. The protective performance of this vaccine was comparable to that of commercial PCV2 vaccines, inducing robust immune responses in vaccinated pigs and showing potential for further development.
Many veterinary staff are dog owners, and the opportunity to bring their dog to work may influence their choice of workplace. This qualitative study assessed the benefits and risks for employees who bring their dogs to work in small animal clinics and aimed to develop guidelines to maximize benefits and minimize risks. The study explored the perspectives of employees at four small animal clinics in Switzerland who brought their own dogs to work. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide informed by an ecological model encompassing individual, social, community, and societal aspects. In total, 29 interviews were conducted across various job roles and analyzed. Perceived benefits were consistent across the four clinics, whereas the associated risks varied according to organizational structures. Common benefits for the dog-owning staff included reduced stress, increased social interaction, and improved work-life balance. Identified risks included added stress due to care demands of the dog, additional cleaning demands, potential disease transmission, distractions, and organizational challenges related to spatial arrangements for staff-owned dogs. These findings informed the development of practical guidelines for managing staff-owned dogs in the workplace. Key recommendations include clear and consistent communication of rules, the provision of suitable spaces, and structured integration of dogs into the workplace. From a dog-owner perspective, the opportunity to bring dogs to work has the potential to be an important contributor to employee well-being in veterinary settings. The implementation of formalized guidelines may help to create a positive environment for staff, staff-owned dogs, and employers.
The development of unconventional feed resources has become a strategic imperative for the sustainable advancement of animal husbandry, particularly considering China's increasing scarcity of high-quality protein feed supplies. Perennial herbs from the Polygonaceae family, particularly those in the genus Rumex, have attracted considerable interest. Specifically, two high-protein cultivars, Edible Grass (Rumex patientia L. × Rumex tianschanicus A. LOS, abbreviated as R. P. × R. T.) and Rumex K-1-have shown promise due to their high crude protein (CP) content (20-30%), abundance of bioactive components, and strong resistance to environmental stressors. However, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) such as oxalic acid, phytic acid, and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) limit the feeding value of these plants. Based on a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Scopus (2000-2025), this work methodically reviews the distribution of germplasm resources, nutritional traits-including conventional nutrients, amino acid (AA) composition, and bioactive components-as well as significant anti-nutritional aspects of Rumex plants. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of studies investigating the use of Rumex plants in livestock production, specifically for pigs, chickens, and ruminants. The findings indicate that incorporating 5 to 12% fermented Rumex into ruminant diets can enhance growth and meat quality. An optimal inclusion level of 3 to 10% has been shown to improve intestinal health, growth performance, and antioxidant capacity in diets for pigs and poultry. Conversely, higher inclusion levels, such as 12%, may lead to decreased production performance, highlighting the dose-dependent effects of anti-nutritional components. Current research in this area faces several obstacles, including a lack of quantified energy levels, significant variability in nutrient composition across different varieties and growth stages, and uncertain mechanisms of action for bioactive components. To support the scientific utilization and industrial development of Rumex plants as high-quality protein feed resources, future work should focus on variety improvement, standardization of processing technologies, fundamental studies on energy metabolism, and mechanistic investigations.
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) is the primary etiological agent of porcine contagious pleuropneumonia and is responsible for substantial economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. In April 2023, an acute respiratory disease outbreak occurred on a pig farm in Longyan City, Fujian Province, China, resulting in a morbidity rate of 30% and a mortality rate of 56%. This study aimed to isolate and identify the causative pathogen and to characterize its major biological properties. An NAD-dependent bacterial strain was isolated from the lung tissues of deceased pigs and identified as APP serotype 1 through morphological characterization, biochemical testing, and serotype-specific PCR analysis. The isolate was designated APPFJLYC01. Toxin gene profiling revealed the presence of the ApxII, ApxIII, and ApxIV genes, whereas the ApxI gene was absent. This toxin gene pattern differs from the typical profile reported for serotype 1 strains (ApxI, ApxII, and ApxIV), suggesting potential genetic diversity in the distribution of toxin-associated genes among local APP populations. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated that APPFJLYC01 was resistant to polymyxin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin, ampicillin, gentamicin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, indicating a multidrug-resistant phenotype. Pathogenicity assessment in mice confirmed the virulence of the isolate, with a median lethal dose (LD50) of 7.91 × 108 CFU/mL. In conclusion, this study reports the isolation and characterization of a serotype 1 APP strain from Longyan, Fujian Province, exhibiting an atypical toxin gene profile and multidrug resistance. These findings provide valuable epidemiological data for understanding the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance characteristics of APP strains circulating in the region and may contribute to the development of effective prevention and control strategies for porcine pleuropneumonia.
Knowledge, attitudes, and working conditions of personnel may influence the health and welfare of animals under their care. Within a One Welfare framework, this qualitative study explored these factors on nine large dairy farms in Saxony, Germany, focusing on herd managers and calf-care team members, with particular attention to working atmosphere and communication. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings were related to calf health outcomes. Calf health was assessed using a composite health rank incorporating mortality and the prevalence of diarrhea, respiratory disease, and omphalitis. Communication practices varied considerably among farms. Notably, the two farms with the best calf health outcomes did not conduct regular team meetings but relied primarily on informal communication such as direct conversations, messages, and written notes. Regarding the working atmosphere, on the three farms with the poorest health ranks, farmers and/or team members reported a deficient working atmosphere. Although not explicitly addressed in the interview guide, some farmers raised gender-related issues, while team members referred to challenges associated with apprentices. When asked about their interest in further training, team members from the two farms with the best calf health ranks expressed the greatest interest. When being asked about attitudes toward calves, all farmers attributed high importance. The motivations of team members for working in calf care rather than in other farm sections varied considerably, and no clear association with calf health outcomes could be identified. Despite being based on a small, non-representative sample, this study provides in-depth insights by linking qualitative "soft factors" such as communication, attitudes, and working atmosphere to quantitative indicators of calf health. The findings highlight the relevance of communication, further training, and working atmosphere for calf health.
Mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) are endangered Andean ungulates for which infectious disease exposure in free-ranging populations remains poorly characterized. Between 2016 and 2018, serum samples were collected during field anesthesia events conducted for conservation management purposes within Cayambe-Coca National Park, Ecuador, and tested for selected bacterial and viral pathogens of livestock and zoonotic relevance, including Brucella spp., Leptospira spp., bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), as well as Eastern and Western equine encephalitis viruses (EEEV, WEEV). Nine serum submissions representing eight individuals were evaluated using microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) for Leptospira spp., fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) with confirmatory complement fixation (CF) and repeat FPA testing at the U.S. National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for Brucella spp., plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT) for EEEV and WEEV, and serum neutralization (SN) assays for BVDV, BoHV-1, and VSV. Most samples were seronegative for all tested pathogens (6/8 individuals; 75%), with all samples negative for antibodies to EEEV, WEEV, BVDV, BoHV-1, and VSV. However, one individual tested positive for Brucella antibodies, and one demonstrated antibodies to multiple Leptospira serovars. These findings provide baseline serologic data and indicate that exposure to pathogens associated with livestock, wildlife, and shared environments can occur within Andean landscapes that include both protected areas and adjacent human-use zones. Detection of Brucella antibodies, a pathogen of particular zoonotic and reproductive significance that may circulate in livestock and wildlife, highlights the importance of integrated pathogen surveillance across wildlife, livestock, and environmental interfaces. Serologic results indicate prior exposure rather than active infection or clinical disease. Continued integrated surveillance may improve understanding of pathogen circulation, exposure sources, and One Health risks in Andean ecosystems.