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Pets, Volume 2, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 6 articles

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17 pages, 271 KB  
Review
Review of the Use of Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals for Reducing Fear-Related Behaviours in Dogs
by Aimee Clark and Kristie E. Cameron
Pets 2025, 2(4), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2040038 - 27 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in canine patients is a growing concern for the veterinary industry. FAS affects the health of the patient while also increasing the risk to veterinary staff. Studies show that many veterinarians do not feel confident in managing behavioural [...] Read more.
Fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in canine patients is a growing concern for the veterinary industry. FAS affects the health of the patient while also increasing the risk to veterinary staff. Studies show that many veterinarians do not feel confident in managing behavioural issues like FAS, making engaging effectively with clients more difficult. Pre-visit pharmaceuticals (PVPs) can be an important tool in mitigating the effects of FAS; however, conclusive research is lacking on the efficacy of many of the medications and combinations currently used for this purpose. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in multiple databases. The most current research available on medications identified as widely used for treating FAS, and available for use in New Zealand, has been reviewed and discussed. Combinations selected for inclusion were the ‘chill protocol’ of acepromazine, gabapentin, and melatonin. Single agents included are clonidine, dexmedetomidine, gabapentin, and trazodone. Research into the use of the ‘chill protocol’ suggests this may be a combination particularly useful in highly stressed and aggressive dogs; however, additional studies need to be conducted to strengthen the evidence for its use. A multimodal approach has been identified as being desirable when addressing FAS in a clinical setting, with less evidence to support the use of single-agent medications in mitigating problematic behaviours. Full article
1 pages, 117 KB  
Correction
Correction: Redmond et al. Evaluating the Effects of Novel Enrichment Strategies on Dog Behaviour Using Collar-Based Accelerometers. Pets 2025, 2, 23
by Cushla Redmond, Ina Draganova, Rene Corner-Thomas, David Thomas and Chris Andrews
Pets 2025, 2(4), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2040037 - 15 Oct 2025
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Abstract
In the original publication [...] Full article
15 pages, 18172 KB  
Article
Histopathological Study of Canine Skin Hemangiomas and Hemangiosarcomas in Uruguay
by Belén Varela, Camila Larrañaga, Victoria Yozzi, Kanji Yamasaki and José Manuel Verdes
Pets 2025, 2(4), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2040036 - 15 Oct 2025
Viewed by 220
Abstract
We performed an histological study on all cases of canine skin hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas that were examined between 2018 and 2020. Of the 446 dogs with skin tumors examined, 25 were diagnosed with hemangiomas and 24 were diagnosed with hemangiosarcomas. Mixed-breed dogs were [...] Read more.
We performed an histological study on all cases of canine skin hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas that were examined between 2018 and 2020. Of the 446 dogs with skin tumors examined, 25 were diagnosed with hemangiomas and 24 were diagnosed with hemangiosarcomas. Mixed-breed dogs were the most commonly affected by both tumors. The average ages of the dogs who were diagnosed with hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas were 8.70 and 8.36 years, respectively, with the mean age for hemangiosarcomas being slightly higher; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Both types of tumors were more common in the trunk and limbs. Sex differences in tumor frequency were not detected in dogs with hemangiomas or hemangiosarcomas. Histologically, the mixed capillary and cavernous type was the most common in cases of hemangiomas, and the mixed capillary, cavernous, and solid type and the mixed cavernous and solid type were more common in hemangiosarcoma cases compared with the other types. In addition, epithelioid hemangiosarcomas were frequently detected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology in Companion Animals—From Diagnostics to Treatment)
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14 pages, 725 KB  
Article
Occurrence and Characteristics of Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, Y. enterocolitica, and Campylobacter spp. in Raw Meat-Based Diets for Pets
by Désirée Tahnee Schmid, Karen Barmettler, Marc J. A. Stevens and Roger Stephan
Pets 2025, 2(4), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2040035 - 7 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) have gained popularity over the past few years. However, there is growing concern about their safety. The study objective was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of the pathogens Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Campylobacter [...] Read more.
Raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) have gained popularity over the past few years. However, there is growing concern about their safety. The study objective was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of the pathogens Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Campylobacter spp. in frozen commercially sold RMBDs. One hundred raw meat-based diet products (meat originating from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Scandinavia, South Africa, and Australia) were purchased online or in local stores and identified using culture-based methods. Isolates were further characterized by phenotypic and whole genome sequencing-based methods. In total, 11% (n = 11) of the samples tested positive for Salmonella spp., 41% (n = 41) for L. monocytogenes, 58% (n = 58) for Y. enterocolitica, and 3% (n = 3) for Campylobacter spp. Other than for Salmonella, there are no legal regulations concerning contamination of RMBDs with these zoonotic pathogens. The results of our study show that it is indicated to reconsider the requirements for the microbiological quality of RMBDs and to further raise awareness regarding the risks of handling and feeding RMBDs. Full article
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11 pages, 3943 KB  
Case Report
Diagnosis, Management, and Long-Term Outcome of Esophageal Plasmacytoma in a Dog
by Katerina T. Moraiti, Ioanna Papavasileiou, Evgenia Flouraki, Vasiliki Tsioli, Shelley J. Newman, Joao P. Cavasin and Panagiotis G. Xenoulis
Pets 2025, 2(4), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2040034 - 5 Oct 2025
Viewed by 271
Abstract
A nine-year-old, 10.5 kg, female-spayed Poodle-mix dog presented with a five-day history of vomiting and regurgitation. Thoracic radiographs revealed an area with increased opacity within the esophageal lumen. A ductal esophageal lesion with intraluminal extension and mild left axillary lymphadenopathy were detected on [...] Read more.
A nine-year-old, 10.5 kg, female-spayed Poodle-mix dog presented with a five-day history of vomiting and regurgitation. Thoracic radiographs revealed an area with increased opacity within the esophageal lumen. A ductal esophageal lesion with intraluminal extension and mild left axillary lymphadenopathy were detected on computed tomography. Esophagoscopy revealed a large vascular, obstructive mass with a smooth surface, in the mid part of the esophagus. Endoscopic biopsies were collected, and histopathologic findings were consistent with an inflammatory polyp. Surgical excision of the mass via sternotomy was performed and the mass was sent for histopathologic evaluation. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed an esophageal plasmacytoma with perivascular amyloid deposition, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. There was no evidence of regrowth until 18 months after surgical removal, when evidence of regrowth was identified. The dog had only one episode of vomiting and regurgitation which was resolved after symptomatic treatment. Full article
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15 pages, 1930 KB  
Article
Assessing Probiotic Efficacy: Short-Term Impact on Canine Gut Microbiota Using an In Vitro Colonic Fermentation Model
by Achraf Adib Lesaux, Jonas Ghyselinck, Cindy Duysburgh, Massimo Marzorati, Jonna E. B. Koper and Jake Burlet
Pets 2025, 2(4), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2040033 - 28 Sep 2025
Viewed by 683
Abstract
In dogs, gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with several health conditions, including gastrointestinal disease. Probiotic supplementation can support a balanced gut microbiome. This study assessed the impact of a probiotic containing a mixture of Lacticaseibacillus casei, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Levilactobacillus brevis, [...] Read more.
In dogs, gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with several health conditions, including gastrointestinal disease. Probiotic supplementation can support a balanced gut microbiome. This study assessed the impact of a probiotic containing a mixture of Lacticaseibacillus casei, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Enterococcus faecium on the gut microbiota of six dogs using short-term colonic simulations. Two groups were included, i.e., blank versus supplementation with the test product, and incubated for 48 h. Probiotic-supplemented reactors had significantly greater fermentative activity compared with the blank, as shown by lower pH levels and higher gas pressure after 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h of incubation (p < 0.05 for all). Saccharolytic fermentation also increased, with a significantly higher level of acetate at 24 h and propionate at 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h with the test product versus blank (p < 0.05 for all). There was no significant effect of the test product on alpha-diversity, but beta-diversity analysis revealed a clear separation in the microbial community composition between the test product and blank. Eight bacterial taxa were enriched with test product supplementation, including the probiotic test strains as well as Megamonas and Bacteroides species. This study, using in vitro short-term colon simulations with six canine donors, provides insights into the probiotic characteristics of the test product. Full article
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