Veterinary Sciences

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 1841 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Echocardiographic Evaluation of Right Pulmonary Artery Dimensions and Right Pulmonary Artery Distensibility Index in Dogs with Heartworm Disease

by Jorge Isidoro Matos, Alicia Caro-Vadillo, Eva Mohr-Peraza, Sara Nieves García-Rodríguez, José Alberto Montoya-Alonso and Elena Carretón

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030246 - 4 Mar 2025

Viewed by 563

Abstract

Canine cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis or heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis), is a globally spread vector-borne disease [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 1781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feline Erythrocytic Osmotic Fragility in Normal and Anemic Cats—A Preliminary Study

by Purin Lophaisankit, Kunanon Boonyok, Jaruwan Khonmee, Chatchanok Udomtanakunchai, Chollada Sodarat, Kannika Phongroop and Worapat Prachasilchai

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030236 - 3 Mar 2025

Viewed by 1343

Abstract

Erythrocyte osmotic fragility is an excellent parameter for evaluating the red blood cell (RBC) membrane, which may be abnormal in several pathological conditions. The flow cytometer is a powerful tool that analyzes a single cell in a solution and can detect alterations in [...] Read more.

Erythrocyte osmotic fragility is an excellent parameter for evaluating the red blood cell (RBC) membrane, which may be abnormal in several pathological conditions. The flow cytometer is a powerful tool that analyzes a single cell in a solution and can detect alterations in RBCs, providing key differential diagnostic information. Both the osmotic fragility test (OFT) and flow cytometry are valuable diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine, but their diagnostic usefulness in anemic cats has not yet been determined. This study aimed to evaluate RBC membrane strength using an OFT in non-anemic and anemic cats and to compare RBC size and density using a flow cytometer in non-anemic and anemic cats. A total of 18 cats in the non-anemic group and 18 cats in the anemic group, divided into adults and seniors, were included in this study. Blood samples were collected for a complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry. The remaining blood was used for OFT to evaluate 50% hemolysis from the hemolysis curve and for the flow cytometer to measure forward scatter characteristics (FSC) and side scatter characteristics (SSC). The result of OFT showed no significant difference in OF between normal and anemic cats in the adult and senior groups. In terms of flow cytometry analysis, normal and anemic cats in the adult group showed no significant difference in the FSC (p = 0.769). On the other hand, the FSCs of normal senior cats were significantly higher than those of anemic cats (p = 0.0486). The SSCs of normal cats were significantly higher than those of anemic cats in the adult group (p = 0.048). However, the SSCs of the senior group showed no significant difference (p = 0.074). Based on these results, we concluded that, in the senior group, normal cats had higher FSCs than anemic cats, and in the adult group, normal cats had higher SSCs than anemic cats. However, both normal and anemic cats exhibited similar osmotic fragility. Further studies on various diseases are suggested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Analysis of 137 MRI Images in Hydrocephalic Dogs

by Hao Zhuang, Qiqing Yang, Lin Zhang, Xiaosong Xiang, Dandan Geng, Qiyun Xie and Changmin Hu

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030221 - 2 Mar 2025

Viewed by 567

Abstract

With the increasing popularity of dogs as pets, cases of hydrocephalus have risen significantly. Due to the ongoing challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus, advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology have greatly enhanced the diagnostic capabilities in small animal clinical [...] Read more.

With the increasing popularity of dogs as pets, cases of hydrocephalus have risen significantly. Due to the ongoing challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus, advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology have greatly enhanced the diagnostic capabilities in small animal clinical practice. Assessing ventricular size is crucial for the clinical management of hydrocephalus and other neurological disorders. However, methods for quantifying ventricular size and evaluating the severity of hydrocephalus requires further optimization. This study involved 137 hydrocephalus and 17 normal dogs. In hydrocephalus cases, the maximum percentage of the ventricle height to brain height (H-max%) was correlated with the area (A-max%) and volume (V-max%). Equations were calculated based on these findings, showing that the percentage of height can effectively represent the percentage of area and volume, which can indicate the diagnosis and monitoring of hydrocephalus prognosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Inter-Alpha-Trypsin Inhibitor Heavy Chain 2 and Enolase 1 in Canine Mammary Tumors: Associations with Tumor Aggressiveness and Prognostic Significance

by Luadna dos Santos e Silva, Pedro Henrique Fogaça Jordão, Beatriz Castilho Balieiro, Laura de Souza Baracioli, Daniela Farias de Nóbrega, Adriana Alonso Novais, Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa and Debora Aparecida Pires de Campos Zuccari

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12020110 - 2 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1141

Abstract

Mammary neoplasms in dogs are a common clinical concern, especially in middle-aged and older intact females. These tumors share similarities with human breast cancer in terms of histology, disease progression, and risk factors, making dogs a relevant model for breast cancer research. The [...] Read more.

Mammary neoplasms in dogs are a common clinical concern, especially in middle-aged and older intact females. These tumors share similarities with human breast cancer in terms of histology, disease progression, and risk factors, making dogs a relevant model for breast cancer research. The search for biomarkers in canine mammary tumors is essential to understand tumor progression and identify potential therapeutic targets. This study investigated the expression of two potential biomarkers—Inter-Alpha-Trypsin Inhibitor Heavy Chain 2 (ITIH2) and Enolase 1 (ENO1)—in the mammary glands of healthy and tumor-bearing dogs using immunohistochemistry. Both proteins were identified in previous proteomic analyses of extracellular vesicles derived from the plasma of healthy and tumor-bearing dogs. A total of fifty-one canine mammary tissue samples were analyzed and categorized into three groups: (i) the control group, composed of five samples of normal mammary tissue without neoplasia; (ii) benign tumors, composed of nineteen samples of benign mixed tumors; and (iii) malignant tumors, which included six carcinomas in grade 1 mixed tumors, five carcinomas in grade 2 mixed tumors, thirteen solid carcinomas of grade 3, one papillary carcinoma, and two tubular carcinomas. Regarding the intensity of staining, quantified by histoscore, there were no significant differences in the comparison between the groups; for ITIH2, the p-value was 0.33, and for ENO1, the p-value was 0.57. Regarding the predictive potential of their respective ROC curves, the proteins demonstrated low predictive power in canine mammary tumors. These findings indicate that neither ITIH2 nor ENO1 demonstrated strong prognostic value in this setting, as demonstrated by their moderate AUC values, wide confidence intervals, and lack of statistical significance. However, this study found distinct tissue localization patterns for ITIH2 and subcellular localization for ENO1. As an additional way to examine possible associations of these proteins with epithelial–mesenchymal transition, the ZEB1 antibody was tested by both single and double immunohistochemistry, demonstrating a tendency to be more intensely expressed in the malignant group and tending to be associated with ENO1 in canine mammary tumors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 34246 (Canobios-BL) var. boulardii Supplementation Impact the Fecal Parameters of Healthy Adult Dogs?

by Nicolò Lonigro, Francesca Perondi, Natascia Bruni, Mauro Bigliati, Annalisa Costale, Elena Pagani, Ilaria Lippi, Alice Melocchi, Lucia Zema, Giorgia Meineri and Elisa Martello

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010045 - 10 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1679

Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is populated by a variety of microbes, which were recently demonstrated to play a major role in both human and animal health [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

11 pages, 855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Graphical Method for Displaying Two-Dimensional Echocardiography Results in Dogs: Comprehensive Analysis of Results of Diagnostic Imaging Organized in a BOX (CARDIOBOX)

by Federico J. Curra-Gagliano, Martín Ceballos, José I. Redondo and Javier Engel-Manchado

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010034 - 9 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1501

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Rapid and efficient interpretation of echocardiographic findings is critical in clinical decision-making. This study aimed to design and validate a new graphical method, called CARDIOBOX, to represent echocardiographic findings in dogs. Methods: A prospective, observational, exploratory cohort study was conducted [...] Read more.

Introduction and objective: Rapid and efficient interpretation of echocardiographic findings is critical in clinical decision-making. This study aimed to design and validate a new graphical method, called CARDIOBOX, to represent echocardiographic findings in dogs. Methods: A prospective, observational, exploratory cohort study was conducted over three years. The design of CARDIOBOX was based on baseline values obtained from 802 healthy dogs and 2165 ill dogs. Using these data, a graph consisting of nine boxes was built to show the intervals of the different echocardiographic measurements. Validation of the method was performed by a survey of 55 veterinarians, who compared the use of CARDIOBOX with the use of numerical tables. Results: CARDIOBOX demonstrated significantly faster interpretability (p < 0.05) without reducing its effectiveness. In addition, the staff surveyed considered it easy to use and interpret. Conclusions: The introduction of CARDIOBOX emerges as a resource that facilitates rapid and efficient interpretation of echocardiographic findings in dogs. This new graphical method is presented as a valuable tool for veterinary professionals in clinical decision-making in the field of veterinary cardiology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Usefulness of the Kidney-to-Aorta Ratio in Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease ^†

by Dario Costanza, Erica Castiello, Pierpaolo Coluccia, Camilla Sangiuliano, Maria Pia Pasolini, Micheletino Matarazzo, Giacomo Gnudi, Adelaide Greco and Leonardo Meomartino

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010029 - 8 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1370

Abstract

The kidney length (KL) to aortic diameter (AoD) ratio (KL/AoD) has been proposed as an ultrasonographic objective method to assess renal dimensions. However, its wide range of normal values limits sensitivity. Of note, its clinical utility in detecting renal disease has not been [...] Read more.

The kidney length (KL) to aortic diameter (AoD) ratio (KL/AoD) has been proposed as an ultrasonographic objective method to assess renal dimensions. However, its wide range of normal values limits sensitivity. Of note, its clinical utility in detecting renal disease has not been investigated. The main aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of KL/AoD in dogs with chronic kidney disease. Of the 227 dogs in the final sample, 185 were healthy and 42 were diseased. The obtained cut-off values for healthy dogs were similar to those previously reported. No differences were found between the KL of healthy and diseased dogs; however, using the KL/AoD ratio, diseased dogs showed a significantly smaller ratio (p = 0.0003), although a partial overlap between the two groups’ values was present. Considering the Youden index at KL/AoD = 6.3, the ROC curve displayed a specificity of 83.24% and a sensitivity of 41.67%, while for KL/AoD = 5.6, the specificity was 97.57% and the sensitivity was 13.10%. The results of this study provide clinical usefulness for the KL/AoD ratio method, revealing excellent specificity but poor sensitivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2080 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Status in Dogs Subjected to Celiotomy or Video-Assisted Ovariohysterectomy

by Fabíola Dalmolin, Camila Peres Rubio, Carla Sordi Furlanetto, Rafael Steffens, Najla Ibrahim Isa Abdel Hadi, Adriellen de Lima da Silva, Paloma Tomazi, Bernardo Nascimento Antunes, Fabiana Elias, Elizabeth Moreira dos Santos Schmidt and Maurício Veloso Brun

Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(11), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11110583 - 19 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1051

Abstract

We evaluated the surgical stress response of dogs undergoing three ovariohysterectomy (OVH) techniques. Twenty-nine healthy females were allocated into groups: celiotomy and ligature (CelioSut), celiotomy and bipolar energy (CelioBip), and a video-assisted technique using two portals and bipolar energy (VidBip). Clinical evaluation was [...] Read more.

We evaluated the surgical stress response of dogs undergoing three ovariohysterectomy (OVH) techniques. Twenty-nine healthy females were allocated into groups: celiotomy and ligature (CelioSut), celiotomy and bipolar energy (CelioBip), and a video-assisted technique using two portals and bipolar energy (VidBip). Clinical evaluation was performed, and the following blood analyses were determined: acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein and haptoglobin), white blood cell counting (WBC), and biomarkers of oxidative status. The VidBip required more time despite a smaller incision, lower heart rate, and earlier feeding and urination. All groups had high white blood cells counts; the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels peaked at 6 and 12 h in all groups and was higher in the CelioBip and VidBip groups compared to CelioSut; haptoglobin concentrations peaked at 48 h in all groups and increased in dogs of the CelioSut group. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing ability of plasma, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, and advanced oxidation protein were not significantly different among the groups or time points. Total thiol concentrations were lower in CelioBip and CelioSut groups. All surgical techniques induced an inflammatory and oxidative stress response, but the video-assisted technique produced early clinical recovery. The bipolar device produces fewer disturbances than suspensory ligament rupture and ligature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1874 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Haematological Ratios at: Different Stages of Canine Periodontal Disease

by Carolina Silva, Ana Carolina Abrantes, Ana Carolina Fontes, Isabel Dias, Rosário Domingues, Francisco Peixoto and Carlos Viegas

Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(11), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11110581 - 19 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1153

Abstract

This is a retrospective study about haematological ratios in different stages of canine periodontal disease in one single breed, more specifically the Portuguese Podengo. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical significance of five haematological ratios, namely neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), [...] Read more.

This is a retrospective study about haematological ratios in different stages of canine periodontal disease in one single breed, more specifically the Portuguese Podengo. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical significance of five haematological ratios, namely neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume-to-platelet count ratio (MPV/PLT), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR), easily obtained through the parameters provided by the complete blood count, in the stages of gingivitis and periodontitis, compared to clinical healthy individuals. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to identify ideal sensitivity and specificity cut-offs for cases of gingivitis or periodontitis. Our study included 80 dogs, which comprised 24 healthy dogs, 26 diagnosed with gingivitis, and 30 with periodontitis. The median NLR was significantly lower in periodontitis than in clinical healthy dogs (p = 0.040) and in dogs with gingivitis (p = 0.037). The median PLR was significantly lower in cases of gingivitis (p = 0.020) and periodontitis (p = 0.024) than in healthy dogs. MPV/PLT and MLR did not demonstrate significant differences between any of the three groups. The median PNR was significantly lower in gingivitis than in control dogs (p = 0.019). PNR had the highest accurate results, in distinguishing between healthy individuals and those with gingivitis, with an area under the curve of 0.692 (95% CI [0.539–0.845], p = 0.020). However, even this index had weak discriminatory power between the groups in the analysis. The impact of systemic inflammation generated by canine periodontal disease can thus be seen through some of these indices. However, the results obtained here demonstrate the need for complementarity with other methods to diagnose canine periodontal disease and reinforce the need for additional studies with more markers of systemic inflammatory response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 2232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extensive Epidural Hemorrhage Associated with Thoracolumbar Disc Extrusion in French Bulldogs

by Julius Underberg, Arianna Maiolini, Maja Waschk and Daniela Schweizer

Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(11), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11110573 - 16 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1249

Abstract

(1) Background: Intervertebral disc extrusion may be accompanied by extensive epidural hemorrhage (EEH) and result in spinal cord compression. EEH is more commonly seen in French Bulldogs compared to other breeds. The majority of French Bulldogs have lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion, but it [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Intervertebral disc extrusion may be accompanied by extensive epidural hemorrhage (EEH) and result in spinal cord compression. EEH is more commonly seen in French Bulldogs compared to other breeds. The majority of French Bulldogs have lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion, but it is unclear if there is an association between the site of thoracolumbar disc extrusion and EEH. This retrospective study’s aim was to investigate the association and prevalence between the site of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion and EEH in French Bulldogs. (2) Methods: Thoracolumbar MRI of French Bulldogs was examined for the site of intervertebral disc extrusion and the presence, distribution, and extent of EEH. (3) Results: In 148 French Bulldogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion, the most common location was L4/L5 (22%), followed by L3/L4 (20%) and T13/L1 (15%), and 70.3% had EEH. The highest incidence of EEH across all thoracolumbar sites was seen at L1/L2 (84.2%), followed by L5/L6 (81.3%) and L2/L3 (72.2%). The incidence of EEH was 70.5% across all lumbar sites and 66.9% for all thoracic sites. (4) Conclusion: In this population of French Bulldogs, the prevalence of lumbar disc extrusion was high, and 70.3% had EEH. There was no significant difference between the site of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion and EEH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 5177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feline Infectious Peritonitis Effusion Index: A Novel Diagnostic Method and Validation of Flow Cytometry-Based Delta Total Nucleated Cells Analysis on the Sysmex XN-1000V^®

by Ricardo Lopes, Filipe Sampaio, Hugo Lima de Carvalho, Andreia Garcês, Cátia Fernandes, Carolina Vitória Neves, Alexandre Sardinha de Brito, Tiago Marques, Carlos Sousa, Ana Rita Silva, Ângela Martins, Luís Cardoso, Ana Cláudia Coelho and Elsa Leclerc Duarte

Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(11), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11110563 - 13 Nov 2024

Viewed by 3216

Abstract

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led the medical and scientific community to explore the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of coronaviruses. In felines, a widespread coronavirus known as feline coronavirus (FCoV) can lead to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), [...] Read more.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led the medical and scientific community to explore the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of coronaviruses. In felines, a widespread coronavirus known as feline coronavirus (FCoV) can lead to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a highly fatal disease characterised by severe systemic inflammation. Diagnosing FCoV remains challenging due to the limited accuracy of the available methods. The present study introduces the FIP Effusion Index, a novel diagnostic method that combines the albumin-to-globulin (ALB/GLOB) ratio with the delta total nucleated cell (∆TNC) count obtained via flow cytometry using the Sysmex XN-1000V^® analyser in effusions. Samples from cats (n = 50) with suspected FIP were analysed for ∆TNC, with findings showing that a ∆TNC ≥ 2.1 is highly indicative of FIP and a ∆TNC ≥ 4.9 can be considered diagnostic. The FIP Effusion Index enhanced diagnostic precision in our group of samples, achieving 96.3% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity for values ≥ 5.06, and reaching perfect specificity (100%) with 96.3% sensitivity for values ≥ 7.54. This combined approach surpasses the accuracy of individual parameters, establishing the FIP Effusion Index as a superior diagnostic tool for FIP, with potential applications in both veterinary and human medicine for related coronavirus diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Treatment with Leflunomide in Conjunction with Glucocorticoids for Dogs with Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis Is Not Associated with Improved Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 93 Dogs from Australia (2017–2024)

by Remon Wilson, Inar Swift, Mikaela Groth-Semple, Sabrina Lee, Tamara Dann, Ahmed Arafa, Curtis Poyton and Mary Thompson

Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(11), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11110537 - 1 Nov 2024

Viewed by 3923

Abstract

Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) has a relatively high relapse rate compared to other immune-mediated diseases. Leflunomide is frequently used to treat dogs with IMPA in conjunction with prednisolone. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of leflunomide as an adjunctive therapy [...] Read more.

Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) has a relatively high relapse rate compared to other immune-mediated diseases. Leflunomide is frequently used to treat dogs with IMPA in conjunction with prednisolone. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of leflunomide as an adjunctive therapy to prednisolone in reducing relapse and mortality rates in dogs diagnosed with IMPA in Australia. The medical records of client-owned dogs diagnosed with IMPA at a specialist referral hospital in Southeast Queensland from 2017 to 2024 were reviewed. A total of 93 dogs were included in this study, divided into two groups based on the treatment received: Group PRED, consisting of 53 dogs treated with prednisolone as the sole immunosuppressive agent, and Group L+PRED, consisting of 40 dogs that received leflunomide as adjunctive therapy alongside prednisolone. Data collected included breed, age, weight, sex, serum C-reactive protein concentration, results of synovial fluid analysis and microbial culture, treatment protocol, relapse rates and time to relapse, and mortality rates. There was no difference in relapse or mortality rates, time to relapse, nor time to discontinue prednisolone between the PRED and L+PRED groups. The L+PRED group had higher body weights and lower prednisolone dose rate at discharge compared to those in the PRED group. This study demonstrated that the use of leflunomide as an adjunctive therapy to prednisolone for the treatment of dogs with IMPA had no improved outcomes, reduced relapse rates, or shortening in the duration of prednisolone therapy when compared to dogs receiving prednisolone monotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessReview

Clinical Trials of Cancer Immunogene Therapies in Companion Animals: An Update (2017–2024)

by Gerardo C. Glikin and Liliana M. E. Finocchiaro

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(4), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12040329 - 3 Apr 2025

Viewed by 536

Abstract

This review summarizes the findings of veterinary clinical trials on immunogene therapy published between 2017 and 2024. Various tumor types, including melanoma (canine and feline), mastocytoma (canine), mammary adenocarcinoma (canine), osteosarcoma (canine), and sarcoid (equine), were treated using diverse strategies. Non-viral vectors were [...] Read more.

This review summarizes the findings of veterinary clinical trials on immunogene therapy published between 2017 and 2024. Various tumor types, including melanoma (canine and feline), mastocytoma (canine), mammary adenocarcinoma (canine), osteosarcoma (canine), and sarcoid (equine), were treated using diverse strategies. Non-viral vectors were predominantly used to deliver genes encoding tumor-associated antigens, cytokines, or suicide enzymes. Among these non-viral methods, electrotransfer was the most commonly employed technique for introducing therapeutic genes into cells. Generally, these procedures resulted in minimal or no adverse side effects, and treated animals often showed significant improvements, such as enhanced quality of life, delayed or suppressed tumor recurrence or metastasis, and increased survival times. Some of these innovative approaches hold great potential as adjunct therapies to standard treatments. The promising outcomes from immunogene therapy studies in companion animals strongly support their application in veterinary oncology and provide valuable preclinical data (including safety assessments and proof-of-concept studies) for analogous human clinical trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

25 pages, 1544 KiB

Open AccessReview

Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Urine of Small Companion Animals in Global Context: Comprehensive Analysis

by Ana Pereira, Telma de Sousa, Catarina Silva, Gilberto Igrejas and Patrícia Poeta

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(2), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12020157 - 11 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1000

Abstract

The isolation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria from the urinary tracts of pets is increasingly common, particularly in animals with concurrent health conditions. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is one of the most significant antimicrobial-resistant bacteria affecting cats and dogs within the European Union (EU). This [...] Read more.

The isolation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria from the urinary tracts of pets is increasingly common, particularly in animals with concurrent health conditions. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is one of the most significant antimicrobial-resistant bacteria affecting cats and dogs within the European Union (EU). This study aims to review the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of PA isolated from urine samples of small animals globally. This pathogen is known for its opportunistic infections and is a significant concern in veterinary medicine due to its inherent resistance to multiple antibiotics and its ability to acquire additional resistance mechanisms. This review seeks to enhance educational initiatives regarding the management of emerging MDR bacteria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Advanced Therapy in Companion Animals

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (14 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI