American Journal Of Veterinary Research[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Multiplanar intersegmental angular velocity in the assessment of topline movement in horses.
Ursini TL, Clayton HM, Levine D … +1 more , Richards J
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41558162 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To measure intersegmental movement in the sagittal, dorsal, and transverse planes of the cranial thoracic to caudal thoracic, caudal thoracic to lumbar, and lumbar to sacral segments using range of motion and...
OBJECTIVE: To measure intersegmental movement in the sagittal, dorsal, and transverse planes of the cranial thoracic to caudal thoracic, caudal thoracic to lumbar, and lumbar to sacral segments using range of motion and angular velocity as measures of quality of movement. METHODS: 6-degrees-of-freedom spinal motion was measured at the walk and trot in 3 sound Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred cross horses, and the data were pooled, giving a total of 54 gait cycles at walk and 33 at trot. These were compared against 8 cycles at walk and 13 at trot from 1 Thoroughbred horse that was confirmed as having moderate to severe impact and push-off lameness in the right hind limb. RESULTS: Both joint angles and angular velocities detected differences between the sound horses and the lame horse, with angular velocity showing notably greater differences in absolute values and percentages compared with joint angles. CONCLUSIONS: The between-group differences indicated decreased quality of movement/control in the lame horse, and this was most apparent when trotting. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intersegmental angular velocity is measured noninvasively and may be used to assess the quality of intersegmental movement in horses as it does in humans. Further investigation to assess angular velocity throughout treatment of topline dysfunction of the horse and its association with different lameness patterns is warranted.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Borzois, Afghan Hounds, Salukis, and Basenjis have breed-specific reference ranges for vertebral heart size and vertebral left atrial size.
Boo S, Murphy LA, Zepeda CI … +4 more , Piscitelli N, Gentile-Solomon J, Szlosek D, Nakamura RK
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41538996 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To develop vertebral heart size (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) reference intervals in sighthounds. METHODS: Electronic medical records of IDEXX Telemedicine Consultants were searched for Rhodesian...
OBJECTIVE: To develop vertebral heart size (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) reference intervals in sighthounds. METHODS: Electronic medical records of IDEXX Telemedicine Consultants were searched for Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Borzois, Afghan Hounds, Salukis, and Basenjis undergoing thoracic radiography from January 1, 2021, through April 30, 2023. All measurements of VHS and VLAS were performed by the same board-certified cardiologist. RESULTS: 920 sighthounds (225 Rhodesian Ridgebacks, 196 Borzois, 190 Afghan Hounds, 159 Salukis, and 150 Basenjis) were identified, and 240 (56 Rhodesian Ridgebacks, 47 Borzois, 44 Afghan Hounds, 44 Salukis, and 49 Basenjis) met the inclusion criteria. The remaining 680 dogs were excluded because of malpositioning or incomplete radiographic studies (n = 456), extracardiac disease (139), or cardiac disease (85). The overall reference intervals for all 240 sighthounds were 9.0 to 11.2 vertebrae (v) for VHS and 1.7 to 2.6v for VLAS. Reference intervals were further determined by breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback, 9.3 to 11.5v for VHS and 1.8 to 2.4v for VLAS; Borzois, 8.8 to 10.9v for VHS and 1.7 to 2.3v for VLAS; Afghan Hound, 9.0 to 11.5v for VHS and 1.8 to 2.5v for VLAS; Salukis, 9.4 to 11.8v for VHS and 1.6 to 2.6v for VLAS; and Basenjis, 9.0 to 11.6v for VHS and 1.7 to 2.5v for VLAS. CONCLUSIONS: Sighthounds have breed-specific VHS and VLAS reference intervals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The reference ranges presented here could be a diagnostic aid to screen for cardiomegaly in these breeds.
Veterinary euthanasia of dogs and cats in Flanders: an online survey of current practices and perspectives.
Beirens-van Kuijk LEA, van Leeuwen M, Bosmans T … +1 more , Decloedt AM
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41538992 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current euthanasia procedures of Flemish veterinarians in companion animal veterinary practice. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to veterinarians in Flanders (Belgium) through social m...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current euthanasia procedures of Flemish veterinarians in companion animal veterinary practice. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to veterinarians in Flanders (Belgium) through social media, veterinary websites, and email. The questionnaire included multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and open questions about the demographics, veterinarian-client communication, and euthanasia procedure. RESULTS: 512 veterinarians completed the survey. Participants indicated that they (almost) always explain the euthanasia procedure to the owner and discuss potential side effects of the medication used. Overall, 93.5% indicated that communication with the owner throughout the procedure is (almost) always easy, and 76.4% indicated that they can (almost) always deal easily with the owner's emotions. Medetomidine and ketamine were most often used to sedate and anesthetize the animal, followed by an IV lethal dose of pentobarbital sodium. The euthanasia procedure was mainly learned from other veterinarians after graduation. Unwanted adverse effects were generally rare, but a painful injection and vomiting were commonly reported as possible side effects. Several veterinarians reported a need for more education. CONCLUSIONS: A wide range of different euthanasia procedures was found, which may be linked to limited education on this subject in the veterinary curriculum. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Further in-depth research into the occurrence of adverse events during pet euthanasia is warranted to ensure the well-being of all stakeholders.
Development and validation of a novel 9-lead electrocardiographic system for cats unaffected by age-related cardiac positional changes.
Santilli R, Velazquez E, Maffei A … +6 more , Bagardi M, Dhunputh M, Battaia S, Mordacchini M, Cavallini D, Perego M
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41525758 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of recordings of atrial and ventricular depolarizations in 9-lead ECG of cats, with V1 placed at the right first intercostal space at the costochondral junction and V2 and V4 at the fi...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of recordings of atrial and ventricular depolarizations in 9-lead ECG of cats, with V1 placed at the right first intercostal space at the costochondral junction and V2 and V4 at the fifth or the sixth intercostal space (adjacent to the sternum and at the costochondral junction), and to assess the effect of age-related cardiac positional changes on ECG parameters. METHODS: 60 healthy client-owned cats were planned to be enrolled from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Each cat underwent physical examination, thoracic radiography, 9-lead ECG, and echocardiography. Cats were age-grouped (< 5, 5 to 10, and > 10 years). The radiographic heart-sternum angle (HSA) in right lateral view was measured and correlated with ECG findings. RESULTS: The V1 location enabled recording of negative P waves and QRS complexes with R/S ≤ 1, with significant intergroup differences (0.68 ms [IQR, 0.42], 0.37 ms [IQR, 0.32 ms], and 0.48 ms [IQR, 0.65 ms]; P = .04). In V2 and V4 in both sites, P waves were predominantly positive, and QRS complexes showed R/S > 1, with minimal intergroup differences. Aging was associated with a significant HSA reduction (r = -0.72) but did not affect any clinically relevant ECG variables. CONCLUSIONS: This 9-lead system, with V1, V2, and V4 positioned as in dogs, enabled accurate P waves and QRS recording in cats. Aging reduced HSA without major effects on wave morphology. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This system will support detailed arrhythmias analysis in feline patients.
Diagnostic value of peak transmitral flow velocity for left atrial enlargement in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.
Park J, Choi S, Hyun C
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41512451 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors influencing pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral flow profiles and evaluate their diagnostic value in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). METHODS: Dogs with MMVD underwent echoc...
OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors influencing pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral flow profiles and evaluate their diagnostic value in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). METHODS: Dogs with MMVD underwent echocardiography; thoracic radiography; blood analysis, including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide; and clinical staging. Dogs were divided into mitral E/A peak (E/A) reversal and no reversal groups. Correlations of E-wave velocity (E-vel) and peak velocity (P-vel; higher of E or A wave) with MMVD indices were analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic curves assessed diagnostic performance. RESULTS: Of 61 dogs, 25 dogs were assigned to the no reversal group and 36 to the reversal group. No significant differences were identified between the groups in most variables. E-wave velocity correlated strongly with left ventricular dilation indices (vertebral heart size, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter in diastole normalized for body weight), whereas P-vel correlated more with left atrial (LA) enlargement indices (vertebral LA size, LA-to-aorta ratio, LA fractional shortening) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Peak velocity also showed closer association with International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council class than E-vel. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated E-vel effectively identified LV dilation, whereas P-vel was superior for detecting LA enlargement. CONCLUSIONS: E-vel may reflect LV dilation, whereas P-vel better may represent LA enlargement and functional burden, particularly in dogs with altered transmitral flow profiles. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Incorporating both E-vel and P-vel provides a more comprehensive assessment of cardiac remodeling in MMVD, supporting improved staging and monitoring in clinical practice.
Morpholino technology development at Oregon State University.
Dolan BP
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Jan · PMID 41499958 · Publisher ↗
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A deep learning-based markerless gait analysis model for dogs shows promising accuracy when validated with 2-dimensional marker-based data.
Pahk JH, Park SJ, Seo JH … +5 more , Kim HS, Son MJ, Jin YS, Kim HJ, Kang BJ
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41490686 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To train a deep learning-based markerless gait analysis model from random initialization, tailored for canine gait analysis, in clinical settings and to validate against 2-D marker-based systems. METHODS: This...
OBJECTIVE: To train a deep learning-based markerless gait analysis model from random initialization, tailored for canine gait analysis, in clinical settings and to validate against 2-D marker-based systems. METHODS: This prospective observational study used 408 client-owned dogs of more than 30 breeds, ranging from small to large body types. Dogs walked or trotted a 3.3-m straight walkway and were recorded via a lateral single-camera setup using a smartphone camera (1080p resolution, 30 frames/s). Of these, 374 dogs contributed 20,000 markerless images for model training. For model validation and testing, 34 dogs (20 for the validation set and 14 for the test set) were recorded with physical markers that were directly attached to specific bony landmarks by a veterinarian to generate ground-truth data, and each subset included 10 breeds representing a range of sizes and morphologies. The ViTPose-L model was further trained from random initialization on the canine-specific dataset. Accuracy was evaluated using the Common Objects in Context (COCO)-style mean average precision, normalized keypoint error, and percentage of correct keypoints. RESULTS: The markerless model achieved high accuracy, with a mean average precision of 96.6%, mean normalized keypoint error of 2.29 and percentage of correct keypoints at 0.05 of 92.62%. The model's performance exceeded previously reported benchmarks on public datasets. CONCLUSIONS: A deep learning-based markerless gait analysis system shows promising but early-stage accuracy for canine landmark localization compared with 2-D marker-based data. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This system may offer clinical utility for canine gait assessment, but further validation across breeds and environments is needed before routine use.
Pork industry renews investment in swine welfare chair at the University of Saskatchewan.
Muir G, MacDonald M
Am J Vet Res · 2025 Dec · PMID 41483552 · Publisher ↗
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Radiographic determination of the quadriceps angle in cats shows good to excellent repeatability but moderate reproducibility.
Galpin-Lebreau E, Remport L, Touzet C … +1 more , Cabon Q
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41481991 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To report the radiographic quadriceps angle (Q-angle) in a cat population and to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of the method of measurement. METHODS: A population of client-owned cats present...
OBJECTIVE: To report the radiographic quadriceps angle (Q-angle) in a cat population and to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of the method of measurement. METHODS: A population of client-owned cats presented to a single referral center from October 2024 through April 2025 was submitted to a radiographic study. Cats anesthetized for any procedure and free of orthopedic and neurologic conditions affecting the hind limbs were included. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals guidelines were used for positioning. Radiographs were reviewed, and the Q-angle was calculated. The repeatability and reproducibility of the method were subsequently determined. RESULTS: 27 cats were included for radiographic study. The mean Q-angle was 15.7 ± 1.1° (95% CI, 12.6° to 18.7°). There was no significant correlation between the Q-angle value and the age, sex, or breed of cats. The intraclass correlation coefficient for interobserver agreement was 0.63. Intraclass correlation coefficients for intraobserver agreement were 0.90, 0.88, and 0.94. CONCLUSIONS: The mean radiographic Q-angle in this cat population was 15.7 ± 1.1° (95% CI, 12.6° to 18.7°). Inter- and intraobserver agreement evaluations were consistent, with moderate reproducibility and good to excellent repeatability of the method of measurement. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the radiographic Q-angle in a population of cats. It can be used as a supplementary tool for anatomic evaluation. Further studies are needed to determine its usefulness, especially in the planning of corrective surgeries.
Whole-genome sequencing reveals diverse antimicrobial resistance genes in Escherichia coli from pig slaughterhouses in Banten Province, Indonesia.
Latif H, Iryawati D, Basri C … +2 more , Pazra DF, Rahayu P
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41481990 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the distribution and genetic location of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in Escherichia coli isolated from pig slaughterhouses in Banten Province, Indonesia. METHODS: 20 E coli isolates w...
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the distribution and genetic location of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in Escherichia coli isolated from pig slaughterhouses in Banten Province, Indonesia. METHODS: 20 E coli isolates were collected from effluent and floor swabs in 10 slaughterhouses. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using Oxford Nanopore technology. Antimicrobial resistance genes were identified using AMRFinderPlus, and plasmid replicons were detected with PlasmidFinder. RESULTS: ARGs representing 12 antibiotic classes were detected, including aminoglycosides, β-lactamases, colistin, fosfomycin, macrolides, phenicols, quinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and trimethoprim. Floor isolates carried 28 ARGs, whereas effluent isolates carried 23. β-Lactamase genes showed the greatest diversity (11 types), dominated by blaEC. Many ARGs were plasmid-borne, and 65% of isolates exhibited multidrug resistance potential. CONCLUSIONS: Pig slaughterhouse E coli harbor diverse, plasmid-associated ARGs, indicating active dissemination potential and emphasizing the importance of genomic surveillance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although this study did not involve clinical patients, the findings are highly relevant to veterinary and public health practice. The detection of diverse, plasmid-associated ARGs in slaughterhouse E coli highlights the need for antimicrobial stewardship and biosecurity measures in pig production systems to mitigate transmission risks to animals, workers, and consumers.
Isoflurane anesthesia and body temperature changes do not significantly affect Viscoelastic Coagulation Monitor Vet viscoelastography of New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
Doden G, Guthrie D, Rudra P … +2 more , McCready JE, Brandão J
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41468755 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of anesthesia and body temperature changes on a point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation monitoring device (VCM-Vet, Entegrion Corp) parameters in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cu...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of anesthesia and body temperature changes on a point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation monitoring device (VCM-Vet, Entegrion Corp) parameters in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). METHODS: Purpose-bred New Zealand white rabbits were anesthetized in a research facility as part of a randomized, complete crossover study. Each rabbit was anesthetized using isoflurane twice (7 days apart), with or without a heated anesthesia circuit (Heated ZDS Qube; Darvall), over approximately 2 weeks. Lateral saphenous venipuncture was performed within 5 minutes of anesthetic induction (baseline) and at 50 minutes after anesthetic induction (T50) during each event. Fresh whole blood was immediately tested using a single VCM-Vet analyzer, providing 2 tracings per event. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed model with significance at P < .05. RESULTS: 10 approximately 4-month-old intact male apparently healthy rabbits were included. All rabbits were normothermic (median, 39.3 °C; range, 38.5 to 39.8 °C) at baseline, and all rectal temperatures were lower at T50 compared to baseline (median, 1.6 °C; range, 0.7 to 2.1 °C). There was no statistically significant difference in any clot parameter between baseline and T50 nor between different rectal temperatures; however, there were statistical differences in 4 clot parameters between nonheated and heated anesthetic events. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesia and mildly decreased body temperature did not significantly impact the viscoelastography assessment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although thromboelastography reference intervals have been established in rabbits, the use of the VCM-Vet analyzer is understudied in this species. Future research is needed to determine VCM-Vet reference intervals for rabbits.
The ACTH ratio validates the thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test to diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction but does not enhance performance.
Auvinen JRE, Stapley ED, Bertin FR
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41468738 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a post-/pre-thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) plasma ACTH ratio for the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. METHODS: This was a pros...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a post-/pre-thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) plasma ACTH ratio for the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. METHODS: This was a prospective, case-controlled study conducted monthly from January through December 2018 on 21 horses with PPID and 63 control horses. The ratios were calculated by dividing the plasma ACTH concentration obtained 30 minutes after IV injection of TRH by the pre-TRH plasma ACTH concentration. The effect of PPID and month were assessed using a linear mixed-effect model, and the diagnostic performance of the ratio, including accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, was assessed via receiver operating characteristic curves. Diagnostic cutoff values were calculated via the Youden index when relevant. RESULTS: Both PPID status and month had a significant effect on post-/pre-TRH plasma ACTH ratio, with higher ratios in horses with PPID in 7 of 12 months. The diagnostic performance of the post-/pre-TRH plasma ACTH ratio varied by month, with accuracies ranging from fair to good but consistently low positive likelihood ratios. CONCLUSIONS: The post-/pre-TRH ACTH ratio allows evaluation of the pituitary pars intermedia response, validating the use of the TRH stimulation test in the diagnosis of PPID. However, the post-/pre-TRH plasma ACTH ratio does not improve the diagnostic characteristics of a TRH stimulation test. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The TRH stimulation test is recommended for evaluation of the pars intermedia of the equine pituitary gland in the context of diagnosing PPID, but the use of the post-/pre-TRH plasma ACTH ratio does not provide superior performance over the post-TRH ACTH concentration alone.
Transdermal administration of flunixin meglumine results in systemic absorption in southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum).
Burke A, Kinney ME, Phair K … +3 more , Marinkovich M, Minter LJ, Mzyk D
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41468696 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To assess the pharmacokinetics of a single application of transdermal flunixin meglumine in southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). METHODS: Healthy adult white rhinoceros were prospectively enr...
OBJECTIVE: To assess the pharmacokinetics of a single application of transdermal flunixin meglumine in southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). METHODS: Healthy adult white rhinoceros were prospectively enrolled in the study from June through September 2024. Baseline blood samples were collected prior to drug administration. A single (3.3 mg/kg) dose of commercially available transdermal flunixin meglumine was applied topically at 2 primary sites: the nuchal hump extending behind the ears and the skin overlying the spine from the shoulder to ischium. Blood samples were collected under behavioral restraint at 2 to 4 time points for each rhinoceros following a sparse-sampling model. Drug assay validation and plasma drug concentrations were determined using HPLC-MS-MS. RESULTS: Successful application of transdermal flunixin meglumine was achieved in 13 individuals. Twelve individuals were included in compartmental analysis. The time to maximum plasma concentration was 7.2 hours. The peak plasma concentration was 0.31 μg/mL. The elimination half-life was 28.6 hours. Mild behavioral changes were observed in 6 animals and included quiet mentation, rubbing at the application site, lethargy, and mild ataxia. All side effects were noted to be resolved 24 hours after drug application. CONCLUSIONS: Transdermal flunixin meglumine was absorbed and measurable plasma concentrations achieved in all southern white rhinoceros. The side effects observed included short-duration behavioral changes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study reports successful use and pharmacokinetic parameters of transdermal flunixin meglumine at 3.3 mg/kg when applied to the neck and topline in southern white rhinoceros.
Stifle osteoarthritis reduces goniometric but not active range of motion in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease.
Volz F, Schmutterer JM, Lauer SK
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41468695 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between goniometric stifle range of motion (gROM), active stifle range of motion (aROM), and stifle osteoarthritis (sOA) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) and t...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between goniometric stifle range of motion (gROM), active stifle range of motion (aROM), and stifle osteoarthritis (sOA) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) and to assess the association between gROM and aROM in CCL-affected and control dogs. METHODS: Dogs weighing 20 to 40 kg with CCLD before surgery (CCL-Dogs) and orthopedically healthy controls (C-Dogs) were enrolled between August 1, 2020, and August 1, 2021. Objective gait analysis was performed on a treadmill using a 2-D marker-based system. Goniometric stifle extension (gSE) and goniometric stifle flexion (gSF) were measured 3 times by 3 observers. sOA was scored on a scale from 1 (none) to 4 (severe). Spearman rank correlation (r) described associations between sOA, gROM, and aROM. RESULTS: 15 CCL-Dogs and 10 C-Dogs were included. These preliminary data demonstrated that in CCL-Dogs, gROM (r = -0.644) and gSE (r = -0.751) showed significant correlations with sOA. No significant correlations were found between sOA and active stifle flexion (r = -0.160), active stifle extension (r = -0.138), aROM (r = 0.036), or gSF (r = 0.198). No significant correlation was observed between aROM and gROM in either CCL-Dogs (r = -0.346) or C-Dogs (r = -0.127). CONCLUSIONS: In C-Dogs and CCL-Dogs, aROM and gROM are not associated. In CCL-Dogs, sOA is associated with reduced gROM and gSE, indicating that gROM rather than aROM reflects joint impairment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Goniometric measurement of stifle extension may serve as a practical indicator of osteoarthritic severity and functional limitation in dogs with CCLD.
Personality traits and workplace factors predict professional quality of life among companion-animal veterinary professionals.
Nakonechny L, Cisneros A, Moody CM … +1 more , Stellato AC
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41468693 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of burnout (BO), secondary traumatic stress (STS), and compassion satisfaction (CS) and identify associated individual, clinic, and dog-handling factors among veterinary professionals....
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of burnout (BO), secondary traumatic stress (STS), and compassion satisfaction (CS) and identify associated individual, clinic, and dog-handling factors among veterinary professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional online questionnaire was distributed to veterinary professionals in Canada and US (2023 to 2024). The questionnaire collected individual, clinic, and dog-handling information and measured ProQOL (BO, STS, CS). Logistic regression models examined associations between these factors and ProQOL. RESULTS: Participants (n = 691) had moderate BO (71.2%), STS (71.8%), and CS (74.3%); 2.4% reported high STS, and none had high BO. Veterinarians had lower odds of moderate/high BO (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.78) and CS (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.021 to 0.64) compared with nonveterinarians. Below-normal personality traits were associated with moderate/high BO and/or STS: extraversion (BO: OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.47 to 3.46), agreeableness (BO: OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.29 to 3.18; STS: OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.07 to 2.39), conscientiousness (BO: OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 2.41 to 6.34; STS: OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 2.47 to 5.88), emotional stability (BO: OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.11), and openness (BO: OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.56; STS: OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.26 to 2.81). Stress-reducing certification was associated with moderate/high BO (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.64). CONCLUSIONS: Personality traits and individual factors were associated with ProQOL, whereas handling techniques were not. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings provide exploratory evidence for workplace strategies to reduce BO and STS and enhance CS while generating hypotheses for future intervention research.
Alpha2EQ downregulates proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine gene expression in cultured synovial fibroblasts.
Pugliese BR, Rosario FKR, Schnabel LV
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Feb · PMID 41468692 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of the equine orthobiologic Alpha2EQ to control inflammation in cultured synovial fibroblasts. METHODS: Equine synovial fibroblasts (n = 16) were cultured in a monolayer, and a targe...
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of the equine orthobiologic Alpha2EQ to control inflammation in cultured synovial fibroblasts. METHODS: Equine synovial fibroblasts (n = 16) were cultured in a monolayer, and a targeted transcriptomic analysis (NanoString nCounter) was performed to screen for upregulated inflammatory gene expression. Cells were classified according to their IL-6 expression level. In the first experiment, high IL-6 expression (n = 4) and low IL-6 expression (4) cells were treated with Alpha2EQ, and in the second, cells with basal IL-6 expression were stimulated with 10 ng/mL IL-1β (4) before treatment. Allogeneic Alpha2EQ was pooled from sound healthy horses (n = 6) at a dose of 25% vol/vol of cell culture media. Twenty-four hours later, RNA was isolated for NanoString gene expression analysis. The t tests assessed differences in mean gene expression fold changes between baseline and treatment, while one-way ANOVA or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for multiple comparisons (P < .05). RESULTS: Alpha2EQ downregulated inflammatory genes in 2 cell culture models. Compared to baseline, Alpha2EQ treatment significantly reduced expression of IL-6, IL-15, and CCL2/MCP1 in IL-6HIGH synovial fibroblasts by 1.88- to 4.21-fold, as well as expression of IL-1β, CCL5/RANTES, and PPBP/CXCL7 by 2.14- to 4.07-fold in a 10 ng/mL IL-1β model. In addition, CXCL6/GCP-2 and TNF-α were significantly downregulated by Alpha2EQ in both models (2.64- to 5.38-fold). CONCLUSIONS: Alpha2EQ reduces inflammation by modulating the expression of cytokines and chemokines by synovial cells. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides early insights into Alpha2EQ's anti-inflammatory mechanisms in vitro and evidence to support its clinical use in the treatment of equine osteoarthritis.
Oral itraconazole may alter the gastrointestinal microbiome in healthy cats.
Leduc F, Barko PC, de Souza CP … +1 more , Reinhart JM
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41468691 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To determine if and how oral itraconazole alters the gastrointestinal microbiome of cats. METHODS: This was a single-arm, longitudinal exploratory study performed in a university setting. Healthy cats were adm...
OBJECTIVE: To determine if and how oral itraconazole alters the gastrointestinal microbiome of cats. METHODS: This was a single-arm, longitudinal exploratory study performed in a university setting. Healthy cats were administered 5 mg/kg/day of itraconazole solution orally with food during alternating weeks over a 5-week time period. Rectal swabs were collected at 2 time points before treatment and serially during and after treatment over 31 weeks. Bacterial and fungal populations were quantified by 16S and internal transcribed spacer 3 and 4 sequencing, respectively. Changes in α diversity, β diversity, and differential abundance were evaluated over time. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in bacterial α diversity, β diversity (R2 = 0.0077; P = .550), or relative abundance between the 2 pretreatment time points indicating stable microbial populations before itraconazole exposure in 16 cats. Time was a significant determinant of β diversity during and after itraconazole treatment (R2 = 0.0181; P = .002), and several α-diversity indices significantly decreased in the posttreatment timeframe. Ruminococcus torques (-1.916; 95% CI, -2.971 to -0.861), Acidaminococcus spp (-1.291; 95%, CI -1.866 to -0.716), and Blautia hansenii (-1.475, 95% CI, -2.295 to -0.691) relative abundances were significantly decreased at weeks 1, 5, and 9, respectively. The final fungal internal transcribed spacer dataset only included 5 taxa limiting analysis and interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide preliminary evidence for possible dysbiosis in the feline gastrointestinal tract during itraconazole treatment. However, many changes in differential abundance were small and no longer significant posttreatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Itraconazole administration might induce gastrointestinal bacterial dysbiosis in cats. Alternate methods for fungal microbiome assessment should be used in future feline studies.
Senescence-associated gene pathways are differentially expressed in equine aging-related osteoarthritis.
Singer J, Chow L, Ammons D … +4 more , Sabino I, Impastato R, Dow S, Pezzanite LM
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41468690 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a aging-associated degenerative joint disease. The objective was to determine relative senescence gene expression in joints and leukocytes of OA horses toward considering senotherapeutic...
OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a aging-associated degenerative joint disease. The objective was to determine relative senescence gene expression in joints and leukocytes of OA horses toward considering senotherapeutics to manage OA. METHODS: To define local (joint) and systemic (peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs]) senescence burden, synovial fluid cell single-cell RNA sequencing and PBMC mRNA sequencing datasets (n = 65 samples) were examined. Differential analyses were conducted using limma to compare OA versus control. A custom 3,043-gene senescence set curated from published metadata was applied to differential analyses to investigate senescence-specific pathways. Senescence genes were divided into 8 categories; scores were calculated with fast gene set enrichment analysis with P value computed via permutation and log2 fold change ranks. RESULTS: Synovial fluid single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed cell type-specific heterogeneity in senescence gene expression. Fast gene set enrichment analysis pathway analysis confirmed enrichment/upregulation in inflammatory and stress-induced senescence in dendritic, cycling, CD8 T, and gamma delta T cells. Senescence-associated secretory phenotype pathways were predominantly represented in cycling cells. Senescence genes aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN), heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor (PLAUR), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) were upregulated in multiple synovial fluid cell types. In contrast, genes in most senescence categories were downregulated in PBMCs. CONCLUSIONS: Senescence pathways were differentially expressed in aged horses with OA, with upregulation of senescence genes in the joint and downregulation in PBMCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Therapeutic strategies targeting senescent cells may be a disease-modifying strategy to treat equine OA.
Intramuscular 18F-sodium fluoride is a viable alternative to intravenous injection for positron emission tomography detection of atherosclerosis in Amazon parrots.
Shaw N, Guzman DS, Spriet M … +1 more , Beaufrère H
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41442885 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To compare IM and IV administration of 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) for PET-CT imaging of atherosclerosis in orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica) and to evaluate the effects of uptake time and acq...
OBJECTIVE: To compare IM and IV administration of 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) for PET-CT imaging of atherosclerosis in orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica) and to evaluate the effects of uptake time and acquisition duration on image quality using a reduced radiotracer dose. METHODS: From June to July 2025, parrots underwent 2 18F-NaF micro-PET-micro-CT scans at the University of California-Davis, each in a cross-over design (IM vs IV). A 0.1-mCi dose was used with a 30-minute uptake period and 30-minute dynamic acquisition. Images were reconstructed into 5-, 10-, and 15-minute frames to assess the effects of acquisition duration and uptake time. Standardized uptake values and target-to-background ratios were calculated in arterial lesions and control tissues. RESULTS: Eight older parrots were scanned. Atherosclerotic lesions were identified in 6 of 8 parrots. Both image noise and background activity were higher in IM than IV scans, particularly at shorter acquisition durations. Lesion conspicuity and quantitative stability improved at longer uptake times (≥ 45 minutes) and acquisitions (≥ 10 minutes). The IM administration produced slower equilibration but comparable or higher late-phase lesion uptake, consistent with gradual tracer release. CONCLUSIONS: The IM 18F-NaF administration provides diagnostic-quality PET images with lesion detectability approaching that of the IV administration, while being technically simpler and safer for parrots. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An optimized protocol for PET imaging in psittacine birds using a similar scanner is proposed with the administration of approximately 0.3 mCi 18F-NaF IM or IV, a 1-hour uptake period, and a 10- to 15-minute acquisition to balance image quality, diagnostic sensitivity, procedural simplicity, and radiation safety.
Establishment of an ultrasonographic approach to the muscular structures of the ventromedial hip region with comparative magnetic resonance imaging in the dog.
Todd-Donato AB, Miller AV, Frye CW
Am J Vet Res · 2026 Apr · PMID 41442841 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To establish an ultrasound protocol for identifying the muscular structures of the ventromedial hip region that contribute to coxofemoral joint stability, with comparative MRI and gross anatomic dissection con...
OBJECTIVE: To establish an ultrasound protocol for identifying the muscular structures of the ventromedial hip region that contribute to coxofemoral joint stability, with comparative MRI and gross anatomic dissection confirmation of accurate structure identification. METHODS: High-frequency B-mode ultrasonography and 3-Tesla MRI were utilized to bilaterally investigate the muscular anatomy of the ventromedial hip region in 5 normal adult canine pelvis cadaver specimens (n = 10) from September 1, 2024, through August 30, 2025. Ultrasonographic and MRI appearance and anatomic relationships of the evaluated structures were documented and assessed for consistency. Structure identification was confirmed through ultrasound-guided dye placement (using 2 separate specimens for each evaluated structure) followed by gross anatomical dissection. RESULTS: High-quality ultrasound and MRI images of the pectineus, iliopsoas, adductor longus, adductor magnus et brevis, gracilis, and external obturator muscles were acquired in all specimens. The ultrasonographic approach for evaluating muscles of the ventromedial hip region was documented. Specimen dissection immediately following ultrasound-guided dye injections confirmed accurate identification of all 6 muscles on both attempts, performed separately by 2 clinicians. Structure identification and anatomical descriptions were consistent amongst MRI, ultrasound, and dissection. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides foundational knowledge in ultrasound and MRI anatomy of the ventromedial hip region and demonstrates methods for effective ultrasonographic evaluation of this region. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings provide a foundation for diagnosing soft tissue injuries in the ventromedial hip region and guiding rehabilitation strategies in dogs with hip disease.
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