IntroductionProventricular dilation disease (PDD), caused by parrot bornaviruses (PaBVs), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in captive psittacines worldwide. However, comprehensive retrospective studies evaluating its clinicopathologic spectrum remain scarce. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiologic, clinical, gross, microscopic, and concurrent disease findings of naturally occurring PDD in psittacine birds.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted using necropsy records of Psittaciformes submitted to four veterinary diagnostic laboratories in California, USA, between 2014 and 2024. Cases were included based on compatible lesions and immunohistochemical detection of PaBV antigen. Clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions, concurrent diseases, and differences between psittacine superfamilies were evaluated.ResultsOf 1,466 Psittaciformes necropsies, 51 cases met the inclusion criteria. Gastrointestinal signs alone predominated (59%), followed by combined gastrointestinal and neurologic signs (14%) and neurologic signs alone (12%). Death without previously reported clinical signs occurred in 12% of birds. Gross gastrointestinal dilation was observed in 70% of cases, whereas 30% lacked specific gross lesions. Histologically, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates most frequently involved the gizzard (86%), proventriculus (73%), adrenal glands (72%), brain (71%), and heart (49%). Concurrent diseases were identified in 57% of cases. PDD was diagnosed significantly more frequently in Cacatuoidea than in Psittacoidea (9/98 [9.2%] versus 42/1,304 [3.2%]; p = 0.007), although clinical signs and lesions did not differ significantly between superfamilies.DiscussionThese findings highlight the broad clinicopathologic spectrum of naturally occurring PDD, including cases without characteristic gross lesions or previously reported clinical signs. The frequent involvement of gastrointestinal and nervous tissues underscores the importance of comprehensive tissue sampling and histologic examination for an accurate diagnosis.
Objective:To describe a modified ultrasound-guided technique of the approach to the transversus thoracic plane (TTP) block, to evaluate the distribution of the injectate, and to compare the perioperative use of opioids in dogs undergoing median sternotomy between TTP block or traditional opioid-based analgesic approach.Animals and proceduresIn Phase I, 10 thawed mid-size adult canine cadavers were used for description of the technique and evaluation of injectate spread on computed tomography and anatomical dissection. In Phase II, 20 client-owned, adult canine dogs undergoing median sternotomy were included in this randomized, prospective, assessor-blinded, clinical study. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive a TTP block (TTPB) with bupivacaine 2 mg kg−1; or to the control group (CTRL) without block. Rescue intra- and postoperative analgesia consisted of fentanyl and methadone, respectively. Extra analgesia was provided with fentanyl and/or ketamine infusions when required. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the short form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF).ResultsOn preliminary anatomical evaluation, six pairs of intercostal nerves were stained bilaterally in the 10 cadavers. In group TTPB, 0/10 dogs required intra-operative fentanyl infusion, compared to 10/10 dogs in group CTRL, of which 9/10 required ketamine infusion. Post-operative methadone (mg/kg) required was 0.8 (0.2–1) in group TTPB and 1.4 (1.4–1.4) in group CTRL (P < 0.001). A fentanyl infusion was required post-operatively in 6/10 dogs in CTRL group and 0/10 in TTPB group.ConclusionsThe TTP block approach described in this study resulted in consistent injectate distribution within the target fascial plane, with consistent staining of the intercostal nerves in the cadaveric model. In the preliminary clinical phase, its application was associated with reduced perioperative opioid consumption in dogs undergoing median sternotomy compared to a traditional opioid based analgesic approach.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) continues to be one of the most damaging diseases in United States pork production. A particularly aggressive variant, PRRSV lineage 1C.5.32, a 2023 emerging subclade of L1C.5, was the most detected variant in Iowa in 2025. This study investigated outbreaks on seven sow farms in Southeast and East Central Iowa, combining outbreak investigations and phylogeographic analysis. Frequent high-risk events included cull sow removal, weaned pig transport, employee entry, and mortality removal. Bayesian phylogeographic analysis identified strongly supported interdistrict transitions of PRRSV L1C.5.32, particularly from Southeast and Northeast to East Central Iowa, but did not support Central Iowa as the primary source of introduction into Southeast Iowa.
Refined handling methods can improve laboratory mouse welfare and reduce handling-related variability. Yet their generalizability across genetic backgrounds and sexes remains incompletely understood. We previously developed a rapid 3-day refined handling method, termed 3D handling, designed to habituate mice to direct human contact. Here, we tested whether the benefits of 3D handling extend beyond C57BL/6 J mice to three additional commonly used mouse strains with distinct behavioral profiles: BALB/cJ, 129×1/SvJ, and J: ARC(S)/CD1-derived mice, and confirmed efficacy in C57BL/6 J. Male and female mice from each strain were assigned to either 3D handling or tail handling for three consecutive days, followed by assessment of experimenter interaction, open field behavior, elevated plus maze performance, novelty suppressed feeding, and handling-induced corticosterone levels. Across strains, 3D handling consistently improved voluntary interaction with the experimenter, with mice approaching the hand more closely, spending more time near it, or maintaining shorter mean distances from it. Effects on anxiety-related behavior were more variable, with benefits most evident in the open field and elevated plus maze in J: ARC(S), C57BL/6 J, and 129×1/SvJ mice, and limited effects in the novelty suppressed feeding test. Composite z-score and forest plot analyses supported an overall beneficial effect across strains, while revealing strain- and sex-dependent variability. 3D handling also reduced corticosterone levels in J: ARC(S) mice and showed a trend toward reduction in C57BL/6 J mice. These findings demonstrate that 3D handling broadly reduces experimenter-directed avoidance across diverse mouse genetic backgrounds, with more context-dependent effects on anxiety-related outcomes. This rapid, practical refinement may complement other non-aversive handling approaches and help improve both animal welfare and the reproducibility of behavioral research.
Bacillus species are spore-forming bacteria with characteristics that support their use as probiotics; however, the effects of combined Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens supplementation on intestinal and immune outcomes have been minimally studied in dogs. This study evaluated fecal characteristics, microbiota, fecal immunoglobulin A and calprotectin concentrations, serum chemistry, hematology, and immune function in healthy adult dogs supplemented with B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens. Twenty healthy adult English Pointer dogs (age = 5.0 ± 2.3 yr.; BW = 24.4 ± 3.8 kg) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study. Following a 21-d adaptation period, dogs were randomly assigned to one of two treatment sequences. During the first 28-d experimental period, 10 dogs received a placebo (maltodextrin) and 10 received a probiotic containing B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens (2 × 108 CFU/g). Treatments were top-dressed on the diet at 3–4 g/d. After a 21-d washout, dogs crossed over to the opposite treatment for a second 28-d period. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4, with p < 0.05 considered significant and p < 0.10 considered a trend. Fecal scores tended to be higher (p < 0.10; looser stools), and fecal dry matter was lower (p < 0.05), in probiotic-supplemented dogs than controls, whereas fecal IgA and calprotectin concentrations were unaffected. Serum chemistry and hematology values were within normal reference ranges, although eosinophil counts and percentages were lower (p < 0.05) in probiotic-supplemented dogs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from probiotic-supplemented dogs produced greater TNF-α concentrations following stimulation with zymosan, a TLR2 agonist (p < 0.01). Serum LBP, IL-1β, and IL-6 concentrations were unaffected, whereas serum CRP was higher (p < 0.05) in probiotic-supplemented dogs. Fecal microbial composition was largely unaffected, although Shannon diversity tended to be higher (p < 0.10) in controls and the relative abundance of Blautia was lower (p < 0.05) in probiotic-supplemented dogs. Overall, supplementation provided limited intestinal health benefits, while treatment differences in TLR2-stimulated TNF-α production and serum CRP suggest effects on selected innate immune-related outcomes that warrant further investigation.
