Varicellovirus suidalpha1 has brought huge economic losses to the global pig industry. However, existing vaccines do not provide sufficient protection against circulating strains. In this study, the molecular characteristics of Varicellovirus suidalpha1 isolates were tracked to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of Varicellovirus suidalpha1. In this study, samples were collected from a pig farm suspected of Varicellovirus suidalpha1 infection in China, and a Varicellovirus suidalpha1 strain DML-5 was successfully isolated. Phylogenetic analysis showed that DML-5 belonged to genotype II variant strain, which was genetically distinct from the known genotype I classic strain. A unique amino acid mutation was identified for the first time at the highly conserved gL, UL6, UL21, UL26.5, and gE. Including gE and UL21, which are involved in axon transport, these mutations may affect the nerve conduction and virulence of Varicellovirus suidalpha1. By constructing three-dimensional protein models, it was found that the unique amino acid mutations of UL6 and UL21 caused the tertiary structure changes of the corresponding proteins. In addition, the amino acid sequences of gL, UL6, UL21, UL26.5 and gE proteins of Varicellovirus suidalpha1 were found to be conserved among different groups, which is the basis of Varicellovirus suidalpha1 group identification. Possible recombination events were detected in DML-5 by gene recombination prediction, which indicated that DML-5 may be a recombinant strain of Ea and PRV-GD. Varicellovirus suidalpha1 are becoming more complex, so enhanced surveillance of Varicellovirus suidalpha1, as well as improved mutant vaccines, are necessary.
Canine appendicular osteosarcoma substantially increases the risk of pathological fractures. Limb-sparing approaches such as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) can extend and improve the quality of life in large-breed dogs; however, recent clinical studies have reported high post-SBRT fracture rates and significant complications following prophylactic stabilization. While patient-specific Finite Element Analysis (FEA) can estimate pre- and post-stabilization fracture-initiation thresholds, its computational burden limits its clinical applicability. This study presents Machine Learning (ML) surrogates to rapidly predict implant performance using data derived from high-fidelity FEA simulations. These simulations employed physics-faithful bone models with heterogeneous elasto-plastic material properties reconstructed from Computed Tomography (CT) scans of 16 dogs. The eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) was employed to capture crack initiation and propagation under 25 distinct loading scenarios, both with and without medullary conformal stabilization. Five ML models, including MLP, SVR, RF, XGBoost, and HistGBR were trained and evaluated using biological and morphometric features such as body weight, lesion location, bone length as well as 825 FEA simulation-derived crack-initiation loads. Hyperparameters were optimized via Bayesian tuning, and simulation-level stability was assessed across training-testing splits ranging from 50:50 to 90:10, while patient-level generalization was evaluated separately using nested Leave-One-Group-Out (LOGO) cross-validation. XGBoost demonstrated the best predictive performance on 165 held-out cases, achieving an average R2≈0.90 and a normalized mean absolute error of approximately 8%. Patient-level performance was more consistent for humeral cases than tibial and radial cases, emphasizing the need for larger, bone-type-balanced datasets. Feature-importance analysis revealed lesion burden and body weight as dominant predictors, with anatomical scaling parameters (e.g., bone length, diaphyseal thickness) and density proxies contributing secondary effects, while sex and age showed negligible contributions within the current cohort. Retrospective clinical outcomes from six treated dogs were examined descriptively and provided preliminary clinical context rather than formal validation. FEA and surrogate predictions suggest that delayed fracture-initiation can be achieved through intramedullary implant stabilization, although its effectiveness varies among patients. The proposed proof-of-concept framework provides a scalable, data-driven foundation for clinical decision support, with predictive accuracy expected to improve as additional outcome data become available.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disorder involving metabolic and inflammatory alterations beyond the affected joint. This study evaluated gut microbiota composition and selected systemic biomarkers in client-owned dogs with distinct OA phenotypes. Fecal microbiota profiling was performed using near full-length 16S rRNA Nanopore sequencing in clinically healthy controls (CG), obese OA dogs (OOA), and thin OA dogs (TOA). Alpha and beta diversity analyses were performed across multiple taxonomic levels, together with evaluation of circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). OA phenotypes exhibited modest but detectable microbial ecological differences. OOA dogs showed reduced richness and lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratios relative to CG dogs. PERMANOVA identified significant phylum-level compositional differences among phenotypes (R² = 0.121, p = 0.002), which remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and body weight (R² = 0.095, p = 0.009). Lower-level taxonomic associations became non-significant after multivariable adjustment and false discovery rate correction. LPS and LBP concentrations did not differ among groups, whereas TNF-α differed significantly between OOA and TOA dogs after adjustment for covariates (p = 0.014), with back-transformed estimated marginal means (95% CI) of 27.5 pg/mL (23.0-32.8) in OOA dogs and 38.5 pg/mL (32.3-45.8) in TOA dogs. Associations between microbial ecological variables and circulating biomarkers were weak and did not remain significant after false discovery rate correction. These findings suggest that naturally occurring canine OA is associated with subtle and phenotype-dependent microbial ecological restructuring rather than marked global dysbiosis.
Severe cutaneous and soft-tissue injuries remain a major clinical and socioeconomic challenge. Advances in resuscitation and intensive care have improved survival, but long-term outcomes depend on restoration of mechanically competent skin. Pigs are widely used as translational models for dermal regeneration, yet in vivo viscoelastic mapping of porcine skin is lacking. This study aimed to characterize regional and weight-dependent differences in porcine skin mechanics using cutometer-based suction measurements and to identify potentially useful conditions for preclinical testing of biomaterials and wound therapies. A total of 10 female domestic pigs (30-180kg) contributed measurements across six weight categories. Cutometric parameters (R0, R5, R7, R8) were recorded at six standardized dorsal regions under general anesthesia, with repeated curves averaged for analysis. Given the limited sample size and irregular repeated-measures structure, basic descriptive statistics (medians, interquartile ranges) were used in this exploratory pilot study to assess relationships between body weight, anatomical region, laterality and viscoelastic behavior. Across all regions, the 70kg group showed descriptively higher skin distensibility (R0) and recovery-related values (R8), while heavier pigs (100-120kg) tended to exhibit higher elasticity- and resilience-related values (R5, R7). When the dorsum was divided into head, middle and rear sections, the head generally demonstrated greater distensibility and elasticity, whereas the rear showed better recovery. Left-right differences were modest, with a slight tendency towards higher distensibility and elasticity on the left side at lower weights. Overall, the 70-120kg range and specific dorsal regions (particularly 1, 3, and 6) showed consistent descriptive viscoelastic patterns. These findings provide the first cutometric map of porcine skin and may serve as a biomechanical reference for informing experimental design and outcome assessment in regenerative and wound-healing research, while acknowledging the exploratory nature and limited sample size of the study.
Gosling plague (GP), caused by goose parvovirus (GPV), is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease. Vaccination is essential for disease prevention; however, conventional attenuated and inactivated vaccines have several limitations. Genetically engineered vaccines based on defined antigenic regions represent a promising alternative strategy. This study aimed to identify neutralizing epitope-containing regions within the GPV VP2 protein and develop effective recombinant vaccines. The GPV VP2 protein was divided into 11 overlapping fragments, and the anchored periplasmic expression (APEx) bacterial display system combined with flow cytometry (FCM) was used for antigenic region screening. GPV VP2-specific single-domain antibodies (VHHs) were further applied to identify neutralizing epitope-containing regions. Six neutralizing epitope-containing regions were identified and linked together to construct the VP2M recombinant antigen. The VP, VP2M, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and flagellin (FliC) genes were inserted into prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression vectors to generate protein and DNA vaccines. Three-day-old goslings were randomly assigned into 15 experimental groups for immunization. Immune responses were evaluated by measuring anti-GPV antibody levels, IgG, IgM, and IgA production, IFN-γ levels, immune-related gene expression, splenocyte proliferation, neutralizing activity, and protective efficacy against GPV challenge. The results showed that vaccines containing neutralizing epitope-containing regions induced stronger immune responses than control vaccines. Vaccinated groups exhibited increased anti-GPV antibody levels, IgG, IgM, IgA production, IFN-γ levels, immune-related gene expression, and splenocyte proliferation. Following GPV challenge, VP2M-based vaccines significantly reduced viral genome copies in the bursa of Fabricius, spleen, thymus, and intestinal tissues, accompanied by decreased histopathological lesions based on semi-quantitative scoring. Furthermore, the protective efficacy exceeded 50% in vaccines without adjuvants and reached 90% in groups containing combined IL-2 and FliC adjuvants. In conclusion, this study identifies novel neutralizing epitope-containing regions within GPV VP2 and provides a potential strategy for developing safe and effective recombinant vaccines against GP infection.
Stress is inevitable in pre-slaughter management. Unusual physical activity is a stress factor since cattle are sedentary animals. We investigated the effect of a slow walk, the day before slaughter, on steers' physiology, behavior, energy and antioxidant reserves, carcass and meat quality. Over five years, 660 pasture-finished steers were evaluated. In each slaughter, animals were individually weighed and randomly allocated to one experimental group (n = 15/group): 0 (unexercised control) and 10 km (walking stress). Twenty-two slaughters were considered in a randomized complete block design. Steers walked 10 km at an average speed of 4.22 km/h in approximately 2 h 22 min. On farm, in the hour following the end of the exercise, the "walking stress" steers reduced rumination sixfold (P = 0.002) and increased panting tenfold (P = 0.003) than steers from unexercised control. Water intake was double in the "walking stress" group compared to unexercised steers (P = 0.005). After slaughter, no differences (P > 0.10) were found on carcass traits, blood indicators of stress, and muscle antioxidants. Steers of the "walking stress" showed lower drip (P = 0.07) and cooking (P = 0.08) losses and shear force (P = 0.04) than those from the unexercised control group. Glycogen concentration was lower (P = 0.006) in steers from "walking stress" group than in unexercised control, without differences (P > 0.10) in lactate. A walk on the day before slaughter, at the speed and distance employed, generated physiological and behavioral responses, but did not compromise carcass and meat quality traits.
Acute thoracolumbar myelopathies are a common reason for consultation in veterinary neurology; however, the actual prevalence of the different diseases responsible for myelopathic signs in non-chondrodystrophic (NCD) dogs remains unknown. This retrospective, single-center study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of diseases causing acute thoracic and lumbar myelopathies in NCD dogs. In addition, the relationship between prognostic factors, final diagnosis and neurological grade at admission was evaluated, with particular focus on mean time to improvement (MTI) and mean ambulatory recovery time (MART) among diagnostic groups. A total of 178 dogs presenting to the emergency service between 2014 and 2024 with clinical signs and a final diagnosis of thoracic or lumbar myelopathy were included. Dogs were classified according to final diagnosis into vascular (28/178-15.7%), inflammatory (25/178-14%), traumatic (49/178-27.5%), neoplastic (18/178-10.1%), or degenerative (58/178-32.6%) groups. For each group, statistical analyses were performed to identify epidemiological and clinical factors at presentation that could help clinicians in prioritizing differential diagnoses, including breed, sex, body weight, age, onset of clinical signs, neurological grade at presentation, progression of clinical signs, lesion localization, association with trauma or prior exercise, lateralization of clinical signs, and presence of spinal hyperesthesia. Degenerative intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) was the most frequently diagnosed condition in NCD dogs with acute myelopathy and primarily affected old, neutered dogs, with a higher prevalence in males and dogs weighing more than 25 kg. Most cases presented as chronic, non-lateralized myelopathies, often with acute worsening of clinical signs prior to presentation.
Gangrenous mastitis is a severe disease caused by bacterial infection. It can lead to sepsis and even death in affected goats, posing a significant threat to the development of the dairy goat industry. The pathogenesis of this disease is not fully understood. In this study, a Staphylococcus aureus isolate obtained from a goat with gangrenous mastitis was used to establish in vivo and in vitro models. Using omics sequencing and detection of iron, MDA, GSH, and ROS levels, along with RT-qPCR and western blot, the occurrence of ferroptosis was assessed. Furthermore, by employing ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), siRNA to inhibit HMOX1, and mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1), we explored the role of HMOX1 in regulating ferroptosis and the inflammatory response, as well as its association with mitophagy. The results showed the gangrenous mastitis model had typical symptoms, including mammary gland cyanosis, and bloody milk. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed significant enrichment of the ferroptosis pathway, with HMOX1 being the most differentially expressed gene. Both gangrenous mastitis tissues and goat mammary epithelial cells infected with Staphylococcus aureus showed ferroptosis features, such as iron, MDA, and ROS accumulation, GSH depletion, and upregulation of HMOX1, along with downregulation of GPX4 and SLC7A11, while Fer-1 reversed these processes. Mitophagy-related proteins BNIP3, FUNDC1, and LC3 were upregulated, while Mdivi-1 inhibited them and alleviated ferroptosis. Inhibiting HMOX1 reduced ferroptosis, mitophagy and reduced inflammation. This study demonstrated that HMOX1 drives ferroptosis via mitophagy, providing new insights into the disease's pathogenesis and potential treatment strategies.
Lameness is a prevalent condition in dairy cattle that compromises mobility, alters behavior, disrupts feeding patterns, and impairs physiological functions. It has important implications for the three main determinants of dairy farm profitability: milk production, reproductive performance, and longevity. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the current evidence on the impact of lameness on dairy farms following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Eligible studies were screened and evaluated for relevance and methodological quality. Across studies, lameness was consistently associated with reduced milk yield, with reported losses ranging from 183 to 1289 kg per lactation, depending on severity and timing, and being more pronounced in herds using automated milking systems. Effects on milk quality traits were generally minor, although some studies reported increased somatic cell counts, potentially linked to greater mastitis risk. Reproductive performance was adversely affected, with lame cows exhibiting delated resumption of ovarian cyclicity, reduced estrus expression, lower conception rates, and increased embryonic loss. Consequently, extended calving intervals and more inseminations per pregnancy were observed, although variability existed among studies. Lastly, longevity was markedly compromised, as lame cows had 1.5-2 times greater risk of culling, accounting for up to 27.6% of total culling cases. The evidence indicates that lameness negatively impacts productivity, reproductive performance, and survival in dairy systems. Enhanced prevention strategies, standardized assessment methods, and tailored economic evaluation tools are essential to mitigate losses and enhance sustainability of dairy production.
Despite the recognized biochemical complexity of mare colostrum and milk, longitudinal characterization of whey proteins, oxidant-antioxidant balance and enzyme activities across lactation remains limited. This study evaluated total whey proteins (TWP), albumin (ALB), globulins, immunoglobulin G (IgG), oxidative and antioxidant markers, and enzymatic activities in colostrum and milk from 29 clinically healthy Spanish Purebred mares during the first 120 days postpartum. TWP and ALB were quantified using validated spectrophotometric assays, and IgG were measured by immunoturbidimetry. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), together with determination of uric acid (UA). Oxidative status was evaluated by total oxidant status and advanced oxidation protein products, and alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities were measured using IFCC‑standardized methods. In early lactation, serum-derived proteins, UA, oxidant markers and enzymatic activities reached their highest values, reflecting the intense metabolic and immunological activity of the immediate postpartum period. In contrast, CUPRAC and FRAP increased progressively throughout lactation, consistent with mammary maturation and the establishment of a more stable antioxidant environment in mature milk. In conclusion, mare colostrum and milk undergo a coordinated biochemical transition from an immunologically enriched and oxidatively active colostrum to a more stable mature-milk profile.
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Theileria haneyi. We conducted a PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate pooled prevalence in China and identify associated risk factors. PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched through 15 August 2025. Of 2626 records identified, 80 studies met the inclusion criteria. Random-effects models were used to pool prevalence estimates, and prespecified subgroup analyses and univariate meta-regression were used to explore heterogeneity and temporal trends. Overall pooled prevalence during 2000-2025 was 31%; species-specific estimates were 24.28% for T. equi and 18.37% for B. caballi. Only one eligible study reported T. haneyi, so its prevalence was summarized descriptively rather than pooled. Statistically significant subgroup differences were observed by host species, fever status, climate class, and detection method. Prevalence was higher in horses than in donkeys and mules, although the mule estimate was based on only five studies and 31 positive cases. Febrile equids had a higher prevalence than afebrile equids, prevalence was highest in Dwb and lowest in Cfa climates, and PCR-based studies yielded a higher pooled prevalence than ELISA-based studies (36.40% vs 23.97%). No significant differences were detected by region, age, sex, season, management system, or sampling year, and meta-regression showed no significant temporal trend. These findings support risk-based surveillance, prioritization of testing in febrile equids, and combined serological and molecular testing to distinguish exposure from active infection.
Postoperative intestinal leakage is a serious complication of gastrointestinal surgery; however, the immediate mechanical factors affecting enterotomy sealing remain incompletely understood. This ex vivo study evaluated the association of needle-to-suture ratio (N:S Ratio) and suture diameter with acute leakage pressure in a canine jejunal enterotomy model. Eight needle-suture product groups were tested using 80 fresh jejunal segments obtained from 10 canine cadavers. A randomized complete block design was used, with each dog contributing one jejunal segment to each suture group. After standardized enterotomy closure, the initial leakage pressure (ILP), maximum intraluminal pressure (MIP), and initial leakage location were recorded. Linear mixed-effects models were used, with the suture group as a fixed effect and dog identity as a random intercept. Initial leakage occurred predominantly at the needle-hole site, accounting for 75 of the 80 samples (93.75%). The suture group had a significant overall effect on both log-transformed ILP and MIP. In predefined comparisons under more comparable needle-suture conditions, higher N:S Ratio were associated with lower acute leakage pressures. However, within the SHMP commercial suture series, leakage pressure did not follow a simple monotonic relationship with the N:S Ratio. Together, these findings indicate that needle-suture matching is relevant to acute sealing under more comparable product conditions, whereas the performance of commercial needle-suture products cannot be explained by N:S Ratio alone. These findings suggest that needle-hole sealing is a major component of acute leakage resistance after canine jejunal enterotomy closure. Further in vivo and clinical studies are required before specific recommendations regarding needle-suture selection can be made.
Ultrasonography is an important tool in veterinary medicine, offering non-invasive, real-time diagnostic capabilities with its safety. In recent years, advancements in biomedical technologies have enabled ultrasonography to evolve beyond traditional B-mode imaging, incorporating novel techniques that enhance diagnostic accuracy and enable therapeutic potential. This review evaluates Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), Elastography, Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM), and Photoacoustic Imaging (PAI), as well as therapeutic innovations such as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), building upon the basic applications of veterinary ultrasonography. Furthermore, the biomedical ultrasonography in veterinary medicine are discussed, with a focus on new innovations and artificial intelligence-powered analytical tools.
Ocular pathologies are a leading cause of visual impairment in cats and require accurate, timely diagnosis for effective treatment. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the performance of different deep learning (DL) architectures for the automated identification and classification of feline ophthalmic disease. A dataset of 456 clinically validated ocular images, spanning 13 classes (12 ocular diseases and a healthy group), was used to train nine convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures, including ResNet, EfficientNet, DenseNet, MobileNet, and VGG models, through transfer learning with pre-trained ImageNet weights. Data augmentation and five-fold cross-validation were applied during training. Statistical significance of performance differences across architectures was assessed using Cohen's Kappa and McNemar's test. On the held-out test set, EfficientNet-B0 reached the highest classification accuracy (78%), while DenseNet-121 obtained the highest macro-averaged F1-score (0.76) and Area Under the Curve (AUC) (0.9790), followed by EfficientNet-B0 (0.9750) and ResNet-34 (0.9724). Confusion matrix analysis showed the strongest classification consistency for cherry eye, healthy, and corneal sequestration (precision and recall reaching 1.00 in several cases), and the weakest for glaucoma (recall 0.25) and corneal ulcer (F-1 score 0.29). McNemar's test indicated no statistically significant difference among EfficientNet-B0, DenseNet-121, and ResNet-34 (p > 0.05), and per-image inference times across all nine architectures ranged from 2.67 to 5.73 ms. Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) visualizations applied to the EfficientNet-B0 model confirmed that the model focused on clinically relevant ocular regions during classification. Overall, the results obtained with EfficientNet-B0, DenseNet-121, and ResNet-34 suggest that DL-based multi-class classification could support clinical decision-making in the diagnosis of feline ophthalmic diseases.
The impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on diary production and global food security due to bovine mastitis raises the need to develop new alternatives to reduce reliance on antibiotics. While an increasing number of alternatives are being evaluated, a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of their potential is scarce. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines to evaluate antimicrobial potency and translational relevance of the current alternatives. Relevant studies, published between January 2020 and June 2025, were identified and screened for eligibility. Quantitative outcome data were analysed using a multilevel random-effects model and meta-regression. All statistical analyses were performed using R software. Sixty eligible studies, spanning 28 countries and 11 intervention types, were included. Among other alternatives, phytochemicals and nanoparticles were most extensively evaluated, with overall dominance of in vitro experiments. Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (log10 MIC) data, the overall pooled estimate of the alternatives was 2.83 µg/mL (95% CI: 2.36-3.30) for Staphylococcus aureus, and 2.89 µg/mL (95% CI: 2.27-3.51) for Escherichia coli. Substantial between-study heterogeneity (τ² > 0.8, I² > 95%, p < 0.0001) and a wide prediction interval (0.45-5.21 µg/mL) were observed. Meta-regression analysis indicated significantly higher antimicrobial potency in nanoparticles than phytochemicals against Staphylococcus aureus, with lower log10 MIC values (β = -0.131, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, prioritising harmonised research methodologies and robust in vivo validation of the most promising alternatives are needed before emerging alternatives can contribute meaningfully to sustainable mastitis management and AMR mitigation.
Sulfonamides (S) are long-established antibacterial drugs frequently combined with trimethoprim (TMP) for synergistic effects against bacterial infections in food-producing animals, such as bovine respiratory diseases. In veterinary medicine, the current administered TMP:S ratio of 1:5 is based on the human dosing regimen that is limited to the single combination of TMP and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), targeting an in vivo concentration ratio of 1:19, considered an appropriate synergistic ratio against human pathogens. However, several sulfonamides are used in veterinary practice each leading to distinct pharmacokinetic profiles and thereby questioning the relevance of extrapolating this dose ratio. This study characterized the parenteral pharmacokinetics (PK) of three TMP/S combinations in calves. Data were used to develop population PK models and to simulate in vivo free-concentration ratios at the herd level. A 2-compartment model fitted best sulfadiazine (SDZ), SMX and TMP data while sulfadimethoxine (SDMX) needed a third compartment. SDMX had the lowest clearance (0.02 L/h/kg) while SMX and SDZ showed similar values (0.13 and 0.12 L/h/kg, respectively). TMP exhibited the highest clearance (1.41 L/h/kg). Elimination half-lives were 19.67 h for SDMX, 3.54 h for SDZ, 2.21 h for SMX and 1.39 h for TMP. Monte Carlo simulations indicated that only 0.2% (TMP/SDZ), 11.6% (TMP/SMX) and 21% (TMP/SDMX) of simulated calves (n = 50,000) reached ratios between 1:10 - 1:50 at marketed doses. These results provide a first step toward optimizing the antimicrobial activity of these antibacterial, highlighting the need for further PD and PK/PD investigations.
BACKGROUND:Tail wounds in military working dogs (MWDs) are a clinically significant and challenging condition characterized by recurrent trauma and delayed healing. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been proposed as a non-invasive therapy to enhance wound repair. OBJECTIVE:To characterize the clinical presentation of tail wounds in MWDs and to evaluate the effect of PBM as an adjunctive treatment. METHODS:This prospective study included an observational cohort of 21 active MWDs (age 4.1 ± 2.2 years; 95% male; predominantly Belgian Malinois [57%]) with clinically evident tail wounds and a randomized, sham-controlled interventional subset of 16 dogs (PBM n = 8, sham n = 8) that excluded dogs that were not available for the intervention due to activity duties. Dogs received daily PBM or sham treatment for 2 weeks. Wounds were assessed at baseline and 2 weeks of treatment using surface measurements, thermal imaging, and a modified canine Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT). The primary outcome was change in wound area. RESULTS:Tail wounds were predominantly chronic (≥1 month) (76%) and recurrent (62%), with moderate-to-marked bleeding in 53% of cases. Thermal imaging demonstrated higher temperatures in the wound bed compared to surrounding tissue (Δ2.8 ± 0.7 °C, p < 0.001), indicating preserved perfusion. In the randomized cohort, wound area did not significantly change over time (PBM: 0.6 ± 0.4 to 0.7 ± 0.4 cm²; sham: 1.3 ± 1.0 to 1.1 ± 0.7 cm²). In contrast, the surrounding hairless area decreased significantly in both groups without significant between-group difference ( p = 0.077). BWAT scores showed non-significant improvement in both groups. CONCLUSION:PBM, as applied in this protocol, did not improve healing of tail wounds in MWDs. These findings suggest that persistent trauma may limit wound healing despite preserved repair processes.
