The equine hoof is a specialized component of the locomotor apparatus responsible for load transmission, shock absorption during movement, protection of internal structures, and sensory perception of the ground surface. Proper hoof structure and function are essential for limb biomechanics, health, functional performance, and equine welfare. The aim of this review was to present the current state of knowledge on the structure, biomechanics, and most commonly described abnormalities and diseases of equine hooves, with particular emphasis on the importance of hoof care, trimming, and shoeing. Hoof biomechanics depend on hoof shape, the proportions of individual horn structures, horn quality, and the ability of the hoof capsule to undergo controlled deformation under load. Disturbances in these elements may lead to abnormal force distribution, overloading of internal structures, lameness, and reduced comfort during use. Regular hoof assessment, proper trimming, and, when justified, appropriately selected shoeing are important components of preventing biomechanical disorders and reducing the risk of pathological changes.
This article describes the use of the Transilial Vertebral Blocking (TVBP) procedure in 10 cats with varying degrees of defecation disorders, including difficulty assuming the defecation position, constipation, and, ultimately, the development of megacolon. Clinical signs also included reluctance to engage in physical activity, lameness, difficulty jumping onto elevated surfaces, and behavioral abnormalities. A theoretical Framework is also presented, based on the anatomical aspects of defecation disorders resulting from pathology of the lumbosacral junction. Each patient experienced hypersensitivity and tenderness in the lumbosacral spine. In all patients, dynamic radiographic examination revealed changes in the width of the L7-S junction with a marked narrowing in the hip-extended position. In one patient, static MRI may not detect the dynamic nature of lumbosacralin stability. The clinical condition improved in all patients after surgery. In two patients who experienced small amounts of streaky feces, this tendency remained, but physical activity impairment and difficulty in posturing for defecation improved permanently. All patients experienced sustained and significant improvement after surgery. One patient experienced a complication involving the distal end of the implant from a right iliac wing being dislodged. No postoperative complications were observed in the remaining cats. Practical implications: Transilial Vertebral Blocking Procedure may be a potential alternative requiring further investigation in cats with megacolon syndrome, and can be an effective, minimally invasive solution for the treatment of lumbosacral instability in cats.
The global nitrogen cycle has been significantly disrupted due to anthropogenic activities. The growing demand for food and energy contributes to the increased production of reactive nitrogen through chemical synthesis (the Haber-Bosch process). Negative consequences of intensified agricultural production include the impact of nitrogen compounds on the natural environment and human health. Due to the cascading and cumulative effects of reactive nitrogen compounds, it is essential to understand the processes of nitrogen transformation processes during agricultural production and their influence on the global nitrogen cycle. Agricultural production is inseparably linked with the surrounding ecosystem. While intensification of agricultural production improves profitability, it also leads to greater generation of by-products (manure, slurry) and greenhouse gas emissions. Modern agriculture faces new challenges, including the protection of the natural environment, climate change mitigation, and adaptation to changing environmental and climatic conditions. The agricultural sector, due to international agreements and national legal regulations, is obligated to take action to reduce the excessive and uncontrolled dispersion of biogenic compounds into soil and water. Nutritional strategies applied in livestock production are one of the key elements of environmental protection measures, due to their immediate applicability, positive effects on economic efficiency, and real potential to reduce the dispersion of reactive nitrogen compounds into the environment. The aim of this paper is to present the key aspects linking livestock production with the nitrogen cycle. Rational nitrogen management requires an understanding of the processes nitrogen compounds undergo in the biosphere to effectively manage and mitigate their negative environmental impacts, and to enhance effective collaboration between the scientific community, veterinarians, animal scientists, and agricultural producers.
Jagie & lstrok;a-Wochnik A., & Lstrok;opuszy & nacute;ski W., Wochnik M., Komsta R., Piwowar A., D & eogon;biak P., Twardowski P. Large idiopathic splenic haematoma in a dog - a case report The 10-year-old dog of the Cane Corso Italiano breed was referred for clinical examination due to abdominal distension, weakness, and pale mucous membranes. Laboratory blood tests revealed regenerative anemia. Abdominal ultrasonography identified a large heterogeneous lesion occupying a large part of the abdominal cavity, which exerted a mass effect. The owner consented to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination of the abdomen and thorax. CT scan revealed a heterogeneous, hypodense, well-demarcated mass containing multiple fluid spaces. It was revealed that the mass originated from the spleen and showed no tumor metastases. Based on clinical and imaging examination, a decision was made to perform a midline laparotomy with splenectomy. After splenectomy the spleen, along with a spherical mass was submitted for histopathological examination. No presence of neoplastic cells was noted in any of the samples assessed, which provided the basis for a definitive diagnosis of splenic haematoma (haematoma lienis).
Vascular abnormalities are described in animals, especially portosystemic shunts (PSS), which have been documented to be greater than 0.18%-1% in dogs (14, 36). Portal vein (PV) abnormalities are one of the most important vascular problems, as they have a serious clinical impact on dogs. These include PV anomalies and PV anomalous connections (4). In the first group, the literature describes congenital absence of the PV, PV hypoplasia and primary PV hypoplasia (4). The second includes high flow (hepatic arteriovenous malformation and arterioportal fistulas) and low flow abnormalities – congenital intrahepatic and extrahepatic shunts, acquired PSS, porto-portal collaterals in cases of PV obstruction and cavo-portal collaterals in chronic increased resistance of the caudal vena cava (4). In this paper, the authors discuss low-flow venous abnormalities associated with PV pathology and PV anomalies, which first requires updating the current knowledge.
Sarcocystis spp. are intracellular protozoans that belong to the Apicomplexa phylum and cause sarcocystosis in many animals, especially cattle. This study focuses on a detailed morphometric analysis of sarcocysts found in skeletal and cardiac muscles of cattle examined in three abattoirs in the central part of Northern Algeria. In order to assess the infestation of bovine carcasses with Sarcocystis cysts, 643 muscle samples (diaphragm, oesophagus, and heart) were taken from 269 cattle slaughtered in abattoirs of El Harrach, Eucalyptus (Algiers), and Dra & acirc; Ben Khedda (Tizi Ouzou). A total of 149 carcasses tested positive, representing a prevalence 55.4%. The tissues were examined histologically to characterize the morphology of Sarcocystis species: S. cruzi, S. hirsuta and S. hominis. A total of 746 sarcocysts were identified and measured using an ocular micrometer. For each cyst, length, width and shape index (length/width ratio) were recorded. Morphometric analyses were performed at the level of the cyst. However, as individual cysts could not be linked to specific animals, the results were considered exploratory due to a possible pseudoreplication. Thick-walled cysts (S. hirsuta or S. hominis) ranged from 30 to 95 & micro;m in length (mean f SE: 64.37 f 7.74 & micro;m) and 17.5 to 70 & micro;m in width (41.25 f 6.61 & micro;m), with a shape index between 1.22 and 2.86 (1.70 f 0.19). Thin-walled cysts, typical of S. cruzi, measured 12.5 to 675 & micro;m in length (93.70 f 2.58 & micro;m) and 7.5 to 137.5 & micro;m in width (43.69 f 0.69 & micro;m), with a shape index ranging from 0.47 to 20.0 (2.21 +/- 0.58 & micro;m). No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between thickwalled and thin-walled cysts were observed for length, width or shape index. Differences in morphometric parameters were observed between the three organs examined (p < 0.001). Thin-walled cysts showed similar trends across organs (p < 0.001) for the three measurements, whereas no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed for thick-walled cysts. The observed morphological features were consistent with previous reports, supporting the usefulness of morphometric analysis for preliminary species differentiation. Definitive identification, however, requires molecular confirmation. These findings also highlight the potential impact of Sarcocystis infection on animal health and meat quality.
Dorsal metacarpal disease (DMD) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries in young Thoroughbreds. The study tested the hypothesis that high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), used as the sole therapeutic intervention in horses with DMD, reduces the severity of clinical signs such as pain and lameness compared with horses withdrawn from training but not receiving treatment. During the 2023 and 2024 racing seasons, thermographic examinations were conducted to monitor changes in body surface temperature, alongside orthopedic examination and radiographic examination of the third metacarpal bones. 16 horses were diagnosed with DMD. 11 horses from this group underwent a series of laser treatments (HILT-treated group), while 5 horses were included in the control group, which did not receive laser therapy. The treatment protocol consisted of five HILT sessions administered daily, followed by an additional five sessions administered every other day. To assess the effects of HILT, thermographic and orthopedic examinations of both metacarpal bones were conducted before and after each laser therapy session. Furthermore, radiographic examination and blood sample analyses were performed before and after the completion of the treatment sessions. Additionally, the same procedures were carried out in the control group. The results demonstrated a reduction in pain and lameness in horses treated with HILT. These findings suggest that HILT may alleviate clinical signs associated with DMD, although further studies are required to determine its effect on the healing process and treatment duration.
Stress urinary incontinence, defined as involuntary urine leakage during activities that increase intraabdominal pressure, such as physical exertion, sneezing, or coughing, is a significant health problem that negatively impacts quality of life. Physiotherapy is one of the conservative treatments, and particularly noteworthy among the increasingly popular physiotherapy methods in the veterinary field are transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound (TU), and low-level laser therapy (LLLT). These are used alone or in combination. In this study, urinary incontinence was experimentally induced in a total of 28 female Sprague-Dawley rats, and a treatment plan consisting of a combination of TENS, TU, and LLLT was implemented. At the end of treatment, samples of bladder and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) tissues were taken. The findings of this study show that the combined application of TENS, TU and LLLT for treating urinary incontinence in rats contributes to the development of pelvic floor muscles. Therefore, TENS, TU, and LLLT may also be used for treating urinary incontinence by strengthening PFMs.
Bioresorbable stents are an emerging technology in veterinary medicine, with research predominantly focused on dogs and only limited data available for cats and horses. Their application in the respiratory system remains largely experimental, although early canine studies have demonstrated feasibility and shortterm biocompatibility despite reported complications. In the digestive system, particularly in the treatment of esophageal strictures, bioresorbable stents show promising clinical potential in dogs and cats, whereas evidence in horses is still lacking. Cardiovascular applications are also at an early experimental stage, with encouraging short-term results but limited long-term data. Currently, the urinary system represents the most advanced area of application, with studies in dogs and case reports in horses demonstrating favorable outcomes and effective degradation without the need for removal. Overall, further research, including large-scale and long-term studies, is required to optimize materials, confirm safety and efficacy, and expand clinical use across species.
The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of cases of Lyme borreliosis in Bernese Mountain Dogs (BMDs) in Poland. The observations were conducted on 111 Bernese Mountain Dogs with Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies detected in their serum. Clinical symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease were noted in 54 animals (group 1), while the remaining 57 dogs (group 2) were clinically healthy. PCR testing detected the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA parallel in the blood and joint fluid of 4 dogs that showed symptoms of apathy, fever, urination disorders and lameness, in the blood and joint fluid of 25 animals that showed symptoms of apathy, fever and lameness, and in the blood of 2 dogs that showed symptoms of apathy, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. No Borrelia genetic material was found in the blood of any of the dogs showing no clinical symptoms, or in the blood of 23 dogs showing symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease. The presented observations indicate that BMDs can be infected with Borrelia spirochaetes and develop full-blown Lyme disease. Its diagnosis, however, should be supported not only by standard serological testing but also by PCR or Western blot testing. The presence of antibodies reacting with spirochaete antigens in a significant percentage of the BMD population indicates a high risk of overdiagnosing Lyme disease in this breed.
Acrylamide is formed as a result of the Maillard reaction between sugars and proteins at high temperatures during food processing and can impair intestinal permeability. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of exposure to different doses of acrylamide on short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in Wistar rats. Thus, in the present study, animals were divided into 6 groups of 10 animals each. Examination of SCFA levels at the end of the 15th day showed a statistically significant increase in acetate levels in group 5 and a statistically significant decrease in group 6 compared to the control group. In addition, when propionate and therefore total SCFA levels were examined at the end of the 15th day, a significant decrease was observed in group 6 compared to the control group. At the end of the 15th day, isobutyrate, isovalerate, and total branched-chain fatty acid levels were examined, and a statistically significant increase was observed in group 6 compared to the control group. The decrease in acetic and propionic acid levels at the highest doses, and thus in the total SCFA amount, suggests that acrylamide has negative effects on the intestinal microbiota. Thus, it can be stated that high-dose exposure to acrylamide can damage both intestinal tissues and the intestinal barrier, leading to changes in the intestine-associated metabolites.
The dog (Canis familiaris) is the oldest animal domesticated by humans, and its domestication represents a key stage in the history of human–animal relations. Despite many years of archaeological and genetic research, the course of this process remains a subject of scientific debate. The aim of this article is to present the current state of knowledge regarding the domestication of the dog, with particular emphasis on palaeogenomic data and their significance for veterinary science. The oldest archaeological finds interpreted as early dogs, the main models of domestication, the results of ancient DNA analyses, and demographic processes such as genetic bottlenecks are discussed. Particular attention is paid to genomic adaptations of dogs to the human environment and the significance of the canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) as a unique “living record” of early dog populations. The conclusions indicate that the domestication of the dog was a complex, multi-stage process closely linked to the migrations and cultural changes of human populations. The integration of archaeological, genetic and biological data allows for an increasingly accurate reconstruction of the history of the dog’s origins, whilst having significant implications for modern veterinary medicine.
This review describes cancers arising in hormone-dependent organs and endocrine gland cancers induced by increased hormone secretion, with particular emphasis on the role of estrogens (E) in this process. The carcinogenic effects of E are believed to occur via mitogenic and/or genotoxic pathways. Combining both theories leads to the conclusion that E acts as a „Trojan horse,” transferring carcinogenic metabolites to these hormones (Fig. 2). An additional mechanism of estrogen-induced carcinogenesis is epigenetics, in which genes involved in tumor suppression are silenced and disabled through methylation. The role of „c-onc” oncogenes, mutations, and endogenous carcinogenic reactions leading to carcinogenesis in various organs is also discussed. Mutations in genes responsible for carcinogenesis, caused by increased hormone levels (E, P, FSH, LH), may be responsible for an increased risk of developing cancer in the breast, endometrium, ovary, prostate, or thyroid gland. Similarly, the role of hormones in the transformation of proto-oncogenes into carcinogenic oncogenes is evident in many cancers. Thus, cancers arise as a result of genetic and epigenetic changes within tumor suppressor genes, proto-oncogenes, and „caretaker” genes, such as BRCA1 and hMLH2. Despite morphological changes in cells affected by neoplastic transformation, their ability to recognize hormonal signals is not inhibited, a feature that is exploited in oncotherapy. In addition, the role of surrogate tests of blood and other body fluids as material for molecular diagnosis of cancer, e.g. efDNA, mtDNA, eccDNA, Evs-DNA, miRNA without disturbing the tumor – so-called liquid biopsy – has been described.
The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily discovered in 1953 by Alfred Jost. The AMH is a 140 kDa dimetric glycoprotein, corresponding to 553-575 amino acids. The AMH protein is encoded by the AMH gene located in chromosome 7 in cattle, horses and goats, chromosome 5 in sheep and chromosome 2 in pig. The action of AMH is carried out through two receptors, AMH receptor type I (AMHR1) and AMH receptor type II (AMHR2). In males, the AMH is secreted by Sertoli cells in testes and plays a fundamental role in the regression of Müllerian ducts in male embryo. In its absence Müllerian ducts develop into female inner reproductive organs. In females the AMH is produced by the granulosa cells of growing follicles and is supposed to be involved in oocyte maturation and follicle development. In the last decade, AMH has been the subject of great interest in veterinary medicine as a potential diagnostic tool in animal reproduction. The purpose of this review paper is to provide an overview of the research on the use of AMH in domestic animal reproduction.
Honey bee welfare is an emerging concept situated at the interface of veterinary science, apiculture, animal welfare science and environmental policy. The aim of this review was to discuss the legal status of the honey bee in Poland and the European Union, analyze the applicability of the Five Freedoms concept to honey bee colonies, and critically review the literature supplied for this study. Under the current legal framework, honey bees are not clearly protected by the general animal welfare provisions that apply to vertebrates or to farmed animals under Directive 98/58/EC, yet they are strongly present in animal health, biosecurity and disease-control regulations. The reviewed literature shows that honey bee welfare should be understood both at the individual and superorganism level and is shaped by multiple interacting factors, including queen quality, parasites and pathogens, nutrition, pesticide exposure, thermal conditions, migratory management and beekeeper practices. Contemporary approaches increasingly move beyond a purely productive or disease-centered perspective toward welfare-oriented frameworks such as the Five Domains model and One Welfare. In practice, safeguarding honey bee welfare requires biologically appropriate management, improvement of forage resources, disease prevention, careful monitoring and legal recognition of the species-specific needs of managed bees.
The shape index (SI) is an indicator that quantifies egg shape and is associated with quality/hatching outcomes. However, direct measurement of SI in the field requires time and labor. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a probability-calibrated, two-threshold rejection option policy that can distinguish SI outliers (LOW/HIGH) in quail eggs using only weight and shell color, without measurement. In a dataset of 1,031 eggs (color: brown 61.9%, grayish white 38.1%), SI extremes were defined empirically (Q(0.25) approximate to 67.20, Q(0.72) approximate to 76.20). A classifier based on Hist Gradient Boosting was built using weight + color inputs. The probabilities obtained in the out-of-fold (OOF) scheme were corrected by sigmoid calibration. Two probability thresholds p(lo), p(hi) were selected on the OOF distribution through a coverage-targeted search, and the final model was refined in two phases by "snapping" to the model's discrete probability support points. The final policy produced approximately 61.4% coverage within the extreme tails with p(lo) approximate to 0.527 and p(hi) approximate to 0.761, while the accepted subset provided balanced accuracy (BA) approximate to 0.72 (95% CI [0.67 - 0.77]). The proportion of outliers in the entire data was 53.1%, and the expected overall automation (acceptance & times; outlier rate) was calculated to be approximate to 32.6%. The reject region made the risk-coverage balance controllable by directing uncertain samples to measurement. Calibrated probabilities, OOF threshold setting, and a two-threshold rejection policy can reliably identify SI outliers based solely on two observable phenotypes. This approach provides a scalable pre-screening layer that reduces measurement burden in incubation and quality control lines. It can be further enhanced in the future with microstructure and line/age-stratified designs.
