The vitreous humor is a biological matrix that has been poorly explored in Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL). Its study represent an alternative approach for investigating Leishmania infantum. This report describes the molecular detection and isolation of L. infantum in the vitreous humor of a dog from an endemic area in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. An adult male dog presented with progressive weight loss, lymphadenomegaly, and signs of bilateral chronic uveitis associated with vision loss. Infection was confirmed by Dual Path Platform (DPP®) and ELISA serological tests. Lymph node and bone marrow samples were collected before euthanasia; spleen, liver, cornea, lens, and vitreous humor samples were collected afterwards. Samples of spleen, liver, lymph node, and ocular tissues were analyzed in parasitological culture. Additionally, real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed on bone marrow and ocular samples, using the canine GAPDH gene as an endogenous quality control. The cornea and lens yielded negative results in both methodologies. qPCR confirmed the presence of L. infantum DNA in the bone marrow and vitreous humor. The isolation and molecular detection of L. infantum in the vitreous humor demonstrate intraocular involvement in CVL and reinforce the parasite’s presence in different tissue compartments. These findings broaden our understanding of the tissue tropism of L. infantum and contribute to knowledge about the parasite’s dissemination in the ocular tissues of naturally infected dogs.
The current worldwide demand for healthier animal-derived foods has led to modifications in ruminant diets aimed at improving product composition, particularly the fatty acid profile. Supplementing dairy cow diets with vegetable oils may be an effective strategy to improve fatty acid composition. This study evaluated the inclusion of two vegetable oils with different fatty acid profiles in a high-quality forage-based diet. Five diets were incubated in a Rusitec system: a basal diet (C) containing alfalfa and a commercial concentrate (65:35, DM basis), and the same diet supplemented with sunflower oil (SF) or soybean oil (SB) to reach 60 g/kg DM (SF60 and SB60) and 75 g/kg DM (SF75 and SB75). After a 5-day adaptation period, fermentation parameters, nutrient degradability, and the ruminal fatty acid profile were evaluated. Oil supplementation did not affect ruminal pH, gas production, total volatile fatty acid concentration, or nutrient degradability. All supplemented treatments increased trans-vaccenic acid (C18:1 t11, TVA) by approximately 42–47% compared with the control diet (0.001P < ). In addition, dietary treatment affected oleic acid (C18:1 c9), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA), with higher oleic acid and MUFA concentrations observed in SF75, SB60, and SB75 than in the control, whereas SFA concentrations were lower in SF75 and SB60. These results indicate that supplementation with sunflower or soybean oil at levels up to 75 g/kg DM does not negatively affect ruminal fermentation or nutrient disappearance in vitro, indicating that both oils are promising dietary strategies for improving the ruminal fatty acid profile.
Acute pancreatitis in dogs is frequently accompanied by severe abdominal pain that may be refractory to conventional systemic analgesia. This report describes the case of an eight-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier with severe acute pancreatitis unresponsive to multimodal therapy with tramadol, dipyrone, and methadone. Due to persistent discomfort, ultrasound-guided bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block was performed using 0.125% bupivacaine (2 mg/kg) combined with dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg), followed by interfascial catheter placement for intermittent administration every 8 hours over three days. Pain was objectively assessed using the Short Form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF). The baseline pain score of 12/24 decreased markedly to 3/24 within the first hour post-procedure and remained consistently below 6/24 throughout hospitalization, eliminating the need for additional opioid rescue doses. The catheter was maintained under a semi-occlusive sterile dressing with no evidence of infection, leakage, or displacement. Continuous TAP block with perineural adjuvant therapy proved to be a feasible and promising multimodal strategy for managing somatic and referred pain in canine pancreatitis, although prospective, controlled clinical trials are required to elucidate its underlying mechanisms and efficacy.
Multiple cartilaginous exostoses (MCE), or osteochondromatosis, is a benign neoplasm characterized by the presence of nodules on the bone surface. In felines, the condition may be associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection and genetic mutations. This study reports the case of a 2-year-old cat diagnosed with MCE. The animal presented with cachexia, hyporexia, dehydration, and increased bone volume in multiple anatomical regions. Radiographic examination revealed proliferative sclerotic lesions, and histopathology confirmed osteochondrogenic proliferation consistent with MCE. Initial treatment included doxycycline and prednisolone. After 30 days, the cat showed clinical improvement; however, the osseous proliferations continued to increase in size. Subsequent radiographic evaluation demonstrated marked lesion progression, accompanied by worsening clinical signs. Due to the extent of the lesions and the unfavorable clinical condition, euthanasia was elected. This report highlights the clinical and imaging features of MCE in a young FeLV-positive cat and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and imaging follow-up in the management of affected patients.
