The drivers causing spillovers of zoonotic diseases in Africa are multifaceted and include cultural and traditional wildlife practices, illegal trade channels, environmental factors driven by climate change, and human migration. These drivers have been assessed separately in various reviews, and no synthesis has integrated all four within a unified multistage zoonotic spillover framework in Southern Africa, West, and Central Africa. This narrative review explores how cultural practices, the trading of wildlife, climatic changes, and forced human migration contribute to the zoonotic spillover risks. The literature search was conducted with PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases between the years 1990 and 2026 using a structured search strategy. Bushmeat consumption, zootherapeutic practices, and wildlife trade create direct and sustained wildlife-human contact pathways, with zootherapeutic handling chains being the most poorly monitored exposure pathway. Climate-induced range shifts and habitat loss are increasing reservoir host distribution into human-adjacent environments, and climate-induced migration is moving reservoir populations to new areas without known exposure norms. Collectively, this evidence suggests that these drivers do not work in isolation at their intersections, creating compounding risks that cannot be solved by a single-domain intervention. We present this as an interpretive synthesis of the evidence reviewed, not a directly tested findings. Three documented areas highlight the need for strengthening the current implementation of One Health: enforcement measures that push trade into clandestine channels, underfunded wildlife surveillance, and the lack of community knowledge systems in the approach to designing surveillance. Women in urban bushmeat retail, a structurally high-exposure population, remain absent from formal serological surveillance programs. On the basis of these documented gaps, the review recommends redesigning surveillance for the prevention of zoonotic spillover, including sentinel systems in Sahelian and forest-margin areas linked to climate. Structural One Health governance reform will also be needed to implement these priorities, namely, incorporating community knowledge systems, climate, and migration data into national surveillance systems.
IntroductionEnhancing the efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production (IVEP) requires continuous optimization of culture microenvironments. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) remains the standard biological supplement but introduces issues related to batch variability and compromised embryonic ultrastructure. Consequently, identifying alternative, standardized biological supplements is essential to enhance developmental competence.MethodsThis study evaluated the effects of supplementing in vitro culture (IVC) medium with 5% platelet lysate (PL), derived from the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) of a single heifer selected during spontaneous estrus, on bovine blastocyst development and hatching rates. A total of 78 ovaries from 39 high-yielding Holstein cows were opportunistically collected from a local abattoir across 5 independent IVEP sessions. To eliminate donor-specific confounding bias, retrieved cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were completely pooled within each session prior to morphological grading and random distribution into either the PL-supplemented group or the IVC Control group (C-group). Across the 5 replicates, a cumulative total of 632 follicles were aspirated (mean: 126.4 ± 8.14 per session), yielding 550 recovered COCs (mean: 110 ± 6.91 per session) and achieving a mean recovery rate of 86.53 ± 3.56%.ResultsUsing the independent session as the experimental unit (n = 5; paired analysis), 5% PL supplementation significantly increased the proportion of hatched blastocysts on Day 8 of culture (40.33 ± 3.54% vs. 16.71 ± 1.27% in the C-group; p = 0.007), indicating accelerated hatching kinetics. The cumulative blastocyst yield on Day 8 (expanded plus hatched blastocysts relative to the allocated COCs) was numerically higher in the PL-group (42.75 ± 4.00% vs. 28.28 ± 1.97%) but only approached statistical significance (p = 0.06). Cleavage and morula formation rates, together with all expanded-blastocyst rates, were comparable between the two groups.DiscussionSupplementing bovine embryo culture medium with 5% PL derived from an estrus heifer significantly increases blastocyst hatching on Day 8, with a positive but non-significant trend for the overall blastocyst yield. These findings highlight the efficacy of estrus-specific platelet-derived factors as a viable alternative to standard biological supplements for optimizing IVEP outcomes in cattle.
IntroductionFamotidine and omeprazole are widely used for the treatment of acid-related disorders in racehorses, and their combined administration is expected to provide complementary therapeutic effects due to their distinct mechanisms of action. However, their markedly different physicochemical properties present substantial challenges for simultaneous quantification in biological matrices. This study aimed to develop and validate complementary analytical strategies for the simultaneous determination of famotidine and omeprazole in equine plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS).MethodsDual-platform analytical methods were developed, with sample preparation conditions tailored to the physicochemical properties of each compound. For HPLC analysis, the effects of sample preparation conditions on the chromatographic behavior and linearity of famotidine and omeprazole were evaluated. For UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, a pH-neutral sample preparation strategy was established to preserve the stability of acid-labile omeprazole. The developed methods were validated according to relevant analytical validation parameters and subsequently applied to equine plasma samples collected following drug administration for pharmacokinetic evaluation.ResultsIn HPLC analysis, famotidine exhibited pH-dependent peak splitting associated with changes in its ionization state, which was resolved by acidifying the sample preparation solvent. Omeprazole showed limited solubility in aqueous environments, resulting in nonlinearity at higher concentrations; this was overcome by acidifying the plasma matrix, enabling quantification over 100-5,000 μg/mL. Although the HPLC method effectively characterized the analytical behavior of both compounds, its sensitivity was insufficient for trace-level pharmacokinetic analysis. Therefore, a UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed using pH-neutral sample preparation, enabling the simultaneous determination of omeprazole and its metabolite, omeprazole sulfone. The UHPLC-MS/MS method achieved an LLOQ of 50 ng/mL, representing an approximately 2,000-fold improvement in analytical sensitivity compared with HPLC. The developed methods demonstrated acceptable validation performance and were successfully applied to equine plasma samples, enabling the determination of concentration-time profiles and key pharmacokinetic parameters.DiscussionThe findings demonstrate that differences in the physicochemical properties and stability of famotidine and omeprazole require platform-specific sample preparation strategies for reliable simultaneous quantification. The complementary use of HPLC and UHPLC-MS/MS provided both characterization of compound-specific analytical behavior and sensitive quantification of trace drug concentrations in equine plasma. This analytical framework may support pharmacokinetic studies of famotidine and omeprazole in equine models.
BackgroundDystocia is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of equine parturition. Due to early separation of the chorioallantois during the expulsive stage, fetal oxygen supply rapidly becomes compromised, making dystocia a time-critical emergency for both mare and foal. Objectives: To describe obstetrical interventions performed at equine referral hospitals, evaluate mare and foal survival, and identify factors associated with survival outcomes in a Swedish population where geographic distances may influence access to specialized veterinary care.MethodsMedical records from three equine referral hospitals in central Sweden were reviewed for dystocia cases presented between January 2006 and December 2022. Data collected included dystocia causes, obstetrical interventions, dystocia duration, prior veterinary intervention, and survival outcomes for mares and foals.ResultsA total of 138 dystocia cases were included. Fetal causes of dystocia predominated (114/138), with malposition being most common (106/138). Controlled vaginal delivery was the most frequently performed intervention (33.3%, 46/138). Of 140 foals delivered, 17.1% were born alive and 12.1% survived hospital discharge. Foal survival was not different among delivery methods (p = 0.145). However, survival was significantly associated with shorter dystocia duration (p < 0.01) and was higher when no obstetrical intervention had been attempted prior to referral (p = 0.0436). Among mares, 23.2% did not survive to hospital discharge, most commonly due to endotoxemia or sepsis.ConclusionDuration of dystocia prior to hospital admission was a key factor associated with neonatal survival, highlighting the importance of early recognition of dystocia, close monitoring of mares approaching foaling, and prompt referral to specialized equine hospitals.
IntroductionTransforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) has been implicated for its role in fibrosis and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in both humans and rodents. Additionally, CKD is a common and progressive condition in canines, with striking pathological similarities to human disease. However, targeted therapies addressing fibrogenic mediators in dogs remain underexplored.MethodsWe investigated the role of all three TGF-β isoforms (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) in CKD and renal fibrosis with in vitro model systems using human and canine primary renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. The studies assessed the induction of the canonical TGF-β pathway and the ability of a novel canine anti-TGF-β monoclonal antibody, cirevetmab, to neutralize these effects. All three TGF-β isoforms induced phosphorylation of SMAD3 (homologs of Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic and C. elegans SMA proteins), nuclear translocation, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA).ResultsTreatment with cirevetmab led to robust neutralization of TGF-β1-induced SMAD phosphorylation and fibrotic marker changes. Notably, although cirevetmab exerted modest neutralization of TGF-β3-induced SMAD phosphorylation, this was not associated with a significant change in TGF-β3-induced fibrotic markers. Conversely, no neutralization of TGF-β2-induced activity was observed with cirevetmab.DiscussionOur results demonstrate that cirevetmab selectively neutralizes TGF-β1 and, to a lesser extent, TGF-β3-induced SMAD phosphorylation in vitro, while only significantly neutralizing TGF-β1-induced fibrotic markers in renal proximal tubule cells.
IntroductionSoft-shelled eggs are a major eggshell defect in poultry production, yet the underlying mechanisms of their formation remain unclear. The objective of this study was to characterize biological changes associated with soft-shelled egg formation in laying hens by integrating quantitative proteomics and untargeted metabolomics analyses of uterine fluid (UF), combined with morphological and physiological assessments.MethodsNormal-shelled egg-producing hens (NE) and soft-shelled or shell-less egg-producing hens (SE) were selected from Langshan laying hens maintained under the same feeding and management conditions. Egg quality traits, serum biochemical indicators, duodenal and uterine morphology, TMT-based proteomics, and LC–MS-based untargeted metabolomics of UF were analyzed.ResultsCompared with the NE group, the SE group exhibited significantly reduced eggshell thickness and disrupted eggshell ultrastructure (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected in the measured serum calcium-related indicators or duodenal morphology between the two groups (p > 0.05). In contrast, the NE group showed significantly greater endometrial villus length, uterine mucosal fold height, and mucosal fold area than the SE group (p < 0.05). Proteomic and metabolomic analyses revealed changes in UF protein and metabolite profiles, and the differential proteins and metabolites were mainly enriched in pathways related to amino acid metabolism and mitochondrial energy metabolism, including aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and L-cysteine-related metabolism.ConclusionSoft-shelled egg formation in laying hens was associated with compromised uterine morphology and changes in the UF metabolic microenvironment. These findings provide insight into uterine fluid protein and metabolite profiles related to eggshell defects and identify candidate pathways for future validation.
Salmonella remains an important pathogen in swine production due to its impact on animal health and its role in foodborne illnesses. However, routine surveillance in pigs relies largely on fecal sampling, which can be labor-intensive and difficult to scale across large production systems. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel approach for monitoring Salmonella in finisher pigs using oral fluids in combination with sequential enrichment, culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A cross-sectional study was conducted at three commercial finisher sites in Iowa between February and May 2025, where paired oral fluid and pooled fecal samples were collected from 51 pens. The samples were processed using sequential enrichment followed by bacteriological culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction to detect and characterize Salmonella. Direct PCR testing of raw samples did not detect Salmonella in either sample type. However, tests performed after enrichment successfully detected the pathogen in both samples, demonstrating the importance of enrichment for molecular detection in oral fluids. The culture of enriched oral fluids yielded viable isolates suitable for serotyping, and molecular testing enabled the rapid identification of the two serotypes most relevant to swine and public health (Typhimurium and I 4,[5],12:i:-). Salmonella was detected in 86.3% of the pens using at least one method, and oral fluids demonstrated diagnostic performance comparable to pooled fecal samples. These findings establish that oral fluids, when combined with sequential enrichment, are a practical and scalable sample type for monitoring Salmonella in finisher pigs.
Cutaneous manifestations of feline leishmaniosis may occur at anatomical sites commonly affected by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), creating potential diagnostic overlap. Although concurrent Leishmania infection and SCC have been described in individual cats, the presence of parasite DNA in feline SCC tissue has not been systematically investigated. This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 219 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded feline SCC samples submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Portugal between 2020 and 2023. Samples were screened using a Leishmania-genus-specific nested PCR targeting SSU rDNA. PCR-positive cases were subsequently analyzed at four additional loci (cytB, g6pdh, hsp70, and ITS rDNA) and reassessed histopathologically. Leishmania spp. SSU rDNA was detected in 3/219 samples (1.4%; 95% CI: 0.5–3.9%), corresponding to SCC lesions on the pinna, nasal planum, and eyelid. Molecular characterization was possible in one case, involving an SCC of the nasal planum. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the hsp70 sequence clustered with reference sequences of L. infantum, whereas the cytB sequence grouped within the L. donovani complex without species-level resolution. In the same lesion, structures morphologically compatible with amastigotes were observed within macrophages in the tumor-associated inflammatory infiltrate. Overall, Leishmania DNA was detected in only a small proportion of feline SCCs, and the findings support coexistence rather than an association between infection and tumor development. These findings have direct diagnostic relevance in endemic areas, where histopathologic confirmation of SCC should not preclude investigation for concurrent Leishmania infection when clinical or epidemiologic suspicion persists.
IntroductionThe objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy at 3 months of intravenous (IV) allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UMSCs) for osteoarthritis (OA) in client-owned cats.MethodsThis was a randomized, masked, placebo-controlled pilot study conducted across six veterinary clinics. Thirty-five client-owned cats with naturally occurring OA were randomly assigned to receive two intravenous injections, given 14 days apart, of one of three treatments: 5 million (5M) UMSCs, 20 million (20M) UMSCs, or saline placebo. Client-Specific Outcome Measures (CSOM), Owner Overall Assessment (OOA), Veterinarian Overall Assessment (VOA) and Veterinarian Pain Assessment (VPA) were recorded at day 0, 14, 30, 60 and 90.ResultsAt day 90, predefined treatment success was achieved in: CSOM and OOA for 7/9(78%) 5M UMSC and 10/12(83%) 20M UMSC treated cats compared to 4/11(36.4%) placebo-treated cats for both outcomes; VOA for 4/8(50%) 5M UMSC and 8/12(67%) 20M UMSC treated cats compared to 2/10(20%) placebo-treated cats; and VPA for 6/8(75%) 5M UMSC and 10/12(83%) 20M UMSC treated cats compared to 5/11(45%) placebo-treated cats. Treatment-related adverse events were observed in 1/10 (10%) 5M UMSC treated cats, 5/13 (38%) 20M UMSC treated cats, and 2/12 (16.7%) saline treated cats. The most common treatment related events reported in the first 24 hours were transient vomiting or nausea, weakness, lethargy, hypersalivation, tachypnea and malodorous breath.DiscussionThis study demonstrated that IV administration of allogeneic UMSCs was well tolerated and showed improvement in owner and veterinarian outcomes at both 5M UMSC and 20M UMSC dosing to at least 3 months in cats with naturally occurring OA. Intravenous MSC therapy shows promise for cats with OA and warrants further exploration.
Swimmer puppy syndrome (SPS) is a rare developmental condition of unknown etiology. The syndrome is characterized by a puppy’s inability to adduct the limbs, resulting in lateral limb abduction and an inability to stand or walk. In this case, an almost 4-week-old female Golden Retriever presented for early physiotherapeutic evaluation. Adduction tapes were applied to the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Additionally, the treatment area was covered with a non-slip rubber mat. Further physiotherapeutic interventions were implemented. Intensive care was discontinued after 10 days. At the 16-month follow-up, the dog showed no clinically apparent gait abnormalities and had made a good functional recovery. Early recognition and conservative management, including physiotherapeutic intervention with simple mechanical support through loose-loop taping and environmental modifications, can result in rapid functional recovery in puppies with swimmer puppy syndrome.
BackgroundElbow dysplasia is a leading cause of forelimb lameness in medium- to large-breed dogs, and computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for assessment of the medial coronoid process. Image quality depends on patient positioning and tube current, but their effects have not been systematically compared.AimsTo compare the image quality of two canine elbow CT positioning protocols (dorsal recumbency: head in neutral position, both elbows scanned together vs. lateral recumbency: head/neck flexed caudally, elbows scanned separately), and to evaluate the influence of tube current and its interaction with these protocols.MethodsProspective experimental cadaver study on twenty canine cadavers (40 elbows). All cadavers were scanned in both positions at 150 mA; a subgroup of eight was additionally scanned at 300 mA. Quantitative outcomes were signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios in bone- and soft-tissue-kernels. Qualitative outcomes, assessed by three observers, were paired-preference reads of four criteria: bone conspicuity, soft-tissue conspicuity, and artifacts in bone- and soft-tissue window. Inter- and intra-observer agreement were quantified for the bone conspicuity criterion.ResultsLateral recumbency produced significantly higher signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios than dorsal recumbency for all four outcomes (all p < 0.001 at 150 mA). Doubling the tube current from 150 to 300 mA did not produce a statistically significant within-recumbency improvement (all p≥ 0.058). Lateral recumbency at 150 mA remained superior to dorsal at 300 mA on all four outcomes (p = 0.002 to 0.013). Qualitatively, observers almost unanimously preferred lateral recumbency for the artifact criteria and for soft-tissue conspicuity (99–100% lateral). For bone conspicuity, 31% of paired comparisons were ties; lateral was preferred in 60.6% of non-tie ratings (p = 0.008).ConclusionLateral recumbency, scanning the elbows separately with head and neck flexed caudally, provides superior objective image quality, and increased tube current does not compensate for suboptimal positioning. The observer-perceived advantage for bone conspicuity was inconsistent. For routine orthopedic CT focused on the medial coronoid process, dorsal recumbency remains a reasonable choice; lateral recumbency should be preferred when artifact reduction or soft-tissue evaluation is clinically important.
IntroductionApolipoprotein E (ApoE), secreted by astrocytes and microglia after neuronal injury, is involved in neuronal regeneration and modulation of inflammatory processes. Inverse associations between ApoE and the proinflammatory mediator C-reactive protein (CRP) are described in mice, but knowledge in dogs is limited.MethodsThis study investigated ApoE levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 141 dogs with central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including idiopathic epilepsy (n = 40), intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH, n = 40), meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO, n = 30), degenerative myelopathy (n = 31), and 10 healthy controls. ApoE concentrations were measured by ELISA. CRP levels in CSF and paired serum samples were determined by immunoassay. Correlations between ApoE, clinical parameters and CRP were evaluated. We hypothesized elevated CSF ApoE in acute CNS diseases and low or undetectable levels in chronic conditions and a negative correlation between ApoE and CRP.ResultsApoE was detected in 66/151 cases, of which 20 showed quantifiable levels, exclusively in diseased dogs. While dogs with peracute IVDH or high seizure frequency were significantly associated with detected ApoE, MUO cases with multiple lesions only had a trend for measurable ApoE levels. Contrary to our hypothesis, a significant positive correlation between ApoE and CRP in CSF was found, suggesting a potential modulatory role of ApoE in neuroinflammation.DiscussionIn conclusion, ApoE may play a role particularly during peracute and acute disease stages, while low CSF ApoE may reflect regenerative processes in affected neuronal tissue.
A 3.5-year-old, 5.2-kg mixed-breed dog was presented with persistent stranguria after being neutered due to dystocia 6 months ago. Plain abdominal radiographs revealed an intrapelvic soft-tissue attenuating mass that displaced the urinary bladder cranially and constricted the descending colon. Abdominal ultrasonography yielded inconclusive results. Computed tomography revealed the mass as a tubular, hypodense structure compressing the urethra and the descending colon. This finding was defined as hydrocolpos induced by an imperforate hymen, segmental vaginal aplasia, or a vestibulovaginal disorder. Vaginoscopy revealed vaginal atresia and a stem-shaped mass obscuring the ostium urethrae externum. Retrograde cystography showed a significantly dilated urethra behind the obscured ostium urethrae externum. A pedunculated mass (polyp) was suspected to hinder the urinary outflow. A minimal invasive resection of the polyp and widening of the urethra were performed. Normal micturition was observed for 2 months. In the 9th week, the patient returned with tenesmus. An invasive procedure involving episiotomy, evacuation of the hydrocolpos, and creation of a stoma between the mucous membrane of the hydrocolpos and the vaginal mucosa led to permanent resolution of the clinical signs. Only a few case reports exist regarding congenital hydrocolpos. As the history indicates, a traumatic origin is considered likely; therefore, we assume that this is the first case report of secondary, trauma-induced vaginal atresia, and the resulting hydrocolpos.
Static posturography is widely used to assess postural stability in dogs. Considerable methodological variation exists regarding whether center of pressure (COP) parameters are derived from whole-body, forelimb-, or hindlimb-based measurements and whether values are expressed as absolute or base of support (BOS)-normalised parameters. The aims were to examine the associations between whole-body, forelimb-, and hindlimb-based COP measurements in standing dogs and to evaluate the effect of BOS normalisation on agreement between these measurement approaches. Static posturography was performed in clinically healthy adult dogs using a pressure measurement plate. Craniocaudal displacement, mediolateral displacement, support surface, statokinesiogram length, and average speed were analysed using whole-body, forelimb-, and hindlimb-based COP calculations and BOS-normalised parameters. Associations between measurement approaches were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients, while agreement was evaluated using Bland–Altman analyses. Positive correlations were observed between measurement approaches, although their strength and significance varied among COP parameters. Mediolateral displacement demonstrated stronger associations between measurement approaches than craniocaudal displacement, while statokinesiogram length, average speed, and support surface showed moderate to strong correlations across most comparisons. However, Bland–Altman analyses revealed systematic differences and, for several parameters, magnitude-dependent patterns, indicating limited agreement despite significant correlations. BOS normalisation altered the magnitude of several COP parameters but did not consistently improve agreement or eliminate systematic differences between measurement approaches. These findings demonstrate that whole-body, forelimb-, and hindlimb-based COP measurements quantify related but not interchangeable aspects of postural stability. Consequently, measurement approach should be considered when interpreting stabilographic outcomes and comparing results across studies.
Non-contact temperature assessment is highly valuable for screening animal populations, but its performance can be influenced by various external and biological variables. This study aimed to quantify the association between eye temperature (ET) and rectal temperature (RT) in dogs, and to identify physiological and environmental factors associated with these readings. Field study: ET was obtained with a thermal camera up to 3 times per visit (~10-min intervals), followed by RT measurement. Eye temperature was defined as the highest temperature recorded from either eye. A linear mixed-effects model evaluated ET in relation to capture time (1–3), RT, age, sex, body size, coat length, ambient temperature, and relative humidity. Device temporal stability assessment: To account for potential camera drift observed in our previous research, temperature at a fixed target inside an insulated box was recorded every 5 min for 1 h and analyzed with repeated-measures mixed model regression. Results. We analyzed 129 observations from 78 dogs. In the final ET model, both RT (β = 0.77 °C; 95% C.I. 0.512–1.019 °C) and humidity (β = 0.01 °C; 95% C.I. 0.002–0.013 °C) were positively and significantly associated with ET. The device stability assessment demonstrated no significant time-related measurement drift. Overall, ET was associated with RT but was not interchangeable and ET was slightly affected by environmental humidity. These results support further investigation of using ET as a rapid, noncontact temperature monitoring procedure.
IntroductionEnvironmental stressors in animal shelters may lead to development of excessive arousal, posing risks to adoptability and behavioral euthanasia. Recommendations regarding excessive arousal in shelter dogs include providing pharmaceuticals and enrichment.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the influence of enrichment and pharmaceutical interventions on shelter dogs (N = 50) displaying excessive arousal from a municipal animal shelter in Texas, United States. Data were collected during 1 week of baseline conditions (days 1–7) and 1 week of treatment (days 8–14). Dogs were randomly assigned to a treatment group: (1) baseline (5-min walk, 2x/day), (2) calm enrichment (15-min walks 2x/day,15-min human-animal interaction), (3) active enrichment (15-min play 2x/day, 15-min human-animal interaction), (4) pharmaceutical (20 mg/kg gabapentin, 6 mg/kg trazodone, 5-min walk 2x/day), and (5) pharmaceutical and calm enrichment (20 mg/kg gabapentin, 6 mg/kg trazodone, 15-min walk 2x/day, 15-min human-animal interaction). Arousal scores (0 = no arousal, 4 = extreme arousal) and ease of transition out of kennel scores (0 = no difficulty, 4 = extreme difficulty) were assigned. Behaviors were assessed before, during, and after enrichment provision. All assessments occurred on days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14.ResultsDuring post-enrichment, the baseline group had higher arousal scores compared to active enrichment (p = 0.041), pharmaceutical (p = 0.001), and pharmaceutical and calm enrichment (p < 0.001) groups. Arousal scores were lower day 10 (p < 0.001) and day 14 (p = 0.003; vs. day 1). The pharmaceutical and calm enrichment group exhibited had less lip licking (p = 0.004), panting (p = 0.032), vocalizations (p = 0.003), and jumping (p < 0.001) compared to all treatments. The pharmaceutical group (vs. baseline) had less jumping (p < 0.001) and more body shaking (p = 0.003). Post-enrichment (vs. pre-enrichment) observations had less paw lifting (p < 0.001), yawning (p = 0.011), vocalizations (p < 0.001), and more lip licking (p < 0.001), environmental scanning (p = 0.002) and panting (p = 0.002). Dogs in kennels near exits had less paw lifting (p = 0.013) compared to dogs housed in between high arousal dogs. Longer stays were associated with more alert behavior (p = 0.001) and less environmental scanning (p = 0.04), lip licking (p = 0.013), and vocalizing (p = 0.029).DiscussionResults suggest enrichment and pharmaceutical interventions may reduce excessive arousal in shelter dogs and can be used to inform shelter intervention protocols aimed at promoting welfare and adoptability.
Accurate recognition of pig behavior plays a critical role in enhancing animal welfare and management efficiency for precision livestock farming. Nevertheless, existing methods are commonly limited by rigid feature fusion strategies, insufficient preservation of spatial details, and weak interactions across hierarchical features, which severely compromise recognition performance in complex farm scenarios. To address these challenges, we present a novel deep learning architecture termed MMBs_TransNeXt for pig behavior recognition. This model establishes a unified, hierarchical and adaptive feature learning framework. It employs Multi-stage Adaptive Feature Fusion (MAFF) to adaptively integrate semantic and fine-grained information across different network stages. It enhances the representation of subtle behavioral traits through Multi-scale Detail Fusion Convolution (MDFC). Meanwhile, it facilitates effective information communication and interaction among multi-level features via Bidirectional Modulation Feature Fusion (BMFF). Extensive experiments on a real-world pig behavior dataset validate that MMBs_TransNeXt attains state-of-the-art performance with 95.77% accuracy, substantially outperforming representative CNN and Transformer baselines. This work offers a robust technical foundation for intelligent visual monitoring and welfare evaluation in modern precision pig farming systems.
IntroductionEpilepsy is a common neurological disorder in dogs. Autonomic manifestations are commonly recognised but poorly reported in veterinary literature. This study aimed to determine owner reported prevalence and course of autonomic signs in epileptic dogs.MethodsA survey for owners of dogs with epilepsy created with Qualtrics was circulated on Facebook between March 2025 and August 2025.ResultsThere were 1,154 responses, with 704 included in statistical analysis. The overall frequency of autonomic signs was 697/704 dogs (99.0%). When analysed by body system, gastrointestinal signs [96.9% (682/704)], and urogenital signs [91.1% (641/704)] were most common. Individually, commonly reported signs included ptyalism [87.6% (617/704)], urination [79.1% (556/703)], polydipsia [78.4% (551/703)], mydriasis [71.8% (505/703)], and owner-reported appetite changes [73.9% (520/704)]; the latter could not be confidently attributed to seizure-associated autonomic dysfunction. The least prevalent were priapism [14.6% (66/452)], apnoea [16.7% (117/701)], anisocoria [18.8% (132/702)], cyanosis [20.5% (144/702)], and abdominal pain [21.3% (150/703)]. Antiseizure drugs, defined as any medications used for epileptic seizure control for both acute and maintenance management, were significantly associated with increased prevalence of several autonomic signs. Additionally, mean course of progression (deterioration) rate (3.6%) was significantly higher than mean course of regression (improvement) rate (2.9%; p < 0.001). When analysed by body system, overall regression was most common for gastrointestinal [11.2% (79/704)] and urogenital [8.8% (62/704)] autonomic signs, and overall progression was most common for gastrointestinal [15.9% (112/704)] and cardiorespiratory [15.8% (111/704)] autonomic signs.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that autonomic signs are ubiquitous in epileptic dogs, progression of autonomic signs is uncommon, and progression occurs more often than regression. The prevalence of autonomic signs in epileptic dogs appears to be significantly higher than previously reported. Additionally, changes in the course of autonomic signs indicate the need to monitor autonomic activity in individuals managed for epilepsy, due to the potential impact on quality of life (QoL).
IntroductionNewcastle Disease Virus (NDV) is not only a significant and persistent threat to the healthy development of poultry industry, but also an important pathogen endangering food safety and harboring potential zoonotic risks.MethodsIn this study, a rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic assay was established for genotype VII NDV by integrating reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) with the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas13a system, in combination with a lateral flow dipstick (LFD) for visual signal readout. Specific RT-RPA primers were designed based on the fusion (F) gene of genotype VII NDV, and CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) were constructed to establish a simplified CRISPR/Cas13a-based diagnostic workflow targeting the fusion (F) gene of genotype VII NDV.ResultsThe optimized detection platform integrates RT-RPA amplification at 39 °C for 20 min and CRISPR/Cas13a-mediated cleavage at 37 °C for 20 min. The final results can be quantified by fluorescence signals or visualized via LFD band within 5 min, with the total detection procedure completed in less than 45 min. Performance evaluation demonstrated that this assay achieved a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 6 copies per microliter of input and high specificity, with no cross-reactivity against other common avian pathogens. Clinical validation of 154 samples showed 100% concordance between the RT-RPA-CRISPR/Cas13a-(LFD) assay and RT-PCR sequencing for genotype VII NDV detection.DiscussionThis method requires no sophisticated instruments and enables simple operation. It provides a field-deployable tool for rapid on-site detection of genotype VII NDV, which is suitable for preliminary screening in primary laboratories, and holds promising application potential for the early surveillance and food safety monitoring of virulent NDV strains.
IntroductionPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an economically devastating viral infection in pigs that results in estimated losses of $1.2 billion annually. Control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has been challenging due to the weak and delayed development of adaptive immunity to the virus. This has been partially attributed to the low induction of host interferon (IFN). IFNs are cytokines that induce an antiviral state in target cells and promote the development of the adaptive immune response to the virus. The use of exogenous IFNs are of interest in the control of PRRSV in the swine industry.MethodsThe efficacy of porcine IFN-alpha (pIFNα) and porcine IFN-lambda (pIFNλ) at inhibiting PRRSV replication in porcine alveolar macrophages in vitro using a genotypically diverse subset of PRRSV isolates. Additionally, because the utility of many cytokine products in vivo is limited by half-life and dosing interval, PEGylated constructs of pIFNα were assessed for their capacity to inhibit PRRSV replication.ResultsPorcine IFNα more efficiently inhibited PRRSV replication and induced greater transcription of IFN-stimulated genes than pIFNλ; however, the efficacy of PRRSV inhibition was strain dependent. PEGylated pIFNα also reduced PRRSV replication in pretreated cells; however, the efficiency of inhibition was reduced compared to wild type pIFNα.DiscussionPorcine IFNα was shown to be more capable of inhibiting PRRSV replication; however, some strains have reduced susceptibility to pIFN treatment. This work indicates PEGylated pIFNα retains functional activity and has potential as a biotherapeutic product to control PRRSV replication in pigs.
