Oxidative stress may compromise ovarian activity and follicular development in sows. In this study, it was investigated whether sow reproduction could be improved by supplementing the feed with a single dose of a herbal mixture on the day before weaning. Three hundred and three breeding animals on a commercial farm were randomly allocated to either a treatment (T) or a control (C) group. The animals of the T group received 50 g of the product Estral, once orally by top-dressing. The animals were treated in the morning: gilts the day after the last altrenogest treatment and sows the day before weaning. The supplement contained three herbs: vitex (Vitex agnus-castus), sage (Salvia officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Parameters of comparison were related to estrus (weaning-to-estrus interval, percentage of sows showing estrus, estrus duration), gestation (gestation rate, gestation length), and litter performance (number of liveborn and stillborn piglets, litter weight). Most parameters showed no significant differences. Supplemented animals had a shorter gestation period (T: 115.4 versus C: 115.7 days; p < 0.05) and a trend towards a higher gestation rate (T: 97.4% versus C: 93.2% ; p = 0.072). Further research is warranted in farms with lower reproductive performance and/or higher oxidative stress levels.
Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a common endocrine disorder in aged horses, characterized by coat changes, muscle and weight loss, laminitis, and immunosuppression. Insulin dysregulation (ID) frequently co-occurs, and many dietary strategies aim to manage both conditions. Nutritional management, including adjusting forage, restricting non-structural carbohydrates, balancing energy and fiber, forms a cornerstone of care alongside pharmacological treatment. Owners may also use supplements, including medicinal herbs/plants, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, though evidence for efficacy is limited. To investigate management practices, an online survey was conducted among Belgian and Dutch owners, covering dietary adjustments, supplement use, and perceived effects. Of 239 valid respondents, 46% used one or more supplements, most often medicinal herbs/plants or vitamins/minerals. Owners not using pergolide were more likely to give supplements, while no significant association was found between specific supplements and perceived clinical improvement. These results highlight diverse management approaches and the need for further research.
A seven-year-old female spayed crossbreed dog with a history of acute lameness on the left front leg was presented at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Ghent University). An osteosarcoma (OSA) of the humeral diaphysis was diagnosed. The tumor appeared at a site where repeated attempts had previously been made to stabilize a fracture, that had been sustained at a young age. At the time of presentation, no metastases were detected. The dog underwent total limb amputation. Ex vivo tissue samples were collected to contribute to the Living Veterinary Sarcoma Biobank. Postoperatively, the dog received adjuvant chemotherapy (six doses of carboplatin). Ultimately, she was euthanized due to reasons unrelated to cancer almost 18 months after OSA diagnosis and treatment.
