IntroductionThe microarchitectural structure of the cervical spine in small animals, particularly the cranial cervical spine, has received little attention to date. This study aimed to analyze the trabecular and cortical microarchitecture of the first four cervical vertebrae and to identify potential differences between toy- and small-breed dogs and between toy-breed dogs and cats.MethodsThe first four cervical vertebrae from 20 euthanized dogs (10 toy-breed dogs and 10 small-breed dogs) and 20 euthanized cats were examined using micro-computed tomography. The following parameters were analyzed: bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone surface-to-volume ratio (BS/BV), connectivity density (Conn. D), trabecular number (Tb. N), trabecular thickness (Tb. Th), trabecular separation (Tb. Sp), degree of anisotropy (DA), cortical bone density (mean density), and the dens-to-axis length ratio (DALR).ResultsTrabecular microarchitecture was largely comparable between toy-breed dogs and small-breed dogs; however, cortical bone density was significantly higher in toy-breed dogs than in small-breed dogs. Compared with toy-breed dogs and cats, cats more frequently exhibited a larger BS/BV, a higher DA, and a larger Tb. Sp. In contrast, toy-breed dogs exhibited higher BV/TV, a higher Conn. D, Tb. Th, Tb. N, and mean density. The DALR did not differ significantly among the groups.DiscussionThese findings suggest greater overall stability of the cervical spine in toy-breed dogs compared to cats. Furthermore, these microarchitectural differences may provide useful criteria for selecting appropriate surgical interventions for affected animals.

Objective:For spaying in older female dogs, ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is often preferred over ovariectomy (OE) in practice due to possible uterine diseases in advanced age. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate patient data in order to assess OE as a surgical method for the prevention of uterine diseases in older female dogs without uterine abnormalities. In addition, complications and long-term effects after spaying were determined in the patient population and compared with regard to the surgical technique. Material and methods:The evaluation was based on patient data in the patient management system, questionnaires and internal follow-up checks. In addition, an ultrasound examination of the uterus was performed in female dogs>3 years of age at the time of OE. Patients who underwent major regional surgery under the same anesthesia or with an anesthesia time of>150 minutes were excluded. Complications were classified as minor or major, with major complications requiring surgical treatment or intensive inpatient care. Results:486 bitches were included in the evaluation (OE: 267; OHE: 219). A total of 19 ultrasound examinations after OE revealed no abnormalities, and none of the questionnaires reported uterine disease after OE in any patient with a follow-up of up to 9 years. Intraoperatively only minor complications occurred in 35/486 (7.2%) bitches. For postoperative complications, 315 cases were evaluated, with complications occurring in 18 (5.7%) bitches. These included wound healing disorders (12/315; 3.8%), reoperation due to abdominal bleeding (3/315; 1.0%) and the occurrence of sepsis (3/315; 1.0%). These included 9 (2.9%) major complications. Long-term effects were examined in 205 patients: urinary dribbling was reported in 19 (9.3%), coat changes in 50 (24.4%) and weight gain in 65 (31.7%) of the bitches. No difference was found between OE and OHE. Age had no significant influence. Conclusion and clinical relevance:The results of the study suggest that OE can also be recommended for older bitches without macroscopically detectable uterine abnormalities. The complications that occurred were comparable overall for OE and OHE.

Zusammenfassung Bei der Kastration älterer Hündinnen wird aufgrund möglicher Uteruserkrankungen im fortgeschrittenen Alter in der Praxis häufig die Ovariohysterektomie (OHE) der Ovariektomie (OE) vorgezogen. Ziel dieser retrospektiven Studie war die Auswertung von Patientendaten, um die OE als Operationsmethode zur Prävention von Uteruserkrankungen bei älteren Hündinnen ohne uterine Veränderungen zu bewerten. Zudem wurden Komplikationen sowie Spätfolgen nach der Kastration untersucht und hinsichtlich der Operationstechniken verglichen. Die Auswertung basierte auf Daten im Patientenverwaltungssystem, Fragebogen und klinikinternen Nachkontrollen. Bei Hündinnen>3 Jahre zum Zeitpunkt der OE wurde zusätzlich eine Ultraschalluntersuchung des Uterus durchgeführt. Ausgeschlossen wurden Patienten mit größeren regionalen Eingriffen in gleicher Narkose oder einer Anästhesiedauer von>150min. Die Komplikationen wurden in Minor und Major klassifiziert, letztere erforderten eine chirurgische Versorgung oder intensivmedizinische stationäre Therapie. 486 Hündinnen wurden in die Auswertung miteinbezogen (OE: 267; OHE: 219). Bei insgesamt 19 Ultraschalluntersuchungen nach OE zeigten sich keine Auffälligkeiten und in den Fragebögen wurde bei keinem Patienten eine Uteruserkrankung nach OE angegeben (Follow-Up bis zu 9 Jahre). Intraoperativ traten ausschließlich Minor-Komplikationen bei 35/486 (7,2%) Hündinnen auf. Postoperative Komplikationen wurden in 315 Fällen ausgewertet und bei insgesamt 18 (5,7%) Hündinnen festgestellt, darunter Wundheilungsstörungen (12/315; 3,8%), Reoperationen nach abdominaler Blutung (3/315; 1,0%) und Sepsis (3/315; 1,0%). Hiervon stellten 9 (2,9%) Major-Komplikationen dar. Spätfolgen wurden bei 205 Patienten ausgewertet: Harnträufeln wurde bei 19 (9,3%), Fellveränderungen bei 50 (24,4%) und eine Gewichtszunahme bei 65 (31,7%) der Hündinnen angegeben. Zwischen OE und OHE konnte kein Unterschied festgestellt werden. Das Alter hatte keinen signifikanten Einfluss. Die Ergebnisse der Studie lassen den Schluss zu, dass die OE auch bei älteren Hündinnen ohne makroskopische uterine Veränderungen empfohlen werden kann. Die Komplikationsrate war bei OE und OHE insgesamt vergleichbar.

BACKGROUND:Feline carpal joint injuries pose a significant clinical challenge due to their complex anatomy and the limited evidence available to guide treatment decisions. A detailed understanding of the osseous microarchitecture is essential for improving surgical planning and therapeutic outcomes. A total of 80 carpal joints from 20 cats and 20 toy breed dogs were examined and compared using microcomputed tomography. The parameters bone volume (BV/TV), bone surface (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), number of trabeculae (Tb.N), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), degree of anisotropy (DA) and connectivity density (Conn. D) were measured and compared. To classify the cortical structure, a three-staged scoring system was applied. RESULTS:All carpal bones exhibited a cancellous structure. Overall, cats had fewer but thicker trabeculae than the toy-dogs in the analysed areas of the carpus, which resulted in a greater trabecular distance in cats. Cats also had a higher bone volume (BV/TV) and thicker cortex. CONCLUSIONS:There were significant differences in structure between dogs and cats which may be important when assessing carpal bone injuries.

The necropsy of an elephant represents a rare event for most veterinary pathology facilities outside of Africa and Asia. Here, we report a comprehensible, abundantly illustrated, step-by-step protocol adapted to the special technical and anatomical peculiarities of elephant necropsies with regard to the needed equipment, aspects of transmissible disease prevention and workplace safety, personnel, time efforts, as well as important elephant diseases and their zoonotic potential. Detailed instructions for dissection, macroscopic examination and sampling of all relevant organs and tissues are provided, along with checklists for preparation and smooth execution of elephant necropsies. Using the featured protocols, a complete elephant necropsy with generation of extensive samples for histological, microbiological, and molecular analyses can be performed by 10-12 persons (5-6 pathologists and 5-6 assistants) within 4-6 hours in case of an adult animal.

The use of the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) serum concentration as a fertility marker has been shown in cows, sheep and mares and has been indicated in one study in female dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between the AMH serum concentration, taken at two defined time points during the bitch`s heat, and the litter size to investigate whether AMH can be used as a practical measurement for the individual breeding bitch to predict litter size. The study was carried out on 27 healthy female dogs presented for pre-breeding examination, considering all previously known influencing factors on AMH in the bitch such as age, body weight and estrous cycle phase at the time the sample was taken. Due to the AMH increase in early proestrus and its drop around ovulation, AMH was measured in blood samples taken within the first three days of heat (AMH1) and near ovulation (AMH2) with AMH1 being significantly higher than AMH 2 (p<0.001). There was a highly significant negative correlation of body weight and AMH at both sampling times (p<0.001). There were no significant results when the dogs were paired and grouped according to high or low AMH concentrations, but a significant effect of AMH serum concentration on litter size was found in the multifactorial analysis when the dogs were matched according to their body weight (AMH1: p=0.022; AMH2: p=0.030). In conclusion, a significant effect of the AMH concentration and the litter size among female dogs with matching body weight could be found, but a much larger sample collection is needed to evaluate reference intervals for AMH for bitches of different weight to predict the fertility of an individual bitch in the future.

Developing bone substitutes that are mechanically strong, highly biocompatible and capable of controlled degradation is crucial for successful bone regeneration. Magnesium phosphate cements (MPCs) and calcium magnesium phosphate cements (CMPCs) offer higher strength and solubility than established calcium phosphate cements (CPCs). This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo degradation, osteoregeneration and biocompatibility of 3D powder-printed Mg3d (Mg3(PO4)2) and Mg275d (Ca0.25Mg2.75(PO4)2) scaffolds with alkaline post-treatment, using structurally identical TCP (Ca3(PO4)2) scaffolds as the control. The scaffolds were implanted into the lateral femoral condyle of adult female Zika rabbits and analysed up to 6, 12 and 24 weeks using radiography, microCT, histology, EDX and SEM. All materials demonstrated good biocompatibility. Mg3d and Mg275d scaffolds degraded significantly faster than the TCP scaffolds, with nearly complete degradation after 12 weeks. A cell-rich reconstruction zone formed during degradation, which was subsequently replaced by new bone. The degradation rate of the scaffolds corresponded closely to bone regeneration. Notably, the Mg3d and Mg275d scaffolds supported the faster formation of mature lamellar bone compared to the TCP scaffolds. These results indicate that magnesium phosphate (MgP)-based scaffolds represent a promising alternative to conventional calcium phosphate (CP)-based bone substitutes, given their rapid and almost complete degradation and their effective support of bone regeneration.

We determined saliva cortisol concentrations (SCCs) in samples from 36 dogs using a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) before and after a 10-min veterinary visit. The median cortisol concentration of the 77 samples analyzed with CLIA was 1.34 nmol/L, and the concentration of samples analyzed with LC-MS/MS was 1.30 nmol/L. With an intercept (a) of -0.06 (95% CI: -0.16 to 0.02) and a slope (b) of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.90-0.97) the Passing-Bablok regression revealed that there were no significant systematic and proportional differences between the 2 methods. In the Bland-Altman analysis, the bias was 0.08 nmol/L (95% CI: -0.38 to 0.54 nmol/L) between the 2 methods. Comparing the hormone levels in the saliva of 36 dogs before and after a veterinary visit, the CLIA method had a mean difference of 0.03 nmol/L (95% CI: -1.72 to 4.75 nmol/L; p = 0.35) and the LC-MS/MS method a mean difference of 0.12 nmol/L (95% CI 95%: -2.43 to 4.40 nmol/L; p = 0.62). Comparison of cortisol changes before (p = 0.86) and after (p = 0.79) the veterinary visit revealed no differences in using either the CLIA or LC-MS/MS methods. There was also no difference in the assessment of hormone increase or decrease between CLIA (p = 0.72) and LC-MS/MS (p = 0.17). Overall, the measurement of SCC in dogs by either CLIA or LC-MS/MS provided comparable results.

IntroductionBrachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) significantly impacts the physical fitness of affected dogs. This study aimed to assess changes in physical fitness, as measured by vital signs and salivary cortisol and vasopressin concentrations, before and after BOAS surgery using a standardized fitness test.MethodsA prospective clinical study was conducted on 35 brachycephalic dogs, including 13 Pugs, 21 French Bulldogs, and one English Bulldog. A preliminary examination included clinical anamnesis and a general examination. Physical fitness was evaluated using a submaximal treadmill test consisting of three 5-minute runs followed by a recovery phase. Vital signs were monitored throughout the test and saliva samples were taken before, immediately after and 15 min after the test. Eighteen animals underwent surgery due to moderate to severe BOAS symptoms, while 17 animals that were free of symptoms were assigned to the control group.ResultsOne month post-OP (post-operatively), dogs that underwent BOAS surgery exhibited significant improvement in physical fitness based on vital signs. However, they remained significantly less fit than the control group. No statistically significant changes were observed in salivary cortisol or vasopressin concentrations before and after surgery.DiscussionBOAS surgery reduces clinical symptoms and improves physical fitness, but affected dogs continue to exhibit substantial limitations. The consistency of cortisol and vasopressin levels across both groups reinforces the hypothesis of a stress-induced HPA-axis dysfunction, yet the limited number of evaluable samples and external influences suggest that salivary stress hormones alone may not reliably indicate surgical success. Future studies should incorporate additional biomarkers and clinical assessments to better understand the physiological impact of BOAS and its treatment.

ObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to investigate the association between change in postoperative (post-op) tibial plateau angle (TPA) in dogs and cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) during 6 months on the post-op outcome.MethodsThe inclusion criteria included 60 dogs with CCLD treated with TPLO fulfilled. TPA measurements were taken immediately post-op and 6 months post-op by three observers, and change in TPA was calculated. The outcome was evaluated using lameness score, owner questionnaire, and gait analysis performed preoperatively and 6 months post-op.ResultsThe mean change in TPA was 0.22 ± 0.75°. The interobserver reliability for TPA measurements was excellent. No differences in TPA measurements between observers were found (p = 0.07–0.105). No association between the change in TPA and outcome was found. The multivariate linear regression model for the symmetry index of peak vertical force (SIPVF) 6 months post-op was significant (R2 = 0.210; p = 0.031), and the TPA at 6 months post-op was the only significant factor (ß = 0.459; 95% CI: 0.41–1.44; p < 0.001), indicating that a lower TPA 6 months post-op results in lower SIPVF values.ConclusionThe study indicated that lower TPAs 6 months post-op lead to a more symmetrical gait in hindlimbs 6 months post-op. No other significant factor between post-op changes in TPA and outcome after TPLO was found. Our results showed little post-op TPA change up to 6 months. This indicates that change in TPA is not present as reported.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the applicability of the ScoutPro (Trukera Medical, Southlake, Texas, USA) osmolarity system for tear film osmolarity measurement in healthy dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED:Seventeen dogs (34 eyes) of dolichocephalic and mesocephalic breeds were tested. PROCEDURES:Tear osmolarity was tested with the ScoutPro osmolarity system. Two examiners performed three subsequent measurements of each eye. Intra-rater variability and inter-rater reliability were calculated. RESULTS:The technique was straightforward; instrument handling was simple. Mean tear osmolarity measured by examiner one was 323.51 ± 9.89 mOsm/L and by examiner two 326.74 ± 9.02 mOsm/L. Mean difference between examiners was 3.2 ± 11.2 mOsm/L. Paired two-tailed t-test was p = 0.1. The intra-rater variability was acceptable with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.75 for rater one and 0.80 for rater two. There were no significant differences in the three measurements of the individual examiners. There were no significant differences in the three measurements of the individual examiners (asymptotic significance rater one was 0.56, asymptotic significance rater two was 0.11). CONCLUSIONS:Measurements with the ScoutPro osmolarity system in dogs are easy to perform. Variability and inter-rater reliability seem to be acceptable in the small group of dogs tested. Further studies regarding the reliability of the test results and the evaluation of the tear osmolarity in ocular surface disease are warranted.

This study aims to provide an initial database to gain more detailed knowledge of the trabecular and cortical bone structure of pelvic and femur bones in cats and smaller dogs. Additionally, the bony microarchitecture between cats and smaller dogs was compared to identify possible differences between those species. These findings could potentially improve the development of non-cemented total hip replacement (THR). To determine the bony microarchitecture, a total of 48 pelvises and thus 96 acetabuli and femora of smaller dogs (n = 21) and cats (n = 27) were analysed using microcomputed tomography. The parameters bone volume (BV/TV), bone surface (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), number of trabeculae (Tb.N), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), degree of anisotropy (DA), connectivity density (Conn. D) and mean bone density were measured and compared between the species. In addition, the femoral angle of antetorsion was determined on both sides of the body. Overall, cats had fewer but thicker trabeculae than the small dogs in the analysed areas of the pelvis and femur. This resulted in a greater trabecular distance in cats than in small dogs. Together with a higher cortical bone density at the femoral shaft in cats, it could be determined that cats have a more stable bone architecture in the measured areas than smaller dogs. The angle of antetorsion did not differ significantly between the cats and the dogs examined.

ObjectivesFeline intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), historically an uncommonly described problem, is being increasingly documented in the current literature. The objective of this systematic review was to consolidate existing knowledge of feline IVDD, identify possible prognostic factors and assist by offering clearer guidelines when managing a feline spinal patient.MethodsA systematic search of two databases was conducted using keywords related to feline IVDD. Studies with cats diagnosed with IVDD, including treatment and outcome details, were reviewed. Prognostic factors were evaluated for their impact on overall outcomes.ResultsA total of 57 studies with 1113 cats were identified after the reviewing process and 23 studies with 93 cats remained for statistical analysis. Most cats (59%) had lumbar spine involvement, followed by thoracolumbar (31%) and cervical (5%) segments. Intervertebral disc extrusion was the most common diagnosis (65/93), followed by intervertebral disc protrusion (16/93) and acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (12/93). Deep pain perception was preserved in 87% of cats. Surgical intervention was performed in 75/93 cats while 17/93 were treated conservatively, with 1/93 being euthanased intraoperatively. Overall, 85% of cats had a positive outcome, 11% had a negative outcome and outcomes were undetermined in 4% of cases. Possible influencing factors analysed included breed, sex, age (in years and life stage), weight, affected spinal segment, number of affected discs, micturition status, treatment choice, deep pain perception and IVDD type. No statistically significant prognostic factors (P >0.05) were identified.Conclusions and relevanceAlthough no specific prognostic factors could be identified, the systematic review suggests that feline IVDD has a predominantly positive prognosis regardless of treatment choice. Given the low evidence level and small sample size, further multicentre, prospective studies with larger cohorts are required to establish reliable prognostic factors for feline IVDD.

ObjectiveComputed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast agents can provide additional diagnostic information. To our knowledge, no previous study has evaluated the role of contrast agents in CT imaging of the canine elbow joint. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of post-contrast imaging.MethodsA total of 326 elbow joints from 163 dogs with unilateral or bilateral lameness caused by elbow joint pathology were examined using radiography and CT, both with and without contrast agents. Diagnoses assessed from radiographs and CT scans in the bone window included primary diseases and periarticular osteophytes. Possible primary diseases included medial coronoid process disease (MCPD), ununited anconeal process (UAP), osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), humeral intracondylar fissure/incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (HIF/IOHC), epicondylar spur, caudal or medial calcified bodies. Contrast enhancement of the joint capsule and flexor muscles was evaluated in the soft tissue window. Elbow joints without pathological findings, lameness, or contrast enhancement served as controls (n = 21).ResultsAmong the 137 elbow joints showing contrast enhancement, 94 demonstrated enhancement limited to the joint capsule, 16 to the flexor muscles, and 27 to both joint structures. Epicondylar spurs were most strongly associated with flexor muscle enhancement, whereas medially located calcified bodies were not. Joint capsule enhancement was most frequently associated with periarticular osteophytes. Notably, elbows with flexor muscle involvement but no epicondylar spur or calcified bodies (n = 14) could only be detected through contrast-enhanced imaging.ConclusionA contrast agent could be administered during most CT scans of the elbow joint to ensure that no pathological changes are overlooked. Nevertheless, it is important to weigh the benefits for treatment and prognosis against the risks of administering a contrast agent to the patient.

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel Ziel dieser Studie war es, den Behandlungserfolg von Hunden mit medialer Coronoiderkrankung (hier: fragmentierte Processus coronoideus [FPC]), nach arthroskopisch durchgeführter subtotaler Coronoidektomie mittels subjektiver und objektiver Ganganalyse sowie der Arthroseprogression zu beurteilen und mit den Befunden der postoperativen Computertomografie in Verbindung zu setzen. Insbesondere sollte hierbei die klinische Relevanz von postoperativ zurückbleibenden Restpartikeln evaluiert werden. Material und Methoden 30 Ellbogen von 24 Hunden verschiedener Rassen wurden frühestens 6 Monate nach ein- oder beidseitiger subtotaler Coronoidektomie klinisch orthopädisch und mit Hilfe der Ganganalyse sowie röntgenologisch nachuntersucht und die Ergebnisse mit den präoperativen Befunden der entsprechenden Untersuchungen sowie der postoperativen Computertomografie verglichen. Ergebnisse 79,2% (19/24) der Patienten verbesserten sich in der orthopädischen Untersuchung um mindestens einen Lahmheitsgrad, 66,7% (16/24) waren lahmheitsfrei. 60% (18/30 Gelenke) zeigten eine Zunahme des Arthrosegrades. In der postoperativen Computertomografie wurden bei 56,7% (17/30) der Gelenke kleine verbliebene Knochenpartikel (<1 mm) im Gelenkspalt oder dem Weichgewebe festgestellt. Es war kein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen einer persistierenden Lahmheit und postoperativ zurückgebliebenen Restpartikeln nachzuweisen. Auch ein Zusammenhang zwischen anhaltender Lahmheit und Arthroseprogression konnte nicht hergestellt werden. Schlussfolgerung Rückstände von kleinen Knochenpartikeln nach arthroskopisch durchgeführter subtotaler Coronoidektomie konnten in keinen Zusammenhang mit postoperativ verbleibenden Lahmheiten gebracht werden. Eine Arthroseprogression war trotz operativen Eingriffs nicht aufzuhalten. Klinische Relevanz Bleiben nach der subtotalen Coronoidektomie kleine Restpartikel (<1 mm) zurück, scheinen diese keinen Einfluss auf das klinische Ergebnis zu haben.

IntroductionBrachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a common condition in brachycephalic dogs, with Pugs (PG) and French Bulldogs (FB) appearing to be particularly typically affected. Objective and easy-to-perform tests are necessary to detect the disease at an early stage and to exclude dogs affected by BOAS from breeding.MethodsThe present study investigated the extent to which vital signs and salivary cortisol concentrations can be used to distinguish between healthy and BOAS-affected dogs in a standardized fitness test. A total of 57 PG, 56 FB and 27 meso- and dolichocephalic dogs were studied as control group (CG). In addition to vital signs, salivary cortisol concentrations were measured before and after the exercise test.ResultsIt emerged that non-brachycephalic dogs showed a higher fitness level than brachycephalic dogs. The PG recovered significantly slower than the FB after the exercise test. In unaffected PG, cortisol levels rose significantly after the test and then fell again, in unaffected FB they fell significantly during the test. Unexpectedly, cortisol levels remained constant in BOAS affected dogs of both breeds.DiscussionA possible explanation could be a disturbance of the pituitary–hypothalamic–adrenal axis, which could be due to the chronic stress of affected animals. This would have to be clarified in further studies. In conclusion, a submaximal fitness test may be a useful method to identify dogs suffering from BOAS as it is imperative to prevent the breeding and reproduction of affected dogs.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a single intra-articular injection of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in dogs with chronic lameness due to advanced elbow osteoarthritis (OA) that were unresponsive to conventional drug therapy. In this clinical, prospective, non-blinded, single-center study, twenty-three dogs received autologous SVF derived from falciform adipose tissue. Primary outcome measures over the six-month study period included clinical-orthopedic and radiographic examinations, objective gait analysis and validated owner questionnaires. In 19 of 23 joints, no progression of OA was visible radiographically. Peak vertical force improved significantly at three months and vertical impulse at six months after the injection compared to baseline. Over 33% of dogs demonstrated treatment-related improvements in lameness based on objective gait analysis. Owner questionnaires indicated significant improvement in clinical signs throughout the study period and 26% of dogs showed treatment-related improvements in pain scores according to the Canine Brief Pain Inventory. No side effects were reported. These findings suggest that autologous regenerative cell therapy may provide a promising treatment option for dogs with advanced OA that do not respond to conventional drug therapy. However, the treatment did not improve the clinical symptoms in all dogs, so it cannot be recommended for all patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the wearing of hearing protection has a positive influence on stress levels during an MRI examination in dogs under anaesthesia. To this end, the stress hormones cortisol and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were measured in the saliva of patients wearing hearing protection during an MRI scan, as well as in the control group without hearing protection, before and after the scan. Pulse rate and noise level were also measured during the MRI. It was shown that salivary cortisol concentrations in dogs without hearing protection increased during the MRI examination, while those in the control group with hearing protection remained the same (p<0.05). The pulse range was greater in the control group without hearing protection, although not statistically significant. The maximum loudness during the MRI examination, measured at 200 cm from the gantry, was 87 dB(A). The results on the loudness during mri scan highlight that hearing protection should always be used to minimise hearing damage and possibly the stress level for dogs.

In the present study, 33 French bulldogs with varying degrees of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) were evaluated for various parameters to provide evidence of chronic stress in the dogs. For this purpose, an owner interview, a clinical examination, and cortisol concentrations in the fur of the dogs were collected. The median cortisol concentration in the fur of the dogs suffering from BOAS (n = 19) was 0.99 pg/mg (range 0.63–66.18), while that of the control group (n = 14) was 1.13 pg/mg (range 0.3–43.45). However, the statistical analysis did not reveal a statistically significant difference; therefore, it is not possible to distinguish between dogs clinically affected with BOAS and those without clinically relevant signs of the disease. There was no statistically significant difference between the age of the animals and the fur cortisol. None of the owners in the examination and control groups indicated that their dog was suffering from chronic stress which shows that the disease is easily underestimated and remains common. Thus, a thorough clinical examination by an experienced veterinarian remains the gold standard in order to diagnose BOAS.