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This review examines the effects of oxidative stress on the aging process in canines, focusing on the role of antioxidants in the prevention of age-related diseases. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s antioxidant defenses, resulting in damage to cell structures. Dogs, especially older animals, are particularly susceptible to such damage, which contributes to the development of cognitive impairment, chronic disease and a reduced quality of life. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10 and polyphenols play an important role in neutralizing free radicals and mitigating oxidative damage. Various studies confirm that these antioxidants can improve overall health, slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of diseases such as osteoarthritis, cancer and heart disease. The results suggest that an appropriate diet supplemented with antioxidants can significantly contribute to a better quality of life for dogs. However, given that some studies report limited or no effects, additional long-term clinical trials are warranted to validate the reproducibility and degree of presented benefits.

Canine brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a conformation-related respiratory disorder of dog breeds having congenitally flattened facial and skull anatomy. The aim of the study was to determine oxidative stress parameters, the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde, and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase in BOAS patients before and after surgical treatment and in healthy brachycephalic dogs. Nine healthy brachycephalic dogs that had not undergone surgery and 39 BOAS patients were included in the study. The BOAS patients were classified as grade 1 (5/34), grade 2 (16/34), and grade 3 (13/34) based on the decrease in the radius of the airway in the larynx. In BOAS patients, oxidative stress parameters were determined before and two weeks after surgery, while in control dogs, blood samples were collected only on inclusion to the study. All BOAS patients showed various degrees of improvement in clinical signs after surgery. Significantly lower (P < 0.05) SOD activity was found in grade 2 and 3 BOAS patients than in grade 1 patients. Two weeks after surgery, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in SOD activity in grade 2 and 3 patients was observed. Antioxidant enzyme SOD may play an important role in BOAS and can be used as a biomarker of antioxidant status assessment in BOAS patients.

This review aims to present current knowledge on the effects of honey bee products on animals based on in vivo studies, focusing on their application in clinical veterinary practice. Honey’s best-proven effectiveness is in treating wounds, including those infected with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, as evidenced in horses, cats, dogs, mice, and rats. Propolis manifested a healing effect in numerous inflammatory and painful conditions in mice, rats, dogs, and pigs and also helped in oncological cases in mice and rats. Bee venom is best known for its effectiveness in treating neuropathy and arthritis, as shown in dogs, mice, and rats. Besides, bee venom improved reproductive performance, immune response, and general health in rabbits, chickens, and pigs. Pollen was effective in stimulating growth and improving intestinal microflora in chickens. Royal jelly might be used in the management of animal reproduction due to its efficiency in improving fertility, as shown in rats, rabbits, and mice. Drone larvae are primarily valued for their androgenic effects and stimulation of reproductive function, as evidenced in sheep, chickens, pigs, and rats. Further research is warranted to determine the dose and method of application of honey bee products in animals.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most prevalent orthopedic injuries in veterinary medicine, significantly impacting canine stifle joint stability and biomechanics, and subsequently, the animal’s quality of life. This study investigates the effectiveness of custom-made knee orthoses as a conservative treatment for recent cranial cruciate ligament ruptures in dogs. Two dogs with cranial cruciate ligament injuries were fitted with individualized orthoses, and their rehabilitation progress was monitored over 32 days. This study employed a four-scale method to measure body weight distribution across limbs and utilized owner questionnaires to evaluate lameness, gait, mobility, and physical activity. The results indicated substantial improvements in both dogs when they wore orthoses. Weight-bearing measurements demonstrated increased load on the injured limb by 0.97 kg and 2.23 kg for Dog 1 and Dog 2, respectively. Dog 2 achieved nearly symmetrical weight distribution by the end of the observation period. Shifts in body weight distribution between forelimbs and hindlimbs highlighted improved functionality; for instance, Dog 1 adjusted from 70% forelimb loading on day 1 to 62% on day 32, while Dog 2 improved from 60% to 55%. Similarly, shifts in lateral weight distribution showed notable reductions in asymmetry, especially in Dog 2, where contralateral load decreased from 59% to 52%. Owner-reported outcomes corroborated these findings, showing enhanced lameness scores, gait quality, and overall mobility. These results underline the potential of custom-manufactured orthoses as a valuable non-surgical approach for cranial cruciate ligament rehabilitation, emphasizing the need for further research in veterinary orthotics to optimize treatment strategies.

Canicross is a sport discipline that connects human and canine athletes in running. Changes in physiological, hematological, and biochemical parameters, and exercise-induced oxidative stress have not been thoroughly characterized in canicross dogs. The aim of our study was the assessment of the health status of trained canicross dogs that were subjected to two acute bouts of exercise with their owners during the training season. Health status was assessed by measuring the rectal temperature, hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as blood oxidative stress parameters (plasma malondialdehyde, lipid peroxidation marker; whole blood glutathione peroxidase and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase1, antioxidant enzymes) before and during a two-day canicross training session and after a 24-h rest period. Seven trained canicross dogs (three females/four males) aged 12–120 months were included in the study. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the first acute bout of exercise (day 1), after the second acute bout of exercise (day 2), and after 24 h of rest (day 3). Rectal temperature was measured at the same time as blood sample collection. The majority of hematological and biochemical parameters remained within reference ranges at all sampling times. Rectal temperature was significantly higher after training on days 1 and 2 compared to resting temperature on day 3. Hematological parameters did not change significantly; however, there were significant differences in urea, creatinine, creatine kinase, and triglycerides between specific sampling times. Despite significant changes, these biochemical parameters remained within reference ranges. Significant changes in biochemical parameters seem to reflect the dogs' physiological response to each acute bout of exercise, considering all biochemical parameters and rectal temperature returned to pre-exercise values after a 24-h rest period (day 3). No significant differences in oxidative stress parameters were found between any sampling times. Relatively high erythrocyte superoxide dismutase1 activity at all sampling times may indicate that the canicross dogs are adapted to training by an increased expression of antioxidant enzymes. Based on our results, we can conclude that the trained canicross dogs included in our study were healthy, in good physical condition, and fit for the two acute bouts of field exercise.

Brachycephalic dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) are a valuable animal model for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in humans. Clinical signs of upper airway obstruction improve after surgical treatment of BOAS, but the impact of surgery on morphology and function of the heart has not been studied. Therefore, we aimed to compare the echocardiographic variables of dogs before and after surgical treatment of BOAS. We included 18 client-owned dogs with BOAS (7 French Bulldogs, 6 Boston Terriers, and 5 Pugs) scheduled for surgical correction. We performed a complete echocardiographic examination before and 6 to 12 (median 9) months after surgery. Seven non-brachycephalic dogs were included in the control group. After surgery, BOAS patients had a significantly ( p  < 0.05) larger left atrium to aortic ratio (LA/Ao), left atrium in the long axis index, and thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall in diastole index. They also had a higher late diastolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum (Am) and increased global right ventricular strain and left ventricular global strain in the apical 4-chamber view, as well as a higher caudal vena cava collapsibility index (CVCCI). Before surgery, BOAS patients had a significantly lower CVCCI, Am, peak systolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum (Si), and early diastolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum (Ei) compared to non-brachycephalic dogs. After surgery, BOAS patients had a smaller right ventricular internal diameter at base index, right ventricular area in systole index, mitral annular plane systolic excursion index, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion index, as well as lower values of Am, Si, Ei, and late diastolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum, and a larger LA/Ao compared to non-brachycephalic dogs. Significant differences between BOAS patients and non-brachycephalic dogs indicate higher right heart pressures and decreased systolic and diastolic ventricular function in BOAS dogs, which is in accordance with the results of studies in OSA patients. In parallel with the marked clinical improvement, right heart pressures decreased, and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function improved after surgery.

IntroductionDue to altered anatomy of the upper respiratory tract, brachycephalic dogs exhibit increased airway resistance and reduced surface area for evaporative heat loss, predisposing them to respiratory and thermoregulatory problems, a syndrome referred to as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Compared to non-brachycephalic dogs, brachycephalic breeds are more susceptible to heat-related injuries even at low ambient temperatures and relatively low physical activity levels. Surgical treatment alleviates clinical signs, potentially improving dogs’ thermoregulatory ability with BOAS. Our study aimed to investigate the thermoregulatory response in French bulldogs before and after the surgical correction of BOAS, respectively.MethodsThirteen dogs were exposed to dynamic exercise on a treadmill and the dynamics of their rectal temperature (RT) and heart rate (HR) was measured. The experiment was performed in two independent sessions, before and after the surgical treatment. The test consisted of two consecutive 5-min walks at a speed of 2.5 km/h, first at an inclination of 0% and the second at an inclination of 5%, and a 30-min recovery period. Rectal temperature and HR were measured before the start of the test (t0), at the end of the first (t1) and the second part (t2), and 15 min (t3) and 30 min (t4) in the recovery.ResultsA significant increase in RT and HR was observed during exercise and recovery compared to the resting values, implying that the exercise intensity was sufficient to challenge the thermoregulatory response. The increase of RT was significantly lower during both parts (t1: p   = 0.004; t2: p   <  0.001) of exercise after the surgical treatment than before the treatment. Although a trend of lower RT after recovery was observed compared to before the surgery, it did not reach statistical significance. Similarly to RT, the HR was significantly lower during exercise after the first ( p   =  0.020) and the second part ( p   =  0.011) of exercise after the surgery compared to before the surgery but did not reach significance in the recovery.ConclusionSurgical treatment of BOAS can improve thermoregulation during exercise in French bulldogs with BOAS.

Extracellular nanoparticles (EPs) are a subject of increasing interest for their biological role as mediators in cell–cell communication; however, their harvesting and assessment from bodily fluids are challenging, as processing can significantly affect samples. With the aim of minimizing processing artifacts, we assessed the number density (n) and hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) of EPs directly in diluted plasma and blood using the following recently developed technique: interferometric light microscopy (ILM). We analyzed 613 blood and plasma samples from human patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), collected in trisodium citrate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulants, and 163 blood and plasma samples from canine patients with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). We found a highly statistically significant correlation between n in the plasma and n in the blood only in the human (i.e., but not canine) blood samples, between the samples with trisodium citrate and EDTA, and between the respective Dh for both species (all p < 10−3). In the human plasma, the average was 139 ± 31 nm; in the human blood, was 158 ± 11 nm; in the canine plasma, was 155 ± 32 nm; and in the canine blood, was 171 ± 33 nm. The differences within species were statistically significant (p < 10−2), with sufficient statistical power (P > 0.8). For , we found no statistically significant differences between the human plasma and blood samples or between the samples with trisodium citrate and EDTA. Our results prove that measuring n and Dh of EPs in minimally processed fresh blood and in diluted fresh plasma by means of ILM is feasible for large populations of samples.

Background Radiologic findings after electrochemotherapy of large hepatic blood vessels and healthy hepatic parenchyma have not yet been described. Materials and methods We performed a prospective animal model study with regulatory approval, including nine grower pigs. In each animal, four ultrasound-guided electroporated regions were created; in three regions, electrodes were inserted into the lumen of large hepatic vessels. Two types of electrodes were tested; variable linear- and fixed hexagonal-geometry electrodes. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed immediately and up to 20 minutes after the procedure. Dynamic computed tomography was performed before and at 60 to 90 minutes and one week after the procedure. Results Radiologic examinations of the treated areas showed intact vessel walls and patency; no hemorrhage or thrombi were noted. Ultrasonographic findings were dynamic and evolved from hyperechogenic microbubbles along electrode tracks to hypoechogenicity of treated parenchyma, diffusion of hyperechogenic microbubbles, and hypoechogenicity fading. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed decreased perfusion of the treated area. Dynamic computed tomography at 60 to 90 minutes after the procedure showed hypoenhancing areas. The total hypoenhancing area was smaller after treatment with fixed hexagonal electrodes than after treatment with variable linear geometry electrodes. Conclusions Radiologic findings of porcine liver after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin did not show clinically significant damage to the liver, even if a hazardous treatment strategy, such as large vessel intraluminal electrode insertion, was employed, and thus further support safety and clinical use of electrochemotherapy for treatment of hepatic neoplasia.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of nosocomial infections in humans, but its importance in small animal practice is increasing. Here, we present a case of feline otitis externa (OE) caused by MRSA; both hemolytic and nonhemolytic variants with a stable phenotype were recovered from the external auditory canal after infection was detected by routine otoscopy. One isolate per variant underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) by broth microdilution method, conventional spa typing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The results showed that both variants were genetically related and were of sequence type (ST) 1327, SCCmec type IV and spa type t005. AST and WGS showed that both isolates were resistant to β-lactams and sensitive to all tested non-β-lactam antibiotics. Both isolates were pvl-negative, but encoded several other virulence genes (aur, hlgABC, sak, scn, seg, sei, sem, sen, seo and seu). Genetic background of the mixed hemolytic phenotype was not identified; no differences in the agr locus or other regulatory regions were detected. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified but could not be associated with hemolysis. This well-documented case of MRSA infection in companion animals adds to the reports of MRSA infections with a mixed hemolytic phenotype.