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Equine herpesviruses are important pathogens causing significant economic loss in equine and asinine populations. EHV-1/4 strains are mainly associated with respiratory distress. The aim of this study is to report the first EHV 4-associated respiratory disease in donkeys in Romania. Thirty-seven of three hundred jennies in an ecological donkey farm in southwest Romania started initially showing signs of severe upper respiratory tract disease, with ten concomitant late abortions/neonatal deaths and three neurological cases. There were nine fatalities. Pathological examination was performed, and samples were collected for Real-Time PCR analysis and histology. In addition, serum samples from 28 individuals with respiratory symptoms were collected and tested using indirect ELISA. RT-PCR identified the EHV-4 strain. Acute, diffuse necrotizing bronchointerstitial pneumonia with occasional intraepithelial intranuclear viral inclusion bodies was identified. Additionally, EHV-1/4-specific antibodies were found in 15 of the 28 sampled animals. Few studies on donkeys and herpesviruses have been published, and this is the first reported case of EHV-4 outbreak in Romania. There is a need for more extensive seroprevalence studies as, currently, the status of EHV-4 infection in donkeys in Romania is unknown.

Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1 (PPVC-1), Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2), and Canine circovirus (CanineCV) are highly diffusive viruses that affect domestic and wild carnivores worldwide, yet limited data are available on their circulation in Eastern European countries. In this retrospective study, the presence of these DNA viruses was investigated using molecular assays on fecal samples from 89 companion animals (56 dogs and 33 cats) collected in Romania between 2019 and 2021. The pathogens identified were analyzed genetically. Overall, 36/56 (64.3%) dogs and 5/33 (15.2%) cats tested positive for PPVC-1, 1/56 (1.8%) dogs for CAdV-1 and CAdV-2, and 15/56 (26.8%) dogs for CanineCV. In total, 40/56 (71.4%) dogs were positive for at least one of the screened pathogens. Novel findings in dogs included the frequent detection of canine parvovirus type 2c of Asian origin (Asian-like CPV-2c) and the first genetic data on CAdV-1 and CanineCV circulating in Romania. This study provides new insights into the epidemiology of DNA viruses in dogs and cats from Romania and highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of circulating pathogens to safeguard animal health, prevent outbreaks and limit potential transboundary spread.

Case summary A 7-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented for treatment of a bilateral sacroiliac luxation (SIL). CT was performed and the data were extracted in a stereolithography (STL) file, after which a 3D-printed drill guide (3DPDG) was devised, using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and printed. Using an open surgical approach, the guide was used as an aid for drilling the sacrum. The ilial wings were drilled free-hand later and a transiliosacral pin (TP) was inserted to realign and stabilise the SIL. The cat exhibited an early return to normal limb function and a CT scan performed at the postoperative follow-up showed early signs of bone remodelling at the sacroiliac joint. Relevance and novel information To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report using a 3DPDG for implant placement in the feline sacrum without intraoperative imaging.

A two-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog was presented with a history of chronic lameness of the right pelvic limb. Physical examination and diagnostic imaging report revealed a delayed union with suspected progression toward nonunion/malunion of the femur. Further assessment showed the presence of a multiplanar deformity with a distal femoral valgus, a caudomedial translation of 26 mm, a femoral torsion angle of 35° compared to 21° to the left, and an excessive limb shortening of 34% in the frontal plane/ 31% in the sagittal plane. A 3D-printed alignment guide (3DPAG) was designed, printed, and successfully used to reduce the delayed union/nonunion fracture. The pre-contoured LCP plate, secured with seven screws, provided stable fracture fixation. The 3DPAG contributed significantly to achieving accurate alignment and implant placement.

Background Canine parvovirus (CPV) is one of the most important pathogens of dogs. Despite vaccination, CPV infections are still ubiquitous in dogs, and the three antigenic variants 2a, 2b and 2c are variously distributed in the canine population worldwide. To date, no information is available on CPV variants circulating in some European countries. The aim of this study was to genetically characterise the CPV detected in ten dogs with clinical signs of acute gastroenteritis in Romania. The presence of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 DNA was investigated in faecal samples using an end-point PCR targeting the complete VP2 gene and positive amplicons were sequenced and analysed. Results All ten dogs with acute gastroenteritis tested positive to Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 DNA in faecal samples. The identified viruses belonged to CPV-2c type, showed identical sequences of the VP2 gene and were characterised by distinctive amino acid residues in the deduced VP2 protein: 5-glicine (5Gly), 267-tirosine (267Tyr), 324-isoleucine (324Ile) and 370-arginine (370Arg). These distinctive amino acid residues have already been reported in CPV-2c widespread in Asia and occasionally detected in Italy and Nigeria. Conclusions Since CPV-2c with VP2 amino acid residues 5Gly, 267Tyr, 324Ile and 370Arg were never reported before 2013, it can be assumed that this virus is progressively expanding its spread in the world dog population. This study adds new data about the presence of this new virus in Europe and underline worrying questions about its potential impact on the health of the canine population.

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is considered the gold standard for the laboratory diagnosis of canine parvovirus (CPV) infection but can only be performed in specialized laboratories. Several point-of-care tests (POCT), detecting CPV antigens in faeces within minutes, are commercially available. The aim of this study was to evaluate eight POCT in comparison with qPCR. Faecal samples of 150 dogs from three groups (H: 50 client-owned, healthy dogs, not vaccinated within the last four weeks; S: 50 shelter dogs, healthy, not vaccinated within the last four weeks; p = 50 dogs with clinical signs of CPV infection) were tested with eight POCT and qPCR. Practicability, sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), as well as overall accuracy were determined. To assess the differences between and agreement among POCT, McNemar’s test and Cohen’s Kappa statistic were performed. Specificity and PPV were 100.0% in all POCT. Sensitivity varied from 22.9–34.3% overall and from 32.7–49.0% in group P. VetexpertRapidTestCPVAg® had the highest sensitivity (34.3% overall, 49.0% group P) and differed significantly from the 3 POCT with the lowest sensitivities (Fassisi®Parvo (27.7% overall, 36.7% group P), Primagnost®ParvoH+K (24.3% overall, 34.7% group P), FASTest®PARVOCard (22.9% overall, 32.7% group P)). The agreement among all POCT was at least substantial (kappa >0.80). A positive POCT result confirmed the infection with CPV in unvaccinated dogs, whereas a negative POCT result did not definitely exclude CPV infection due to the low sensitivity of all POCT.

The lockdown period in Romania lasted for 60 days and had the purpose of limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak and manage its consequences through emergency measures on many important areas of activity. This study aimed to gather, assess, analyze and disseminate relevant social, economic, and medical aspects on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic during lockdown on the veterinary profession in Romania. A survey was created using an online questionnaire platform, and disseminated. The survey was completed by a total of 409 individuals. A high number of respondents (71.64%; n = 293) felt exposed to medium or high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 at their workplace and many (56.97%; n = 233) felt that their professional environment was more stressful than usual during lockdown. Almost all respondents (89.73%; n = 367) declared the implementation of several control measures recommended by FECAVA and FVE (e.g., social distancing, wearing protective equipment, hand washing), but few mentioned the opportunity of remote work or visiting restrictions. Overall, the results show that the impact of lockdown lies directly on four main categories of importance on veterinarian professional's life—human resource, activity management, relationship between veterinarian and authorities, and continuing education.

Purpose To evaluate the corneal anesthetic effect following topical application of tramadol alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine, and compare it to proparacaine, in clinically healthy rats. Methods A randomized, crossover study was performed. Twenty Wistar albino rats ( n  = 40 eyes) were used. Corneal touch threshold (CTT) measurements (in mm) were obtained using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. CTT measurements were obtained at baseline, 1-min following application of the topical anesthetic agent, and repeated at 5-min intervals up to 75 min. The topical protocol involved 3 treatment conditions, separated by a 2-week washout period: proparacaine, tramadol alone, and tramadol in combination with dexmedetomidine. Results CTT values were significantly decreased compared to baseline at each timepoint until completion of the 75-min evaluation in all treated eyes, regardless of the assigned treatment ( p  < 0.0083). With tramadol, complete corneal anesthesia (CTT = 0) was achieved within 1−5 min in 18 eyes and ranged from 5 to 25 min. Co-administration of dexmedetomidine to tramadol resulted in significantly increased CTT values from 5 to 20 min following topical application, compared to tramadol alone ( p  < 0.0083), and complete corneal anesthesia was achieved in only 14 out of 20 treated eyes. Conclusion Tramadol might be a useful alternative to topical anesthetic agents, providing a dose-related corneal anesthetic effect. Co-administration of dexmedetomidine does not potentiate its anesthetic effect. The underlying mechanism(s) of drug antagonism between tramadol and dexmedetomidine remains to be determined.

The seasonal change, i.e. the marked differences between seasons of low and high productivity, in the abundance of ectosymbionts and the defence intensity of the host against pathogens is a well defined characteristic of temperate zone organisms. Here we investigate the seasonal variation in the uropygial gland size and the abundance of Proctophyllodes feather mites on the wing feathers of house sparrows Passer domesticus in two breeding populations. The size of the uropygial gland varied significantly in male and female house sparrows over the annual cycle. The gland was small during the non-breeding and mating season, after that it started to grow sharply, reaching its maximum size during breeding. Females had larger gland volumes than males during breeding, and the increase in gland size during breeding was more pronounced in females than in males. The number of feather mites was the lowest during breeding, followed by an increase during moult, and reaching its maximum between the wintering and mating seasons. The absence of a significant relationship between the uropygial gland size and the abundance of feather mites, after controlling for potential confounding variables, supports the view that gland oils do not regulate the number of mites. To investigate further this hypothesis, through a full factorial experimental design we tested the effect of uropygial gland and photoperiod manipulation on the population size and population dynamics of feather mites. The manipulation of uropygial gland had no effect on mites, supporting our observational results. As a result of the experimentally increased day-length, the abundance of feather mites on wing feathers decreased significantly and more sharply than in the control group, supporting the previous anecdotal evidence about the photosensitivity of these organisms. Using photoperiodic cues, feather mites may respond to seasonal changes that affect their life-history and population dynamics.

The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the degree and duration of corneal anesthesia following topical application of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution and 1% ropivacaine hydrochloride treatment in healthy rats. A randomized, blinded, crossover study was conducted on 20 healthy adult Wistar rats, following complete physical and ophthalmological examination. Baseline corneal touch threshold (CTT) was determined in the central corneal area of both eyes with a Cochet–Bonnet aesthesiometer, in mm filament length. Oxybuprocaine was randomly applied to one eye and 0.9% sterile sodium chloride solution was instilled into the contralateral eye. Subsequent CTT measurements were performed in both eyes 5 minutes after topical application and at 5-minute intervals thereafter for 75-minutes in the anesthetized eye. Following a 2-week washout period, this protocol was repeated with ropivacaine. Quantitative data were summarized as mean ± standard deviation, median and inter-quartile range (Q1–Q3). Repeated measures data were analyzed over time and between treatments using Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni adjustment ( p < 0.05). Baseline CTT values were 60 mm in all eyes. With oxybuprocaine, CTT values decreased significantly for 65 minutes (0–55 mm; p = 0.002) when compared with baseline; the maximal anesthetic effect (no blink response at 5 mm filament length) was maintained for up to 15 minutes ( p < 0.0001). With ropivacaine, CTT values were significantly lower than baseline for 30 minutes (0–55 mm; p = 0.002), with a maximal anesthetic effect recorded at 5 minutes in 18 eyes ( p < 0.0001). Oxybuprocaine induced a significantly lower CTT than ropivacaine ( p = 0.002) from 10 to 65 minutes following topical application. Both anesthetic agents induced significant corneal anesthesia; however, oxybuprocaine provided a greater and longer anesthetic effect, making it more suitable for potentially painful ophthalmologic procedures.