Articles

Primary thymic epithelial tumors (TET) are rare in dogs, and little is known about their behavior. There are many recognized human histologic subtypes of TET which have a predictive value in humans but, in veterinary medicine, the classification of TET and their associated prognostic significance has been inconsistent. Therefore, the authors of this retrospective multi-institutional […]

Felids display a typical behavioral response associated to the sniffing of specific plants, such as catnip and silver vine. This reaction is well-known and includes licking and chewing the plants, face and head rubbing against the plants, and rolling over on the ground. However, the neurophysiological mechanism and biological function associates is still uncertain – […]

Since 1940, the use of antimicrobial drugs (AMD) in animals has been evolving with reports on a range of uses, misuses and abuses escalating. There are various drugs used in veterinary medicine, but we will now focus on the use of sulfonamides. The first veterinary use of sulfanilamide was for bovine mastitis therapy in 1937. […]

There has been an increasing interest in the role of communication in veterinary clinical practice, particularly regarding the ways to deliver difficult news to clients, the role of communication skills in the veterinary education curriculum and the application of client centered communication approach within the veterinarian–client relationship. This integrated analysis included 48 studies and aimed […]

Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) is a frequent cause of irreversible blindness in dogs. It is thought to be an autoimmune disease like autoimmune retinopathies in humans (AIR). In humans, autoimmune retinopathies can develop as a form of paraneoplastic syndrome or when there is no cancer. Presentations of cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) and SARDS (nonparaneoplastic […]

Despite being one of the most popular mammalian pets worldwide, relatively little research has been conducted into the management, feeding and welfare of pet rabbits. Lack of knowledge about dietary, housing, and social needs, is commonly reported among pet owners. In fact, according to the Rabbits Welfare Association, only 5% of pet rabbit diet should […]

Pet´s adoption rate is increasing but the number of animals returned to shelters post-adoption is considerable. This study was conducted in the US to determine the animal characteristics associated with the likelihood of return, key reasons, and post-return outcomes for dogs and cats. From the 23,932 accessed animal records, 9.2% were returned to the shelter […]

Older cats are at increased risk of several age-related disorders and their nutritional requirements must be considered. In fact, a complete and balanced diet may slow down or prevent the progression of negative metabolic changes associated with aging, improving the cat’s health and longevity. At the moment there are no established guidelines or requirements available […]

Hypersomatotropism is a condition increasingly seen in cats and it is caused by a growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary adenoma. There are several treatment options- medical treatment, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, and surgery. The latter is the treatment of choice for humans. This investigation considered twenty-five cats with spontaneous hypersomatotropism that underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy between 2008 […]

Raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) are becoming increasingly popular among pet owners. However, their real advantages have not yet been clearly proven and some undesired consequences of these diets have already been well documented, both in dogs and cats. The risk of pets consuming an incomplete and unbalanced daily meal is high and literature has shown […]

In addition to being underdiagnosed, primary hyperaldosteronism is the most common adrenocortical disorder in cats. It mainly occurs in middle-aged and older cats and has been reported as a mediator of progressive renal disease. This disease may occur due to tumorous or nontumorous mineralocorticoid excess. It is associated with cardiovascular and renal complications both in […]

The size or weight of puppies at birth is an important parameter, which influences neonatal mortality and morbidity. It is also a predictor of puppy survival. Puppies should be weighed daily for at least the first three weeks to control weight gain, allowing an early detection of potential problems. Both offspring and maternal genetic and […]

Pathological increases in blood pressure may lead to ophthalmic, cardiovascular and neurological injuries and, in old cats, systemic arterial hypertension is indeed an important cause of morbidity. Drugs like telmisartan, a nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor blockers, are used in human medicine due to their antihypertensive and cardiovascular protection effects. The investigation aimed to evaluate the […]

Solar radiation may damage skin either directly or due to thermal injury (via thermal necrosis). The most affected areas are non-pigmented or sparsely haired zones, but dark skin should not be forgotten. In fact, it is important to consider that black skin absorbs way more solar energy than unpigmented skin and cases of “dorsal thermal […]

Afloqualone is used in humans to relieve back pain and neuromuscular disorder as it has muscle-relaxant and sedative effects. Although there are no published reports of afloqualone intoxication in dogs, cases of intoxication by drugs that act similarly on GABA, like baclofen or benzodiazepines, have been described. In two particular cases of accidental afloqualone intoxication […]

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) includes various components that can be alleviated with surgical treatment. Nevertheless, there are secondary complications, like inflammation and edema that can lead to the need for further proceedings. Nebulized epinephrine has been used in human medicine to improve respiratory function as it seems to cause vasoconstriction of vessels within the […]