Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) is a newly discovered paramyxovirus infecting domestic cats and its role in the pathogenesis of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been suggested, however not confirmed. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the renal damage associated with FeMV infection in cats. In this retrospective study, clinical and clinicopathological data were compared among 14 FeMV naturally infected, 21 CKD and 22 healthy cats. FeMV positive cats had serum chemistry analytes and main urine chemistry results similar to the healthy subjects. FeMV positive cats had significantly decreased urine specific gravity (median 1054, range 1022–1065) and urine creatinine (median 227.23 mg/dL, range 83.02–489.75) when compared with healthy cats (median 1067, range 1040–1080, p < 0.001; median 406.50 mg/dL, range 195.32–575.58; p < 0.001, respectively). Urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) results of FeMV and CKD were not different (median 0.20, range 0.08–1.03; median 0.23, range 0.10–0.80, respectively), however UPC results were significantly increased in both groups, if compared with healthy cats (median 0.1, range 0.04–0.250, p < 0.01). Based on clinical data, serum creatinine concentration, urine specific gravity and UPC results, CKD was suspected by clinicians in 3/14 FeMV cats. Urine protein sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in 10/13 (77%) FeMV cats indicated a tubular pattern, with a decrease of uromodulin and an increase in the number and intensity of low molecular weight proteins. FeMV infection can be associated with different grades of renal dysfunction ranging from mild tubular proteinuria with less concentrated urine to azotemia in cats younger than those typically affected by CKD.

Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in small animal practice and their inappropriate treatment contributes to the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spreading. This study assessed bacterial prevalence, non-susceptibility percentages, antimicrobial prescription and the impact of the application of international guidelines redacted by the International Society for Companion Animals Infectious Disease (ISCAID) in dogs and cats with UTIs evaluated at a European veterinary university hospital, over a 30-month period. A total of 729 bacterial isolates were included. The most frequently isolated bacterial species was Escherichia coli in both dogs (52.8%) and cats (45.7%). Following ISCAID guidelines, almost half of the cases were classified as upper UTIs (24.9%) or recurrent cystitis (24.8%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) percentage was 37.3% (n = 272). Over five semesters, MDR significantly decreased (p = 0.001). Additionally, a significant decrease was recorded for specimens from patients previously treated (p = 0.018) and under treatment at sampling (p < 0.001). Previous treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate (p = 0.001), marbofloxacin (p < 0.001), enrofloxacin (p < 0.001) and piperacillin-tazobactam (p = 0.016) was linked with higher MDR rates. This study highlighted that companion animals are potential reservoirs for AMR; moreover, international guidelines applied in the daily practice guiding antimicrobial stewardship can lead to a reduction in AMR over time.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is responsible for feline leukemia syndrome in domestic cats. The prevention and control of disease caused by FeLV are primarily based on vaccination and identification and isolation of infected subjects. Antigen diagnostic methods, which are the most widely used in clinical practices, can be associated to molecular tests to characterize the FeLV detected. In this study, a quantitative SYBR Green Real-Time PCR (qPCR) assay was used to detect FeLV proviral DNA in blood samples from antigen positive cats referred to a veterinary teaching hospital in Northern Italy in 2018–2021. To genetically characterize the identified viruses, a portion of the viral envelope (env) gene was amplified using six different end-point PCRs and sequenced. Twenty-two of 26 (84.6%) cats included in the study tested positive by qPCR assay. This suggests a high performance of the qPCR adopted but further studies are required to investigate the cause of discordant results between the antigen test and qPCR in four cats. From env gene analysis, 15/22 qPCR-positive cats were infected by FeLV subtype A and 5/15 shown coinfection with subtype B.

Several studies have shown the importance of vitamin D3 supplementation in small animals. In dogs, a low vitamin D3 status is associated not only with bone metabolism but also with different kinds of disorders, such as congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal diseases, chronic kidney diseases, and some types of cancer. However, it is crucial to maintain balance and monitor the introduction of this essential nutrient through the diet because over-supplementation can result in toxicity. Due to the clinical importance of assessing the vitamin D3 status in small animal patients, a quick, simple, and highly performing analytical method for its measurement is needed. In this study, we describe the development of a novel liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 quantification in canine serum. The approach was successfully validated following current European guidelines, proving excellent linearity (R2 always ≥0.996), accuracy (always within ±13%) and precision (always <10%). The application of the validated approach to samples collected from 40 healthy dogs made possible the definition of a reliable reference interval for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, the main biomarker of vitamin D3. In addition, variations below 5% in the results obtained quantifying the same samples using a water-based calibration curve demonstrated that a surrogate matrix may be used without affecting data accuracy. Thanks to its simplicity, the proposed technique represents a useful tool for supporting clinical routine and investigating correlations between serum concentrations of this metabolite and multiple diseases. Additionally, it could enable the monitoring of supplementation in small animal patients in veterinary clinical practice.

Objectives: The study aimed (a) to establish the reference interval for Δmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration‐mean cellular haemoglobin concentration in healthy dogs by ADVIA 2120 haematology analyser, (b) to identify the causes of increased Δmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration‐mean cellular haemoglobin concentration in both healthy and diseased canine samples and (c) to establish a cut‐off value to prompt further diagnostic evaluations by practitioners. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted evaluating the medical records of dogs referred to a Veterinary University Hospital. Healthy dogs were prospectively included to establish reference interval for complete blood count variables comprising Δmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration‐mean cellular haemoglobin concentration. Complete blood count reports of dogs who had both complete blood count and biochemistry performed concurrently were included. Complete blood counts were performed within 2 hours of sample collection, and biochemical analyses were carried out on serum samples within 12 hours. The macroscopic sample alterations were retrieved, including haemolysis, icterus, lipaemia and their severity. Results: Reference interval for Δmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration‐mean cellular haemoglobin concentration was established and ranged from −1.70 to 2.20 g/dL (90% confidence interval of the upper limit 1.92 to 2.50). The Δmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration‐mean cellular haemoglobin concentration was significantly increased in lipaemic and haemolytic samples and significantly correlated with their severity. The frequency of samples with increased Δmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration‐mean cellular haemoglobin concentration (≥2.5 g/dL) was significantly higher in lipaemic and haemolytic samples and in patients undergoing corticosteroid therapy or affected by Cushing’s syndrome. Clinical Significance: An increase in Δmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration‐mean cellular haemoglobin concentration in dogs is often associated with macroscopic sample alterations, mainly due to lipaemia, haemolysis, or both. When a Δmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration‐mean cellular haemoglobin concentration value of >2.5 g/dL is noted, laboratories and practitioners should carefully evaluate the samples for any evidence of haemolysis or lipaemia.

Blood donor welfare is extensively studied in humans, while limited data exist for blood donor dogs. This multicentric prospective study aimed to evaluate physiological and behavioral responses in 89 canine blood donors. Clinical parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, rectal temperature) and serum cortisol levels were measured before and after blood donation (BD), along with owner-reported behavioral assessments. Results showed no significant changes in cortisol concentrations pre-BD/post-BD or in most of the clinical parameters, except for rectal temperature that was significantly increased after BD [38.5 °C (38.2–39.4 °C) vs. 38.6 °C (37.6–41.7 °C), p < 0.001] suggesting a transient response likely due to physical restraint. No significant differences were found between first-time and repeat donors. Owners reported higher signs of arousal during the pre-donation phase, indicating anticipation as key to the stress response. However, more than 80% of the owners reported that their dogs behaved normally after the procedure and throughout the BD day. These findings suggest that canine whole BD is generally well tolerated and unlikely associated with systemic physiological stress. However, increased attention to the anticipatory phase, along with careful temperature monitoring, individualized restraint techniques, and optimized environmental management, may further improve canine blood donor welfare.