Placenta is essential for the development of the fetus, and its impaired function can lead to a negative outcome (i.e., neonatal mortality). In dogs, investigations on placenta histology and neonatal outcome in healthy bitches are lacking, and a contribution is provided in this study to emphasize the use of placenta histology in practice. Fifty-one placentas from 11 litters were collected during cesarean section, classified according to the litter size (large (L) or small (S)) and the outcome, this latter as healthy (Group 1) or dead within 7 days (Group 2). The placenta/puppy weight ratio (PPR) was calculated, and specimens were formalin-fixed and paraffin-wax embedded, and on the resulting histological slides, capillary density (CD) was quantified. Among necrosis, calcification, and intravascular leucocytes, only the presence of multifocal-confluent necrosis (significantly more frequent in Group 2) was associated with a higher risk of death within 7 days (odds ratio = 30.7). Mixed logistic regression ruled out the effect on death both of a bitch and cesarean type (programmed vs. emergency). PPR and CD values were associated with litter size; large litters had lower PPR (p < 0.01) and higher CD (p < 0.05) than small litters. The relationship between PPR and CD was negative and significant (p < 0.01). Necrosis was a frequent finding in canine placentas, but only when multifocal-confluent was it associated with a poor outcome. The litter size influenced PPR (lower in L) and CD (higher in L), and this is likely due to the plasticity of placenta adaptation.

Contents: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a spontaneous and age‐related condition in humans and intact male dogs. A symptom index forBPHin men was created by theAmericanUrologicalAssociation. In this study, it has been developed and statistically validated as a model to assign an objective score to canineBPHseverity based on clinical signs observed and/or subjectively reported to the veterinarian by dog owners. The medical records of theAnimalReproductionUnit ofUniversity ofBologna (Italy) were used to select dogs with a clinical diagnosis ofBPH. A data set was built up, and the animals were included in the statistical analysis as dependent variables. A score of 1–3 was assigned to the disease severity of each case based on signs annotated, graded using a scale ranging from 1 to 4. Signs ofBHPwere entered as predictors while disease severity as dependent variable to generate the predictive model. The model was finally used to re‐classify each case of the data set, and the percentage of corrected predictions calculated. Overall, 373 subjects were entered in the model. Between them, 243, 107 and 23 animals have been represented based on medical records with aBPHseverity score of 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The model correctly predicted the response variable in 97.3% of the cases. In this study, aBPHsymptom index was created for the first time in dogs, which may be useful to standardizeBPHseverity with an objective score and to evaluate the necessity, the kind and the effectiveness of treatment.

Practical relevance: Despite substantial advances in assisted reproductive techniques having been recently reported in cats, the use of these is limited and routine application is still far from being a reality in veterinary clinics. Nevertheless, there is an increasing demand from domestic cat breeders for artificial insemination (AI) techniques that are already commonly used in dogs. Where natural breeding is not possible in tom cats and queens of high breeding value, AI could offer a solution. Clinical challenges: AI in cats is more difficult than in other species – both in terms of semen collection/handling and oestrous cycle management given that ovulation must be induced. Aim: For practitioners wishing to perform AI in queens, there are challenges to overcome, and a good understanding of the techniques and procedures involved is pivotal. This review aims to contribute to improved knowledge by providing an overview of AI protocols, encompassing choice of breeding animals, procedures for semen collection, oestrus and ovulation induction, AI techniques and equipment. Equipment and technical skills: Depending on the animals involved and the specific AI technique chosen, essential equipment may include an artificial vagina, electroejaculator, endoscope (sialendoscope, which can be fairly expensive) and special catheters for transcervical insemination. Other instrumentation and materials needed are typically readily available in a veterinary clinic. In general, no particular skills are needed to perform the procedures described in this review, with the exception of endoscopic transcervical catheterisation, where the ability to use an endoscope is required. Evidence base: The information and advice/recommendations provided are based on specific feline research and reviews published in scientific peer-reviewed journals, animal reproduction textbooks, and presentations at national and international congresses. The authors also drew on their own clinical experience with regard to the choice of protocols and procedures presented in this review.