Intestinal parasites are involved in the health and wellbeing of cats and some of them, due to their zoonotic potential, represent a problem for public health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in cats with gastrointestinal signs. Fecal samples collected from 137 cats were analyzed by the flotation method using a sodium chloride saturated solution. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 50.4%. Intestinal parasites were significantly (p < 0.0001) more common in cats with digestive clinical signs (66.7%) than in clinically healthy ones (19.2%). Toxocara cati (40.2%) was the most frequently identified intestinal parasite, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (10.2%), hookworms (3.7%), Taeniidae (2.2%), Giardia duodenalis (2.2%), and Toxoplasma gondii (0.7%). Toxocara cati (53.3%, p < 0.0001) and Cystoisospora spp. (15.6%, p < 0.001) were significantly more frequently diagnosed in cats with clinical signs. A lack of deworming in the last three months (OR: 15.9), outdoor access (OR: 13.8), the presence of digestive symptoms (OR: 5.4), and young age (OR: 4.2) were identified as risk factors for T. cati infection by logistic regression analysis. Regardless of age, gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, diarrhea, and inappetence were positively associated with T. cati.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most used drugs in knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. Despite their efficiency in pain and inflammation alleviation, NSAIDs accumulate in the environment as chemical pollutants and have numerous genetic, morphologic, and functional negative effects on plants and animals. Ultrasound (US) therapy can improve pain, inflammation, and function in knee OA, without impact on environment, and with supplementary metabolic beneficial effects on cartilage compared to NSAIDs. These features recommend US therapy as alternative for NSAIDs use in knee OA treatment.

Heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils presents serious environmental and health risks. This study assessed the bioaccumulation and spatial distribution of nickel, cadmium, zinc, lead, and copper within a sheep-based food chain in the Baia Mare region, Romania, which includes soil, green grass, sheep serum, and dairy products. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we analyzed the concentrations of these metals and calculated bioconcentration factors (BCFs) to evaluate their transfer through trophic levels. Spatial analysis revealed that copper (up to 2528.20 mg/kg) and zinc (up to 1821.40 mg/kg) exceeded permissible limits, particularly near former mining sites. Elevated lead (807.59 mg/kg) and cadmium (2.94 mg/kg) were observed in industrial areas, while nickel and cobalt showed lower concentrations, but with localized peaks. Zinc was the most abundant metal in grass, while cadmium transferred efficiently to milk and cheese, raising potential health concerns. The results underscore the complex interplay between soil properties, contamination sources, and biological processes in heavy metal accumulation. These findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies to protect public health from potential exposure through contaminated dairy products.

In spite of its well-known nephrotoxicity, gentamicin is nonetheless routinely used in humans and animals. However, no adjuvant treatments have been implemented to mitigate this harmful effect. Given this concern, medicinal plants represent a significant reservoir of natural antioxidants that could potentially reduce the renal oxidative stress induced by gentamicin. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to investigate the nephroprotective properties of Cornus mas and Sorbus aucuparia fruits in an experimental model of nephrotoxicity. The 3-week study was performed on male Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into six experimental groups, being subcutaneously treated with 50 mg/kg gentamicin and orally given Cornus mas and Sorbus aucuparia extracts, in doses of 40 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Antioxidant therapy significantly improved the nitro-oxidative stress parameters as well as the specific renal biomarkers KIM-1 and iNAG, demonstrating a considerable renal tubular protective impact. These outcomes were reinforced by biochemical and histopathological enhancements. Nevertheless, neither of the tested extracts succeeded in substantially diminishing BUN levels. Additionally, CysC did not significantly decline following extracts treatment, suggesting that the remedies did not effectively protect renal glomeruli against gentamicin stress. Future studies are required in order to determine the underlying mechanisms of these berries.

Tetanus is uncommon in dogs, which are considered relatively resistant to tetanospasmin, and detailed descriptions of the diagnostic evaluation of severe generalized cases remain limited. A 5.5-month-old intact male Miniature Schnauzer was presented four days after a puncture wound to the right pelvic limb. On admission the dog was alert but non-ambulatory, with generalized muscle rigidity, tremors, marked cervical hyperextension, hyperactive spinal reflexes, facial muscle spasms and dysphagia. Together with the wound history and rapid progression, these findings supported a presumptive diagnosis of generalized tetanus, clinically classified as Grade III. Serum collected before tetanus antitoxin administration contained no detectable antibodies against Clostridium tetani neurotoxin. Treatment comprised equine tetanus antitoxin, antimicrobials, multimodal sedation and muscle relaxation, enteral nutrition, intensive nursing and physiotherapy. Needle electromyography on day 10 showed increased insertional activity, positive sharp waves and fibrillation potentials, and continuous spontaneous motor unit activity. Despite patient young age and rapid disease progression, clinical improvement was evident from day 10, and the dog was discharged on day 16, ambulatory and eating voluntarily. This case highlights that severe generalized canine tetanus remains principally a clinical diagnosis, while serial neurological examination, clinicopathological monitoring and electromyography can strengthen diagnostic confidence, characterize disease progression and support clinical management.

The presence of trace and toxic elements in milk and dairy products is an important food safety issue, as contamination can occur along the dairy supply chain and may be influenced by animal species, production system, and processing conditions. This study aimed to investigate and compare the multi-elemental composition of milk and selected dairy products obtained from organic, conventional, and commercial production systems in north-western Romania. A total of 307 samples, including raw milk from different animal species (cow, goat, buffalo, donkey) as well as yogurt, cheese, and mozzarella, were collected from farms and retail outlets. Samples were subjected to standardized microwave-assisted acid digestion and analyzed for toxic and essential elements (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Ni, Al, Sn, Cu, and Zn) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), with quality assurance ensured through certified reference materials and proficiency testing. The results indicated low concentrations of toxic metals across all dairy matrices, with Pb ranging from 0.0047 to 0.0117 mg/kg, Cd from 0.0008 to 0.0011 mg/kg, and As from 0.0007 to 0.0664 mg/kg, depending on animal species and production system. Mercury was consistently below the limit of detection in all datasets (LCD = 100%). Essential and transition elements were systematically quantified, occurring within expected ranges (Al: 0.021–0.264 mg/kg; Cu: 0.078–0.270 mg/kg; Zn: 3.245–7.963 mg/kg; Sn ≈ 0.0030–0.0035 mg/kg). All toxic element concentrations were below the maximum limits established by European Union legislation. Variations in elemental profiles were observed between animal species and production systems, with organic cow milk showing the most homogeneous composition. All toxic element concentrations were below the maximum limits established by European Union legislation. Overall, the findings confirm the safety of the analyzed dairy products and emphasize the relevance of multi-elemental monitoring as a practical tool for dairy supply chain surveillance and risk assessment.