Canine malignant melanoma (CMM) is highly aggressive and mostly located in the oral cavity. CMM is the predominant type of canine oral malignancy and shows striking homologies with human mucosal melanoma. In comparative oncology, canine oral melanomas (COMs), as spontaneous tumor models, have the potential to acquire a unique value as a translational model of rare human melanoma subtypes. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of targeted therapies for canine malignant melanoma and to enrich the field of comparative oncology. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases for studies from 1976 to April 2024. Studies were selected based on their relevance to targeted treatments. A total of 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. Based on the treatment approaches, the studies were further categorized into immunotherapies, small molecule signaling inhibitors, indirect kinase inhibitors, and other alternative strategies. Some treatments have been shown to result in stable disease or partial response, accounting for 29% (monoclonal antibody) and 76.5% (micro-RNA therapies) in clinical trials. Moreover, in vitro experiments of small molecule inhibitors, including cell signaling inhibitors and indirect kinase inhibitors, have shown the potential to be an effective treatment option for the development of therapeutic strategies in canine malignant melanoma. The observed response in in vitro experiments of CMM (particularly the oral and certain cutaneous subtypes) to drugs used in the treatment of human melanoma underlines the resemblance to human melanoma, therefore supporting the notion that CMM may be a valuable model for understanding rare human melanoma subtypes and exploring potential therapeutic avenues in preclinical trials. Finally, this literature review serves as a valuable resource for the development of therapeutic strategies for CMM and highlights the potential for translating these findings to human cancer treatment.

A 5-year-old Mongolian mare (Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758) was observed to have corneal opacity and excessive ocular discharge. An ophthalmic examination revealed a moving thread-like cylindrical worm in the anterior chamber of the right eye. The parasite was successfully removed surgically. The worm was observed under light microscopy and confirmed as Setaria digitata by 12S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated similarity with Setaria digitata in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank database isolated from other Asian countries. This report is the first confirmed case of equine ocular setariasis by molecular diagnosis in China, which may indicate its presence in livestock and promote research on its epidemiology.

The gastrointestinal microbiota plays an important role in health of the host animals and the detrimental influence of pharmaceutical treatment on the fecal microbiota receives an increasing concern. The clinical use of ivermectin on chinchillas has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of our study was to assess the influence of ivermectin injection on the fecal bacterial microbiota of chinchillas. A with-in subject, before and after study was performed on 10 clinically healthy chinchillas during a 14-day period, all chinchillas received the same ivermectin treatment, and the microbiota from their fecal samples before and after administration were compared as two experimental groups. Fecal samples were collected on day 0 (before ivermectin administration) and day 14 (post ivermectin administration). Fecal bacterial microbiota was analyzed by bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. No clinical abnormalities were observed post subcutaneous administration of ivermectin. No significant alteration was found in the abundance and diversity of fecal bacterial microbiota after treatment, but the dominant position of some bacterial species changed. In conclusion, ivermectin administration was associated with minimal alternations of the fecal bacterial microbiota in healthy chinchillas, and these changes had no observed negative effect on general health of chinchillas in short term.

Background: Bladder duplication is a rare congenital lower urinary tract anomaly disease characterized by the presence of two bladders, possibly with duplication of the urethra. This disease is rarely reported in cats. The clinical symptoms are commonly occult, with increased difficulty in making a definitive diagnosis, especially if there is no obvious urethral duplication. The diagnosis is typically based on radiographs and ultrasound, with computer tomography serving as a more advanced imaging diagnostic modality. Cases of duplicated bladders with accessory tubular tissues are even scarcer in both human and veterinary medicine. Case presentation: A 6-year-old male neutered cat was brought to the hospital because of vomiting and constipation. Cystography revealed increased soft tissue density of a fusiform structure in the lower middle abdomen. The purulent-filled cavitary structure and the accessory tubular structure were removed via surgery, and histopathological examination confirmed a double bladder with attached accessory tubular tissue. After antibiotic treatment, the cat recovered uneventfully. Conclusion: This is the first case of bladder duplication in China and the first case of feline bladder duplication with tubular structure attachment in the world. This information will provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of similar cases in the future.

Background: Canine lymphoma (cL), the second most common canine cancer after mammary carcinoma, presents therapeutic challenges due to limitations of conventional regimens, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which have demonstrated efficacy in human non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), are increasingly being investigated as targeted therapies for cL, which also serves as a valuable translational model for NHL research. Objectives: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of TKIs in the treatment of cL. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases was conducted, encompassing studies published between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2026, using controlled vocabulary terms including “Canine,” “Dogs,” “Lymphoma,” and “Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors”. A meta-analysis was subsequently performed to evaluate the efficacy of TKIs. Results: Seventeen articles were included, comprising 11 clinical trials and 9 in vitro experiments, with some studies encompassing both methodologies. A meta-analysis encompassing 101 dogs from 11 clinical trials showed an objective response rate (ORR) of 42% (95% CI: 32–53%; common-effect model), indicating moderate antitumor activity. Notably, canine T-cell lymphoma (ORR = 0.63) may exhibit a higher response rate compared to canine B-cell lymphoma (ORR = 0.27). Conclusions: TKIs show moderate therapeutic activity in cL and support the role of dogs as a translational model for NHL research. However, further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety and to explore optimal combination and personalized treatment strategies.