Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) is a zoonotic nematode commonly parasitizing dogs worldwide with great public health importance as the aetiological agent of human toxocariasis. In this respect, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of six disinfectant products commonly used in kennels, veterinary clinics and as household cleaning products on the embryogenesis and viability of T. canis eggs. The composition of active ingredients in these commercial disinfectants was sodium hypochlorite (A); a mix of N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodecylpropan-1.3-diamine and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (B); sodium dichloroisocyanurate dehydrate (C); a mix of glutaraldehyde, quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-c12-18-alkyldimethyl and chlorides (D); a mix of 2-propanol, ethanol, benzalkonium chloride and glucoprotamin (E); a mix of pentapotassium bis (peroxymonosulphate) bis (sulphate), sodium C10-13-alkylbenzenesulphonate, malic acid, sulphamidic acid, sodium toluenesulphonate, dipotassium peroxodisulphate and dipentene (F). After dilution, the tested disinfectants had the maximal concentration recommended by the manufacturer in order to achieve a biocidal effect. Each product was tested on approximately 10,000 T. canis eggs, having five different contact times (5, 10, 15, 30, 60 min). Three replicates were tested for each diluted disinfectant and for each contact time. After the treatment, eggs were washed and incubated in distilled water at 27 °C for 2 weeks. None of the tested products had a significant inhibitory effect on the embryogenesis and viability of T. canis eggs, regardless of the contact time. Moreover, after 2 weeks, in all tested samples, eggs containing motile infective larvae were identified, showing that routinely used disinfectants do not eliminate risk of infection by T. canis.

Objective: To determine the overdose (OD) of medetomidine (MT) in Wistar rats and to evaluate the potentiating effect of fentanyl (FT) when co-administered. The objective was to identify the dose inducing complete abolition of five standard reflexes and significant changes of: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), tissular oxygen saturation (SpO₂), rectal temperature (RT). Methods: Eight groups of Wistar rats (2 males and 2 females each) were used; the group showing the strongest effect was supplemented with 2 additional males and females. In phase one, four groups received intramuscular MT at 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, or 0.1 mg/kg. In phase two, the effective MT dose (0.1 mg/kg) was combined with FT at 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, or 0.1 mg/kg to assess synergistic effects. Reflexes, antinociception (via cold ethanol tail-flick test), and vital signs were recorded at baseline, during OD induction, and up to 60 minutes post-administration. The animals were not euthanised and allowed to recover. Results: The 0.1 mg/kg MT dose produced the shortest time to OD, while for the combination of 0.1 mg/kg MT with 0.1 mg/kg FT, OD time was 48% faster. Fentanyl significantly attenuated the bradycardia induced by MT (p < 0.0001), while RR depression was less pronounced at OD, but became evident at Pt60. The males from MT combined with FT group showed a shorter induction time of OD compared to males from MT alone group. In females, the effect was statistically robust (p = 0.0064), showing a significantly shorter induction time. Conclusion: The MT (0.1 mg/kg) and FT (0.1 mg/kg) combination produced the most consistent and pronounced OD, characterized by rapid reflex loss, marked physiological suppression, and delayed recovery. This interaction carries significant translational relevance for both veterinary anesthesia and human medicine in the context of the opioid crisis.

Developing an effective antidote for fentanyl-induced overdose to achieve timely reversal is an unmet public health need. Previously, we found that naloxone derivative NX90 with mild κ-opioid agonistic properties was three-fold more effective than the parent naloxone in reversing a fentanyl overdose in rats. To investigate whether κ-agonistic properties could indeed augment the robustness of overdose reversal, we evaluated a κ-agonist/µ-antagonist nalbuphine (NB) as well as its combinations with naloxone (NX) in a fentanyl overdose model in rodents. An administration of either NB or NX as single agents at 0.1 mg/kg doses produced a full recovery in 90 ± 9.9 min and 11.4 ± 2.7 min, respectively. A higher dose of NX at 0.2 mg/kg reversed an overdose within 4.8 ± 1.0 min. In contrast to that, the coadministration of NB and NX at 0.1 mg/kg each produced a synergistic effect, with overdose reversal in 3.4 ± 0.2 min. The coadministration of NX and NB at sub-therapeutic doses of 0.05 mg/kg each was also 1.2-fold more effective than NX at 0.2 mg/kg. We further found that co-administration of NB at different doses (0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg/kg) and ratios (1:4 and 1:1) with NX had differential effects on overdose reversal, cardiorespiratory liabilities, and analgesia.

Spore-based Bacillus spp. products are considered to have a higher probiotic potential compared to products containing only lactic acid bacteria because their viability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is higher, even when GI environmental conditions are unfavorable. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Pediococcus acidilactici spore-based potential probiotic on the natural levels of postprandial endotoxemia. A total of 11 dogs completed the study: group 1—healthy dogs: n = 5; group 2—dogs with apparent dysbiosis: n = 6. For 30 days, the dogs were fed the probiotic product; clinical examinations and blood sampling were done before and after completion of the probiotic treatment. Endotoxin levels were assessed pre-meal, 6 h and 12 h post-meal, before initiation and after completion of the treatment. The results showed a decrease in endotoxin levels after treatment, especially 12 h post-meal (group 1: 20.60%; group 2: 44.93%). This study reports new information with regard to natural endotoxemia levels in dogs and suggests that a multi-strain formula (spore-based) consisting of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis and P. acidilactici is able to diminish endotoxin values.

Angiostrongylus vasorum, commonly known as the French heartworm, is a metastrongyloid nematode infecting domestic and wild carnivores. While red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are known as the primary reservoir hosts in Europe, recent studies suggest that golden jackals (Canis aureus) could also be considered as important reservoir hosts. Due to the rapid expansion of golden jackals in Europe, their role in the epidemiology of A. vasorum remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of A. vasorum in golden jackals from Romania. Between October 2013 and November 2024, a total of 137 golden jackals were collected from 21 counties in Romania through legal hunting or roadkill. A full parasitological necropsy was performed (other data presented elsewhere), with the cardiorespiratory tract dissected for adult nematodes. First-stage larvae (L1) were isolated using the Baermann method. Morphological examination of nematodes and larvae was conducted using standard microscopy. Molecular identification of adult nematodes was carried out using PCR targeting the ITS-2 region, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, histopathological analysis was performed on lung tissue. A. vasorum was identified in the pulmonary arteries of 2 out of 137 golden jackals (1.45 %). The presence of first-stage larvae in lung tissue confirmed their role as definitive hosts. Molecular sequencing revealed 100 % identity with A. vasorum isolated from Europe. Histopathological examination showed granulomatous pneumonia with parasitic eggs, larvae, and vascular changes associated with the infection. This study confirms golden jackals as suitable hosts for A. vasorum in Romania, indicating their potential role as reservoir hosts. Given the increasing overlap between jackals, domestic dogs, and red foxes, further surveillance is needed to understand the epidemiological implications of A. vasorum in wildlife and domestic animal health.

Background/Objectives: The recreational use of fentanyl (FT) combined with xylazine (XZ), known as “tranq-dope,” poses a growing public health threat due to its high toxicity and mortality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of naloxone (NX), its lipophilic prodrug NX90, and their combinations with the mixed κ-agonist/µ-antagonist nalbuphine (NB) in reversing overdose and restoring respiratory function in a rat model. Methods: Male and female Wistar rats received intramuscular FT (0.104 mg/kg) + XZ (1 mg/kg) to induce overdose, followed by intranasal administration of NX, NX90, or combinations with NB. Physiological parameters, reflex recovery, time to overdose, and reversal outcomes were assessed during individualized clinical monitoring. Results: At the low FT dose (0.052 mg/kg), adding XZ (1 mg/kg) shortened time to overdose by ~2600 s compared with FT alone, whereas onset times were similar at medium and high FT doses. In the dose-finding cohort, FT + XZ co-administration was associated with a higher respiratory rate than FT alone at the highest fentanyl dose tested, an exploratory finding warranting confirmation in larger studies. Most interventions did not significantly shorten time to reversal; however, NX + NB (females) and NX90 + NB (both sexes) showed shorter reversal times than NX alone. However, respiratory rate at reversal was significantly improved with NX + NB, ½NX90 + NB and NX90 + NB (90 ± 6, 86 ± 5 and 92 ± 5 breaths/min) compared with naloxone alone (80 ± 6 breaths/min). Interventions containing nalbuphine (κ-agonist/µ-antagonist) yielded higher RR and HR at reversal than NX alone, consistent with an interpretive framework in which κ–µ opioid balance may influence observed physiological recovery patterns. Conclusions: Comparable or improved reversal outcomes could be achieved using half-doses of NX or NX90 with NB—potentially reducing the total dose of naloxone and mitigating the risk of precipitated withdrawal in individuals with opioid use disorder.