Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is an emerging disease in Europe. Clinical pictures vary from subclinical to life-threatening and non-specific clinical signs are predominantly reported. A 2-month-old female puppy originating from Southern Italy was adopted and moved to Northern Italy. Then, the dog was brought to a local veterinary practice for gastrointestinal signs, migrating lameness and pruritic dermatitis, and then tested positive for Hepatozoon spp. gamonts at the blood smear. After treatment with imidocarb dipropionate and doxycycline, the dog showed an initial clinical improvement. However, gastrointestinal signs recurred, and diffuse superficial pyoderma appeared on the thoracolumbar region, along with fever, lethargy, and weight loss. Eight months from the first onset of clinical signs, the dog was referred to a veterinary clinic and subjected to complete blood count, urine and fecal analysis, along with abdominal ultrasonography, whole-body CT and gastroduodenal endoscopy. Skin biopsies and blood samples were subjected to a PCR-coupled sequencing protocol, which scored both positive for H. canis. Alterations were consistent with a pre-existing cholangiohepatitis and multiple acquired extrahepatic shunts secondary to portal hypertension. The dog was euthanatized due to a clinical worsening two months later. The potential role of H. canis in the systemic disease observed, clinic-pathological findings and epizootiological implications are discussed.

In humans and dogs, loco-regional anesthesia is associated with lower peri-operative opioid consumption and less related side effects. The combination of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and intercostal blocks can be used to desensitize the entire abdominal wall in dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of TAP and intercostal blocks in bitches undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Twenty client-owned bitches were enrolled in this double-blinded randomized controlled trial. After premedication with dexmedetomidine, methadone and ketamine, the animals were randomized into two groups. Dogs in the TAP group received intercostal blocks from T8 to T10 and a TAP block with ropivacaine. Dogs in the FEN group received a fentanyl bolus and a constant rate infusion for the entire duration of the procedure. Intra-operative cardiovascular stability, post-operative pain scores, rescue opioid requirement, dysphoria during recovery, time to attain sternal recumbency and interest in food at 6 h post-extubation were compared. Bitches in the TAP group received a statistically significant lower amount of rescue fentanyl intra-operatively and methadone post-operatively. Pain scores were lower in the TAP group until 6 h post-extubation. No difference was found for dysphoric recoveries, time to attain sternal recumbency and appetite at 6 h post-extubation. No adverse event was recorded for any of the dogs. The combination of TAP and intercostal blocks can be part of an effective multi-modal analgesic strategy in bitches undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy.

Mast cell tumour (MCT) is a common cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasia in dogs. It can metastasise to lymph nodes (LNs), and this adversely affects the prognosis and treatment. The study aims to evaluate the SLN mapping of MCTs with radiographic indirect lymphography. Dogs that underwent clinical staging were prospectively enrolled. Lipiodol was injected around the MCT or the surgical scar. After 24 h, LNs that picked up contrast were radiographically assessed. Twenty-six dogs with 29 MCTs were included. MCTs were confirmed histologically, while SLNs were evaluated either by cytology and/or histology. SLNs were detectable in 23 dogs with 26 MCTs. Lymphatic vessels were visible in 19 MCTs. In nine MCTs, at least two SLNs picked up contrast. In particular, seven MCTs involved two SLNs, and two MCTs involved three different SLNs. In nine MCTs, at least a SLN was metastatic. This study indicates that the lymph drainage pattern of the MCTs may be different for each MCT, and more than one SLN can be involved. Indirect lymphangiography with Lipiodol allowed the detection of the SLN in 90% of MCTs. This provided clinically relevant information to remove the LN and stage the patient.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into chest radiography (CXR) has greatly impacted both human and veterinary medicine, enhancing diagnostic speed, accuracy, and efficiency. In human medicine, AI has been extensively studied, improving the identification of thoracic abnormalities, diagnostic precision in emergencies, and the classification of complex conditions such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Deep learning-based models assist radiologists by detecting patterns, generating probability maps, and predicting outcomes like heart failure. However, AI is still supplementary to clinical expertise due to challenges such as data limitations, algorithmic biases, and the need for extensive validation. Ethical concerns and regulatory constraints also hinder full implementation. In veterinary medicine, AI is still in its early stages and is rarely used; however, it has the potential to become a valuable tool for supporting radiologists in the future. However, challenges include smaller datasets, breed variability, and limited research. Addressing these through focused research on species with less phenotypic variability (like cats) and cross-sector collaborations could advance AI in veterinary medicine. Both fields demonstrate AI’s potential to enhance diagnostics but emphasize the ongoing need for human expertise in clinical decision making. Differences in anatomy structure between the two fields must be considered for effective AI adaptation.

(1) Background: Strain elastography (SE) is an ultrasound-based technique able to non-invasively assess tissue elasticity, with malignant tissues being stiffer than normal tissues. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of SE to differentiate feline mesenteric benign and malignant lymph nodes (LNs) using a multivariate approach including both SE results and B-mode ultrasound and color Doppler findings. (2) Methods: Feline enlarged mesenteric LNs were evaluated using B-mode ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasonography, and SE. Short-to-long axis ratios, borders, echogenicity, hilum, vascular flow distribution, elastographic patterns, and strain ratios were recorded. Histological and/or cytological diagnosis was available for each LN. (3) Results: A total of 88 LNs were included, 46 (52.3%) benign and 42 (47.7%) malignant; in the benign group, 40 LNs had a diagnosis of reactive hyperplasia (group A) and 6 eosinophilic sclerosing lymphadenitis (group B), while in the malignant group 42 had a diagnosis of lymphoma (group C). The principal component analysis approach showed evidence that by combining B-mode- and color Doppler-based scores with SE scores, the three groups of LNs can be accurately distinguished. (4) Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that a multivariate sonographic approach combining B-mode ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasonography, and SE can accurately distinguish benign from malignant LNs, thus helping in the clinical advice of feline patients.

Chronic non-septic pleural effusion is a condition that frequently may occur because of lung or pleural neoplasia, or chylothorax refractory to surgical treatment, in dogs. Effusion management can be performed with multiple pleurocenteses or the application of chest drains. New modified vascular devices have been used for patients with chronic diseases; they offer the advantage of allowing home management and do not require hospitalization. Eight PleuralPort^TM devices were applied in seven dogs during thoracoscopic exploration and biopsy procedures; five were affected by mesothelioma; one by lung metastases from a mammary carcinoma; and one by chronic chylothorax. The median time of surgical procedure was 51 min; one developed pneumothorax post-operatively that resolved within 12 h after repeated drainage; one device was obstructed after 45 days and was successfully managed by flushing. All patients were discharged after 24 h. The median duration of port insertion in cancer patients was 5 months and those dogs were euthanized because of tumor progression; in the dog with chylothorax, the device was removed after 1 year when the effusion had resolved.