Babesia gibsoni is a tick-borne protozoal blood parasite that may cause hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lethargy, and/or splenomegaly in dogs. Many drugs have been used in management of canine babesiosis such as monotherapy or combined treatment, including diminazene aceturate, imidocarb dipropionate, atovaquone, and antibiotics. This report examines the effectiveness and safety of Malarone^®, azithromycin (AZM) and artesunate (ART) combination for the treatment of babesiosis in dogs naturally infected with Babesia gibsoni. Twelve American Pit Bull Terriers were included in the experiment. Examined dogs underwent clinical and laboratory analysis including hematology and biochemistry profile and serum protein electrophoresis. After diagnosis, the dogs received combined therapy with Malarone^® (13.5 mg/kg PO q24 h), azithromycin (10 mg/kg PO q24 h) and artesunate (12.5 mg/kg PO q24 h) for 10 days. The combined treatment improved hematology and biochemical parameters to the reference range gradually during the first 14 days already, resulting in the stable values until day 56 after treatment. No clinically apparent adverse effects were reported during treatment and monitoring. No relapses of parasitemia were detected in control days 180, 360, 540 and 720 in all dogs. Results of the study indicate that the combined treatment leads to successful elimination of parasitemia in chronically infected dogs with B. gibsoni.

Chronic wounds and the failure of conventional treatment are relatively common in veterinary medicine. Recently, there has been a growing interest in alternative therapeutic approaches and the utilization of biodegradable materials. Their potential application in wound therapy may offer a novel and more suitable option compared to conventional treatment methods. Biodegradable materials can be classified into two main categories: natural, synthetic, and a combination of both, which have the potential to have synergistically enhanced properties. In this study, four domestic dogs with clinical symptoms of chronic wounds were enrolled. These wounds underwent treatment utilizing a novel biodegradable composite material composed of gelatin sponge combined with two electrospun layers of polycaprolactone (PCL) along with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fibers containing povidone-iodine complex (PVP-I). The initial phase of the study was dedicated to evaluating the antibacterial properties of iodine against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. On average, wound healing in domestic dogs took 22 days from the initial treatment, and iodine concentrations demonstrated a significant antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Based on the favorable outcomes observed in wound management, we believe that the utilization of a blend of natural and synthetic biodegradable materials holds promise as an effective wound therapy option.

Canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) frequently requires a sequential therapeutic approach in which treatment is escalated according to clinical response. This prospective, open-label clinical study evaluates selected dietary, antimicrobial, microbiome-directed, and corticosteroid interventions used within a step-up treatment strategy in dogs with CIE under routine clinical conditions. Fifty-six dogs were enrolled. Clinical response was assessed using the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index (CCECAI), together with faecal calprotectin, serum folate, and serum cobalamin concentrations. In the dietary stage, both novel-protein and hydrolysed diets significantly reduced CCECAI and faecal calprotectin. Clinical remission, defined as a final CCECAI score ≤ 3, was achieved in 64% and 60% of dogs, respectively. Baseline-adjusted analyses likewise showed no significant between-group differences in CCECAI, faecal calprotectin, or cobalamin. In dogs receiving second-line treatment, both metronidazole and probiotics combined with fibre significantly reduced CCECAI and faecal calprotectin, while baseline-adjusted comparisons demonstrated no significant differences between treatments for the evaluated outcome. In dogs receiving corticosteroid-containing treatment, substantial numerical reductions in CCECAI and faecal calprotectin were observed in both the prednisone-containing and budesonide-containing regimens; however, the very small subgroup sizes and concomitant dietary, probiotic, and fibre interventions precluded definitive conclusions regarding the specific effects or comparative efficacy of the individual corticosteroids. These findings provide real-world clinical evidence supporting a structured step-up approach to canine CIE and provide a rationale for larger, adequately powered controlled studies to determine whether non-antibiotic microbiome-directed strategies and locally acting corticosteroid-containing therapy can reduce reliance on empirical antimicrobial treatment and systemic corticosteroids, thereby minimising the potential adverse consequences associated with these therapies.

This case study describes the use of additive manufacturing technology combining a biodegradable polymer material, polycaprolactone (PCL), and innovative procedures for creating superficial wound dressing, a scaffold in the therapy of extensive contaminated skin defects caused by a traumatic injury. Chronic and contaminated wounds represent a clinical problem and require intensive wound care. The application of a temporary scaffold-facilitated bridging of the wound edges resulted in faster tissue regeneration and a shorter defect closure time, compared to other conservative and surgical methods used in therapy of chronic wounds. Although this procedure has proven to be an optimal alternative to autologous transplants, further studies with a larger number of patients would be beneficial.