Background/Objectives: This report documents the first confirmed case in Romania of fatal pneumonia and septicemia in a domestic rabbit caused by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, highlighting both its pathogenic potential and One Health implications. Case Study: An 8-month-old male German Giant Spotted rabbit raised on a rural farm under poor husbandry conditions developed acute respiratory distress and died within 48 h. Post-mortem examination revealed severe pulmonary congestion, tracheal inflammation, serofibrinous pericarditis, and systemic vascular lesions. Bacteriological analysis confirmed E. coli from lung, trachea, and bone marrow samples. The isolate demonstrated strong Congo red binding, was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and showed resistance to beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, macrolides, and phenicols, remaining susceptible only to aminoglycosides. PCR screening identified virulence genes (fimH, papC, iutA, ompA) linked to adhesion, immune evasion, and iron acquisition, with potential for horizontal gene transfer. Conclusions: This first documented case in Romania emphasizes the clinical threat posed by multidrug-resistant E. coli in rabbits and the importance of early diagnosis, improved biosecurity, and responsible antimicrobial use. The zoonotic and environmental risks in backyard farming underscore the urgent need for integrated surveillance. Alternative control strategies, including phage therapy and probiotics, should be explored to reduce reliance on conventional antibiotics.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the seroprevalence and clinical impact of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in horses from three ecologically high-risk counties in western Romania (Timiș, Arad, and Bihor) between 2023 and 2025. A total of 306 unvaccinated horses were tested using a commercial ELISA, with 8.17% testing positive for WNV antibodies, indicating prior exposure. Passive surveillance for clinical signs during mosquito seasons identified 16 horses with acute neurological symptoms, four of which were confirmed as clinical cases based on WNV-specific IgM positivity, suggesting probable silent WNV circulation in the region. The overall case fatality rate among confirmed clinical cases was 25.0%. WNV seropositivity was highest in Bihor (8.85%), followed by Arad (8.57%) and Timiș (7.32%). Statistical comparisons using χ² tests and binary logistic regression indicated no significant differences in seroprevalence between counties, sexes, or age groups, consistent with the overlapping 95% confidence intervals. These findings suggest the continued silent circulation of WNV in the region and support the integration of equine surveillance into the One Health framework as a potential tool for early detection and risk mitigation. However, in the absence of molecular confirmation (e.g., RT-PCR or virus isolation), these results should be interpreted as indicative of prior exposure rather than direct evidence of ongoing viral activity.

Bovine uterine infections remain a widespread challenge in dairy production systems, contributing to reduced fertility and overall herd performance. Background/Objectives: Postpartum uterine infections significantly affect dairy cattle fertility and productivity. This study aimed to identify aerobic bacterial pathogens associated with clinical endometritis in Romanian dairy cows and evaluate their antimicrobial resistance profiles. Methods: Uterine swab samples (n = 348) were collected from clinically affected cows across multiple farms. Bacteria were isolated and identified using conventional culture methods and MALDI-TOF MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the VITEK^® 2 system with GN 96 and GP 79 cards. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square (χ²) test. Results: A total of 387 bacterial isolates were recovered, with over half of the samples showing mixed bacterial contamination. Escherichia coli was the most frequently identified pathogen (44.9%), followed by Staphylococcus spp. (17.3%) and Klebsiella spp. (14.5%). Gram-negative isolates showed high resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin, while retaining susceptibility to imipenem and polymyxin B. Among Gram-positive isolates, Streptococcus spp. were highly susceptible to β-lactams, while Staphylococcus spp. showed moderate resistance to penicillin and macrolides. Conclusions: This study highlights the prevalence of key aerobic pathogens and their resistance profiles in Romanian dairy herds. These findings support the need for targeted diagnostics and rational antimicrobial use to improve uterine health and therapeutic outcomes in dairy cattle.

Background/Objectives: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (S. pseudintermedius) is an opportunistic pathogen frequently isolated from dogs, involved in a wide range of infections, particularly otitis externa. Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP), poses significant challenges for veterinary and potentially human health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of S. pseudintermedius in dogs with otitis externa compared to clinically healthy dogs. Methods: Between 2022 and 2025, samples were collected from 400 dogs with otitis externa and 360 healthy dogs in veterinary clinics from Timișoara. Ear swabs were processed by conventional microbiological techniques and confirmed using MALDI-TOF MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the VITEK^® 2 Compact system, following CLSI VET01, Fifth Edition (2018) standards. Fourteen antimicrobials from 11 classes were evaluated. Results: S. pseudintermedius was isolated in 40% of dogs with otitis externa and in 21.1% of healthy dogs. The highest resistance in both groups was observed to tetracycline (37.5% and 25%, respectively). No resistance was recorded to linezolid, vancomycin, teicoplanin, tigecycline, or fusidic acid. MRSP strains were identified in 1.2% of dogs with otitis, displaying multidrug resistance (MDR). MDR strains were also detected in 8.7% of diseased and 4% of healthy dogs, indicating the potential for subclinical reservoirs. Conclusions: The findings highlight the notable prevalence and AMR of S. pseudintermedius in both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. The detection of MRSP and MDR strains emphasizes the need for prudent antibiotic use and continuous AMR surveillance in veterinary medicine to mitigate zoonotic risks and preserve antimicrobial efficacy.

Background: Horses with palmar foot pain do not show a typical increase in temperature in the palmar aspect of the hoof and heel due to low blood flow. The objectives of the current study were to determine the changes and differences in the thermographic pattern of the sole surface in horses with unilateral palmar foot pain and non-lame horses before and after training. We hypothesized that the thermal pattern and the local temperature of the frog area and toe area would be similar, with an increased local temperature after training in both lame and non-lame horses. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the accuracy of thermography used to detect changes in local temperature and to compare the thermal patterns observed on the sole surface after training. Methods: The study group included eight horses with unilateral forelimb palmar foot pain (n = 8) and healthy contralateral limbs (n = 8). Four additional non-lame horses served as controls. The horses were selected for the study based on the following criteria: forelimb with unilateral chronic progressive lameness and positive reactions when performing the hoof test and frog wedge test, degenerative findings of the navicular bone, and improvement in lameness after perineural analgesia of the medial and lateral palmar digital nerve. The local temperatures of the frog and toe areas were measured before and after training in the affected and contralateral limbs in the study group and both forelimbs in the control group using an FLIR E50 thermal camera. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to check the sensitivity and specificity of the results for the studied groups. Results: The thermal patterns of the hoof presented differences between the three groups of horse limbs. After training, the temperature of the sole surface increased, and its area increased in the limbs affected with palmar foot pain compared with the non-lame limbs in the study group and the limbs in the control group. The temperature of the frog area did not increase after training in the limbs affected with palmar foot pain compared with the same area in the other groups. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated the medical applicability of this tool and showed that thermography is a reliable diagnostic test to correctly discriminate between non-lame horses and those with palmar foot pain. Conclusions: We recommend thermographic scanning of the toe and frog area to detect changes in the local temperature of the sole surface after training to discriminate the horses with palmar foot pain from non-lame ones. Further investigation is required to clarify whether the observed thermographic imaging features of the sole surface are characteristic for horses with palmar foot pain.

Introduction: Ostrich farming is increasingly recognized for its economic potential but poses significant health challenges due to the risk of pathogen transmission, including multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli. Case study: This study reports a case of a four-month-old female ostrich from western Romania presenting with severe respiratory and digestive infections, progressing to septicemia and death. A post-mortem examination revealed extensive mucus in the trachea, pulmonary congestion, hemorrhagic enteritis, and approximately 1250 g of metal objects in the ventriculus. Pure cultures of E. coli were isolated from the lungs and bone marrow and identified via MALDI-TOF MS. The strain exhibited multidrug resistance to several antibiotics, including enrofloxacin, doxycycline, and amoxicillin, highlighting the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine. Discussions: This case underscores the need for enhanced management practices in ostrich farming to mitigate environmental and pathogenic risks, as well as the urgency of developing alternative strategies for controlling resistant bacterial infections in avian species. Conclusions: This case highlights the need for alternative treatments and stricter antimicrobial stewardship to combat multidrug-resistant E. coli in ostriches.