Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are structural anomalies present at birth, resulting from aberrant embryonic development. In veterinary medicine, CHDs are an important reason for disease and death in both dogs and cats. Their prevalence varies across species and breeds, with certain defects being more common in specific breeds due to genetic predisposition. In this article, we will focus specifically on cor triatriatum dexter (CTD), an uncommon congenital defect that involves the division of the right atrium into two chambers by a fibromuscular membrane. This malformation can have serious consequences, depending on the severity of the obstruction created by the membrane, and the presence of the often-associated congenital anomalies. It can range from mild, clinically silent anomalies to severe defects that result in heart failure, cyanosis, or sudden death. The present review aims to (i) explore the pathophysiology of CTD in dogs; (ii) outline the clinical scenario underlying the increased interest in CHDs by overviewing the evolution of appropriate diagnostic techniques and the treatment options available; and (iii) provide a discussion from a medical–legal and ethical point of view.

In recent years, consumer demand for animal-friendly production systems has driven the livestock industry to improve welfare standards. Protocols have been developed for different species such as calves, pigs, laying hens, and broilers to assess farms, compare practices, and establish a baseline for optimal welfare. However, despite their undoubted importance and presence on farms, ostriches are not included in these protocols. This study aims to develop a protocol for the welfare assessment of ostriches reared in intensive and semi-intensive systems using different indicators, which is feasible and time efficient. The protocol developed combines animal-based measures (physiological, appearance, and behavioral) with resource-based and management-based measures (management and environmental). Specifically, the ostrich welfare assessment protocol (OWAP) included 41 non-invasive measures: 14 animal-based, 12 resource-based, and 15 management-based. These measures were selected for their relevance, reliability, and feasibility. Each parameter is scored on a graded scale based on its condition, and the scores are aggregated to determine the overall welfare status of the ostriches. A threshold is set to classify welfare as acceptable, suboptimal, or unacceptable. Out of a total score of 95 (64 for indirect measures and 31 for direct measures), a score 63 optimal. This scoring system provides a systematic, objective approach to assessing ostrich welfare under different husbandry conditions.

Background: Managing end-of-life decisions in canine chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains one of the most significant challenges in veterinary nephrology, requiring a delicate balance between clinical data and ethical considerations. Objective: This study introduces a novel decision-making algorithm designed to guide clinicians and owners through the complexities of end-of-life care, focusing on the assessment of Quality of Life (QoL) and disease progression. Methods: The tool integrates IRIS staging with a multi-parameter QoL checklist, categorizing patients into three distinct clinical pathways: Tier A (Active Palliative Care), Tier B (Intensive Monitoring/Ambiguous Zone), and Tier C (Compassionate Euthanasia). Results and Discussion: The algorithm defines Tier A as a proactive palliative pathway grounded in systematic clinical evaluation and continuous QoL assessment, aimed at preserving patient comfort and dignity. Across all tiers, QoL functions as a dynamic and central parameter, guiding transitions between clinical pathways in conjunction with objective indicators of disease progression. Tier C delineates the threshold of therapeutic futility, where declining QoL and biological resilience converge, and euthanasia is framed as an ethically appropriate option to prevent refractory suffering. Conclusions: By providing methodological transparency and clear clinical thresholds, this tool facilitates communication between veterinarians and owners. It ensures that palliation is approached with high-standard medical rigor while safeguarding the animal’s dignity when biological resilience is exhausted.

In recent decades, the exponential growth of the global seafood industry has intensified the exploitation of aquatic invertebrates, particularly decapod crustaceans, whose commercial value continues to rise alongside consumer demand. This expansion has coincided with significant scientific advances recognizing these animals as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and exhibiting complex behavioral responses to noxious stimuli. Nevertheless, legal systems have been slow integrate such evidence, resulting in a persistent misalignment between scientific knowledge and regulatory practice. This article critically examines the legal status of decapod crustaceans within animal welfare law, underscoring a pronounced disjunction between well-established scientific evidence of their sentience and the limited protections they receive. Despite extensive research supporting their capacity for suffering, the prevailing legal paradigm continues to construe these animals predominantly as commodities. Through a comparative analysis of regulatory regimes across the European Union, Italy, and selected extra-European jurisdictions, including UK, Australia, and New Zealand, the study identifies a significant regulatory lacuna alongside considerable legislative fragmentation. It scrutinizes a spectrum of normative models, ranging from indeterminate, principle-based provisions to more exacting and technically prescriptive standards. The article finally advocates for a harmonized, science-driven regulatory framework to ensure coherent and effective welfare protections for decapod crustaceans within the global food industry.

In canine leishmaniosis (CanL), complex interactions between the parasites and the immunological background of the host influence the clinical presentation and evolution of infection and disease. Therefore, the potential use of nutraceuticals as immunomodulatory agents becomes of considerable interest. Some biological principles, mainly derived from plants and referred to as plant-derived nutraceuticals, are considered as supplementation for Leishmania spp. infection. This study provides a systematic review regarding the use of nutraceuticals as a treatment using a text mining (TM) and topic analysis (TA) approach to identify dominant topics of nutritional supplements in leishmaniosis-based research, summarize the temporal trend in topics, interpret the evolution within the last century and highlight any possible research gaps. Scopus^® database was screened to select 18 records. Findings revealed an increasing trend in research records since 1994. TM identified terms with the highest weighted frequency and TA highlighted the main research areas, namely “Nutraceutical supports and their anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties”, “AHCC and nucleotides in CanL”, “Vit. D3 and Leishmaniosis”, “Functional food effects and Leishmaniosis” and “Extract effects and Leishmaniosis”. Despite the existing academic interest, there are only a few studies on this issue so far, which reveals a gap in the literature that should be filled.