Traumatic injuries cause morbidity and mortality in Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). This retrospective study evaluated 157 turtles at the University of Bari Sea Turtle Clinic from 2015 to 2022; these represented 7.74% of 2028 turtles evaluated. Lesions were classified by site, severity, and chronicity. All turtles underwent radiography; multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) was performed in selected cases. Each wound was swabbed for aerobic bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Lesions involved a single site in 115 turtles (73.2%) and multiple sites in 42 (26.8%); the carapace, flippers, and skull were most frequently affected. MDCT characterized cranial and skeletal injuries and residual flipper vascularization. Cultures yielded 121 bacterial isolates, of which 76 (63%) exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype. Overall, 137 turtles (87.3%) were released, 17 (10.8%) died, and 3 (1.9%) were euthanized. In single-site cases, lesion severity was associated with outcome (p = 0.045), whereas anatomical site was not. In multiple-site cases, neither severity nor site was associated with outcome; associations with hook and fishing-line ingestion were exploratory. These findings indicate that outcome may reflect the combined effects of lesion severity and concurrent clinical conditions and support the use of advanced imaging, microbiological investigation, and targeted therapeutic management in sea turtle rehabilitation.

Electrochemotherapy is increasingly used as a locoregional treatment for feline squamous cell carcinoma, but its role in advanced nasal planum disease remains poorly defined. This retrospective study evaluated the long‐term outcome of ECT as a sole treatment modality in 18 cats with T ₃ –T ₄ N ₀ M ₀ nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma. Adverse events were assessed according to VCOG‐CTCAE v2. Response was assessed using RECIST v1.1 criteria, and progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were analysed using Kaplan–Meier methods. At the end of treatment, 72.2% of cats achieved complete response, 16.7% partial response and 11.1% stable disease, resulting in an overall response rate of 88.8%. The 1‐year complete response rate was 61.1%. Treatment response was significantly associated with PFS ( p = 0.006), OS ( p < 0.001) and TTP ( p = 0.006), while recurrence was associated with shorter PFS ( p = 0.003) and OS ( p = 0.002). The 1‐year risk of recurrence was 50%. Adverse events were mostly low‐grade (VCOG Grade I–II) and self‐limiting, the most common being transient local pain, erythema/crusting and pruritus; no grade ≥ 3 complications such as tissue necrosis or fistula formation were observed. These results suggest that ECT is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment also in advanced stages nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma, with high response rates and long‐term control disease. The risk of recurrence underscores the need for prolonged follow‐up, as additional treatment sessions may be performed upon relapse, while ECT can also be used with palliative intent to prolong survival while preserving quality of life.

Tumors are complex microenvironments in which uncontrolled cell proliferation alters biochemical pathways as well as the physical and electrical properties of tissues. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) exploits electroporation-induced transient increases in cell membrane permeability to enhance intracellular delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. Electroporation is associated with a reduction in tissue electrical resistance due to aqueous pore formation, influenced by electric field intensity, pulse number, and tissue architecture. This study aimed to evaluate changes in tumor electrical resistance during ECT in 39 cats with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to investigate potential correlations between resistance reduction and therapeutic response. Lesions were located on the nasal planum or eyelids and staged as T₁-T₄N₀M₀. Tumor electrical resistance (Ω) was recorded in real time for each pulse during all ECT sessions using a veterinary-modified clinical electroporator with integrated resistance-measurement software. Resistance values ranged from 600 to 4900 Ω. Statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in resistance across sessions and pulses. Resistance was higher in eyelid lesions compared with nasal planum tumors and lower in cats achieving complete response. Additionally, resistance varied significantly among tumor grading, with a significant interaction between tumor stage and localization. In conclusion, tumor electrical resistance decreases during ECT in feline SCC, and lower resistance values are associated with improved local tumor control. Real-time resistance monitoring may represent a non-invasive surrogate marker of effective electroporation and treatment adequacy.