Exposure to phytotoxins that are present in imported ornamental or native plants is an important cause of animal disease. Factors such as animal behaviors (especially indoor pets), climate change, and an increase in the global market for household and ornamental plants led to the appearance of new, previously unreported plant poisonings in Europe. This has resulted in an increase in the incidence of rarely reported intoxications. This review presents some of the emerging and well-established plant species that are responsible for poisoning episodes in companion animals and livestock in Europe. The main plant species are described, and the mechanism of action of the primary active agents and their clinical effects are presented. Data reflecting the real incidence of emerging poisoning cases from plant toxins are scarce to nonexistent in most European countries due to a lack of a centralized reporting/poison control system. The diversity of plant species and phytotoxins, as well as the emerging nature of certain plant poisonings, warrant a continuous update of knowledge by veterinarians and animal owners. The taxonomy and active agents present in these plants should be communicated to ensure awareness of the risks these toxins pose for domestic animals.

Zootoxins are produced by venomous and poisonous species and are an important cause of poisoning in companion animals and livestock in Europe. Little information about the incidence of zootoxin poisoning is available in Europe, with only a few case reports and review papers being published. This review presents the most important zootoxins produced by European venomous and poisonous animal species responsible for poisoning episodes in companion animals and livestock. The main zootoxin-producing animal species, components of the toxins/venoms and their clinical effects are presented. The most common zootoxicoses involve terrestrial zootoxins excreted by the common toad, the fire salamander, the pine processionary caterpillar, and vipers. The lack of a centralized reporting/poison control system in Europe makes the evaluation of the epidemiology of zootoxin-induced poisonings extremely difficult. Even if there are many anecdotal reports in the veterinary community about the exposure of domestic animals to terrestrial and marine zootoxins, the number of published papers regarding these toxicoses is low. Climate change and its consequences regarding species distribution and human-mediated transportation are responsible for the emerging nature of some intoxications in which zootoxins are involved. Although new venomous or poisonous animal species have emerged in regions where they were previously unreported, zootoxins produced by native species remain the main concern in Europe. The diversity of poisonous and venomous animal species and the emerging nature of certain poisonings warrant the continuous update to such knowledge by veterinary professionals and animal owners. This review offers an overview about zootoxin-related poisonings in domestic animals in Europe and also provides important information from a health perspective.

Copper is an essential trace element but becomes toxic in overexposed animals. Sheep are the domestic species most prone to chronic copper poisoning, as a slight increase in the dietary concentration can lead to liver accumulation and the development of clinical signs in this species. Common sources of copper in the diet are feed additives and mineral supplements, which are commonly used in pigs and poultry. Recently, new copper supplements were registered for animal nutrition, including copper bilysinate. This study describes an episode of presumed chronic copper poisoning in Five Texel sheep, which were exposed to a compound feed containing copper bilysinate. Four weeks after the introduction of the compound feed into the diet, the first animal started to show typical clinical signs of chronic copper poisoning and died, followed by another animal a week later. Despite removing the compound feed from the diet, a third sheep died 3 weeks later. Two animals survived and fully recovered. Necropsy and histology showed characteristic gross and microscopical lesions typical of copper poisoning. The case report highlights the potential toxic effect of copper bilysinate in sheep.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pyrethroid-based insecticides against Gasterophilus spp. egg-laying activity and to establish the seasonality patterns in the specific climatic area of Transylvania, Romania. To fulfil the aims of the study, a total of 40 horses were treated every 4 weeks and inspected every 2 weeks between 11 May and 6 November (Pilo et al. Parasitol Res 114:1693–1702, 2024). Through this period, eggs were found between 24 June and 2 November. The eggs were found on 34 out of 40 horses (prevalence = 85%, CI 95% = 73.43–96.56%). Overall, a total of 50,029 Gasterophilus spp. eggs were counted during this study, and all were morphologically identified as G. intestinalis. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in prevalence and intensity between treated and control horses (p > 0.05). The number of laid eggs varied significantly across body regions (p < 0.05). The risk factors associated with increased egg-laying activity were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with dark-color coats, outside husbandry regime, and the month of exposure. No significant differences in egg numbers and prevalence were found across gender or age groups (p > 0.05). The applied statistical tests were as follows: the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test, the Friedman test, Wilcoxon test corrected by the Bonferroni method, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. These results highlight gasterophilosis as an important parasite in horses. In conclusion, we recommend that, in order maintain a low prevalence of Gasterophilus spp., treatment should include the use of larvicidal drugs and the mechanical removal of the eggs.

Suspensory ligament injury is a major cause of lameness in sport horses, yet its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to characterize histopathological alterations of the equine suspensory ligament and to evaluate their association with imaging features. A comparative descriptive study was performed on sport horses with forelimb lameness, combining clinical evaluation, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathological analysis. Ligament samples were collected post-mortem from anatomically defined regions selected based on imaging findings to allow regional imaging–histopathology correlation. The results showed a consistent presence of edema in perivascular, interfascicular, and intrafascicular compartments, indicating a diffuse disturbance of tissue fluid balance. Lesions with lower severity were characterized by increased vascular permeability and mild extracellular matrix expansion, whereas lesions with greater structural severity demonstrated vascular remodeling, including endothelial thickening, vascular wall changes, and perivascular connective tissue proliferation, associated with collagen disorganization. Regional differences were observed, with more pronounced alterations in the proximal region compared to the branch region. These findings are consistent with a pattern of structural changes associated with microvascular alterations, demonstrating variation in lesion severity across samples and supporting an association between imaging categories and semi-quantitative histological features. However, given the cross-sectional design, causality cannot be established.