The aim of this study was to report the results of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation as a minimally invasive treatment for grade 2 UAP in dogs. This was an observational case series on six German shepherd dogs affected by grade 2 UAP as defined according to their clinical condition as well as radiographic and CT findings. Bone marrow was collected from the iliac crest and the mononuclear fraction was separated with density gradient centrifugation. Cells were suspended in fibrin glue before BMMC administration and implanted via transcutaneous injection under IB or CT guidance, using a spinal needle directly inserted into the ossification centre between the anconeal process and the olecranon. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed for up to 6 months. Microradiographic assessment was performed on one dog that died of other causes. A progressive reduction of pain within 3 weeks after BMMC administration was observed in all dogs, with gradually increased weight bearing on the affected limb. Radiographic and CT follow-up revealed the progressive fusion of the ossification centre at 90 days without any signs of secondary OA. The examination of microradiographs showed newly formed bone tissue in which a residue of calcified cartilage was present at the site of BMMC implantation. On the basis of these results, BMMC therapy for grade 2 UAP may be considered to be an effective and minimally invasive treatment option for dogs.

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.