Veterinary research communicationsNatália Chomová, Gabriel Žoldák, Dagmar Mudroňová
Antimicrobial resistance poses one of the most critical challenges to global health, particularly within veterinary medicine, where antibiotic misuse contributes significantly to multidrug-resistant infections. Bacteriophages have re-emerged as promising biocontrol agents that can target resistant pathogens while preserving host microbiota and environmental balance. However, despite growing experimental evidence, therapeutic implementation remains constrained by heterogeneous methodologies, limited clinical validation, and fragmented regulatory frameworks. This narrative review critically appraises advances in veterinary phage therapy and suggests that standardized, optimized bacteriophages may match the efficacy and biosafety of antibiotics, potentially enhancing their effectiveness in combination therapies. Latest studies report substantial pathogen reduction and, in a smaller number of cases, improved clinical outcomes in livestock (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Clostridium perfringens), as well as in aquaculture (Aeromonas hydrophila, Edwardsiella tarda) and apiculture (Paenibacillus larvae) models. Emerging strategies, including phage cocktails, microencapsulation, and phage-antibiotic synergy, enhance therapeutic stability but require standardized evaluation. To fully realize their potential, bacteriophage therapies must be developed within harmonized frameworks that integrate genomic surveillance, pharmacodynamic modeling, and quality-controlled production. Phage therapy should thus be viewed not as an established alternative but as a dynamic, hypothesis-driven approach capable of reshaping antimicrobial stewardship within the "One Health" paradigm.
The veterinary quarterlyFernando Tecles, Julian J Arense-Gonzalo, Alberto Muñoz-Prieto, Asta Tvarijonaviciute, Silvia Martínez-Subiela, Edgar G Manzanilla, José J Cerón
The use of artificial intelligence has been a revolution in human medicine in the last years. Machine learning (ML), a subset of artificial intelligence, has allowed the use of a large amount of data to search for associations of clinical significance. Although the use of ML with laboratory biomarkers in veterinary medicine is limited in comparison with the human side, the number of studies published in this field is increasing in recent years. This review addresses some basic concepts and gives a general overview of the use of ML in the area of biomarkers in veterinary medicine. It is especially focused on two species of each companion (dogs and cats) and farm (bovine and porcine) animals, and provides information about the advances made in the last years, indicating how ML using laboratory data can contribute to the diagnosis and monitoring of selected diseases and, in case of farm animals, also to better control and improve their productive performance. In addition, possible new applications such as optimizing laboratory management, refining diagnostics or improving treatment monitoring based on the experience in humans are outlined. This narrative review can contribute to a better knowledge about the possible use of ML in laboratory biomarkers in veterinary and animal sciences for current and future applications.
International journal of molecular sciencesIga Horodyska, Patrycja Kasperska, Daria Będkowska, Sara Al-Ameri, Aleksandra Adam, Izabela Herman, Marta Miszczak, Joanna Bubak
The detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is a minimally invasive approach for diagnosing and monitoring cancer. These liquid biopsy-based strategies enable the identification of primary or metastatic tumors and provide valuable information on tumor biology and treatment response. A variety of techniques are employed to analyze components obtained through liquid biopsy. While CTCs are typically detected using cell-based methods, ctDNA is commonly analyzed using highly sensitive molecular approaches, including quantitative PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which carry tumor-derived nucleic acids, proteins, and other biomolecules, are increasingly investigated as potential biomarkers, while tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) can reflect tumor-associated molecular changes and may provide additional information for cancer detection and monitoring. Furthermore, emerging multi-cancer early detection (MCED) approaches aim to identify molecular signatures associated with multiple cancer types from a single blood sample, highlighting the broader diagnostic potential of liquid biopsy. Due to the high specificity of tumors and somatic mutations, ctDNA serves as a real-time biomarker for tracking cancer progression. The advantages of ctDNA diagnostics include its low invasiveness and its capacity to detect cancer at early stages. In addition to confirming the presence of a tumor, liquid biopsy approaches facilitate the assessment of malignancy and the evaluation of treatment response. In the field of human medicine, ctDNA plays a pivotal role in diagnostic procedures. It is utilized not only for screening tests that detect the presence of cancer but also for the development of targeted treatment protocols for specific patients. These protocols are informed by the detection of genomic alterations and are designed to monitor the response to therapy over the course of treatment. Similarly, CTC, EV, TEP, and MCED approaches are being investigated as complementary tools for cancer detection, molecular characterization, prognosis, and longitudinal disease monitoring. In the domain of veterinary medicine, ctDNA has been instrumental in the diagnosis of various neoplasms, including osteosarcomas, hemangiosarcomas, lymphomas, canine mammary tumors, and melanomas. Other liquid biopsy components, including CTCs and EVs, also show promise for the detection and characterization of tumors in companion animals, although their clinical application remains less developed than in human medicine. Another significant application is in the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD), where a small number of cancer cells remain undetectable by conventional tests, such as blood counts. This underscores the significance of advanced ctDNA analysis. However, challenges persist, including the low concentration of ctDNA in blood, the low ratio of mutated to normal DNA fragments, potential contamination, biological variability, and the need for standardized protocols. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on liquid biopsy, including ctDNA, CTCs, EVs, TEPs, and emerging MCED approaches, and the potential for transferring these technologies from human medicine to animal medicine. Continued research is necessary to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of detection, which could facilitate early cancer diagnosis in animals and improve survival through timely treatment.
Veterinary medicine and scienceKianoush Saberi, Rosull Saadoon Abbood, Sarah F Al-Taie, Aseel Smerat, Abdullaev Makhmudjon Mukhamedovich, Maksudova Malika Khamdamjonovna, Mohammad Hedayatini…
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly explored in veterinary neurology for pattern recognition, prediction and clinical decision support, with relevance to comparative and translational neuroscience. OBJECTIVES: This review examines AI applications in veterinary neurology, compares them with human neurology and evaluates cross-species technology transfer within a One Health framework. METHODS: A narrative review synthesized evidence across AI domains in veterinary neurology, including neuroimaging and radiomics, electrophysiology and seizure detection or forecasting, gait and pain assessment, morphometric biomarker discovery, prognostic modelling and laboratory diagnostic tools. Human studies were considered to identify translational opportunities, methodological challenges and the value of transfer learning and domain adaptation. RESULTS: Available evidence suggests that AI holds promise for pattern recognition, prediction and decision support in veterinary neurology. Reported applications include canine brain tumour classification, spinal lesion grading, seizure monitoring and quantitative gait analysis, with encouraging performance. However, most applications remain proof-of-concept. The evidence base is dominated by retrospective single-centre studies with small samples, heterogeneous protocols and limited prospective or external validation. Model calibration, uncertainty reporting and clinically relevant error trade-offs are often insufficiently addressed. Transfer learning and domain adaptation may help overcome limited veterinary datasets, while naturally occurring neurological disease in dogs may also support refinement of human AI systems. CONCLUSIONS: AI in veterinary neurology is a promising but early field. Future progress will require multi-centre collaboration, standardized data practices, explainable and ethically governed models and stronger One Health partnerships to support safe translation.
Veterinary medicine and scienceAbdu Muhammed, Mitiku Wamile
BACKGROUND: Ethiopian veterinary services encounter several difficulties, including inadequate infrastructure, difficult accessibility, and financial restrictions. Inadequate veterinary clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and cold chain facilities, particularly in rural and pastoralist settings, negatively affect livestock health and production. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review is to identify and analyze major challenges hindering effective veterinary service delivery in Ethiopia. METHODS: This review was conducted by systematically searching electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Web of Science for articles published between 2000 and 2025. Search keywords included 'Ethiopia', 'veterinary service delivery', 'animal health', 'infrastructure', 'diagnostic laboratories', 'veterinary workforce', 'financial constraints', and 'disease surveillance'. Additional sources were identified from the reference lists of relevant articles and from grey literature. RESULTS: The nation's access to and use of veterinary services are restricted by a severe shortage of qualified veterinary professionals (veterinarian-to-livestock ratio far below WOAH recommendations) as well as budgetary limitations. The underutilization of cutting-edge diagnostic technologies, such as genomic and molecular tools, impairs the ability to monitor and respond to illnesses, especially zoonotic ones. This is compounded by a tiered laboratory system where only the national reference lab has routine molecular diagnostic capacity, and inadequate quality control and standardization in laboratories lead to unreliable results. Inadequate data exchange and management hamper coordination of responses to epidemics. The economy and animal health services in Ethiopia are impacted by a scarcity of veterinary specialists, exacerbated by brain drain. Low pay and lack of incentives discourage veterinarians from practicing in underprivileged regions. The high cost of veterinary treatment is a challenge for livestock owners, particularly in rural locations. Additionally, underutilization and poor animal health outcomes are caused by a lack of public awareness about veterinary services in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Veterinary service delivery in Ethiopia is constrained by infrastructure gaps, workforce shortages, financial limitations, weak diagnostic capacity, poor data management, and low community awareness. Addressing these challenges requires increased investment in veterinary facilities and personnel, improved laboratory quality control and molecular diagnostic capacity, better data sharing systems, financial incentives for rural service providers, and public awareness campaigns for livestock owners.
Veterinary medicine and scienceYebelayhun Mulugeta, Taye Shibabaw, Haile Delelegn, Belete Jorga
Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa, yet veterinary service delivery remains inadequate, particularly in remote rural and pastoral areas, undermining livestock health and rural livelihoods. Persistent gaps in workforce, infrastructure and supply chains exacerbate disease risks and economic vulnerability. Despite the recognized value of participatory approaches for improving service equity and sustainability, evidence from Southern Ethiopia remains limited. This study aimed to explore community experiences and perceptions of veterinary service delivery in the Aari Zone of Southern Ethiopia, identifying key barriers and opportunities for improvement through a community-engaged qualitative approach. Six semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 54 participants across four districts, and data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: (1) Availability and Accessibility, such as severe shortage and instability of veterinary professionals, long travel distances (up to 4 h), inadequate clinics and cattle crushes, and lack of emergency/night-time services; (2) Quality and Resources, including irregular drug and vaccine supply, absence of diagnostic facilities, low professional skill levels and poor infrastructure; and (3) Economic and Cultural Factors, consisting of high private drug costs, poverty and forage scarcity and continued reliance on traditional practices where modern services fail, despite no cultural resistance to modern care. This study provides the first qualitative evidence from Aari Zone situating local veterinary service gaps within Ethiopia's broader extension system. Findings underscore the need for integrated policy responses, including workforce stabilization, mobile veterinary units, diagnostic capacity building, gender-sensitive training and affordability measures. Embedding veterinary services within farmer training centres and adopting One Health principles can enhance resilience and equity in rural animal health systems.
PloS oneArzu Peker, Lorenzo Serva, Yılmaz Aral, Şükrü Orkan, Oğuz Altın, Luisa Magrin
Companion animal clinics are an integral part of urban veterinary practice. Yet such clinics face several challenges, including rising operational costs, intense market competition, and shifting pet owners' expectations. In contrast to previous studies focused on veterinary business models, little in-depth examination of determinants of clinic performance has been conducted to date. To address this gap, the current study evaluated the socio-economic and financial characteristics of companion animal clinics in Ankara Province, Türkiye, using Principal Component Analysis followed by k-means clustering. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the owners or managers of 35 companion animal clinics using a questionnaire comprising 44 indicators. Cluster 1 (10 clinics, 28.57%), which included multi-service clinics, had the highest costs ($8616.77) and income ($10671.77) due to service diversity and high investments in staff and equipment. Cluster 2 (8 clinics, 22.86%) included clinics characterized by moderate costs and stable income, oriented toward efficiency and targeted services. Cluster 3 (8 clinics, 22.86%) included cost-efficient clinics that mainly provided cat care and achieved the highest profitability of $5093.65. Cluster 4 (9 clinics, 25.71%) included clinics specializing in the care of exotic animals, with the lowest monthly income of $5023.83 and difficulties in achieving regular profitability. The results of our study revealed that the differences between clinic profiles are generally related to operating cost structures and strategies, income sources, and the variety of services provided to clients. Clinics that manage operational costs in line with income streams and adapt to client needs tend to perform better financially. In conclusion, veterinary professionals can use these insights to improve their strategies, optimize resource use, and improve financial performance.
Significant causes of morbidity in veterinary medicine are tumourigenic diseases and pathogenic infections, which pose significant threats to animal health. Traditional methods for treating tumours and bacterial infections primarily involve chemotherapy and antibiotic therapy, both of which are associated with drug resistance and adverse effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is gaining increasing interest in veterinary clinical practice because of its distinctive benefits such as spatiotemporal selectivity, low toxicity, fewer negative effects, and reduced risk of drug resistance. This review summarises the fundamental principles of PDT and its applications in combating tumours and microbial infections in veterinary practice involving companion animals, livestock, wildlife, and reptiles. It is worth noting that the existing clinical evidence is limited by very small sample sizes and the absence of comparator groups; however, these studies have provided a preliminary theoretical foundation and technical reference for further clinical development of PDT. Moreover, the opportunities and challenges associated with PDT in veterinary clinical practice are discussed herein.
Emma Roberts looks back at a veterinary nursing career in emergency and critical care, learning to balance home and work life, and how leadership roles helped her grow.
After a decade in practice, Mark Leddy, CEO of Photon Therapeutics, found a new calling shaping teams and building businesses, combining his clinical expertise with a love of technology.
Amid the chatter about reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, BVA President Rob Williams urges members to hold fast to the knowledge that the profession has a wide and positive impact on society.
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienneRajinder Singh
PEDIAS In & Out is a 2-stage clinical reasoning framework designed to organize differential diagnosis in veterinary medicine by sequentially evaluating external (exogenous) causes before internal (endogenous) disease processes. The framework aims to improve diagnostic clarity, reduce cognitive load, and enhance efficiency in real-world clinical settings. Developed through 4 y of application in small animal practice, this system provides a structured, repeatable, and cognitively accessible approach for generating comprehensive differential diagnosis lists. Its utility spans both routine clinical use and veterinary education, offering a practical alternative to traditional, resource-intensive diagnostic methods.
Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)Deborah C Mandell, Vincent J Thawley, Jamie M Burkitt-Creedon, Daniel J Fletcher, Manuel Boller, Erik Fausak
OBJECTIVE: To present evidence- and consensus-based guidelines for prehospital first aid in dogs and cats. DESIGN: Prioritized clinical questions pertaining to first aid posed in the Population-Intervention-Comparator-Outcome (PICO) format were used to inform systematic literature searches by information specialists, which facilitated extraction of research findings from relevant publications and these findings' synthesis into evidence. This evidence was assessed for quality and used to draft treatment recommendations. These steps were followed by an international commenting period for veterinary professionals prior to finalization. These 2026 RECOVER First Aid Guidelines summarize treatment recommendations enabling veterinary professionals to provide clear, actionable instructions to animal owners, handlers, and paraprofessionals in the prehospital setting. SETTING: Transdisciplinary, international collaboration in university, specialty, emergency, and general practice. RESULTS: A total of 10 PICO questions pertaining to first aid in dogs and cats were addressed in the main portion of this project. This resulted in 38 treatment recommendations covering a variety of conditions for which timely aid in the prehospital setting may improve morbidity and mortality outcomes in dogs and cats. Conditions included heat stroke, choking, burns, noncaustic toxin ingestion, hypoglycemia, and severe extremity bleeding, among others. One main and four condition-specific RECOVER First Aid Recognize and Act Algorithms display the flow of assessments and actions bystanders may use to help distressed animals outside the clinical setting. Six additional instructional figures can be used to teach small animal owners, handlers, and paraprofessionals to provide first aid. CONCLUSIONS: These 2026 RECOVER First Aid Guidelines present a concise and comprehensive framework for first aid provision for dogs and cats in the prehospital setting. These works serve to support veterinary professionals, educational systems, and research initiatives in conducting, implementing, and advancing the provision of first aid in dogs and cats.
Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)Vincent J Thawley, Deborah C Mandell, Jamie M Burkitt-Creedon, Daniel J Fletcher, Manuel Boller, Karen Anderson, Shannon Axiak Flammer, Fiona J L Brown, Rebeka…
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the evidence on, to devise clinical recommendations for, and to identify critical knowledge gaps regarding the provision of first aid in dogs and cats. DESIGN: Standardized, systematic evaluation of literature pertinent to first aid following Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. Identified literature regarding prioritized questions in the Population-Intervention-Comparator-Outcome (PICO) format was reviewed independently by Evidence Evaluators, and findings were reconciled by Domain Chairs and Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation Co-Chairs to arrive at treatment recommendations commensurate with the quality of evidence and feasibility. This process was implemented using an evidence profile worksheet for each PICO question, including an introduction, consensus on science, treatment recommendations, justification of recommendations, and knowledge gaps. Treatment recommendations underwent a 4-week comment period among international veterinary stakeholders prior to finalization. SETTING: Transdisciplinary, international collaboration in university, specialty, emergency, and general practice. RESULTS: Sixteen PICO questions pertaining to first aid were addressed in this project. We separated 10 general first aid scenario PICO questions from those pertaining to allergy and anaphylaxis, reported elsewhere. These main first aid PICO questions resulted in 38 treatment recommendations regarding a variety of conditions for which prehospital care may improve morbidity and mortality in dogs and cats. Many recommendations are supported by low or very low quality of evidence (15) or based on expert opinion (18). CONCLUSIONS: Uncertainty remains regarding optimal ways for bystanders to recognize specific conditions and provide first aid in the prehospital setting to dogs and cats. However, through comprehensive evidence evaluation and a consensus process that included considerations of safety and feasibility, the resulting treatment recommendations lay the foundation for clear, actionable guidance in small animal first aid. Additionally, a list of high-priority knowledge gaps was identified to guide collaborative clinical research to overcome a significant deficit in veterinary literature.
Military medicineElise LaDouceur, Katy Raynor, Clayton Chilcoat, Jason Crawford, Elizabeth Heitz
INTRODUCTION: Diseases can impact Military Working Equids (MWEs) readiness and limit days in service. The objectives of this study are to categorize diseases in MWEs and evaluate potential risk factors for disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathology reports from MWEs from 2005 to 2025 were retrieved from the Joint Pathology Center archives. Disease processes with ≥5 cases were evaluated for potential risk factors, including MWE breed, sex, neuter status, geographic location, and age at sampling. RESULTS: Diagnoses included inflammation (n = 30), neoplasia/proliferation (n = 24), within normal limits (n = 12), trauma (n = 3), atrophy (n = 1), and necrosis (n = 1); 2 cases had 2 diagnoses each. Inflammation was most common in the skin (n = 19). The most common neoplastic diagnoses were sarcoid (n = 8) and melanocytic neoplasia (n = 5). Mustangs had nearly 8 times the odds of developing infection than other MWE breeds (odds ratio [OR]: 7.85, 95% CI, 1.50-41.10, P < .05) and more than 8 times the odds of developing bacterial infections (OR: 8.10, 95% CI, 1.20-54.82, P < .05), though this may have been an artifact of the relatively low sample size in this study. Military Working Equids from Fort Carson had 81.33 times the odds of developing melanocytic neoplasia than MWEs from other locations (95% CI, 6.82-970.22, P < .05); Fort Carson is at a high elevation, raising the possibility of UV-induced melanocytic neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The Joint Pathology Center is the only Department of Defense (DoD) pathology laboratory and maintains a repository capturing over 100 years of data. Future studies with larger sample sizes may yield stronger statistical associations and identify additional risk factors for diseases in MWEs.
BACKGROUND: Pharmacists are expanding their participation in veterinary healthcare teams and assuming roles beyond traditional dispensing duties. However, the scope of these collaborative practices and the degree of mutual recognition vary substantially across regions. OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aimed to organize the existing literature on collaboration between veterinarians and pharmacists, clarifying current roles, practical applications, and professional perceptions within the veterinary field. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to examine the roles, practices, and perceptions associated with veterinarian-pharmacist collaboration in veterinary medicine and related fields. Two researchers independently searched PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Ichushi-Web, and additionally screened Google Scholar to identify gray literature (from database inception to August 2025, in English or Japanese). Records were independently screened at the title/abstract and full-text levels using predefined eligibility criteria, and relevant studies were identified. RESULTS: The search yielded 239 records, of which 16 studies published between 2007 and 2024 were included. Studies were conducted primarily in the United States (n = 7), New Zealand (n = 3), and Japan (n = 3); one study collected data from both Japan and Taiwan. Most studies employed cross-sectional survey designs. Pharmacist roles most frequently involved compounding and dispensing for animal patients (62.5%), followed by drug information (DI) and consultation (37.5%), inventory and supply management (25.0%), client education (18.8%), and safety and exposure control (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review demonstrates that veterinarian-pharmacist collaboration is described within a limited and regionally variable evidence base, with pharmacists most often contributing through compounding/dispensing and drug information support. Sustained and scalable implementation will require improved mutual understanding of professional roles, strengthened veterinary-specific education for pharmacists, and more robust empirical research to inform collaborative practice models.
Emma Corbett, veterinary surgeon and head of imaging at Pennard Vets, shares what drew her to diagnostic imaging: the skills required, the mentors and the day-to-day reward of clearer answers.
Clinical and investigative medicine. Medecine clinique et experimentaleChandrakant Tayade
[Formula: see text] Dr. Tayade earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Masters, and PhD in Immunology from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Guelph. He joined Queen's University in 2009 as an Assistant Professor and is currently working as a Vice Dean, and the Director of MD PhD Program in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The central theme of Dr. Tayade's research focusses on how immune dysfunction contributes to endometriosis pathophysiology, and identifying immune-based markers for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Dr. Tayade has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as JCI Insight, Journal of Immunology, American Journal of Pathology, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Trends in Molecular Medicine. He has received competitive funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Endometriosis Foundation of America; and industrial funding from Bayer, Aurinia Pharmaceutical, and AbbVie. For his outstanding contributions to research, Dr. Tayade has received numerous special recognitions. In 2012, he won both the Early Researcher Award from the Ministry of Research and Innovation, as well as the Christian J Herr Award for Outstanding Contributions in Reproductive Immunology from the American Society for Reproductive Immunology. In 2014, he earned the Mihran and Mary Basmajian Award for Research Excellence from the Queen's Faculty of Health Sciences.
BVA's director of policy and governance, Amelia Findon, reports from the recent Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) general assembly in Rovaniemi, Finland, where, alongside RCVS, we form the UK delegation.
The Veterinary recordMartha Rushbrooke, Lord Trees
Martha Rushbrooke, parliamentary veterinary intern to Lord Trees, discusses the House of Lords select committee investigating the environmental impact of veterinary parasiticides.
Veterinary medicine and scienceHelen Hagos, Mebrahtu Weldegebriel, Hagazi Fantay, Haftom Yirga Tsegay
BACKGROUND: Currently, a wide variety of pharmaceutical agents are marketed, but only a minority are authorized for use in animals with specific indications. Many veterinary professionals prescribe and administer medications based only on a tentative diagnosis, without first confirming the exact disease or condition. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the utilization patterns of veterinary drugs across different animal species and to identify factors associated with inappropriate drug use in selected veterinary clinics of Mekelle City, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2024 in three veterinary clinics (Clinic A, Clinic B, and Clinic C) in Mekelle City. The data were collected from case registration books and through a questionnaire survey administered to 15 veterinary clinicians. Information on prescribed drugs, diagnostic practices, and prescribing factors was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: A total of 2183 drug products were prescribed for 1800 animal patients during the study period. Antimicrobials were the most frequently prescribed drug category, accounting for 55.3% of all prescriptions, followed by anthelmintics (21.2%) and other drugs (16.0%). Among antimicrobials, oxytetracycline (81.1%) and pen-strip (13.5%) were the most commonly prescribed drugs, while ivermectin (74.5%) was the predominant anthelmintic. CONCLUSION: The overall utilization patterns of veterinary medications in the three selected study clinics did not follow recommended guidelines for their use. Therefore, diagnostic accuracy and drug selection should be strengthened by promoting evidence-based diagnosis through better laboratory support and clinical guidelines to minimize tentative diagnoses and poor drug choices.
International journal of molecular sciencesMarta Książczyk, Katarzyna Dębowska, Karolina Bierowiec
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the foremost global threats to public health, with the veterinary sector, responsible for nearly three-quarters of global antimicrobial consumption, representing an underappreciated epicenter of this crisis. Despite the extensive literature on bacteriocins as antibiotic alternatives, most reviews focus on human medicine or food preservation, leaving a conspicuous gap in evidence specific to veterinary medicine. The present review addresses this gap by examining the molecular basis of bacteriocin activity (lipid II, bacterial RNA polymerase, cytoplasmic membrane), strategies for clinical deployment (topical therapy, antibiotic combinations, disruption of biofilm tolerance), and preclinical evidence relevant to bovine mastitis, canine pyoderma and otitis externa, and infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens (MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), MRSP (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius), colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa, XDR (extensively drug-resistant) Acinetobacter baumannii). Translational barriers-pharmacokinetic, regulatory, and evidentiary-are critically appraised, alongside emerging directions including precision nanocarriers, biofilm-targeted therapies, and the animal microbiota as a reservoir of novel molecules. Bacteriocins represent a promising yet underexploited antibacterial class in response to the escalating AMR crisis in the animal sector.
Acta veterinaria ScandinavicaEsben Østergaard Eriksen, Ken Steen Pedersen, Jens Peter Nielsen
BACKGROUND: This narrative literature review proposes an improved definition of herd health management and related terms. The role of veterinarians has shifted to a population-level oriented approach which may be denoted herd health management. Herd health management and related terms are used inconsistently in the scientific literature and theoretical deliberations around its practice are lacking. RESULTS: Herd health management was defined as a continuous, cyclic process dealing with planning, implementing, and evaluating decisions aiming to promote herd health, i.e., normal biological function, including homeostasis and the absence of disease among the animals populating a given farm, to achieve the producer's goals regarding productivity, animal health, and externalities. CONCLUSIONS: The paper proposes a theoretical framework describing how herd health management is practiced. Herd health management includes decisions at both strategic, tactical and operational level. The steps involved in tactical decisions are an evaluation of the current situation, defining goals, identifying risks and planning new practices to be implemented and a way to monitor indicators of success.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)Ana María Cevallos, Tomas Meraz-Tay, Roberto Hernández
Vector-borne protozoal infections-including babesiosis, theileriosis, hepatozoonosis, trypanosomosis, and leishmaniosis-impose a substantial burden on livestock and companion animal health worldwide and carry important zoonotic and public health implications. Accurate diagnosis is essential yet challenging, given the diversity of parasite genera, their markedly different tissue tropisms, and the uneven distribution of diagnostic resources across veterinary settings. This review provides an integrated overview of the principal diagnostic approaches available, structured around the biological logic that guides test selection in practice. Microscopic examination remains the first-line method; its strengths and limitations are discussed for intraerythrocytic parasites (Plasmodium spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Cytauxzoon spp.-the latter two with additional extra-erythrocytic schizont stages in leukocytes and tissue macrophages, respectively), leukocyte-associated forms (Hepatozoon spp.), extracellular trypanosomes, and tissue-stage parasites, including emerging applications of artificial intelligence. Serological methods-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), and point-of-care lateral flow assays-are evaluated for their role in exposure detection, population screening, and international trade certification, with attention to cross-reactivity and the active-versus-past-infection distinction. Molecular diagnostics, encompassing conventional PCR, qPCR, droplet digital PCR, isothermal amplification, and next-generation sequencing, are reviewed with respect to target selection, sensitivity, and point-of-care applicability. Finally, diagnostic challenges are contextualised within a One Health framework, highlighting the fragmentation of veterinary surveillance and the need for integrated, cross-sector approaches to detect emerging threats.
Open veterinary journalThamer J Shihab, Eman Hashim Yousif
Recombinant Listeriolysin O (rLLO), a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) derived from Listeria monocytogenes, has gained increasing attention as a novel immunological adjuvant for next-generation vaccine development. rLLO enhances both innate and adaptive immune responses by facilitating controlled endosomal membrane permeabilization, promoting cytosolic antigen delivery, and enabling efficient antigen cross-presentation, leading to robust CD8⁺ T-cell activation. These immunological properties are particularly advantageous for vaccines targeting intracellular pathogens and malignancies. This narrative review synthesizes current experimental, preclinical, and translational evidence on the application of rLLO across diverse vaccine platforms in human and veterinary medicine, including DNA-, protein-, nanoparticle-, and vector-based formulations. Studies addressing infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV, dengue, and listeriosis, as well as cancer immunotherapy models, are critically examined. Emerging strategies involving fusion proteins, detoxified rLLO mutants, and recombinant delivery systems are highlighted to illustrate advances in formulation design and immunogenic optimization. Despite promising preclinical outcomes, several challenges remain, including the need for comprehensive safety evaluation, dosing and delivery strategy optimization, and regulatory pathway clarification. Addressing these limitations through standardized toxicological assessment and large-scale clinical and veterinary trials is essential for the successful translation of rLLO-based vaccine components. Overall, rLLO represents a versatile and potent immunological tool with significant potential to advance vaccine design in human and veterinary applications.
Open veterinary journalShadi J Ireifej, Samantha L Morello, Marty Lesser
BACKGROUND: Veterinary telehealth can provide veterinary care to various species, geographic locations, client demographics, and practice types. Factors influencing the veterinarian decision when teletriage and teleadvice are administered to a large number of dogs with gastrointestinal (GI) signs have not been previously reported. AIM: To report on dogs evaluated via a veterinarian-led teletriage and teleadvice synchronous video service for GI signs to determine factors associated with referral recommendation for in-person emergency (ER) evaluation. METHODS: The number of animals was 1,575 dogs. Case records summarizing video telehealth evaluations of dogs presenting for GI symptoms performed by veterinarians were reviewed, and data on signalment, history, and clinical signs were collected. Visit outcome was recorded as to whether the patient received a recommendation for an in-person ER referral. The primary statistical objective was to determine which variables were significantly associated with ER referral. RESULTS: Overall, 23% of the cases presented were recommended for in-person ER referral. Vomiting was the most common clinical complaint (62%) and was associated with a 50% greater odds of referral recommendation. Diarrhea was present in 43% of patients and was associated with a 31% lower odds of referral. Abdominal distention and lethargy were associated with the greatest increase in odds of referral recommendation (174% and 126%, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression identified that vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, the presence of other clinical signs, and abdominal distention were significantly associated with ER referral, and a current medication history was negatively associated with ER referral. CONCLUSION: Dogs with vomiting alone, with a combination of abdominal distention, or with a combination of lethargy, anorexia, abdominal distention, and other clinical signs, confirmed by a veterinarian-led synchronous video teleadvice and teletriage service, have increased odds of being referred to an emergency facility compared with dogs without these clinical signs.
Transboundary and emerging diseasesJingyu Wang, Qisheng Peng
Veterinary diagnostics is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advancements, extending its scope from the traditional confirmation of specific pathogens to the continuous, dynamic surveillance of animal population's health. This paradigm shift has the potential to enable more timely disease control, precise intervention, and enhanced public health security. Traditional clinical and laboratory diagnostic methods, such as microbial culture, serological assays, and nucleic acid-based polymerase chain reaction, form the cornerstone of the current diagnostic framework and are widely applied based on varying detection needs and practical environments. Nonetheless, the field is experiencing profound innovation. Firstly, novel detection technologies are emerging, such as digital PCR (dPCR), CRISPR-Cas-based molecular diagnostic tools, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and metagenomic sequencing. These technologies have not only achieved breakthroughs in sensitivity and specificity but, more importantly, enable the unbiased discovery of novel pathogens. Secondly, the deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data is reshaping the diagnostic pipeline. By consolidating and analyzing multimodal information streams from imaging, genomics, wearable devices, and production data, AI algorithms can provide objective, quantitative decision support, facilitating a transition from post-symptomatic diagnosis towards predictive and preventive health management. This scoping review systematically summarizes both mainstream and emerging veterinary diagnostic technologies, elaborates and discusses their advantages and limitations as well as future developmental directions, while highlighting that the combined application of multiple methods represents an optimal diagnostic strategy.