This study was conducted to compare the hemostatic efficacy of three ferric subsulfate- and chitosan-based styptics as a powder and a gel containing ferric subsulfate and chitosan (FSC-PO and FSC-G, respectively) and a soaked pad containing ferric subsulfate and lidocaine (FSL-SP) using a rat tail bleeding model. The cytotoxicity of the styptics against L-929 mouse fibroblasts was also evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 assay. Four groups of 10 rats each were assigned to the three different styptics and a non-treated control groups. Rat tail tips were transected, after which styptics were applied with pressure. The wounds were observed for hemostasis for 3 min, then irrigated with saline to check for recurrent hemorrhage. L-929 mouse fibroblasts were exposed to extracts of the styptics (100 mg/mL) and their dilutions (1:10, 1:100, and 1:1,000). FSC-PO and FSC-G more effectively controlled initial hemorrhage than FSL-SP (p = 0.033). Additionally, FSC-PO and FSC-G more effectively maintained hemostasis than the control group (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively). However, all styptics showed enhanced cytotoxicity against L-929 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, although FSC-PO and FSC-G would be recommended to control hemorrhage, the benefits of styptics must be balanced against the clinical significance of their cytotoxicity.

We investigated the prevalence of canine brucellosis in companion and stray dogs between March 2015 and December 2016 and determined the disease characteristics based on the geographic distribution, sex and age of the dogs in South Korea. We conducted a large-scale survey using serological and bacteriological tests. Samples were collected from 2,394 dogs (1,825 companions and 569 strays). Thirty (1.3%) samples were positive for Brucella canis antibodies including 16 (0.9%) from companion dogs and 14 (2.5%) from stray dogs. Two (1.0%) of the 196 samples cultured from the stray dogs were positive. When compared with male dogs, the female companion and stray dogs had a significantly higher prevalence of brucellosis. Moreover, the prevalence of canine brucellosis was significantly higher in stray dogs older than 6 years and the prevalence of the disease in companion dogs was highest in Incheon (2.1%) and Jeolla (2.1%) provinces. Stray dogs from the Daejeon metropolitan area had the highest prevalence of brucellosis (7.9%). National control measures for canine brucellosis have not previously been implemented. Our findings suggest that appropriate screening tests and control measures are necessary to improve the health of dogs and to protect public health in Korea, particularly with the rapid growth of the companion animal industry.

Blood pressure (BP) measurement plays a pivotal role in veterinary medicine for diagnosing cardiovascular disorders and monitoring anesthesia of animals. Although indirect BP measurement has been widely applied to monitor BP because of its convenience and non-invasiveness, it is still unclear whether indirect BP measurement is compatible with direct BP measurement in minipigs. In addition, the effect of animal posture during BP measurement is not well understood in minipigs despite its importance to cardiovascular performance. Therefore, both systolic and diastolic arterial BPs in minipigs were measured via femoral artery catheterization for direct BP measurement and using a compressive cuff as an indirect BP measurement under the dorsal or right lateral recumbent postures. Numerical values were processed by the Bland-Altman method to calculate the bias ${\pm}$ SD and the limits of agreement (LOA). In accordance with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines, the results between direct and indirect BP measurements were determined as apparent disagreements in both systolic and diastolic arterial BPs under all postures because of large bias ${\pm}$ SD and wide LOA. The results of the present will help prevent misinterpretation of the anesthetized patient's condition during monitoring of BP by indirect measurement.

The efficacy of the CA-2-MP120 vaccine, a cell culture-attenuated strain of virulent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), was assessed in pigs. Despite the persistence of viremia in all vaccinated animals during the immunization period, the virus was not detected in vaccinated pigs following challenge. Furthermore, no pigs in the vaccinated group shed PRRSV nasally, orally or rectally throughout the experiment. Moreover, histopathological lung and lymph node lesions in the immunized group were much milder than those in the unimmunized and challenged group. These results indicated that CA-2-MP120 can provide effective protection against virulent wild-type PRRSV-2.

The capsid protein of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) encoded by open reading frame 2 (ORF2) is important for neutralizing activity against PCV2 infection. This study investigated the heterogeneity of the ORF2 gene of PCV2 isolated in Korea during 2016-2017. The results revealed that PCV2d is currently the predominant genotype. Moreover, comparison of ORF2 from 17 PCV2 isolates revealed 88.3-100% homology at the nucleotide (deduced amino acid 86.3-100%) level. Interestingly, 61.5% (8/13) of the PCV2d isolates had glycine at position 210. These data provide a useful information for PCV2 epidemiology in Korea.

We assessed the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in cattle on Ulleung Island, Korea in a population-based follow up study for 4 years and determined the spatial distribution and risk factors associated with C. burnetii. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii was determined to be 1.4-2.0% during 2011-2014. Overall, nine cattle from three farms that tested seropositive showed C. burnetii antibody seroconversions between 2011 and 2014. The number of seropositive cattle was low, suggesting that movement of and contact between animals was possible risk factors for the transmission of C. burnetii.

Althaea rosea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat numerous diseases, but no studies have investigated its anti-influenza properties to date. In this study, we investigated the anti-influenza effects of Althaea rosea. BALB/c mice orally pretreated with Althaea rosea ($200{\mu}L$, 0.1 mg/mL concentration in phosphate-buffered saline) and followed by infection of influenza A virus nasally showed higher survivability and lower lung virus titer against divergent subtypes of influenza A virus infection. We also found that oral administration of Althaea rosea elicited antiviral innate immune responses in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, small intestinal fluid, and the lungs. Taken together, these findings suggest that aqueous extracts of Althaea rosea are a potential candidate for use as an anti-influenza drug.

An 11-year-old, castrated male dog presented with a 3-month history of cough and depression. Auscultation revealed systolic murmur and thoracic radiographs showing enlargement of both the atrium and left ventricle. Echocardiography showed thickened mitral valve and moderate-to-severe left atrial enlargement. Additionally, M-mode echocardiography showed symmetric left ventricular wall thickening and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, while Doppler imaging revealed high velocity turbulent flow through the left ventricular outflow tract. Based on echocardiography, this case was diagnosed with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. After 5 months, the dog was clinically static in radiography and echocardiography.

The pathogenesis of pancreatic pseudocyst is still not understood. A 5-year-old, 24-kg intact female Shetland Sheepdog was presented with anorexia and vomiting. Diagnostic imaging tests revealed that the left limb of the pancreas was thickened and contained two cystic lesions ($6.3{\times}5.6{\times}4cm^3$ and $3.5{\times}4.6{\times}5.5cm^3$). During the laparotomy, lesions were opened with de-roofing of superabundant tissue, and omentalization was performed. The dog recovered uneventfully after surgery and was discharged on postoperative day 12. Histopathologically, it was diagnosed as chronic pancreatic pseudocyst. This case report describes the diagnosis and successful omentalization of pancreatic pseudocysts in a dog.

Two 12-month-old cattle with anthelmintics containing trichlorfon the day before death presented to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency for diagnosis. In necropsy, they revealed enlargement of the spleens, redness of mucosa and serosa in stomachs and intestines, and friable kidneys. Histopathologically, hemorrhages in the spleens, omasums, abomasums, and intestines as well as renal tubular necrosis were observed. Trichlorfon was detected at above the lethal dose in the ruminal contents. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this case as death caused by trichlorfon poisoning.