Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is a degenerative disease of the valve leaflets, causing left atrial dilatation and eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle by hemodynamic instability. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a hematologic parameter that indicates the variation of red blood cell volume and size, reflecting anisocytosis. Human studies have found that anisocytosis is associated with poor prognosis in heart disease patients, and recent veterinary studies have also confirmed that the increase in RDW is associated with high mortality in MMVD patients. Medical records of 37 Maltese dogs with MMVD were retrospectively reviewed. When comparing RDW among the MMVD stage groups, there was a significant difference between stage B1, B2 and C. A significant and strong correlation between RDW and the left atrial-to-aortic ratio was identified. RDW was significantly correlated with the reticulocyte count independent of hematocrit, and the reticulocyte count exhibited a significant increase at stage C. This suggests that the congestive heart failure secondary to MMVD could be a contributory factor leading to an elevation in RDW. In conclusion, elevated RDW may associated with left atrial enlargement and progression of MMVD.

Hyperthyroidism, characterized by elevated thyroid hormone levels and thyroid gland hyperplasia or adenoma, is a prevalent endocrinopathy in older cats. Treatment options include antithyroid drugs, surgical thyroidectomy, and radioiodine therapy (RAIT), which is non-invasive treatment option that can achieve complete remission. However, efficacy and safety of RAIT in hyperthyroid cats have not been investigated in South Korea. This study includes 10 hyperthyroid cats with RAIT. Initial assessments comprised history, physical examination, blood analysis, and serum total T4 (tT4) concentration. Thyroid scintigraphy revealed hyperactivity and enlargement of thyroid gland at 24 hours before the RAIT. Radioiodine (RAI) was injected subcutaneously with 2 to 6 mCi, determined by the fixed dose or the scoring system based on severity of clinical signs, tT4 concentration, and thyroid size individually. After RAIT, the concentration of serum tT4 and liver enzymes were significantly decreased at discharge. However, no significant differences were noted in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, symmetric dimethylarginine, hematocrits, and white blood cell counts pre- and post-treatment. Although 4 cats received RAI twice, clinical signs disappeared and tT4 levels decreased following the RAIT. All 10 cats achieved complete remission after 6 months without critical adverse effect. The safety and the effectiveness of RAIT was confirmed based on protocols reported other countries. Therefore, RAIT could be considered the treatment option and prevent adverse effects from medication or surgery. This preliminary study presents the first evaluation of RAIT for hyperthyroid cats using locally produced RAI in South Korea and provide valuable insight for clinicians and further studies.

A 4-month-old intact male Sapsaree dog was referred due to a history of postprandial regurgitation following consumption of solid food. Thoracic radiography revealed focal leftward displacement of the thoracic trachea at T1 to T4 vertebrae levels. Barium contrast radiography revealed focal dilation of the cranial thoracic esophagus at the heart base level. Persistent right aortic arch (PRAA) with an aberrant left subclavian artery branching from the patent ductus arteriosus was diagnosed by computed tomography angiography (CTA). Although barium contrast radiography can presumptive diagnose PRAA, CTA should be considered for identifying additional vascular anomalies, specific types, and surgical planning.

The current study aimed to determine the effect of silver and chitosan nanoparticles of size 10 to 30 nm on the dead of lice in vitro and in vivo to determine the optimal time and concentration to combat chicken lice. One hundred local chickens Gallus gallus domesticus were collected from Al-Diwaniyah province and 6 species of local chicken lice were isolated: Menacanthus stramineus, Menacanthus pallidullus, Menacanthus cornutus, Goniodes gigas, Cuclotogaster heterographus and Bonomiella columbae. The results of treating lice with chitosan and silver nanoparticles at concentrations (40, 60, and 80 mg/mL) in vitro and at different periods (5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes) after treatment showed that chitosan and silver nanoparticles at a concentration of 80 mg/mL are the most effective in killing lice. The dead rate of lice reached 100% after 15 minutes of treatment with chitosan nanoparticles and 100% in the case of silver nanoparticles after 30 minutes. The results of spraying chitosan and silver nanoparticles on the body of chickens infected with lice experimentally, based on the relative therapeutic efficacy within 30 minutes, indicated that silver nanoparticles were the most effective in completely killing lice in the group treated with a concentration of 80 mg/kg after 30 minutes, where the percentage of therapeutic efficacy was 96.7%. This was followed by chitosan nanoparticles at a concentration of 80 mg/kg, and the percentage of therapeutic efficiency was 91.5%. Chitosan and silver nanocomposite have a promising effect in the elimination of lice infestation in chickens.

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) present significant threats to both animal and human health through their potential for cross-species transmission and global spread. Clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx highly pathogenic avian IAVs initially emerged in East Asia between 2013 and 2014. Since then, they have spread to Europe, Africa, and America via migratory bird flyways. However, beyond viral transmission primarily facilitated by migratory birds, the potential involvement of other intermediate factors for virus transmission remains poorly investigated. This study aimed to investigate the role of wild rodents as intermediary hosts in the ecology of avian IAVs in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. By capturing and analyzing 189 wild rodents near poultry farms and migratory bird habitats in 2013 and 2014 and employing serological assays and virus isolation techniques, we found no evidence of IAV infection among these populations. Our results suggest that wild rodents may not significantly contribute to the transmission dynamics of IAVs within these regions.

In human, ultrasonography is used to measure the pennation angle in various muscles to identify muscle functions such as force production, and to study alterations of the pennation angle during muscle contraction, hypertrophy, and atrophy. However, assessments of the pennation angle have not yet been conducted in dogs. This study aims to assess the normal pennation angle of the tibialis cranialis muscle in dogs using ultrasound and to detect changes in this angle in dogs with muscular atrophy. Sixty-eight healthy dogs were examined to establish normal values, while 12 ataxic and 12 lame dogs with suspected hindlimb muscle atrophy were also included. The pennation angle was measured using ultrasound at the midpoint between the proximal end of the tibia and the malleolus, measuring the angle between the muscle bundle and the deep aponeurosis. To confirm the significance between the 5 breeds and to identify a difference between normal and atrophied muscles, statistical analysis was conducted. The study found no significant difference in pennation angle between breeds, with mean values (± standard deviation) of 4.97° (± 1.88) in neutral, 7.25° (± 2.68) in flexion, and 3.31° (± 1.33) in extension positions. Decrease of the pennation angle was identified in muscle atrophy and the flexion position was determined to be the most appropriate for pennation angle measurement of tibialis cranialis muscle. We recommend considering the pennation angle as a valuable indicator of muscle health in dogs, as it demonstrates significant potential for diagnosing and monitoring muscular conditions.

A 13-year-old, Maltese dog presented with syncope and lethargy. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated anechoic peritoneal effusion and hepatic congestion. A focal echogenic round mass compressing the right ventricle and atrium was observed on echocardiography. Cardiac tamponade and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction occurred. On computed tomography, a homogeneous soft-tissue structure compressing the right chamber without contrast enhancement, suspected to be loculated pericardial effusion. During pericardiocentesis, cardiac tamponade was resolved, and irregular pericardial thickening was noted. Pericardial effusion was exudate and gram-positive bacterial colonies were observed on cytology. A diagnosis of fibrinous pericarditis secondary to bacterial infection was established.

Autologous pericardial tissues are utilized in veterinary cardiovascular surgeries due to their accessibility and effectiveness. To enhance handling and biomechanical properties, glutaraldehyde (GA) fixation is applied. However, GA fixation can induce calcification, leading to tissue failure. This study aimed to establish an optimal rapid anti-calcification protocol by integrating ethanol treatment with the proven effective GA concentration and fixation time, facilitating application from collection to utilization. Pericardia were fixed with 0.625% GA for 20 min and subjected to ethanol treatment for 0 (group A, control), 20 (group B), and 30 minutes (group C). The treated tissues underwent mechanical test and were implanted subcutaneously in 3-week-old male rats for 7 weeks before extraction, followed by calcium analysis and histological examination via hematoxylin and eosin staining. No significant differences in mechanical properties were observed among the groups. The ethanol-treated groups (groups B and C; p < 0.05) exhibited significantly lower calcium levels than control (group A). Microscopy confirmed collagen and elastic fibers preservation, without significant immune cell variance. However, higher fibrocyte presence was noted in the ethanol-treated groups. This study presents a rapid anti-calcification protocol combining ethanol treatment with optimal GA fixation, suitable for direct surgical use of autologous tissues. Further research is necessary for long-term efficacy evaluation.

This study examined the colostrum nutritive composition, immunoglobulin (Ig), and microbial community in Holstein and Jersey dairy cows according to the time after calving. The experiment used seven Holstein and three Jersey dairy cows. Colostrum was collected immediately after calf calving, 12, and 24 hours, and stored at -80℃ until analysis. An analysis of the nutritive composition in colostrum was performed using LactoScop. The immune indicators were analyzed using an ELISA Kit, and the microbial community was assessed using a Macrogen Inc. The protein level was high in all colostrum samples from Holstein dairy cows compared with Jersey dairy cows, but there was no significant difference according to the time after calving. Immune index analysis revealed high IgG and IgA concentrations in the colostrum of Holstein cows immediately after calving and 12 and 24 hours after calving, but the differences were not significant. The microbial community at the genus level revealed Staphylococcus to be predominant at a high rate in the colostrum of Holstein dairy cows and Enterococcus in Jersey dairy cows 12 hours after calving. Pseudomonas was predominant at a high rate in the colostrum of Jersey lactating cows immediately and 12 hours after calving. Chryseobacterium was predominant at a high rate in Holstein dairy cows 12 and 24 hours after calving. In conclusion, these results are expected to be used as research data on the correlation between quality, immunity, and microbial community in the colostrum.

The surveillance and epidemiological investigation systems for companion animals in South Korea are significantly underdeveloped compared to those for humans and livestock. Recent outbreaks, such as idiopathic neuromuscular syndrome and highly pathogenic avian influenza among cats, have highlighted the need for reliable systems. This short review conducts situation analysis regarding disease surveillance and epidemiological investigation for companion animals in South Korea. The current challenges include an absence of administrative leadership, a lack of legal support, and unreliable medical data. The recommendations for future directions include clear leadership by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, amending the Act on the Prevention of Contagious Animal Diseases to include companion animals, and enhancing the quality of medical data through standardized coding systems, such as Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms. In addition, sentinel surveillance rather than universal systems should be established to provide adequate incentives for local practitioners to provide data and develop sustainable public-private networks. These recommendations could be important for developing a comprehensive and sustainable system for disease surveillance and epidemiological investigation in the companion animal field.