We aimed to identify the biological factors during the voluntary waiting period (VWP) that are associated with subsequent reproductive performance in dairy cows. Two hundred and one pregnant dairy cows had their body condition score (BCS) evaluated and blood samples taken 4 weeks before calving, at calving, and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after calving, to measure serum metabolite and progesterone concentrations. In addition, any peri- and postpartum disorders within 4 weeks of calving, and the mean milk yields 4 and 8 weeks postpartum, were recorded. The cows were allocated to two groups according to whether they had become pregnant or not by 120 days after calving: a pregnant group (n = 50) and a non-pregnant group (n = 151). Analyses of serum metabolite concentrations showed that the aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase activities 2 weeks (p < 0.05) and the non-esterified fatty acid concentration 6 weeks (p < 0.01) postpartum were higher in the non-pregnant than in the pregnant group. However, the albumin concentrations between 2 and 8 weeks and the total cholesterol and magnesium concentrations between 4 and 8 weeks postpartum were lower in the non-pregnant group (p < 0.05). The BCS (p < 0.05) and percentages of cows that had resumed cyclicity (p < 0.001) by 6 and 8 weeks postpartum were higher in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant group, whereas the incidence of peri- and postpartum disorders was higher in the non-pregnant group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, high serum enzyme activities, which imply liver damage, imbalances in energy metabolites and magnesium, and a higher incidence of peri- and postpartum disorders, are associated with poorer reproductive performance, whereas high BCS and early resumption of cyclicity during the VWP are associated with superior reproductive performance in dairy cows.

Madecassoside, an active ingredient extracted from Centella asiatica, is used for treatment of various skin disorders in humans. However, the effect of madecassoside on the skin of dogs and cats has not been studied yet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical efficacy of topical madecassoside cream in dogs and cats with skin diseases. A total of twenty-one dogs and ten cats with various skin diseases were included in the study. The 1% topical madecassoside cream was applied to the animal's skin lesion at least once a day for 7 days, and the skin condition was evaluated before the application of madecassoside cream (day 0) and 7 days after the application (day 7). The skin condition was scored by five clinical indices: canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index-4 (CADESI-4), coat condition, pruritus, scale, and general condition. In dogs, all five clinical indices (CADESI-4, coat condition, pruritus, scale, and general condition) were significantly decreased on day 7 compared to those on day 0 (p < 0.0001, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). In cats, the CADESI-4 and scale were significantly decreased on day 7 compared to those on day 0 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). No adverse effects were observed during the trial period in the dogs and cats included in this study. The results of this study demonstrate that the topical madecassoside cream is applicable to skin lesions in dogs and cats.

Urethral obstruction is a life-threatening feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). The rate of recurring urethral obstruction was 14.8-58.1% after the first occurrence. Ultrasonographic findings associated with reobstruction had been rarely reported although ultrasonography was a valuable technique for diagnosing urinary bladder calculi and distinguishing different FLUTD causes. This retrospective study aims to describe the ultrasonographic findings, urinalysis, and serum chemistry profile in cats with FLUTD and determine the associations of reobstruction with ultrasonographic findings, urinalysis, and serum chemistry profile. The present study included 141 cats that were followed up for more than 1 year. The ultrasonographic criteria included the presence of cystolithiasis, urine echogenicity, sediment, suspended linear strand, pericystic effusion, hyperechoic pericystic fat, ureteral dilation, pyelectasia, and perirenal effusion. The urinalysis criteria included hematuria, urine-specific gravity, pH, sediment, and proteinuria. The most common ultrasonographic findings in cats with FLUTD were echogenic urine and sediment. However, this study did not find an association between reobstruction and ultrasonographic findings, urinalysis, and serum chemistry profiles. Thus, an ultrasonographic examination may be insufficient to predict the risk of reobstruction although it is a useful modality for diagnosing FLUTD and making treatment direction.

This study investigated hematological index from clinically healthy Korean Domestic Shorthair (KDSH) cats and characterized breed-specific hematological features. Blood samples from clinically healthy and FIV/FeLV-negative KDSH cats were used in this study (n = 34). After hematological analysis, reference intervals (RIs) of KDSH cats were established and compared with published feline RIs. Most of the RIs were similar to published RIs, however, the RI of MCV tends to be lower than the published RIs and the RIs of Hgb, MCH, MCHC, and CHCM were higher than the published RIs. This study suggests that breed-specific RIs, especially MCV, Hgb, MCH, MCHC, and CHCM, may be required for KDSH cats rather than applying the published RIs.

An aquariid nematode, Desportesius invaginatus, was found in the proventriculus of an Egretta garzetta and a Bubulcus ibis from Chuncheon in the Republic of Korea. The worms were identified by light and scanning electron microscopy based on important taxonomic characteristics (body length, esophagus length, cordons, spicules, caudal alae of males, position of the vulva) and then phylogenetically analyzed using the 18S rRNA encoding gene. The nematodes were characterized by a body length of 7.0-8.0 mm in males and 10.2-13.1 mm in females, and two pairs of cordons recurrent in the anterior direction, and cordons were anastomosed by a longitudinal cuticular ridge that externally delimits a longitudinal canal. The widest cuticular plates of cordons bears over 20 posterior spines. The length of the spicules in males was also significantly different. The right spicule measured 742-821 (794) ㎛ in length and 40-45 (42) ㎛ in width, and the left spicule measured 493-556 (541) ㎛ in length and 11-13 (12) ㎛ in width. The caudal alae of males are inflated and vesicular in appearance. The vulva was situated at 56-71 (58.3) ㎛ from the posterior extremity. Although the 18S rRNA sequences of worms were similar to the Synhimantus species, some genetic divergences were observed in comparison. In this study, the worms were recognized with genus Desportesius because genus Desportesius was considered a subgenus of Synhimantus. This is the first record of D. invaginatus in the Republic of Korea.

Two 11-year-old cats, female Korean shorthair cat and male Siamese cat, with abdominal distention were presented to the local animal hospitals. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations revealed moderate to severe splenomegaly in both cats. In Korean shorthair cat, multiple masses were also existed on the anal and facial skin. Surgically excised whole spleens of two cats were requested for histopathologic examination. Histopathologically, numerous neoplastic round cells with cytoplasmic fine granules were widely infiltrated in the splenic parenchyma. The cytoplasmic granules were metachromatic on toluidine blue staining. These splenic masses were diagnosed as splenic mast cell tumors. Among them, Korean shorthair cat was remained healthy for at least 1 year after splenectomy. Because of no visiting of owner, we were only able to know the information for Siamese cat until 10 months after the splenectomy. To our best knowledge, this is the first detail case reports for splenic mast cell tumors in cats in Korea.

A 9-year-old, intact female Shih-tzu dog presented with a three-week history of anorexia, lethargy, and weight loss. Abdominal radiography revealed a mass in the right cranial quadrant of the abdomen that was displacing the right kidney caudally. Ultrasonography showed a large, irregular, heterogeneous hepatic mass and a small amount of peritoneal fluid. On computed tomography (CT), a large hypoattenuating mass with heterogeneous contrast enhancement occupied the right lateral lobe, and parts of the right medial and caudate lobes of the liver. There was no evidence of regional lymph node or pulmonary metastasis. Lobectomy of the right medial, right lateral and caudate liver lobes was performed, however, the patient did not recover from surgery. Hepatoblastoma was confirmed by histological examination. Hepatoblastoma is rare in dogs, and this is the first report describing CT imaging of hepatoblastoma in a dog.

2-Month-old, three related Perro de Presa Canario dogs were evaluated for similar neurological symptoms like circling, head pressing, depressed mental status, hypermetria, and vocalization. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, there were large, bilaterally symmetrical lesions with involvement of thalamus, and brainstem that were T2- and FLAIR-hyperintense and T1-iso/hypointense. There was no inclusion of cerebellum. Single-voxel spectroscopy acquisition was located in the thalamus where abnormalities were found in MR images. The results of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) showed markedly decreased N-acetylaspartic acid value. Euthanasia was performed and lesions consistent with the canine spongy degeneration. Alteration in metabolites in the brain can be determined by MRS, which helps in diagnosing degeneration/leukodystrophy of the central nervous system in dogs.

An 18-year-old warmblood gelding was presented to Jeju National University Equine Hospital with chronic bilateral forelimb lameness. Navicular syndrome was suspected based on clinical findings, the hoof test, palmar digital nerve block, and radiographic results. Computed tomography (CT) was performed under general anesthesia. Bone cysts, enlarged vascular channels, sclerosis, and enthesophytes were identified in the navicular bone on CT images. Mineralization in the deep digital flexor tendon was also observed. CT can be a useful diagnostic tool for identifying lesions of the navicular bone and adjacent structures in horses. The horse was treated with an intra-bursal injection of triamcinolone and gentamicin. Lameness started to improve two days later and the horse was sound after two months of the injection. CT enabled us not only to diagnosis of navicular syndrome but also to determine the degree and extent of the lesions.

Three dogs with different extents of corneal edema were presented to the Dana Animal Hospital Eye Center. The dogs (3 eyes) were diagnosed with corneal endothelial degeneration with clinical signs of corneal edema, conjunctival hyperemia, and mild blepharospasm through a full ophthalmic examination. For the treatment of corneal edema, superficial keratectomy using a crescent microsurgical knife was performed, and a conjunctival advancement hood flap was applied to the stromal defects. In two cases where corneal edema and opacity were observed only in a part of the cornea, corneal edema was reduced and did not progress to other parts of the cornea and corneal transparency and vision were also well-maintained during the follow-up on days 349 and 231 after the surgery. In a case where the whole cornea was edematous and cloudy, corneal edema and opacity had not clearly improved at the last follow-up on day 275 after the surgery. In conclusion, SKCAHF relieved corneal edema and improved vision, and the prognosis tended to be better when there was less corneal edema caused by CED.