Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common cardiac disease in dogs. Vertebral heart score (VHS) is used for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of MMVD, and it is one of the criteria used to distinguish between stages B1 and B2 according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) guidelines. The thoracic inlet heart score (TIHS) method is simple to perform and provides practitioners with an additional tool for evaluating dogs with clinical signs compatible with MMVD stage B. Previous studies have evaluated TIHS. In our study, we assessed correlations of TIHS with other radiographic and echocardiographic indices in Maltese dogs with MMVD stages B1 and B2. Eighty-seven Maltese dogs with MMVD stage B1 or B2, which visited Chungnam National University Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, were included in this study. Each dog was diagnosed with MMVD ACVIM stage B1 or B2 through physical examination, cardiac auscultation, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography, with evaluation of TIHS, VHS, vertebral left atrial size (VLAS), left atrial to the aotic root ratio (LA:Ao ratio), and left ventricular internal diameter in diastole, normalized for body weight (LVIDDn). TIHS increased as the disease progressed and showed a significant difference between stages B1 and B2. Furthermore, TIHS positively correlated with VHS, LA:Ao ratio, and LVIDDn. The correlation coefficients revealed the strongest significant correlations between TIHS and VHS. In conclusion, TIHS can help diagnose and monitor MMVD in Maltese dogs, in addition to measuring VHS.

This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-adhesion effect by applying monophasic cross-linked hyaluronic acid after induction of intraperitoneal adhesions in rats. A total of 18 rats were divided into the control group, the hyaluronic acid (HA) group treated intraperitoneally with HA gel, and the monophasic crosslinked hyaluronic acid (MCHA) group treated with a MCHA gel intraperitoneally. To evaluate the degree of intra-abdominal adhesion, the thickness of the adhesion site, the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, the degree of collagen fiber formation, and the adhesion formation score were evaluated. The thickness of adhesion site between the abdominal wall and intestinal mucosa was 1,591.25 ± 263.10 ㎛ in the control group, 989.12 ± 163.46 ㎛ in the HA group, and 716.83 ± 94.01 ㎛ in the MCHA group. The number of inflammatory cells was 341.67 ± 115.69 cells/mm², 175.00 ± 29.14 cells/mm² and 99.67 ± 17.22 cells/mm² in the control, HA, and MCHA group, respectively. The degree of collagen fiber formation at the adhesion site was 71.77 ± 10.26%/mm², 50.12 ± 5.41%/mm² and 42.83 ± 7.30 %/mm² in the control, HA, and MCHA group, respectively. The histopathological grades of adhesion sites were 2.90 ± 0.32, 2.30 ± 0.48, and 1.00 ± 0.47 in the control, HA, and MCHA group, respectively. The results showed the anti-adhesive effect through the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activity according to the intraperitoneal treatment of monophasic cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel. Therefore, intraperitoneal treatment of monophasic cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel can be used as an effective anti-adhesion agent in abdominal surgery.

The objective of this study was to establish a cryopreservation protocol for canine pulmonary valves and assess the preservation quality of the tissue for transplantation. Pulmonary valves were harvested from six beagle dogs, with portions analyzed after antibiotic treatment, while the remaining sections were cryopreserved for six months. Following the thawing process, the cryopreserved valves were evaluated using histological and cellular analyses. The results indicated no significant structural damage in cryopreserved valves when compared to fresh valves. The trilaminar structure, consisting of the fibrosa, spongiosa, and ventricularis layers, was well-preserved, with the extracellular matrix (ECM) largely intact. The fibrosa layer, rich in collagen, exhibited minor disorganization in cryopreserved samples, which was statistically significant. The spongiosa layer, which contains proteoglycans, showed good preservation of its loose and hydrated matrix. Similarly, the ventricularis layer retained its elastic fiber network with minimal alterations. Cell density analysis revealed a mild decrease in cellularity within the fibrosa layer of cryopreserved tissues, but the overall difference in cell count between fresh and cryopreserved tissues was not statistically significant. Cellular viability was maintained, confirming the effectiveness of the cryopreservation protocol in preserving tissue quality. These findings suggest that long-term cryopreservation of canine pulmonary valves could be used for transplantation. This study provides important data for developing tissue banks in veterinary medicine and supports the potential use of cryopreserved valves in canine heart valve transplantation.

Ear cleaning using ear cleaners is recommended for the prevention of canine otitis externa. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of bacterial contamination in home- and clinical-use ear cleaners and identify characteristics associated with such a prevalence. To obtain data regarding home-use ear cleaners, 100 bottles of commercial ear cleaners were collected from clients who visited animal clinics with their dogs and completed a survey. Data for clinic-use ear cleaners were obtained by gathering 60 bottles of ear cleaners from private animal hospitals. Bacterial culture of the applicator tips and samples of the ear cleaners was performed. In addition, to determine the relationship between ear cleaner contamination and otitis externa (OE) in dogs, ear cultures were obtained from some of the dogs that visited the clinics. Approximately 5% and 4.91% of home- and clinic-use ear cleaner applicator tips, respectively, had bacterial contamination, although no contamination of the solution within the bottles was observed. Most of the contaminated ear cleaner tips were unclean on the outside given that the bottle was placed directly into the ear canal. The contamination rate was highest among owners who used ear cleaners once a week and among veterinarians who used the product for dogs with OE. We found no ingredients that affected the incidence of ear cleaner contamination.

The immune-mediated destruction of erythroid precursors within the bone marrow can result in inefficient erythropoiesis, classified as precursor-targeted immune-mediated anemia (PIMA). Herein, we describe the case of a 1-year-old Scottish Fold cat who presented with a pale mucous membrane with a history of prior diagnosis with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), characterized by normocytic normochromic moderate anemia. The cat was administered six months of immunosuppressive therapy, including prednisolone, cyclosporine, or mycophenolate mofetil, but exhibited insufficient reticulocytosis. Bone marrow examination subsequently revealed a decreased myeloid to erythroid ratio of 0.35:1, and PIMA was diagnosed. Treatment modification with chlorambucil was implemented, and the cat remained well-managed without IMHA recurrence for 15 months. This case highlights the importance of careful evaluation methods, such as reviewing medication history and performing bone marrow examinations, in IMHA patients with an insufficient response to immunosuppressive therapy. These results further suggest the occasional need for medication adjustments during treatment.

Idiopathic polymyositis and masticatory myositis are autoimmune inflammatory myopathies seen in dogs. Here we report a case involving an 11-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog with suspected masticatory myositis that was later confirmed to be idiopathic polymyositis. The dog presented with lethargy and reluctance to walk. Blood examination indicated markedly elevated creatine kinase and C-reactive protein levels. The owners were reluctant to proceed with advanced tests; however, the dog developed new clinical signs, including trismus. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyperintensities in multiple muscle groups, with the most pronounced changes occurring in the masticatory muscles. During the waiting period for the results of serology for circulating autoantibodies against type 2M myofibers, oclacitinib was administered and slightly restored vitality and appetite. The antibody test result was negative, and histopathological examination of the temporalis muscle revealed severe inflammatory myopathy with fibroplasia. Although masticatory myositis was initially suspected on the basis of the MRI findings and the presence of trismus, the final diagnosis based on the overall clinical course and diagnostic test results was idiopathic polymyositis. Immunosuppressive treatment with prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil substantially improved the clinical condition. The findings from this case suggest that, even in cases of idiopathic polymyositis exhibiting only nonspecific clinical signs, accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes.

A dog was diagnosed with chronic diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Twoweeks after herniorrhaphy, the dog was re-admitted with an acute onset of weakness and lethargy. Thoracic radiographs demonstrated a soft tissue mass in the middle right thoracic region. Ultrasonographic examination revealed consolidation of the right middle lung lobe. Computed tomography (CT) scanning confirmed the rotation of the right middle lung lobe. A 4-5 right-sided thoracotomy was performed, with lobectomy of the torsed lung. The patient recovered without any complications over a 6-month follow-up period. To the authors' knowledge, this study is a report of a rare case to describe lung lobe torsion two-weeks after diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy in a dog.

A 2-year-old male Thoroughbred presented with the right hindlimb lameness for the past 3 months. The horse showed swelling around the right stifle. Radiography revealed radiolucency in the medial condyle of the right femur, indicative of subchondral cystic lesion. The horse underwent surgery under general anesthesia. Acortical screw was located on serial radiographs. After placing the screw in the medial condyle, arthroscopy was performed to identify lesions in the femorotibial joint; however, no significant findings were observed. The horse recovered smoothly from anesthesia with assistance and was discharged 1 day later. The owner reported the horse did not show lameness; it returned to training and started racing. This report describes transcondylar screw fixation in a horse with a subchondral bone cyst in South Korea, and suggests that bone screw fixation is an effective treatment for subchondral cystic lesions of the femoral condyle.

Traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) often referred to as hardware disease is a common disease of cattle, which is considered the most frequent cause of anterior abdominal pain in cattle. The incidence of TRP has decreased significantly, but the diagnosis and treatment of TRP are still clinically significant because of its economic impact. An eight-year-old female Mongolian cow weighing 400 kg, was presented to the Korean (College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University)-Mongolian (School of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Science) volunteer team (KMVT) with the primary complaints of depression and anorexia during their outreach activity for veterinary volunteer service in the field of the suburban farm of Mongolia. TRP was diagnosed based on the clinical symptoms, auscultation, and back grip test results. An emergency rumenotomy was performed with the consent of the owner. The patient was anesthetized using distal paravertebral anesthesia and the inverted L block method while a makeshift restraint frame was constructed on-site. The rumenotomy was performed to explore the rumen and reticulum. Foreign bodies were identified and removed. The surgery was performed successfully. The patient's recovery after the surgery was normal, and the appetite was restored. This paper describes a case of TRP in a Mongolian cow, including the diagnosis, surgical preparation, and surgery successfully performed in the field of suburban farm of Mongolia in detail.

The Oriental stork (Ciconia boyciana), an endangered species, faces significant threats despite extensive conservation efforts aimed at their reintroduction and long-term survival in South Korea. Understanding the primary causes of mortality and identifying predominant pathological lesions are crucial for enhancing these efforts. This study aimed to investigate the causes of unexplained mortality in Oriental storks between 2019 and 2023 through comprehensive postmortem examinations. Twelve storks, including both wild and captive birds, classified as "unknown" deaths, were examined. The results revealed that parasitic infections, particularly in wild storks, were frequently observed (41.7%). Additionally, gastrointestinal obstruction due to the ingestion of foreign materials was identified in a wild stork, highlighting the impact of environmental pollution. Despite the prevalence of inflammatory lesions in liver (58.3%), no cases of hepatitis were confirmed, except for one case of liver rupture in a wild stork. Notably, three nestling death cases from a single litter of captive storks suggested potential parental infanticide or lack of parental care. The overall results highlight the importance of addressing parasitic infections and environmental risks to improve the survival of wild Oriental storks, and emphasize the need for effective management in breeding facilities. Continuous monitoring and pathological evaluations for mortality cases are essential for understanding disease trends and developing adaptive conservation strategies to ensure the long-term preservation of this endangered species.