This study was conducted to evaluate and analyze fractures types in wild mammals in Korea. Wild mammals treated at 3 wildlife centers in Korea were included. Of the 63 cases included in this study, water deer was the most common species encountered with fractures. We determined 85 different fracture sites, with maximum lumber vertebral fractures followed by femoral, tibial and pelvic fractures. External skeletal fixator (ESF)-intramedullary (IM) pin (IM+ESF tie-in fixation) was the most common method applied for the surgical treatment of mammals. Lumbar vertebrae and femur were the most common bones involved. The findings of this study are expected to provide information for veterinarians regarding the frequency and characteristics of fractures in wild mammals and serve as a basic database for the types and outcomes of fractures in wild mammals.

The traditional calculation of gestation length (GL) in Holstein cows relies solely on the insemination day and has a high error rate for actual calving dates. The present study was conducted to develop a more accurate method of estimating GL. Among 3,578 Holstein cows, the number of fetuses had a significant (p < 0.05) effect, with GLs of 282.4 ± 2.5 days for singletons and 276.0 ± 1.6 days for twins. Within the singleton group, the GLs were 284.6 ± 1.9 days for males and 280.3 ± 1.5 days for females, a significant difference (p < 0.05). However, within the twin group, there was no difference in GLs among twin males, twin females, or twins of both sexes. Gestation was significantly shorter for singleton males born from June to August but significantly longer for twin males born in the May to June period (p < 0.05). Neither parity nor housing type was associated with any significant difference in GL. In order to predict the calving dates of Holstein cows accurately and improve their management, calculations should consider the number and sex of fetuses as well as the insemination season.

This study examined the relative incidence of feline cutaneous tumors according to age, breed, sex, and site predilection for these tumors. Biopsy samples were examined and diagnosed from the histopathology. Over a 72-month period, from January 2013 to December 2018, 478 feline biopsy samples were received from veterinary practitioners across the nation. Of these, 232 (48.54%) cases were skin masses. Among them, 73.71% (171/232) were neoplastic lesions and 26.29% (61/232) were non-neoplastic. Twenty-two different types of cutaneous neoplasms were diagnosed as epithelial tumors (15.79%), mesenchymal tumors (83.63%), or melanocytic tumor (0.58%). The four most common tumors were mast cell tumor (60.23%), lipoma (5.85%), basal cell carcinoma (4.68%), and fibrosarcoma (4.68%), which comprised 75.44% of all tumor cases. Cutaneous tumors were located most commonly in the head of the cat (43.27%) and in the Korean shorthaired breed (75.44%). According to this study, cutaneous tumors were the most common tumor types in feline neoplasms in Korea. The incidence of cutaneous tumors was highest in Korean shorthaired cats, the most prevalent breed in Korea. Mast cell tumors are the most common skin neoplasm in Korea and can affect very young cats.

Disulfiram (DSF) is a member of the dithiocarbamate family that can bind copper. Recent studies have shown that DSF has anti-cancer activities, but the mechanism has not been clarified. Therefore, it is important to study the action mechanism of DSF to maximize its anticancer effects. A human leukemia cell line, HL-60, was used in this study. HL-60 cells were treated with DSF and the cellular metabolic activity was measured. DSF increased the cell death of HL-60 cells in annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining analysis. In addition, DSF decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of the HL-60 cells. The cytotoxicity of DSF on HL-60 cells was observed at 0.4 μM. Interestingly, the reduction of MMP by DSF was recovered by N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This suggests that the decrease in MMP by DSF is closely related to the production of ROS in HL-60 cells, which indicates the relationship between the apoptosis of HL-60 cells by DSF and the role of the mitochondria. This study provides clinicians and researchers with valuable information regarding the anti-cancer activity of DSF in terms of the action mechanism.

This study presents neurogenesis and neuronal migration patterns of gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) neurons during mesencephalic development of mouse. After neurons from embryonic day (E) 10-16 were labelled by a single injection of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), immunohistochemistry was performed. Neurogenesis were mainly generated in the mesencephalic region at E10 to E13. After E14, BrdU positive cells were observed only in the dorsal mesencephalon. GABAergic neurons were mainly originated in the ventrolateral region of the mesencephalon at the early embryonic stage, especially at E11 to E13. E10-labeled cells showed positive for GABAergic neuron in the basal plate of the mesencephalon at E13. At E15, GABAergic neurons were observed in the entire basal plate and some regions of the ventral and dorsal mesencephalon. They were present in the whole basal plate, the ventral and dorsal mesencephalon of E17, spreading more outward of the mesencephalon at P0. Our study demonstrates that major neurogenesis of GABAergic neurons occurs at E11 to E13. However, neuronal migration continues until neonatal period during mesencephalic development.

Mass mortality in commercially cultured Amur catfish (Silurus asotus), showing symptoms of dermal ulcerations, occurred on a private farm in Mar 2019 in Korea. β-hemolytic bacteria were isolated from the ulcers and kidneys of the fish and identified as Aeromonas veronii. The isolate was resistant to tetracycline and possessed cytotoxic heat-labile enterotoxin (aerolysin/hemolysin). We investigated the genetic determinants associated with tetracycline resistance, and the isolate has been confirmed to simultaneously possess tetA and tetE genes. This is the first report on the occurrence of tetracycline-resistant A. veronii infection related to mass mortality in commercially cultured Amur catfish in Korea.

Five paraplegic dogs were diagnosed with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease with more than 50% compression of spinal cord. Because the lesions were determined to be disc extrusion on magnetic resonance imaging, a hemilaminectomy was initially performed, however, protruded discs were confirmed during surgery. To remove the protruded disc, modified partial lateral corpectomy (mini-PLC) was additionally performed. All dogs recovered to full ambulation within a median of 44 days without temporary deterioration or vertebral instability. Mini-PLC as described here enables successful removal of the protruded disc, while preserving vertebral stability in dogs for whom the use of hemilaminectomy is inevitable.

Three 8-12-year-old male cocker spaniels presented with an appendicular mass accompanied by pain, inflammation, lameness, and loss of nail in the digits of the forelimb or hindlimb. A histological examination revealed dermal masses of the digit composed of numerous neoplastic cells with marked pleomorphism and high mitosis. The neoplastic cells showed a strong invasive tendency into the epidermis and adjacent bony tissues, such as distal phalanx. Immunohistochemistry of the neoplastic cells in three masses revealed positive reactions for Melan-A. These three dogs were diagnosed as nailbed malignant melanoma in the digit based on the history, clinical signs, and histopathologic features.

A 7-year-old, spayed female Chihuahua with dyspnea, intermittent cyanosis, and dermal plaques was diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism. Thoracic radiographs showed markedly hyperdense alveoli in multiple lung lobes. Computed tomography (CT) images showed lung mineralization confined to the lung parenchyma and pituitary macroadenoma. Pulmonary mineralization secondary to hyperadrenocorticism is commonly found on histopathologic examination. However, those lesions are rarely identified radiographically. We describe obvious pulmonary mineralization secondary to hyperadrenocorticism found on radiographs and present the first report regarding CT imaging of the mineralization. Pulmonary mineralization should be considered when a dog affected by hyperadrenocorticism shows diffuse lung mineralization on radiographs.

This study describes a sudden death in an ostrich (Struthio camelus) with a big neck. Grossly, the air sacs were thickened. Yellow to white, round or coalescent material was scattered on the air sacs. However, the cervical air sac was normal. Histopathologically, multinucleated giant cells, heterophils, and macrophages had infiltrated the air sacs, and many hyphae were seen in the air sacs and on their surfaces. Pyogranulomatous inflammation with intralesional hyphae was observed throughout the lungs. Aspergillus fumigatus was identified microbiologically. In conclusion, the affected animal died because of the respiratory disturbance caused by mycotic airsacculitis and pneumonia.