Current Applications and Future Perspectives of Fluorescence Light Energy Biomodulation in Veterinary Medicine

The purpose of this review is to determine the state of the art of the mode of action and potential applications of fluorescence photobiomodulation in veterinary medicine. After a summary of the assets that have led the translation of such light-based therapies from bench side into clinical use, recent advances in canine dermatology using this brand-new approach are presented, and future scenarios where this type of care may provide benefits over the current standard care are highlighte

Microbiome, Diet, Gastrointestinal Disease and Dysbiosis

Intestinal microbiota is the set of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, and viruses) present inside the gut; bacteria are of fundamental importance because they help maintain gut homeostasis by competing with pathogens, by regulating energy metabolism and also producing immunomodulatory substrates such as short-chain fatty acids (i.e. acetate, propionate, butyrate). Shifts in microbial communities are due to disease, drug administration, diet, etc., and in recent years, the study of gut microbiome (DNA-based techniques) has better defined/characterized this relationship in many cases. The link between microbiome (dysbiosis) and health and disease is very complex and still far to be completely understood. We wanted to underline the importance of diet in modulating gut microbiome, possibly a useful tool also in term of disease prevention, and of microbial-microbial signaling. Even more we wanted to stress that it will be fundamental to better characterize dysbiosis, cause this may guide treatment decisions

Transrectal ultrasonography of the adrenal glands in donkeys (Equus asinus)

Little information is available for medical imaging in donkeys and no report about adrenal glands ultrasonography can be found in scientific literature. The feasibility of transrectal ultrasonography of the adrenal glands was tested on 30 healthy donkeys using a 10 MHz linear transducer. Mean age of animals was 10.7 ±4.8 years, mean weight 275.0 ±62.9 Kg and mean height 126.7 ±7.1 cm. The left adrenal gland was visualized in all donkeys. The right gland ultrasonography was not feasible in seven animals with a height less than 116 cm. The left gland was visualized as a linear or slightly curved structure, the right gland was most often S-shaped. In both glands, an hypechoic peripheral zone was identified as the cortex with an inner, hyperechoic medulla. The length was 5.49 ±1.90 cm and 5.15 ±1.10 cm for right and left gland, respectively. Right gland whole and medullary thickness were 0.71 ±0.11 cm and 0.24 ±0.09 cm, 0.65 ±0.13 cm and 0.21 ±0.07 cm, 0.56 ±0.17 cm and 0.25 ±0.07 cm for cranial pole, middle point and caudal pole respectively. Left gland whole and medullary thickness were 0.69 ±0.13 cm and 0.25 ±0.09 cm, 0.66 ±0.13 cm and 0.23 ±0.09 cm, 0.57 ±0.15 cm and 0.26 ±0.09 cm for cranial pole, middle point and caudal pole respectively. There was a significant correlation between height and the entire length of the left gland. Ultrasonography of the adrenal glands is a suitable tool for evaluation of both adrenal glands in most of the donkey. The size is a limiting factor for proper visualization of the right gland

Cibo e Nutraceutici: direzione salute

Atti congressuali del Convegno “Cibo e nutraceutici: direzione salute”, organizzato a Camerino il 10-07-2018, a cura della Piattaforme Tematiche di Ateneo su “Alimenti e Nutrizione” e “Salute Umana e Animale”

Blue-green endoscopy in a dog presenting chronic vomiting-regurgitation

A 2-year-old male Maremma sheepdog presenting with chronic vomiting-regurgitation was examined at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Camerino University. An oesophagogastroscopy with a single blue + green (BG) filter restricting wavelengths from 400 to 550 nm was carried out. A conventional white light endoscopy showed a dilated oesophagus with mildly diffuse erythematous mucosa (more accentuated proximal to the cardia); some portions of the gastric mucosa were covered with fluids and appeared only slightly erythematous. A blue green endoscopy highlighted the oesophageal lesions in dark blue, which made them appear more clearly defined from the remaining mucosa. In the gastric antrum, a small, slightly darker blue roundish area was visible. This area did not show up under the white light endoscopy. A histopathological assessment of biopsy specimens from the distal oesophagus, antrum (including the area highlighted only by BG endoscopy) and gastric body showed chronic-active hyperplastic esophagitis and superficial squamous epithelial dysplasia, while gastric samples showed severe diffuse hyperaemic gastritis of the antrum and superficial diffuse atrophy of the gastric body. The authors believe that the use of a BG endoscopy could be useful in veterinary medicine to increase the diagnostic potential of endoscopic assessment in animals