Clinical efficacy of an ultrasound-guided bilateral rectus sheath block for umbilical hernia repair in calves: A prospective randomized trial

Introduction: Surgical umbilical hernia repair is a frequent procedure in newborn calves, requiring mandatory pain management. This study aimed to develop an ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block (RSB) and to evaluate its clinical efficacy in calves undergoing umbilical herniorrhaphy under general field anesthesia. Methods: Gross and ultrasound anatomy of the ventral abdomen and the diffusion of a new methylene blue solution after injection within the rectus sheath were described in seven fresh calf cadavers. Then, fourteen calves undergoing elective herniorrhaphy were randomly assigned to receive either bilateral ultrasound-guided RSB with 0.3 mL/kg of bupivacaine 0.25% and 0.15 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine or 0.3 mL/kg of 0.9% NaCl (control). Intraoperative data included cardiopulmonary variables and anesthetic requirements. Postoperative data included pain scores, sedation scores and peri-incisional mechanical threshold assessed by force algometry at specific time points after anesthetic recovery. Treatments were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum, Student's t-test, and Cox proportional hazard model as appropriate. Mixed effect linear models on rank, with random effect calf; fixed effects time, treatment, and their interaction were used to compare pain scores and mechanical thresholds over time. Significance was set at p = 0.05. Results and Discussion: Calves receiving RSB recorded lower pain scores between 45 – 120 minutes (p < 0.05) and at 240 min after recovery (p = 0.02). And they recorded higher mechanical thresholds between 45 and 120 min after surgery (p < 0.05). Ultrasound-guided RSB provided effective perioperative analgesia in calves undergoing herniorrhaphy under field conditions

Metabolic Changes Associated with Different Levels of Energy Deficits in Mediterranean Buffaloes during the Early Lactation Stage: Type and Role of the Main Lipid Fractions Involved

Cell function and energy redistribution are influenced by lipid classes (phospholipids (PLs), free fatty acids (FFAs), triglycerides (TGs), and cholesterol esters (CEs)). The aim of this study was to investigate metabolic alterations that are related to changes in lipid classes according to different levels of energy deficits in early lactating Mediterranean buffaloes (MBs). Sixty-three MBs were enrolled at the beginning of lactation using an observational study with a cross-sectional experimental design. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels were used to group the animals into a healthy group (Group H; n = 38; BHB < 0.70 mmol/L) and hyperketonemia risk group (Group K; n = 25; BHB ≥ 0.70 mmol/L). Statistical analysis was performed using a linear model that included the effect of the group and body condition score to assess differences in fatty acid (FA) concentrations. A total of 40 plasma FAs were assessed in each lipid class. Among the FAs, eight PLs, seven FFAs, four TGs, and four CEs increased according to BHB levels, while three FFAs, three TGs, and one CE decreased. The changes among lipid class profiles suggested the influence of inflammatory response, liver metabolism, and the state of body lipid reserves. In addition, the possible similarities of buffaloes at risk of hyperketonemia with ketotic cows suggest the necessity of further investigations in these ruminants

Dynamics of Macrophages and Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes Milk-Secreted by Buffaloes with Udders Characterized by Different Clinical Status

The study evaluated the dynamics of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes milk-secreted by Mediterranean Buffaloes (MBs). Sixty quarter-milk-samples were collected and divided into three groups (n = 20 units each one): clinical mastitis (CM), subclinical mastitis (SCM), and intramammary infection (IMI). The control group consisted of an additional 20 healthy quarters. Their health status was assessed by clinical examination, quantitative somatic cell count (QSCC) and bacteriological milk culture. Finally, a differential somatic cell count (DSCC) was performed on all the milk samples. The mean percentage of macrophages, both in CM- and SCM-quarters, showed a significant difference as compared with the healthy-ones. Significant differences were also detected comparing the mean percentages of polymorphonuclear leukocytes between CM- and healthy-quarters, SCM and healthy, IMI and healthy. The QSCC revealed a weak-significant-negative-correlation with the quantitation of macrophages (r = −0.388), and a moderate-significant-positive-correlation with the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (r = 0.477). Macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes showed a weak-significant-negative-correlation between them (r = −0.247). The interpretation of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes dynamics in milk provided beneficial information regarding the clinical status of the quarters enrolled. Future studies exploring the potential use of DSCC to improve udder health represent an interesting perspective in these ruminants

Vitamin B12 in Cats: Nutrition, Metabolism, and Disease

Cobalamin is a water-soluble molecule that has an important role in cellular metabolism, especially in DNA synthesis, methylation, and mitochondrial metabolism. Cobalamin is bound by intrinsic factor (IF) and absorbed in the ileal tract. The IF in cats is synthesized exclusively by pancreatic tissue. About 75% of the total plasma cobalamin in cats is associated with transcobalamin II, while in this species, transcobalamin I is not present. In cats, the half-life of cobalamin is 11–14 days. Diagnostic biomarkers for B12 status in cats include decreased levels of circulating total cobalamin and increased levels of methylmalonic acid. The reference interval for serum cobalamin concentrations in cats is 290–1500 ng/L, and for the serum methylmalonic acid concentration, it is 139–897 nmol/L. Therapy for hypocobalaminemia mainly depends on the underlying disease. In some cases, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of 250 μg/cat is empirically administered. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that oral cobalamin supplementation can also be used successfully in dogs and cats as a less invasive alternative to parental administration. This review describes the current knowledge regarding B12 requirements and highlights improvements in diagnostic methods as well as the role of hypocobalaminemia in its associated diseases

Cardiovascular changes, laboratory findings and pain scores in calves undergoing ultrasonography-guided bilateral rectus sheath block before herniorrhaphy: a prospective randomized clinical trial

Background: The study aimed to assess the clinical utility of a multiparametric approach to measure the impact of bilateral ultrasound-guided rectus sheath blocks (RSB) on heart rate, serum cortisol concentrations, and pain in calves undergoing herniorraphy. Fourteen calves were randomly assigned to receive either the RSB (RSB group, n = 7, injected with 0.3 mL/kg of bupivacaine 0.25% and 0.15 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine per side) or a sham injection (CG group, n = 7, injected with an equivalent volume of sterile saline solution). Monitoring included (i) continuous Holter recording from 120 min pre-surgery to 120 min post-surgery; (ii) serum cortisol concentration (SC) at -150 min pre-surgery (baseline), induction time, skin incision, end of surgical procedure (EP-t), and then 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 120 min, 360 min after recovery; (iii) UNESP-Botucatu pain evaluation at -150 min pre-surgery and 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 120 min, 240 min, 360 min after recovery. Results: A significant difference in the heart rate was observed within the RSB group, in the time frame between 120 min to induction compared to the time frame between induction to EP-t period. The SC concentration was significantly higher in the CG at the skin incision. Calves in the RSB group recorded significantly lower pain scores at 45 min, 60 min, 120 and 240 min after recovery. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that monitoring heart rate and serum cortisol concentrations effectively quantified the effects of RSB during surgery. At the same time, the UNESP-Botucatu pain scale identified effects post-surgery when the calves regained consciousness. Overall, ultrasound-guided RSB appeared to enhance the well-being of calves undergoing herniorrhaphy

Serum metabolomics assessment of etiological processes predisposing ketosis in water buffalo through the 1H-NMR spectroscopy

Objectives: The transition period is critically important to health and profitability of dairy buffaloes. The metabolic adaptation to negative energy balance (NEB) induced by the considerable increment of energy and nutrient requirements is still one of the major concerns that may decrease the productivity and predispose to different disorders. An inadequate metabolic adaptation is characterized by elevated concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Nevertheless, a specifically BHB threshold for dairy buffaloes is not established and dairy cows’ reference are often used. The metabolic processes can be investigated using the metabolomics approach, which reflects the animals’ health status. The aim of the current study was to use the metabolic approach, specifically with the 1H-NMR, to assess the metabolomic profile of Mediterranean buffaloes (MBs) to investigate the metabolic changes associated with different levels of energy deficit. Materials and methods: The current cross-sectional investigation received an institutional approval by the Ethical Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Naples Federico II (n.PG/2017/0099607). Sixty-two Italian MBs were selected within the entire group of fresh buffaloes (&lt; 50 days in milk) from a single high-yielding dairy farm. All the buffaloes received a complete clinical examination before sampling to exclude clinical ketosis or other pathological statuses. The blood samples were collected from jugular vein into tubes containing clot activator to obtain serum for biochemical and metabolomic analysis. According to serum BHB concentration, animals were divided into two groups: Group healthy (Group - H) consisting of 37 MBs with a level of BHB &lt; 0.70 mmol/L and Group at risk of hyperketonemia (Group - RK) made by 25 MBs with a level BHB ≥ 0.70 mmol/L. The statistical differences for biochemical parameters and metabolite’s concentration were performed by one-way ANOVA and Wilcoxon test according to data distribution. A post hoc pairwise comparison among metabolite concentrations was performed using Bonferroni correction. A p-value&lt;0.05 was accepted, whereas a 0.05≤p-value≤0.10 was considered as trend to significance. A robust principal component analysis (rPCA), a partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) with variable importance in projects (VIP), and the metabolic pathways overrepresentation analysis (ORA) were generated to summarize the structure of the data and to highlight the metabolic pathways influenced by BHB concentration. Results: Among biochemical parameters, only AST was significantly increased in Group - RK. A total of fifty-seven metabolites were identified in serum samples: 27 amino acids and derivates, 9 organic acids, 5 alcohols, 4 carbohydrates, 3 amine and derivates, 2 fatty acids, 2 ketone bodies, 1 sulfone, 1 vitamin, 1 imidazole, 1 nucleoside, and 1 guanidine. Six of the identified metabolites showed a statistically significance, specifically: glycerol, taurine, and creatinine showed a significant reduction in Group - RK, whereas acetone, acetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate showed a significant increase. In addition, six metabolites showed a trend toward significance: methanol, proline, and glycine were reduced in Group - RK, whereas formate, citrate, glutamate were increased. The rPCA analysis failed to cluster groups, while the PLS-DA showed two cluster principally related to acetate, 3-hydroxubutyrate, acetone, and glycerol (VIP &gt; 1.5). The ORA analysis identified five metabolic pathways possibly responsible for changes in metabolome profile: glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism; pyruvate metabolism; glycolysis / gluconeogenesis; glycerolipid metabolism and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Conclusions: Metabolomic analysis through ¹H-NMR is a useful tool to achieve knowledge about metabolic profiling related to serum BHB modifications in dairy buffaloes. The metabolic state of our animals at risk of hyperketonemia suggests an initial mobilization of body resources, subclinical inflammation and potential oxidative stress status, changes in ruminal fermentations, influence on urea cycle and thyroid hormone synthesis. This study demonstrates that the metabolomic approach identified potential relationships with the development of subclinical ketosis even if the BHB concentration did not exceed the threshold value

Exposure of Buffalo Milkers to Pathogenic Bacteria and Characterization of Isolated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus spp.

The research was focused on the surveillance of the exposure of buffalo milkers in contact with both animals and potentially contaminated equipment, pointing attention on the diffusion of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus spp. The monitoring was performed for 12 months, allowing the collection of 600 raw milk and buffalo udder surface samples, 192 milking lanes, 400 milking clusters, 160 personal protective equipment (PPEs) and electronic devices surface samples in contact with the workers of four milking parlors located in Southern Italy. The analysis of the milk samples evidenced the highest exposure to the bacteria considered (and mainly to S. aureus) from late winter–spring seasons onward. The possible risk arising from buffalo udder, milking clusters, and lines were instead considered rather stable along the entire period of sampling. The PPEs turned out to be a source of contamination for milkers mainly during the spring and summer periods. The analysis for oxacillin/methicillin resistance revealed in all the farms enrolled an overall amount of 37.5% of Staphylococci strains (belonging to S. aureus, S. haemolyticus, S. pseudintermedius, S. chromogenes species) resistant both to methicillin and oxacillin. The investigation demonstrated that the potential transfer of pathogenic bacteria to humans would have a better chance to occur at milk resumption time (since late winter–spring onward) when the number of animals to be milked is greater and the activity in the milking parlor is more challenging. At the same time, the findings seem to point out that the potential risk may be worsened by a significant presence of oxacillin/methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, potentially resulting from irrational use of antibiotics

An innovative strategy for deworming dogs in Mediterranean areas highly endemic for cystic echinococcosis

Abstract Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a zoonotic parasitic disease of economic and public health importance worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean area. Canids are the main definitive hosts of the adult cestode contaminating the environment with parasite eggs released with feces. In rural and peri-urban areas, the risk of transmission to livestock as well as humans is high because of the free-roaming behavior of owned/not owned dogs. Collecting data on animal movements and behavior using GPS dataloggers could be a milestone to contain the spread of this parasitosis. Thus, this study aims to develop a comprehensive control strategy, focused on deworming a dog population in a pilot area of southern Italy (Campania region) highly endemic for CE. Methods Accordingly, five sheep farms, tested to be positive for CE, were selected. In each sheep farm, all shepherd dogs present were treated every 2 months with praziquantel. Furthermore, 15 GPS dataloggers were applied to sheep and dogs, and their movements were tracked for 1 month; the distances that they traveled and their respective home ranges were determined using minimum convex polygon (MCP) analysis with a convex hull geometry as output. Results The results showed that the mean daily walking distances traveled by sheep and dogs did not significantly differ. Over 90% of the point locations collected by GPS fell within 1500 mt of the farm, and the longest distances were traveled between 10:00 and 17:00. In all the sheep farms monitored, the area traversed by the animals during their daily activities showed an extension of < 250 hectares. Based on the home range of the animals, the area with the highest risk of access from canids (minimum safe convex polygon) was estimated around the centroid of each farm, and a potential scheme for the delivery of praziquantel-laced baits for the treatment of not owned dogs gravitating around the grazing area was designed. Conclusions This study documents the usefulness of geospatial technology in supporting parasite control strategies to reduce disease transmission. Graphical Abstrac