Influence of a Single Dose of Meloxicam Administrated during Canine Estrus on Progesterone Concentration and Fertility—A Clinical Case Study

This case report presents an observation of the influence of meloxicam administration, during the periovulatory phase, on corpora lutea function in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). A 2 year old female German Shepherd dog, with a level of progesterone suggestive of the periovulatory period (5.97 ng/mL), received a single subcutaneous injection of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg body weight). In this female, subsequent evaluation to detect the optimal time for mating revealed a strong decrease in P4 (2.77 ng/mL), although it increased to 13.98 ng/mL within the following three days. The same female conceived and delivered a litter of the same size as in a subsequent cycle where meloxicam was not administered. The use of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and particularly meloxicam, as a COX-2 inhibitor that influences the production of prostaglandins has been reported as being potentially harmful for ovulation and pregnancy in various species, including humans. In dogs, the secretion of prostaglandin E (PGE) is thought to be important for ovulation and the formation of the corpora lutea, the only source of P4, which is required for pregnancy maintenance. Although previous case reports have indicated an influence of meloxicam administration on CL function in domestic dogs, here, the decreased progesterone level observed directly after a single dose of meloxicam was only temporary, with no negative impact on fertility. Based on our observations, further studies related to the influence of the timing of meloxicam administration on ovarian cycle advancement, as well as the influence of duration of treatment, dosage, and route of administration on progesterone levels, as an indicator of CL function, are required

Decreased Size of Mammary Tumors Caused by Preoperative Treatment with Aglepristone in Female Domestic Dogs (<i>Canis familiaris</i>) Do Not Influence the Density of the Benign Neoplastic Tissue Measured Using Shear Wave Elastography Technique

Shear wave elastography (SWE) can be useful to discriminate between malignant and benign mammary tumors. In dogs with elevated progesterone levels compared to the baseline and fast-growing tumors, treatment with the use of aglepristone allows for tumor size reduction, which facilitates surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the preoperative treatment of benign mammary tumors (BMTs), performed with the use of aglepristone, on the density of the tumor tissue measured by SWE. Twelve female dogs with diagnosed BMTs and increased levels of progesterone were treated with aglepristone (Alizine, Virbac, France) at 10 mg/kg s.c. (Subcutaneous injection). twice, with a 24 h interval. The density of the tumor was evaluated by SWE before and after the treatment. The type of tumor was evaluated by fine needle aspiration cytology before treatment, and a histopathological examination was made after surgical removal, performed after the aglepristone treatment. In all the cases, a significant reduction in the mammary tumor’s size was observed following treatment, with no influence on the density of the tumor’s tissue measured by SWE. Similar studies on malignant mammary tumors are warranted to verify if in these cases, density will also be a constant parameter that is not dependent on the tumor size

Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications

Olfaction in dogs is crucial for gathering important information about the environment, recognizing individuals, making decisions, and learning. It is far more specialized and sensitive than humans’ sense of smell. Using the strength of dogs’ sense of smell, humans work with dogs for the recognition of different odors, with a precision far exceeding the analytical capabilities of most modern instruments. Due to their extremely sensitive sense of smell, dogs could be used as modern, super-sensitive mobile area scanners, detecting specific chemical signals in real time in various environments outside the laboratory, and then tracking the odor of dynamic targets to their source, also in crowded places. Recent studies show that dogs can detect not only specific scents of drugs or explosives, but also changes in emotions as well as in human cell metabolism during various illnesses, including COVID-19 infection. Here, we provide an overview of canine olfaction, discussing aspects connected with anatomy, physiology, behavioral aspects of sniffing, and factors influencing the olfactory abilities of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris)

Canine Smell Preferences—Do Dogs Have Their Favorite Scents?

The available evidence on dogs’ scent preferences is quite limited. The purpose of this study was to verify the canine response to selected odors that may also be preferred by humans. The experiment was performed using 14 adult dogs (10 female and 4 male) of different breeds, body size, and age (1–14 years). During the experiment, dogs were exposed to 33 odor samples: a neutral sample containing pure dipropylene glycol (control) and 32 samples containing dipropylene glycol and fragrance oils. The dog was brought to the experimental area by its handler, who then stopped at the entrance, unleashed the dog, and remained in the starting position. The dog freely explored the area for 30 s. All dog movements and behavior were recorded and analyzed. The methodology of observing the dogs freely exploring the experimental area allowed us to determine the smells that were the most attractive to them (food, beaver clothing). Our study shows that dogs interacted more frequently with the scents of blueberries, blackberries, mint, rose, lavender, and linalol

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in adult patients — Recommendations of Polish Scientific Societies and the National Oncological Strategy. 2022 Update [Diagnostyka i leczenie raka tarczycy u chorych dorosłych — Rekomendacje Polskich Towarzystw Naukowych oraz Narodowej Strategii Onkologicznej. Aktualizacja na rok 2022]

The guidelines Thyroid Cancer 2022 are prepared based on previous Polish recommendations updated in 2018. They consider international guidelines — American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2015 and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN); however, they are adapted according to the ADAPTE process. The strength of the recommendations and the quality of the scientific evidence are assessed according to the GRADE system and the ATA 2015 and NCCN recommendations. The core of the changes made in the Polish recommendations is the inclusion of international guidelines and the results of those scientific studies that have already proven themselves prospectively.These extensions allow de-escalation of the therapeutic management in low-risk thyroid carcinoma, i.e., enabling active surveillance in papillary microcarcinoma to be chosen alternatively to minimally invasive techniques after agreeing on such management with the patient. Further extensions allow the use of thyroid lobectomy with the isthmus (hemithyroidectomy) in low-risk cancer up to 2 cm in diameter, modification of the indications for postoperative radioiodine treatment toward personalized approach, and clarification of the criteria used during postoperative L-thyroxine treatment. At the same time, the criteria for the preoperative differential diagnosis of nodular goiter in terms of ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy have been clarified, and the rules for the histopathological examination of postoperative thyroid material have been updated. New, updated rules for monitoring patients after treatment are also presented.The updated recommendations focus on ensuring the best possible quality of life after thyroid cancer treatment while maintaining the good efficacy of this treatment

Rekomendacje Polskich Towarzystw Naukowych „Diagnostyka i leczenie raka tarczycy”. Aktualizacja na rok 2018

Significant advances have been made in thyroid can­cer research in recent years, therefore relevant clinical guidelines need to be updated. The current Polish guidelines “Diagnostics and Treatment of Thyroid Carcinoma” have been formulated at the “Thyroid Cancer and Other Malignancies of Endocrine Glands” conference held in Wisła in November 2015 [1].Gwałtowny postęp, dokonujący się w ostatnich latach w badaniach nad rakiem tarczycy spowodował, że konieczne jest aktualizowanie bieżących rekomendacji klinicznych. Obowiązujące dotychczas Rekomendacje „Diagnostyka i leczenie raka tarczycy” zostały ustalone na Konferencji „Rak Tarczycy” w Wiśle w listopadzie 2015 roku [1]