Background. Canine babesiosis is a clinically important hemoprotozoan parasite affecting dogs. The goal of this present study was to determine the clinical symptoms and to establish its hematological and microscopic detection and compare it with the PCR findings attained from dogs infected with Babesia canis vogeli. Methodology/Principal Findings. 13-PCR confirmed Babesia-infected dogs were examined; seminested PCR was used to discover the precise type of Babesia and Babesia canis vogeli was the only subspecies detected. The most consistent clinical signs were elevated rectal temperature and a pale mucous membrane. Thrombocytopenia, monocytosis, and lymphocytosis, along with a significant reduction in red cell parameters, were the most commonly recorded hematologic alterations. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of typical large merozoites and trophozoites of B. canis in the ratio 76.92%. Conclusions/Significance. The presumptive diagnosis of canine babesiosis should be based on a fever and anemia, while thrombocytopenia is considered the hallmark of the disease; microscopic examination may not be very revealing in the detection at low parasitemia, but it remains the most rapid confirmatory method. Seminested PCR turned out to be a sensitive and accurate method for diagnosis; during the process of differentiation between Babesia subspecies, only B. canis subsp. vogeli was detected.

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Background: Corneal ulcer could be a major source of distress in small animals, with many contributing agents. In recent years, few studies evaluated the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in healing corneal ulcers.Aim: This study aimed to assess the ability of subconjunctival injection of autologous PRP in the treatment of corneal ulcers in dogs and cats as well as estimate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and oxidative stress biomarkers in these patients.Methods: A total number of 28 animals (16 cats and 12 dogs) were enrolled in this study. Each animal was subjected to clinical, neurologic, and ophthalmic examinations where the type of ulcer was documented. Tear samples were collected for evaluation of oxidative biomarkers and MMPs; conjunctival swabs were taken to identify the involved organism. PRP was prepared from each animal and given as subconjunctival injection; numbers of injections were done according to case response. Clinical follow-up was done and documented for each case.Results: In cat patients, female and Persian cats were most affected; unilateral and superficial ulcers were most recorded. In male dogs, unilateral, and superficial ulcers were most recorded. FHV-1 was most identified in cats, while Staphylococcus aureus was most identified in dogs. Numbers of injections needed to achieve healing were recorded, with 50% of dogs needing two injections with 1-week intervals and 50% of cats needed three injections with 1-week intervals. Alterations in both oxidative biomarkers and MMPs were recorded in affected animals.Conclusion: The use of autologous PRP as a subconjunctival injection in treating corneal ulcers in dogs and cats is effective. The number of injections is the case and corneal ulcer type-dependent.Clinical Significance: Autologous PRP as a subconjunctival injection in treating corneal ulcer is a relatively cheap, safe method and can be done in the clinical setting.

Babesia is one of the main causes of anemia in cattle, a lot of elucidations have been suggested to explain its pathogenesis. This study was designed to investigate clinical, hemato-biochemical and oxidant/antioxidant status and its relation with the resultant anemia in Babesia-infected calves. Seventeen (17) native breed calves were involved in this study, clinical signs and microscopic findings were recorded, also blood samples were taken to investigate hematologic changes, serum biochemical variations and oxidative stress biomarkers. The most commonly observed clinical signs were fever, emaciation, depression, icterus and hemoglobinuria. Significant reduction in PCV, HB, RBCs, MCHC, Total protein, and albumin along with significant increase in MCV, WBCs, monocytes and BUN were the most consistent hemato-biochemical changes. Oxidant/antioxidant and trace mineral assessment showed significant reduction in Superoxide dismutase “SOD”, Glutathione peroxidase “GPx”, Zn, Cu along with significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) activities. In the current investigation, oxidant/antioxidant imbalance along with the synchronized alterations in antioxidant trace minerals was detected in Babesia-infected calves. These findings support notion that Babesia infection associated with oxidative stress and this process may be linked to the resultant anemia.

Background and Aim: One of the most common cutaneous infections seen in veterinary canine practice is canine demodicosis. Demodicosis is a parasitic skin infection with a possible impact on acute-phase proteins (APPs) and oxidant-antioxidant balance. This study aimed to estimate the possible alterations in hematological, biochemical, oxidant-antioxidant, and APP (C-reactive protein [CRP] and albumin) profiles in naturally infected dogs with demodicosis. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 21 dogs that were divided into two groups: The control group including 7 apparently healthy dogs and the diseased group including 14 dogs with generalized demodicosis. Demodicosis was confirmed through microscopic detection. Blood samples were collected for the estimation of CBC, total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and CRP levels. Results: Significant reduction in red blood cells along with significant elevation in white blood cells was recorded in the diseased group compared with the control group. There was also significant elevation in MDA, TAC, SOD, and CRP levels along with significant reduction in GSH-Px and CAT levels in the diseased group. Conclusion: Based on these findings, a relationship between canine generalized demodicosis and oxidant-antioxidant disequilibrium could be suggested. Evidence of this relation manifested in the elevation in MDA and SOD levels and reduction in GPx and CAT levels as a consequence to the release of ROS resulting from Demodex infection. CRP elevation is expected in canine demodicosis.

Background Anatomical feline models can aid in understanding the relationships between clinical findings and anatomical features and the course of foreign bodies passing through the oesophagus. This study has two goals 1) to assess feline oesophageal foreign bodies in feline patients using physical, radiologic and endoscopic examination and, how their location influences treatment plans and complications. 2) How the anatomical sharp angle of the oesophagus contribute to foreign body lodgement. Thirty-five cats were enrolled in this study; 30 of them were clinically ill, and five cats were used for anatomical study. Results Cats with clinical signs underwent complete clinical and radiologic examination. Endoscopy was performed in only five cases. The site with the highest occurrence of foreign body lodgement was the oesophageal entrance, caudal to the pharynx (63.3%), followed by the thoracic inlet (26.7%) and the mid-cervical region of the oesophagus (10%). Two types of foreign bodies were identified: sewing needles (25/30) and bone (5/30). Radiography was able to identify the location and nature of the foreign body in all 30 affected cats. Therapeutic regimens were applied according to the nature and location of the foreign body and any associated complications. Removal of the foreign body was achieved using Rochester pean artery forceps in 17/30 cases, using full surgical intervention in 8/30 cases, and during endoscopy in 5/30 cases. Conclusion The results suggest that the location of the foreign body is strongly related to combination of consumed foreign body type and anatomic features of the cat oesophagus. The feline oesophagus has a variety of sharp angles that facilitate the entrapment of rigid linear and angular foreign bodies. Radiographic imaging remains the most frequently used diagnostic modality for determining the lodgement site and nature of radiopaque foreign bodies. Over all complication rate was low (6/30).

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