New York State College of Veterinary Medicine

A 1-y-old, castrated male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of a 1-mo history of chronic cough, dyspnea, and lethargy that progressed to anorexia during the week preceding euthanasia. Radiographically, the right caudal and middle lung lobes were consolidated. Cytologic and histologic examination of the right caudal lung lobe revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation with intralesional protozoal organisms. Although morphologically similar to and immunohistochemically reactive for Toxoplasma gondii, the organisms had inconsistent features, such as variability in shape and size. With Sarcocystidae PCR assays for the 18S DNA and the ITS1 DNA markers and Sanger sequencing, we identified the organisms as Besnoitia darlingi. A comprehensive search of PubMed and Google Scholar revealed no prior reports, suggesting that feline pneumonia has not been reported previously in association with B. darlingi infection.

Our objectives were to describe the effects of full cow-calf contact for 3, 5, or 7 d after calving compared with immediate separation on milk yield and components, cow metabolic indicators, milking characteristics, and IMI status, as well as on calf outcomes transfer of passive immunity (TPI), milk intake, and health scores. Holstein cows with a singleton calf were eligible for enrollment, and 23 Holstein cows (8 primiparous, 15 multiparous) and their calves were included in a randomized block design. Cows were housed in identical box stalls regardless of treatment assignment and milked twice daily from parturition to d 8. In pairs assigned to the 0D group, calves were separated immediately after birth, whereas in the 3D, 5D, and 7D treatment groups, calves were separated 3, 5, or 7 d after birth, respectively. All calves were fed colostrum at 8.5% of birth body weight (BBW). Contact calves had access to the cow's box stall except during milking, when they were confined to a connected calf creep area. Separated calves were fed whole milk twice daily, up to a total of 25% of BBW per day, and housed in identical pens in a different section of the same barn. Milk yield was measured at each milking, and milk components were determined on d 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7. Quarter-level milk was taken for microbial cultures on d 0 and 8. Vacuum dynamics were measured daily using a portable vacuum recorder to detect bimodal milk flow curves. Serum samples of cows and calves were analyzed for metabolic markers and IgG concentration, respectively. Calf health was scored daily, and hip and withers heights were measured. The most common reason for exclusion was low colostrum production of the dam. Milk production was lower during the respective contact periods in the 3D, 5D, and 7D groups, but rebounded to the level of the 0D group after separation, respectively. Lactose concentration was lower in the 5D group compared with 0D. Bimodality was only found in milking observations of the contact groups but not in the 0D group. Quarter-level new IMI or risk of cure, as well as metabolic indicators did not differ between groups. Successful TPI was shown in all groups, and calf health and growth indicators did not differ between groups. Median milk intake in the separated calves ranged from 9 to 9.8 kg on d 7. In summary, Holstein cows with delayed separation of their calves showed a transient reduction in milk yield, occurrence of bimodality, and lower milk lactose concentration, whereas metabolic indicators and IMI risk did not differ. Calves showed no difference in health scores or growth, and separated calves voluntarily consumed a median daily amount of milk equal to 18% to 20% of BBW. Delayed separation of calves from their dams was associated with differences in milk production, bimodality and milk components, whereas under controlled colostrum feeding conditions, calves showed no difference in TPI, health outcomes, or injury risk. Long-term effects on milk production, bimodality, calf growth, and health merit further investigation.

The environmental footprint of dairy production is one of the most pressing challenges faced by the industry globally. Our study aimed to develop and validate a cost-effective sensing solution for real-time monitoring of dairy farms' GHG emissions and microclimatic conditions. Each of the integrated sensing nodes was equipped with carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and ammonia (NH₃) gas sensors, along with an all-in-one weather sensor. Sensing nodes were validated against gold-standard measurements using open-circuit respiration chambers with individual cows under controlled conditions. The CH₄ emissions (133.0 ± 22.5 ppm, mean ± SD) showed an overall correlation (r = 0.46) with the gold-standard respiration chamber (166.0 ± 32.8 ppm) across all 3 d. However, the correlation changed over time, with a strong correlation on d 1 (r = 0.62), a moderate correlation on d 2 (r = 0.35), and a weak correlation on d 3 (r = 0.11). In contrast, sensor node quantified CO₂ emissions (905 ± 779 ppm) showed a weaker correlation (r = 0.019, 2,461 ± 346 ppm), indicating the need for further improvements to the sensing node. A wireless network of calibrated sensing nodes was deployed in 3 different locations within a dairy farm: dry cow pen (DCP), feed bunk (FB), and freestall beds (FSB) at a research dairy farm. The CH₄ emissions were greater in the DCP (12.5 ± 6.65 ppm) compared with FB (2.80 ± 0.61 ppm) and FSB (2.34 ± 0.62 ppm). The CO₂ emissions at the FB were greater (1,498 ± 1,020 ppm) compared with the DCP (534 ± 222 ppm) and FSB (724 ± 517 ppm). The NH₃ emissions were highest in the FSB (4.24 ± 0.91 ppm) compared with DCP (2.93 ± 1.35 ppm) and FB (1.10 ± 0.44 ppm). The differences in GHG emissions across the different areas of the dairy farm may be influenced by ambient temperature, humidity, housing conditions, and manure management practices. Our sensing nodes may provide a low-cost, scalable sensing network that can offer a practical solution for continuous GHG monitoring.

Surgical limb-sparing in veterinary medicine can be defined as an intervention aimed at preserving limb function when a bone abnormality is present, namely neoplasia or a non-repairable fracture, and the affected segment of that bone needs to be removed and, most often, replaced. In some cases, the affected segment of bone is treated and reimplanted. It is mostly prevalent in the context of local tumor control while preserving limb function in veterinary surgical oncology but has also been employed for comminuted fracture repair. Importantly, this review focuses on neoplasia and non-repairable fractures wherein the bones were normal prior to the pathology and the non-affected segments of bone remain normal in the face of the pathology. Several techniques have been reported and vary based on a number of factors such as anatomic location of the pathology and method of addressing the defect created by removal of the affected bone segment. Limb-sparing techniques have been documented to have comparable survival times to limb amputation but can be fraught with mechanical and biological complications, requiring intensive long-term care and client compliance with treatment regimens. The most common complications are infection, mechanical failure, and local recurrence. Decreasing the risk of complication is the driving force for research in the field of limb sparing in dogs. The aim of this review was to compile the existing literature on surgical limb-sparing in dogs with the intent to guide clinical decision-making and inform further research on limb-sparing.

Rocuronium bromide is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) commonly used in anesthesia for its rapid onset and intermediate duration of action. While its therapeutic use has been well-documented in humans and experimentally in dogs, this report describes the first known case of its malicious use in the fatal intoxication of a canine. Herein we describe the case of a six-year-old male Plott Hound found deceased under suspicious circumstances. Postmortem investigation revealed focal hemorrhages near potential injection sites and toxicological analysis via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) confirmed the presence of rocuronium in muscle tissue, heart blood and urine. The dog had no surgical history or indication for anesthesia. However, rocuronium concentrations mirrored those seen in anesthetized human patients under ventilatory support. The owner, a licensed pharmacist, was suspected of drug theft and aggravated animal abuse. This case highlights the lethality of NMBA's when misused outside of the clinical setting and further underscores a collaborative, multi-institutional, multidisciplinary approach to veterinary forensic investigations.

Equine meningoencephalomyelitis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality and is associated with a wide variety of infectious etiologies. Because of the lack of large retrospective studies, the prevalence and incidence of these diseases are unknown. Here we describe 171 cases of meningoencephalomyelitis in horses submitted to the Section of Anatomic Pathology at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA) from 1996-2023. Neuroinflammatory disease was identified in 5.4% of submitted horses with a wide breed, age, and sex distribution. A parasitic cause was identified in 32 (19%) cases, with protozoa in 18 (11%) cases and metazoa in 14 (8%) cases. A viral cause was identified in 31 (18%) cases, corresponding to infection by equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EqAHV1; 12 of 31, 39%), eastern equine encephalitis virus (10 of 31; 32%), West Nile virus (5 of 31; 16%), and rabies virus (4 of 31; 13%), followed by 14 bacterial (8%) cases and 7 fungal (4%) cases. Of the remaining 87 of 171 (51%) cases, 20 (23%) had some histologic features, although not conclusive, of protozoal disease, and 8 (9%) of EqAHV1 infection. However, 59 (68%) cases did not have any neuropathologic changes that would support a definitive diagnosis. Although we found the expected causes of equine meningoencephalomyelitis in our study, the large number of cases with unknown etiologic diagnoses highlights the challenges of definitively proving causes of neuroinflammation in the horse and supports the need for improved ante- and postmortem testing.

Abstract The increasing demand for sustainable feed ingredients in aquaculture has driven research into alternative protein sources to replace fishmeal. This study evaluated the nutritional, physiological, and microbiological impacts of housefly ( Musca domestica ) larvae meal as a replacement for fishmeal in the diets of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). Diets were formulated to replace fishmeal with larvae meal at 50% and 100% inclusion levels. Growth performance, body composition, intestinal health, and gut microbiota were assessed over a 16-week feeding trial. Fish fed larvae meal-based diets exhibited comparable growth metrics, muscle yield, and hepatosomatic index to those fed fishmeal and commercial diets, indicating no compromise in growth efficiency. Intestinal histological examination revealed no diet-induced morphological changes, with all parameters remaining within normal ranges, highlighting the compatibility of larvae meal with fish intestinal health. Analysis of gut microbiota showed a shift toward Firmicutes dominance and increased abundance of Clostridiales in larvae meal-fed fish, suggesting enhanced fermentation activity. Blood chemistry parameters were consistent across dietary groups, supporting the physiological suitability of larvae meal-based diets. These findings demonstrate that housefly larvae meal is a sustainable and nutritionally viable alternative to fishmeal in aquafeeds for rainbow trout. The results underscore its potential to reduce reliance on fishmeal while maintaining fish health and growth performance.

Respiratory emergencies require rapid evaluation and identification of their cause to provide adequate treatment. Life-threatening upper airway obstruction should be treated with temporary tracheotomy. Lower airway disease can require more extensive evaluation to formulate a plan for stabilization, during which time, intranasal oxygen should be provided to horses in significant airway distress.