The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Application of flexible endoscopy for gastrointestinal foreign body removal in a leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

2025-12-30T13:20:36+07:00

A male captive-bred leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) presented with a history of inadvertent ingestion of a rubber tip from forceps during feeding. The foreign body was impalpable on physical examination, while radiographic evaluation confirmed its presence in the stomach. Considering the procedural risks associated with invasive surgical interventions, endoscopic retrieval under general anesthesia was pursued. An initial attempt using a 2.8 mm superfine flexible endoscope with 0.8 mm forceps was unsuccessful due to insufficient stability, which hindered effective navigation to the foreign body. In contrast, a second attempt using a larger 9.2 mm flexible endoscope with 2.3 mm forceps improved visualization and mechanical control, allowing for successful removal. Despite concerns about the potential adverse effects of introducing a relatively large-diameter instrument into the small-bodied patient, gastric mucosal inspection revealed no abnormalities, and the patient experienced an uneventful recovery. This case report describes the application of two flexible endoscope models for the retrieval of a gastrointestinal foreign body in a leopard gecko, an approach rarely documented in the literature. Given the limitation of a single case, larger case series and comparative studies are warranted to validate the safety, reproducibility, and clinical applicability of flexible endoscopy as a viable option. The establishment of evidence-based guidelines will facilitate safer and more tailored applications, ultimately advancing minimally invasive techniques in reptile medicine.

Combination of prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of a cat with immune-mediated panniculitis: A case report

2025-12-30T13:26:35+07:00

A 3-year-old domestic shorthair cat presented with severe diffuse skin lacerations and cutaneous nodules with purulent discharge. Primary immune-mediated panniculitis was diagnosed. After surgical excision of the lesions, immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil was initiated. The cutaneous lesions resolved, and no recurrence was observed over a 2-year follow-up period.

Rapid post-castration decline in serum canine prostatic specific esterase (CPSE) and prostatic volume in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia

2025-12-26T12:05:31+07:00

The objectives of this study were to quantify temporal changes in prostatic volume and serum CPSE concentrations in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n = 6) following surgical castration, and to evaluate the potential of CPSE as a biomarker for monitoring prostatic regression. Prostatic volume was determined by transabdominal ultrasonography, and serum CPSE concentrations were measured at baseline (Week 0) and at Weeks 1, 2, and 4 post-castration. The mean (±SE) prostatic volume before castration was 11.4 ± 1.9 cm3 and decreased significantly to 6.3±1.1 cm3 by Week 1 (P < 0.001), representing a reduction to approximately 56% of the baseline value. Smaller progressive declines were observed at subsequent time points up to Week 4 (P > 0.05). In parallel, serum CPSE concentrations dropped sharply from 133.8 ± 19.8 ng/mL at baseline to 16.2 ± 7.6 ng/mL by Week 1 (approximately 10% of the initial value, P < 0.05), with minimal additional change thereafter (P > 0.05). A strong positive correlation (ρ = 0.720, P < 0.001) was observed between prostatic volume and serum CPSE levels. These findings indicate that both prostatic volume and serum CPSE concentrations decrease markedly within the first week after castration, highlighting CPSE as a minimally invasive biomarker for monitoring prostatic involution and postoperative recovery in dogs. Persistent elevation of CPSE levels or failure to reduce prostatic volume beyond one week after castration may warrant further evaluation for underlying conditions, such as chronic prostatitis or prostatic neoplasia.

Effects of replacing antibiotics with Bacillus-based probiotics in the diet of lactating sows on reproductive performance, feed intake, serum immunoglobulin levels, milk production, oxidative stress markers, fecal short-chain fatty acids, and piglet growt

2025-12-26T12:09:53+07:00

This clinical trial investigated the effects of adding a Bacillus-based probiotic to the lactation diet of sows (without in-feed antibiotics) on maternal and piglet outcomes. A total of 109 Landrace × Yorkshire sows (parity 1–7) were assigned to either a control group (n = 61) or a treatment group (n = 48) receiving Bacillus subtilis – 541 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens – 516. Piglets in the treatment group also received the probiotics via creep feed from day 3 until weaning. Blood samples were collected within 12 h after farrowing to assess serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in sows, while piglet fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed on days 3, 7, and 21. On average, sows were fed either a standard or probiotic-supplemented lactation diet for 5.9 ± 1.8 days before farrowing and for 21 days postpartum, resulting in a total feeding duration of 26.9 ± 1.8 days. The average daily feed intake was 3.7 ± 1.0 kg/day before farrowing and 6.2 ± 0.7 kg/day during lactation. During the first, second, and third weeks of lactation, average feed intake was 5.4 ± 1.1, 6.4 ± 0.9, and 6.7 ± 0.7 kg/day, respectively. Sows lost 14.5% of their backfat during lactation and produced an average of 8.2 ± 1.3 kg/day of milk from days 3–10 and 10.0 ± 2.1 kg/day from days 10–17. Probiotic supplementation did not affect reproductive traits, milk yield, or piglet growth (P > 0.05), but it increased sow feed intake before farrowing (P = 0.025) and serum IgM levels (P = 0.031). Piglet IgM concentrations were lower on day 7 (P = 0.002), while fecal SCFAs were higher on day 7. In conclusion, probiotic supplementation increased sow feed intake before farrowing and elevated serum IgM levels, while transiently enhancing piglet fecal SCFAs, without affecting other performance parameters.

Feline conjunctivitis in Sleman Region Indonesia: Clinical characteristics, bacteriological isolation of Staphylococcus aureus, and antimicrobial susceptibility

2025-12-30T12:59:55+07:00

Conjunctivitis is a common ocular condition in domestic cats, often associated with Staphylococcus aureus. Accurate detection and resistance profiling are essential for appropriate therapy. This study aimed to characterize clinical features of feline conjunctivitis, identify S. aureus using phenotypic and genotypic methods, and assess its antibiotic susceptibility. Twenty conjunctivitis-suspected cats in Sleman, Indonesia, underwent clinical examination and conjunctival swabbing. Bacterial isolates were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar and identified by Gram stain, catalase, coagulase, biochemical tests, and PCR targeting 23S rRNA. Susceptibility to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and amoxicillin was tested by Kirby-Bauer. Predominant signs included excessive tearing (95%), hyperemia (85%), and inflammation (80%). Staphylococcus spp. was detected in 95% of samples; 75% were molecularly confirmed as S. aureus. All isolates were sensitive to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and ciprofloxacin, while 52.63% showed intermediate resistance to amoxicillin. Staphylococcus aureus is a significant bacterial agent in feline conjunctivitis in Sleman, Indonesia. Combined phenotypic–genotypic identification and susceptibility testing are vital for targeted management.

Echocardiographic alterations after administration of azithromycin in donkeys: An experimental crossover study

2025-12-30T13:08:09+07:00

Cardiotoxicity and impairment of cardiac function are mostly diagnosed by echocardiography and based on objective metrics of cardiac function. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of azithromycin on the echocardiographic characteristics in healthy donkeys. Ten healthy donkeys were enrolled in a prospective crossover study. The study included two groups: (1) a placebo (normal saline, NaCl 0.9%), and (2) azithromycin (at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight). A 2.0-3.9 MHz phased-array transducer was used for echocardiographic examination. Echocardiographic examinations were performed for donkeys before treatment (T0) and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min after azithromycin administration. In the azithromycin group compared to Placebo, the drug induced a significant increase in interventricular septal thickness in end-diastole (IVSTd) and interventricular septal thickness in end-systole (IVSTs) (P < 0.05), but it induced a significant decrease in left ventricular internal diameter (LVID) at end diastole (LVIDd) and at end systole (LVIDs) (P < 0.01). There was also a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in left ventricular posterior wall thickness at the end of diastole (LVPWd) and at the end of systole (LVPWs) compared with placebo. Left ventricular volume increased significantly (P < 0.05) at the end diastole (EDV), and at the end systole (ESV). Fractional shortening (FS%) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in donkeys receiving azithromycin compared to placebo. In conclusion, azithromycin in healthy donkeys induces transient and mild effects on echocardiographic parameters with fewer overt clinical signs. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this drug, specifically in equines with underlying cardiac disease.

Feasibility of computed tomography for differentiating calcium oxalate and struvite calculi using mean Hounsfield unit and Hounsfield density

2026-01-05T08:37:30+07:00

Accurate preoperative prediction of cystic calculi composition is essential for effective treatment planning in dogs. This prospective study aims to investigate the utility of non-contrast multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in differentiating calcium oxalate (CaOx) and struvite calculi based on mean Hounsfield unit (HU) and HU density values. Nineteen client-owned dogs with confirmed cystic calculi underwent non-contrast MDCT imaging at 80 and 120 kilovoltage peak (kVp) settings prior to surgical removal. Calculi composition was determined via laboratory analysis. Mean HU and HU density were measured and compared between calculi types. The results showed CaOx calculi demonstrated significantly higher mean HU (1317.53 ± 84.38) and HU density (191.89 ± 18.11) compared to struvite calculi (959.38 ± 202.92 and 101.27 ± 22.17, respectively) at 120 kVp. The optimal cut-off value for HU density at 120 kVp is greater than 137.295 HU/mm, indicating CaOx (84.6% of sensitivity and 83.3% of specificity). No significant differences were observed between groups at 80 kVp. These findings suggest that both mean HU and HU density at 120 kVp may be used as parameters for distinguishing between CaOx and struvite calculi. In conclusion, this study supports the clinical application of non-contrast MDCT, particularly using mean HU and HU density at higher kVp settings, as a non-invasive modality for predicting calculi composition in dogs.

Evaluation of chicken serum and chicken egg yolk as novel supplements for the in vitro cultivation of Mycoplasma hyorhinis

2026-01-05T08:55:48+07:00

Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a significant pathogen in swine, yet its fastidious nutritional requirements present challenges for in vitro cultivation. Conventional supplements like horse serum (HS) often suffer from batch variability and potential inhibitors. This study aimed to evaluate chicken serum (CS) and chicken egg yolk (CY) as novel alternatives to develop a reliable cultivation method for M. hyorhinis. Five clinical isolates were cultured for 10 days in a basal medium supplemented with CS or CY at 10%, 20%, or 30%, with 30% HS as the control. Growth was quantified daily using a Color Changing Unit (CCU) assay. CS supported robust growth across strains, with 10% CS outperforming the 30% HS control in most isolates. The 10% CS formulation consistently yielded the highest titers (7.0 Log₁₀ CCU/mL) and area under the curve (AUC) values. Notably, increasing CS concentration led to slightly reduced growth. In contrast, CY was less effective, and 30% CY completely inhibited growth. To our knowledge, this is the first comparative study evaluating both chicken serum and egg yolk as alternative supplements for M. hyorhinis cultivation, showing that 10% chicken serum is a superior and cost-effective alternative to horse serum, while egg yolk was not supportive under the tested conditions.

Classification of venomous snakes in Thailand based on the melting temperature specificity of target genes using SYBR Green real-time PCR

2026-01-09T09:38:06+07:00

The SYBR Green real-time PCR was developed for the rapid and accurate classification of major venomous snakes in Thailand. The method relies on melting temperature (Tm) discrimination of target genes from mitochondrial ribosomes. Short single-stranded primers were designed to specifically amplify synthetic DNA of venomous snakes in a single reaction (singleplex), producing distinct melting peaks. Neurotoxic snakes such as cobras (Naja spp.), king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and kraits (Bungarus spp.) exhibited melting peaks ranging from 81.00 to 86.00°C, whereas hematotoxic snakes, including the Siamese Russell's viper (Daboia siamensis), Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma), and green pit vipers (Trimeresurus spp.), generated peaks between 77.00 and 80.00°C. The optimal melting rate for singleplex was 0.5°C/sec, with a sensitivity of approximately 10 copies/µL, which is 10-100 times higher than that of agarose gel-based PCR. Primer specificity was confirmed using DNA from snakebite sites on parafilm sheets, demonstrating reliable species-level identification. Multiplex analysis of several snake groups yielded less consistent results due to high genetic similarity among species; only Naja spp. could be reliably differentiated from Bungarus spp. by applying a slower melting rate of 0.1°C/sec, which improved the resolution of the melting temperature. The coefficient of variation (CV) was less than 5% for both intra- and inter-specific assays, ensuring reproducible outcomes. Overall, SYBR Green real-time PCR provides a sensitive, rapid, and practical tool for distinguishing venomous from non-venomous snakes, supporting accurate identification of snake species from bite wound samples and facilitating appropriate clinical management of snakebite victims.