The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Sporicidal activity mechanism of lactic acid and peracetic acid on bovine pathogenic Bacillus cereus spores

Xin Zhang — 2026-08-27

In recent years, the pathogenicity of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) has increased significantly, its host adaptability has continued to expand, and the infection spectrum has also expanded. At the same time, food contamination by B. cereus is also common. Therefore, it is of practical significance to select green, safe and effective inhibitors. Lactic acid (LA) and peroxyacetic acid (PAA) possess good antibacterial properties, making them environmentally friendly, safe, and non-toxic. The purpose of this experiment was to preliminarily explore the inhibition mechanism of LA and PAA on B. cereus spores. The effects of LA and PAA on B. cereus spores were evaluated by measuring the MIC and MBC of LA and PAA inhibiting B. cereus spores, the effect of spore germination, the turbidity of spore suspension (OD₆₀₀), the release of macromolecules in spores, the content of ROS in spores, the release of DPA in spores and the hydrophobicity of spore surface. The results showed that the MIC and MBC of LA against spores were 0.315% and 40.375%, respectively, and the MIC and MBC of PAA against spores were 0.030% and 0.119%, respectively. Different concentrations of LA and PAA could decrease the spore germination rate, spore suspension turbidity, and spore hydrophobicity of B. cereus, and also increase the release of macromolecules in B. cereus spores, the content of spore reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the release of spore dipicolinic acid (2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, DPA). The above results showed that LA and PAA could inactivate B. cereus spores by damaging the integrity of the cell membrane and cell wall of spores.

Distribution of urinary calculi and its association with clinical and laboratory findings in dogs and cats with stone analysis at Chulalongkorn Animal Teaching Hospital, Thailand (2020-2024)

Tanattha Ladabornvidhaya — 2026-08-27

Urinary calculi are commonly encountered in veterinary practice; however, information regarding their distribution of stone that underwent analysis and associated clinical findings remains limited. This study investigated the distribution of urolithiasis and the associations between stone types and clinical and laboratory findings in dogs and cats presented to the Chulalongkorn Small Animal Teaching Hospital between 2020 and 2024. The three most common stone types in both species were calcium oxalate (CaOx), struvite, and urate, with relatively stable trends over the 5-year period. Small-breed dogs had a higher risk of developing CaOx urolithiasis than medium-breed dogs (OR = 10.4, 95% CI = 4.64–22.45, P < 0.001), whereas medium-breed dogs were at greater risk for urate (OR = 8.0, 95% CI = 2.98–22.93, P < 0.001) and cystine urolithiasis (OR = 92.9, 95% CI = 13.59–1021, P < 0.001). Uroliths were most commonly found in the urinary bladder of older intact male dogs and neutered male cats. Calcium oxalate uroliths were associated with the highest age at presentation and the longest recurrence period. Female dogs were 12.5 times more likely to develop struvite than CaOx urolithiasis. Compared with dogs with CaOx urolithiasis, dogs with struvite urolithiasis more frequently exhibited anorexia, urinary incontinence, hematuria, higher urine pH, bacteriuria, pyuria, and increased white blood cell counts, suggesting urinary tract infection. Urinary crystals were infrequently detected despite confirmed urolithiasis and were not specific to stone type. These findings provide useful information for the diagnosis and management of canine and feline urolithiasis.

Prevalence and characteristics of feline pleural effusion in Khon Kaen, Thailand: A 2024–2025 study

Karn Yongvanit — 2026-09-08

Pleural effusion (PE) is a life-threatening condition in cats that can cause severe respiratory compromise. Identification of the underlying etiology is essential for prognosis and treatment planning. This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of diseases associated with feline pleural effusion in northeastern Thailand. Medical records of cats diagnosed with pleural effusion at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, between January 2024 and January 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases lacking a complete diagnostic workup were excluded. Diagnoses were confirmed using cytology or histopathology for neoplasia, echocardiography for heart disease, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), and pleural fluid analysis for pyothorax. Of 86 cats initially identified, 72 met the inclusion criteria. The most common etiologies were FIP (30.5%, n=22), lymphoma (27.7%, n=20), heart disease (22.2%, n=16), and pyothorax (18.1%, n=13) and trauma (1.38%, n=1). Cats with pyothorax (1.8 ± 1.2 years) and FIP (2.5 ± 2.0 years) were significantly younger than cats with lymphoma (4.2 ± 4.4 years) and heart disease (5.3 ± 4.3 years) (P < 0.05). Restrictive cardiomyopathy was the most common cardiac disorder (43.8%) among cats with heart disease. Bacterial culture was positive in only 23.1% of pyothorax cases. FIP was the leading cause of feline pleural effusion in this population, followed by lymphoma, heart disease, and pyothorax. These findings suggest regional differences in disease epidemiology and emphasize the importance of comprehensive diagnostic evaluation in cats with pleural effusion.

Expression of follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone receptors in porcine testes after timing the first vaccination for immunocastration

Sayamon Srisuwatanasagul — 2026-10-05

This study aimed to examine the expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in the testes of male fattening pigs based on the timing of the first immunocastration dose. A total of 24 male pigs were randomly assigned to 3 groups: C (n=8) consisted of only intact pigs, T1 (n=8) contained those immunocastrated at 15 and 19 weeks of age, and T2 (n=8) was composed of those immunocastrated at 9 and 19 weeks of age. The expression of FSHR and LHR was evaluated using H-score from immunohistochemistry and protein band intensity from Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry revealed that C pigs exhibited the highest FSHR H-score (82.70±12.20), whereas no significant difference was observed between T1 and T2 (31.61±16.51 vs 36.44±7.77, P > 0.05). The highest LHR H-score was found in C (109.68±3.41), whereas that between T1 and T2 was not different (72.06±5.63 vs 75.71±5.75, P > 0.05). Western blot analysis demonstrated that the highest FSHR protein band intensity occurred in C group (0.66±0.19), while T1 and T2 showed no significant difference (0.29±0.06 vs 0.26±0.10, P > 0.05). LHR protein band intensity was highest in C pigs (0.60±0.38), with no significant difference between T1 and T2 (0.23±0.27 vs 0.17±0.08, P > 0.05). In conclusion, the GnRH vaccine suppressed porcine testicular growth and functions. FSHR and LHR expression did not differ significantly between vaccination protocols.

Minimally invasive percutaneous endoscopic foraminotomy and discectomy in a French Bulldog with intervertebral disc extrusion

Tanhatai Krajarngjang — 2026-08-27

A six-year-old female French Bulldog was referred for neurological diagnostic tests and treatment for progressive paraparesis over an 8-day period. The dog had a history of intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) surgical correction two years prior. Neurological examination revealed T3–L3 myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracolumbar spine confirmed IVDE with spinal cord compression at T13–L1. A minimally invasive percutaneous endoscopic foraminotomy and discectomy (PEFD) was performed to remove the extruded disc material. The patient regained the ability to stand and showed voluntary limb movement 48 hours post-surgery. At the 4-week follow-up, the patient showed a complete recovery to her baseline neurological status. No complications were reported. Beyond a smaller incision, minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) offers advantages, including reduced muscular trauma, minimal blood loss, and decreased postoperative pain. Furthermore, the magnification and illumination provided by MISS offer superior visualization compared to conventional open surgery, presenting an advantage for procedures in delicate areas requiring high precision.

Presumptive feline infectious peritonitis-associated uveitis with posterior segment mass-like lesions on ultrasonography

Hyun-Wook Kim — 2026-10-05

5-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was presented with unilateral anterior uveitis and ocular pain in the left eye without systemic signs. Ophthalmic examination revealed a superficial corneal ulcer, keratic precipitates, and aqueous flare. Ocular ultrasonography identified ciliary body thickening and a nodular mass-like lesion posterior to the ciliary body. Despite systemic corticosteroid treatment after corneal ulcer healing, no clinical improvement was observed. Computed tomography revealed contrast-enhancing thickening of the ciliary body and uveoscleral region. Enucleation and histopathology demonstrated pyogranulomatous inflammation without evidence of neoplasia or detectable infectious organisms. Immunohistochemistry for feline coronavirus antigen was not performed at that time. Therefore, idiopathic immune-mediated uveitis was initially presumed after exclusion of neoplasia and identifiable infectious agents. Three months later, similar lesions developed in the contralateral eye, accompanied by anemia and abdominal effusion, leading to a presumptive diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis. Following treatment with FIP-specific antiviral treatment (GS-441524), the uveitis resolved. This case suggests that presumptive feline infectious peritonitis-associated pyogranulomatous inflammation posterior to the ciliary body may mimic intraocular neoplasia on ocular ultrasonography.

Sertoli cell tumor in a boar: Pathological and immunohistochemical comparison with canine cases

Anurak Tibboo — 2026-10-05

Sertoli cell tumors (SCTs) are sex cord–stromal tumors of the testis that are common in dogs but rare in boars. This study characterized the pathological features of an SCT in a boar and compared its immunohistochemical profile with that of canine SCTs. Testicular tissues from boars (SCT, n = 1; normal testes, n = 2) and dogs (SCT, n = 3; normal testes, n = 5) were evaluated by histopathology and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vimentin, and cytokeratin. Gross examination revealed a solitary, well-circumscribed nodule in the left testis of the boar, accompanied by severe bilateral testicular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Histologically, the neoplastic Sertoli cells were elongated and arranged in a palisading pattern along the seminiferous tubular basement membrane, with no evidence of local invasion. Immunohistochemically, vimentin showed cytoplasmic immunoreactivity in both normal and neoplastic Sertoli cells of boars and dogs. Strong nuclear PCNA immunoreactivity was detected in neoplastic Sertoli cells of both species, whereas cytokeratin expression was absent in all tissues examined. To our knowledge, detailed immunohistochemical characterization of SCTs in boars has rarely been reported. These findings indicate that the SCT in this boar was a benign neoplasm and exhibited immunohistochemical features comparable to those observed in canine SCTs.

A combination of hyoscyamine and theophylline for treatment of sick sinus syndrome in a dog

Uraiwan Saengkieo — 2026-10-05

A-12-year-old female West Highland White Terrier presented with a history of cardiac syncope. Physical examination revealed bradycardia. Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) was diagnosed with electrocardiography and 24-hour Holter monitoring. However, the owner made the decision to receive the pharmacological therapy. Therefore, a combination of hyoscyamine sulfate and theophylline was prescribed. Following two adjustments of drug dosage and frequency within a year, the total number of heartbeats increased from 58,091 to 73,686 beats, and the mean heart rate increased from 44 to 59 bpm. After the treatment, the dog became stable and no syncopal episodes were detected, despite the presence of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. In conclusion, a combination of hyoscyamine sulfate and theophylline can be considered an alternative treatment in dogs with SSS.