Siberian huskies (SH) and Alaskan huskies (AH), sharing ancestry with ancient sled dogs, were hypothesized to achieve similar skeletal muscle (SM) mitochondrial respiration capacities and densities through endurance training. High-resolution respirometry of SM biopsies from SH and AH during off-season (5 SH, 4 AH) and racing-season (5 SH, 7 AH) revealed a striking increase in mass-specific succinate-linked mitochondrial complex II (CII) activity during racing-season, in both SH (+75%) and AH (+129%). These increases were accompanied by increased protein content in SM for both SH (+37%) and AH (+56%). Elevated CII respiratory capacity can potentially reflect increased fatty acid utilization. NADH-linked complex I (CI) respiration increased significantly only in AH (+35%), which also, unlike SH, exhibited significantly elevated citrate synthase activity (+270%). Both groups showed reduced protein-specific residual oxygen consumption during racing-season (SH: -45%, AH: -48%) and increased reactive oxygen species production. Together, these changes point to more efficient mitochondria with minimized energy loss in raced dogs. A minimally invasive sampling approach was validated, using NSAIDs, local anesthesia, light oral sedation, a micro biopsy gun, and individualized environments to minimize distress. This secured good animal welfare and provided a practical method for field-based or repeated SM biopsies without general anesthesia.

Background: The Siberian Husky has evolved as a versatile dog capable of traversing over 1600 km in extreme Arctic conditions, being a competitive show dog in the American Kennel Club, or a favorite pet for companionship. Modern genomics provides an opportunity to explore the biological implications of selection within the Siberian Husky breed for the purpose of sledding, show, or pet. Methods: We identified regions of genetic selection associated with sledding, show, or pet purposes using a whole-genome panel of 234 K SNPs from 237 Siberian Huskies. We assessed allelic variation using Wright’s FST and selective sweeps with runs of homozygosity (ROH). Results: Genomic and morphometric measurement principal component analyses identified population structure aligning with breeding purpose. In total, 118 SNPs demonstrated significant allelic variation (FST ≥ 0.6) and 22,598 ROH segments were identified within the Siberian Husky breed. ROH islands (n = 91) highlighted selective sweeps, whereas homozygosity association tests characterized regions of the genome under differential selection between populations. Genes within regions were assessed using GO and KEGG pathway analysis for biological insight. Pet dogs showed selection for olfactory performance genes, whereas show dogs were selected for immune function, tissue and nervous system development, and cytoskeletal motor activity. Sledding Siberian Huskies were selected for the development of muscle organs, lung vasculature, limbs, bones, eye structure, and pigmentation, plus genes influencing lipid metabolism and glucose transport. Conclusions: In all, this provides the first evidence of the biological impact of genetic selection within a breed for the distinct sledding, show, and pet purposes while simultaneously maintaining overall population uniformity to meet breed standards.

Abstract Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are two common and beneficial n-3 fatty acids for dogs. The minimum required dose for adult dogs at maintenance has not been established, but the National Research Council (NRC) provides a combined recommended allowance (RA) for EPA+DHA of 0.03 g/kg body weight (BW)⁰·⁷⁵ and safe upper limit (SUL) of 0.37 g/BW⁰·⁷⁵. The SUL is based on findings in geriatric Beagles (9.5–11.5 years old), where supplementation at 0.45 g/BW⁰·⁷⁵ EPA+DHA resulted in lower α-tocopherol concentrations and higher lipid peroxidation. However, similar studies have not been conducted in healthy adult dogs, nor has a broader evaluation of oxidative balance been performed. To address this gap, an 8-week dose-response study was conducted to evaluate how feeding graded inclusions of dietary EPA+DHA may impact lipid metabolism of healthy, adult dogs. We hypothesized the RA minimizes lipid peroxidation and antioxidant depletion but may not fully maximize potential anti-inflammatory benefits, while higher doses may enhance immune benefits but may also increase oxidative stress and antioxidant depletion. Twenty-seven client-owned dogs (25 Siberian Huskies and 2 Alaskan Huskies) participated, consisting of 13 females (4 intact, 9 spayed) and 14 males (3 intact, 11 neutered), aged 1-12 years with a mean age of 6.9 ± 5.8 years and a mean BW of 21.5 ± 6.8 kg (mean ± SD). Following a 4-week acclimation with once-daily feeding at 15:00 with a commercial extruded diet, dogs were blocked by age and BW before random assignment to one of three dietary groups. All dogs were fed the same low-fat experimental diet (39.8% crude protein, 13.8% crude fat, 3.0% crude fibre). The diet was supplemented with fish oil (containing 0.53g EPA and 0.38g DHA per mL) to achieve daily EPA+DHA intakes of 0.03 g/BW⁰·⁷⁵ (LOW), 0.45 g/BW⁰·⁷⁵ (MOD), and 0.71 g/BW⁰·⁷⁵ (HIGH). Feed intake was adjusted to maintain BW throughout the study period. Fasted blood samples were collected at weeks 0, 4, and 8 to assess serum fatty acid profile, lipid fractions, inflammatory cytokines, α-tocopherol, and malondialdehyde (MDA). Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS, where dog was treated as a random effect, week as a repeated measure, and dose of EPA+DHA as a fixed effect. Statistical significance was declared at P≤0.05. Serum α-tocopherol concentrations were comparable across all groups at week 0 and increased similarly among groups at week 4 (p< 0.01). Dogs fed HIGH had lower α-tocopherol concentrations than LOW group (p< 0.05) but did not differ from MOD group (p=0.42) at week 8, indicating EPA+DHA intake is related to antioxidant depletion. These findings offer valuable insights into the impact of EPA and DHA supplementation on oxidative balance and may help refine current NRC recommendations and inform best practices for dietary inclusion.

Breed predispositions and malignancy analysis for canine tumors: A multicenter histopathological retrospective study from Central Italy.

This study aimed to validate the 9-point body condition score (BCS) system in sled dogs by assessing its reliability and by comparing it with objective measures including real-time ultrasonography, plicometry, and anthropometry. Twenty-seven Siberian Huskies (11 females, 16 males) from three sled dog teams were assessed for BCS by three trained veterinarians and their respective mushers. Intra-observer reliability was substantial (Krippendorff's α = 0.734), while agreement between expert raters (Kα = 0.580) and between the expert rater and mushers (Kα = 0.691) was moderate, with mushers tending to overestimate the BCS of their own dogs (median difference = -0.5). BCS showed positive correlations with body mass index (BMI) and subcutaneous fat at the chest and flank via plicometry (for all: p < 0.05). Ultrasonography showed weak correlations with BCS, likely due to the different anatomical layers evaluated and the distinctively high muscle-to-fat ratio typical of sled dogs. Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed sex- and neutering-related differences in body composition, with males generally presenting larger skeletal dimensions and neutering influencing patterns of fat distribution. These findings support the reliability and field applicability of the BCS system when used by trained evaluators, highlighting the importance of considering sex and anatomical site when assessing body condition in athletic dogs. The 9-point BCS, combined with accessible objective tools, represents a consistent, cost-effective method for monitoring body condition in long-distance performance sled dogs.

BackgroundThe demand for blood transfusions in veterinary medicine is increasing in South Korea, particularly for canine patients. While dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1 is a known cause of acute hemolytic reactions, previous studies have underscored the involvement of DEA 4 and Dal. However, research on these crucial antigens remains limited in South Korea compared to North America and Europe, resulting in a knowledge gap concerning transfusion risks. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of the Dal and DEA 1 and 4 blood types among canine blood donors and recipients in Seoul. Residual blood samples were collected from 105 donor and recipient dogs admitted to the Konkuk Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between April and September 2023. The DEA type 1 blood type was identified using immunochromatographic strip technology, while Dal and DEA 4 blood types were determined through agglutination reactions on specialized test cards.ResultsAmong the 105 dogs, 74 (70.48%) tested positive for DEA 1, 97 (92.38%) were DEA 4-positive, and 81 (77.14%) were Dal-positive. Some breeds not previously associated with Dal-negative outcomes, including nine Labrador Retrievers, five Golden Retrievers, a Shepherd, a Siberian Husky, an American Bully, a Miniature Poodle, and a Pungsan dog, tested negative for Dal on agglutination tests. Similarly, three Labrador Retrievers, three Golden Retrievers, one Samoyed, and one Doberman Pinscher tested negative for DEA 4. Larger breeds generally exhibited a lower prevalence for all tested blood types. The prevalence of DEA 1 observed in this study (70.48%) is consistent with prior studies; however, Dal and DEA 4 exhibited lower prevalence rates than those reported in Europe and North Americas, with Dal at 77.14% (compared to 89.3–100%) and DEA 4 at 92.38% (compared to 98.8–100%). Notably, breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, the most represented breed in our sample, exhibited low prevalence, suggesting that they may be an optimal donor in Seoul.ConclusionThe distributions of DEA 1, DEA 4, and Dal blood types may reveal distinct prevalence patterns in Seoul, South Korea, possibly due to geographical differences, as existing data primarily reflect findings from European and North American.

Canine diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia and metabolic imbalance, frequently leading to secondary complications such as neuropathic weakness. Abrielle, an eleven-year-old female Siberian Husky, presented to the small animal clinic with hind limb weakness that had persisted for three months. The dog also showed clinical signs of polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss, despite an increased appetite. The owner reported that the dog’s daily diet consisted mainly of white rice with very little protein. Laboratory examination revealed hyperglycemia (423 mg/dL), elevated fructosamine levels (340 µmol/L), and glucose-positive dark brown urine. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Treatment with insulin was prescribed twice daily, and acupuncture therapy was recommended to support recovery and address hind limb weakness. Abrielle underwent acupuncture twice a week using electroacupuncture, dry needles, and aqua acupuncture. After four sessions, noticeable improvement in mobility was observed, and after three months, the dog’s body weight increased from 38.5 lbs to 48.5 lbs, with a more active and friendly demeanor.

ABSTRACTDomestication is a selection process where animals become more docile and easier to handle than their wild counterparts. This selection for ‘tameness’ has been suggested to lead to several behavioral modifications in domesticated animals, such as becoming more social and more playful towards humans, and also less aggressive and less fearful than their wild counterparts. The first animal to be domesticated was the dog, which is well‐known for their pro‐social relationship with humans. In an attempt to understand which behavioral changes occurred when the dog was domesticated, we used wolf‐dog hybrids as a proxy for wolves and compared their behavior with the behavior of German shepherds, Siberian huskies, and Alaskan malamutes, which were the main dog breeds they were mixed with. We found that wolf‐dog hybrids were as social as the dogs and that they did not show any signs of aggression. While the wolf‐dog hybrids were less playful than German shepherds, they had the same levels of human‐directed playfulness as Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes. The long‐lasting fear reactions of the wolf‐dog hybrids in this study, while almost absent in the three dog breeds, suggest that this fearfulness is a heritage from wolves, while dogs have adapted during domestication to have less fearful reactions in human environments.

Abstract A 6‐year‐old, 21.8 kg, female, spayed Siberian husky was referred for management of a spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax, due to a ruptured pulmonary bleb. During surgery, sterile saline was instilled on three occasions in order to locate the damaged lung tissue and ensure complete ligation. The development of pulsus alternans, an alternation between strong and weak arterial pulses, was temporally related to saline instillation on each occasion, suggesting an iatrogenic causation. Pulsus alternans was characterised by discordant heart rate (electrocardiography, visual inspection of the heart) and pulse rate (pulse oximeter, Doppler ultrasound probe and manual palpation). Furthermore, alternating high and low peak systolic pressures were evident on the invasive blood pressure waveform. Potential causative factors for pulsus alternans development are presented and discussed. Temporal association with large volumes of intrathoracic saline was considered the most probable cause in the presented case.

The present study involved 18 adult dogs, equally divided among three breeds: 6 German Shepherds, 6 Golden Retrievers, and 6 Siberian Huskies. The objective was to analyze various body conformation parameters, which included height, body length, heart girth, neck girth, length of the back, and overall height. Measurements were taken using a standard measuring tape to ensure accuracy. In addition to body dimensions, external skull morphometric parameters were also assessed, including skull length, skull width, cranial length, cranial width, facial length, jaw length, and key anatomical landmarks such as the prosthion, nasion, and bregma. The findings revealed that German Shepherds exhibited the highest average height compared to the other breeds, while Golden Retrievers followed closely behind, and Siberian Huskies had the lowest average height. The body length ratios among the breeds were approximately 5.50:6.50:7.0 for Siberian Husky, Golden Retriever, and German Shepherd, respectively. In terms of neck girth, the ratios were approximately 8.0:9.0:11.0 for the same breeds, with the shoulder girth ratio measured at 6.0:7.0:8.0. Moreover, the ratio of back lengths between the Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky was approximately 4.0:3.0. The cranial length ratios indicated a measurement of 4.0:3.0:3.0 for German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Siberian Huskies, respectively. These results provide valuable insights into the physical characteristics of these popular dog breeds, which can aid in breed selection and understanding breed standards.

In this report, we present a case of a dog diagnosed with both vaginal leiomyosarcoma and ovarian cystadenoma, which occurred concurrently with perioperative clinical findings. A twelve-year-old intact Siberian Husky bitch was brought to our clinic due to constipation and urination difficulties, attributed to a perineal mass that had been present for approximately one month. Although no tissue mass was visible protruding from the vagina, perineal swelling is remarkable, and the dog exhibited mild leukocytosis and anemia. Vaginal cytology showed densely keratinized superficial cells indicating high estrogen levels. Ultrasonography of the perineal and abdominal areas revealed a solid mass without internal blood flow, besides numerous cystic reflections in the left ovary. In surgery, after removing the two solid masses with episiotomy, the ovariohysterectomy was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnoses of vaginal leiomyosarcoma and ovarian cystadenoma. Following the operations, the patient regained normal urination and defecation and also recovered without complication and no recurrence.

To describe the morphological features of corneal dystrophy in Siberian Huskies using invivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Twenty-one dogs. A prospective case-control study was performed. Siberian Huskies with (n = 13 dogs) and without (n = 8) corneal dystrophy were evaluated. Complete ophthalmic and IVCM examinations (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and Rostock Cornea Module) were performed for each case. All dogs with corneal dystrophy demonstrated characteristic bilateral, round-to-oval, refractile, crystalline corneal opacities visible within the stroma by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The median age of dogs with corneal dystrophy was 5.0 years (range: 2-13 years), with eight females and five males included. During IVCM, dense accumulations of fine, needle-like, tapered, hyperreflective structures were present within the axial corneal stroma of each dog. The length of the spindles varied from several μm to > 400 μm and the structures were commonly present in dense clumps. Amorphous, thicker, crystalline deposits with blunted ends were present less frequently and intermixed with the needle-like structures. Other corneal anatomic features were generally obscured by the deposits, but the surrounding regions appeared morphologically normal, including the epithelium, keratocytes, corneal nerves, and endothelium. Siberian Huskies without corneal dystrophy were presented for various other ophthalmic conditions, including cataracts and primary glaucoma. The median age of control dogs was 1.5 years (range: 1-9 years), with five females and three males included. Similar hyperreflective deposits were not detected by IVCM in any dogs from the control group. Application of IVCM can aid in the characterization of corneal dystrophies in Siberian Huskies.

Yeast has been used in animal systems to modulate the immune response and support gut health. Certain amino acids (AA) are reported to also exert positive effects on the gut, supporting the intestinal barrier and restoring mucosal immune homeostasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of brewers yeast on postprandial serum AA appearance in dogs. Nineteen privately owned domestic Siberian huskies and 1 Alaskan husky (9 females: 5 intact, 4 spayed; 11 males: 3 intact, 8 neutered), with an average age of 4.8 ± 2.6 yr and body weight (BW) of 25.6 ± 4.1 kg, were enrolled in this study. Ten dogs received a dry extruded control diet (Ctl) and 10 the Ctl diet top-dressed with yeast to receive a daily ß-glucan dose of 7 mg/kg BW (treatment, Trt) for 10 wk. At weeks -1, 2, 4, and 8 postprandial free AA concentrations were quantified. A fasted blood sample was collected, a meal was provided, followed by further blood sampling 1, 2, and 4 h post-meal. Serum IL-10 concentrations were analyzed from the fasted sample. All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS, with dog as a random effect and week, diet group, and sampling time point as fixed effects for AA, and with dog as a random effect and week as a fixed effect and repeated measure for IL-10. There was no effect of treatment on any AA, though a significant Trt*wk*timepoint interaction effect was observed for His and Trp (P ≤ 0.05). An overall increase was observed in many AAs for all dogs-serum concentrations of Lys, Met, Thr, Trp, Ala, Arg, Gln, Gly, Pro, Ser, Tau, and Tyr were greatest at week 8 in all dogs when compared to concentrations at week -1 (P ≤ 0.05). Serum IL-10 concentrations did not differ by week or between groups (P > 0.05). In 3 Trt dogs that had greater gut permeability than all other dogs at week -2, as reported in a previous publication, serum Ile, Thr, and Val concentrations were greater at week 8 compared to week -1 (P ≤ 0.05) and Leu concentrations were greater 1 and 2 h postprandial at week 8 compared to the same time points at week -1 (P ≤ 0.05). The results of this study suggest that supplemental yeast may have a beneficial effect on peripheral AA availability without impacting inflammatory status in dogs. Future studies should seek to investigate the effects of reducing or improving gut permeability with yeast on nutrient digestive and metabolic efficiencies or consider yeast in clinical nutrition to support dogs with gastrointestinal diseases.

Diagnosing epilepsy and dyskinesia in dogs relies on seizure semiology, laboratory workup, brain imaging, and electroencephalography. Variability in existing epilepsy surveys complicates comparison and impedes epidemiologic and genetic research. To characterize the semiology of epileptic seizures and dyskinesia episodes using a novel, owner-completed, multi-language online questionnaire. A cohort of 606 dogs from 96 breeds with paroxysmal events, perceived by their owners as epilepsy or dyskinesia. A comprehensive epilepsy and dyskinesia questionnaire featuring pragmatic seizure categories and video upload was developed in German, Finnish, and English. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed, and the study cohort analyzed. The questionnaire demonstrated strong internal consistency and interrater agreement. Owners correctly classified paroxysmal events in 90.1% of cases (95% CI 88.18-92.11). Video footage was submitted from 23.8% (143/606) and supported the seizure type in the questionnaire in 96.5%. The age of onset ranged from 6 months to 6 years in 80.2% (median 2 years; IQR 1-5 years). Generalized (epileptic) convulsive seizures occurred in 58.6% of dogs, non-generalized paroxysmal motor events without convulsions in 58.1%, sudden falls without movement in 6.1%, episodes of impaired awareness in 15.8%, and other unclassified events in 7.1%. Multiple seizure types were reported in 25.2% of the dogs. Labrador Retrievers exhibited a higher prevalence of non-generalized motor events compared to Border Collies, Siberian Huskies, and other breeds (p < 0.001). The questionnaire reliably characterizes epileptic seizures and dyskinesia episodes in dogs, making it a valuable tool for large-scale epidemiological and genetic studies.

ABSTRACT Case history Two dogs, a 10-year-old male Siberian Husky cross and an 11-year-old male Cocker Spaniel were referred to a specialist veterinary hospital in Melbourne, Australia, for treatment of metastatic anal sac apocrine gland adenocarcinoma (ASAGAC) and concurrent hypercalcaemia (concentration of ionised calcium in serum > 1.5 mmol/L) of malignancy. Clinical findings Case 1 had a left anal sac mass approximately 5.5 cm in diameter, enlarged sub-lumbar lymph nodes palpable on rectal examination and a concentration of ionised calcium in serum of 2.45 (reference range 1.2–1.32) mmol/L. Soft tissue opacities suspicious for metastatic pulmonary nodules were observed on thoracic radiographs. CT of Case 2 revealed bilateral anal gland masses (left: 4.7 × 3.2 cm; right: 2.8 × 2.1 cm) and a large, ill-defined, intrapelvic mass (7.0 × 6.0 cm) encompassing the medial iliac and internal iliac lymph nodes and intimately associated with the aortic blood vessels. Cytology of fine-needle aspirates of the anal gland masses of both dogs was consistent with ASAGAC. The owners of both dogs declined surgical intervention and medical management with toceranib phosphate was initiated in the gross disease setting. Treatment and outcome Toceranib was initially administered at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg orally every other day in both dogs. Due to side effects from this medication, including hypocalcaemia, the dosing schedule was adjusted to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a dose range of 2.25–2.5 mg/kg. Both dogs remained alive, Case 1 after 519 days and Case 2 after 477 days, and were normocalcaemic at the time of writing. Both dogs experienced resolution of hypercalcaemia of malignancy while being treated with toceranib alone: hypercalcaemia was controlled for a total of 12 months in Case 1 and 15 months in Case 2. During treatment the anal sac mass of Case 1 remained approximately 5 cm in diameter and the sub-lumbar lymph node remained subjectively stable though no objective measurements were taken. Case 2’s anal sac masses and intrapelvic lymph node mass subjectively reduced in size based on palpation. Clinical relevance This case series highlights two instances where toceranib monotherapy effectively managed hypercalcaemia of malignancy secondary to metastatic ASAGAC. Despite the presence of extensive macroscopic neoplastic disease, both dogs achieved durable control of hypercalcaemia with toceranib treatment. Abbreviations: ASAGAC: Anal sac apocrine gland adenocarcinoma; cRECIST: Canine response evaluation criteria in solid tumours; HHM: Humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy; OST: Overall survival time; PFS: Progression-free survival; PTH: Parathyroid hormone; PTHrP: Parathyroid-related hormone peptide; RTK: Receptor tyrosine kinase; TKI: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Primary hereditary cataract affects many purebred domestic dog breeds and is a major cause of visual impairment in dogs. Cataracts are common in Northern breeds such as the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed, but their aetiology is currently unknown. Only two genetic loci are known to be causally related to primary hereditary cataracts in the dog. To search for genetic loci associated with cataracts in Northern breeds, we used a genome-wide association study approach in three breeds-Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed. Cases were defined as dogs with bilateral posterior polar subcapsular cataracts and controls were at least four years of age with no evidence of cataracts or other ocular abnormality. We found a genome-wide statistical association for cataracts in the Siberian Husky on canine chromosome 18 (P-value: 1.1 x 10 - 7), which was independently replicated in a second larger case-control set (P-value 9.8 x 10 - 29). The Samoyed breed also showed evidence for association in the same genomic region (P-value: 2.4 x 10 - 5). We subsequently used targeted resequencing of the associated region (6.5 Mb) in ten Siberian Huskies and whole genome sequencing of a Husky, Malamute, Samoyed and Norwegian Buhund case to conduct fine-mapping and screen for candidate causal variants. These analyses identified a region of linkage disequilibrium in the four breeds containing common variants in the carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) gene that are strongly associated with bilateral posterior polar subcapsular cataracts in the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Icelandic Sheepdog and Norwegian Buhund and we demonstrate that CPT1A is expressed in the dog lens and retina through RNAseq. Our findings represent a novel locus for cataracts in dogs. However, further work is needed to elucidate the pathophysiology underlying the association between CPT1A and cataracts in Northern breeds.

This study introduces a novel approach for quantifying and analyzing canine movement through 2D video recordings, aiming to elucidate the relationship between dog movement patterns and their trainability responding to abandonment stimuli. Utilizing an advanced method based on deep learning, we captured and estimated 24 3D-markers of nine Siberian Husky dogs performing the 3-minute task in their daily environments. From the markers captured over the skeletons, the average amount of relative motion was calculated for three sub-phases: “initial”, “intermediate” and “final”, for the two trials performed on each dog. The core objective was to determine how specific motion patterns correlate with different levels of training across sub-phases. Preliminary findings suggest that -the second subphase is more associated with the levels of trainability based on the dispersion between the two trials-, as an indicator of a dogs’ potential for trainability. This research not only contributes to the understanding of canine motion patterns during this specific test but also offers a scalable and non-invasive tool for professionals and dog owners to enhance training outcomes based on individual motion profiles.

This study investigated the effects of up to 45% inclusion of whole pulse ingredients in grain-free (GF) diets on the excretion of bile acids (BAs) and other fecal metabolites in healthy large-breed dogs. Twenty-eight adult Siberian Huskies were fed 1 of 4 experimental diets formulated to meet the same macronutrient profiles for 20 wk: 1) grain-inclusive diet with 45% corn (Ctl), 2) GF diet with 15% pulses (Pulse15), 3) GF diet with 30% pulses (Pulse30), 4) GF diet with 45% pulses (Pulse45). All diets included chicken meal and pea starch. Fecal samples were collected on weeks 2 and 19. Bile acids were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-MRM/MS technology, while fecal metabolites were analyzed using Agilent HP1000 high-performance liquid chromatography. Bile acids and fecal metabolite data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure in SAS studios (SAS version 9.4, SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC). All means were separated using the Tukey-Kramer adjustment (significant when P < 0.05). After 20wk of feeding, concentrations of lithocholic acid were greater in Pulse15 and Pulse30 than Ctl (P = 0.001), but all were similar to Pulse45. Concentrations of deoxycholic (P = 0.054), lithocholic (P = 0.001), total secondary (P = 0.022), and total BA (P = 0.045) tended to be linearly associated with dietary pulse inclusion. Dogs consuming Pulse30 had greater fecal propionic acid concentrations than Ctl (P = 0.017), but both were similar to Pulse15 and Pulse45. Total branched-chain fatty acids (P = 0.001) and iso-butyric acid (P < 0.0001) were greater in Ctl than in all pulse groups. Inversely, arabinose concentrations were greater in all pulse groups compared to Ctl (P = 0.001). In summary, diets with up to 45% inclusion of whole pulse ingredients do not increase total BA excretion but may contribute to greater short-chain fatty acids production.

Epidemiological and clinical insights into canine epilepsy: A retrospective study in southern Brazil.

ABSTRACT Eosinophilic granuloma is a lesion commonly found in cats but is rare in dogs, manifesting as nodules or plaques in the oral cavity, especially on the soft palate and tongue, with possible genetic potential involved. Due to the scarcity of descriptions of this oral lesion in dogs, especially in Brazil, the present report aimed to describe it in a Siberian Husky, treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Franca, presenting an adherent and ulcerated plaque on the soft palate. Histopathological examination detected intense eosinophilic infiltrate associated with areas of collagenolysis, absence of neoplastic cells and negative PAS staining. Corticosteroid therapy with prednisolone (2mg/kg, every 24 hours, 7 days) was instituted, with gradual weaning of 0.5mg/kg, every 7 days. Given the excellent therapeutic response, this medication was maintained as monotherapy and, within 90 days of the end of treatment, there were no signs of relapse, without the need for association with complementary therapies or other therapeutic modalities, which could cause adverse effects and additional costs. It is admitted that, despite being uncommon, due to its similar clinical appearance, eosinophilic granuloma should be included in the differential diagnosis of neoplasms and infections, aiming at appropriate therapeutic institution.