Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a high-pressure spray disinfection system using neutral electrolyzed water to reduce airborne bacterial concentrations in veterinary hospitals and to characterize clinically relevant airborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Methods: Active air sampling was performed before and after disinfection in multiple room types across five small animal hospitals in South Korea. Total airborne bacterial concentrations were quantified as colony-forming units per cubic meter. Representative colonies were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, with confirmatory sequencing for selected isolates. Susceptibility testing was performed for Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species using disk diffusion. Results: Mean airborne bacterial concentrations decreased from 358.2 to 150.6 colony-forming units per cubic meter (58% reduction; p < 0.05). Waiting rooms showed the highest predisinfection concentrations, and operating rooms the lowest. Among 848 isolates, Micrococcus luteus, staphylococci, and Bacillus species were most frequent. Eight isolates were clinically important pathogens; two met multidrug resistance criteria. No targeted pathogens were detected after disinfection. Conclusions and Relevance: High-pressure neutral electrolyzed water spraying significantly reduced airborne bacterial loads in veterinary clinical environments, supporting routine air disinfection and microbial surveillance as components of infection prevention programs.

Objective: This study compared the mechanical properties of two self-expanding nitinol tracheal stents with different braided patterns—a conventional cross-braided design and a cross-and-hook braided design—to assess their mechanical characteristics and potential suitability for use in dogs. Methods: Mechanical testing was performed on two commercial veterinary tracheal stents: a cross-braided stent and a cross-and-hook braided stent (Fauna stent; M.I.TECH. Co. Ltd, Korea).The flexural stiffness was assessed using a three-point bending test, while the radial and axial mechanical strengths were evaluated using compression and tensile tests, respectively. Results: The cross-and-hook braided stent showed greater bending flexibility and slightly higher radial stiffness than the cross-braided stent. Both stents showed comparable tensile resistance within the physiological deformation ranges. The cross-and-hook structure also retained its cell geometry under compression and resisted permanent deformation more effectively. Conclusions and Relevance: The cross-and-hook braided stent showed trends toward improved mechanical properties relevant to the clinical performance in dogs, with possible benefits in reducing stent fatigue and rupture. These findings highlight its potential suitability for managing tracheal collapse in dogs and may help guide future development of veterinary and human stents.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of reduced kVp and reduced iodinated contrast volume on radiation dose and image quality in canine abdominal CT. Methods: A phantom study (0%–10% iodine dilutions) at 120, 100, and 80 kVp quantified the relationship between iodine concentration and CT attenuation. Eight healthy Beagle dogs underwent multiphase abdominal CT at 120, 100, and 80 kVp (1-week intervals) with weightbased contrast volumes adjusted using phantom-derived slope ratios. Radiation output (CTDIvol , dose-length product) and quantitative image quality (attenuation, background noise, signal-to-noise ratio [SNR], contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR]) were assessed, along with blinded qualitative scoring by 2 readers. Results: Compared with 120 kVp, CTDIvol decreased by 41% at 100 kVp and 74% at 80 kVp, with similar proportional decreases in dose-length product. Lower kVp increased iodinerelated attenuation, permitting iodine-dose reductions (17% at 100 kVp; 34% at 80 kVp).Quantitative noise increased and SNR decreased at 80 kVp, particularly in delayed-phase images; qualitative noise scores were significantly worse at 80 kVp, whereas overall qualitative image quality did not differ across protocols. Conclusions and Relevance: In dogs, a 100 kVp protocol reduced radiation output and iodine dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality, supporting 100 kVp as a practical optimization strategy for clinical abdominal CT.

Objective: To classify life stages for companion dogs and cats by identifying clusters in age-specific disease proportions derived from medical records, providing a data-driven foundation for health examination programs. Methods: We collected 505,667 medical records from 82 veterinary facilities in South Korea between 2020 and 2023. Diagnoses were standardized using GPT-4o and S-BioBERT. Following preprocessing, data from 27 facilities yielded 222,706 canine and 39,910 feline records for the final analysis. Principal component analysis and K-means clustering (K = 4) were applied to age-specific disease proportions to identify life stages.The 10 most highest-proportion diagnoses diseases were determined for each cluster. Results: Canine life stages were classified as ≤ 1 year, 2–5 years, 6–10 years, and 11–15+ years.Feline life stages were 1–2 years, 3–8 years, 9–12 years, and 13–15+ years. In dogs, developmental diseases were common in the youngest age group, while chronic diseases were more prevalent in older groups. In cats, oral and urinary diseases were high-ranking, conjunctivitis was most common in the early stage, and chronic diseases increased with age. Conclusions and Relevance: Age-specific diagnosis patterns support four practical life stages for dogs and cats in South Korea. These boundaries can inform evidence-based preventive examination schedules, animal health policy, and pet insurance product design.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of 2 ultrasound-guided QLB approaches - lateral (QLB-L) and transmuscular (QLB-T) - in calf cadavers. Methods: Ten calf cadavers underwent bilateral QLB at L1 using QLB-L (n=5) or QLB-T (n = 5). Each cadaver received 0.4 mL/kg on one side and 0.6 mL/kg on the other.A 1:2 iohexol:methylene blue mixture was injected under ultrasound guidance. Computed tomography and gross dissection assessed craniocaudal spread and staining of ventral rami and sympathetic trunk segments. Results: The number of stained nerves was similar for both approaches. L1 and L2 were stained in all injections; T13 was stained in all but 1 QLB-L small-volume injection;T12 staining occurred most often with QLB-T small-volume injections (4/5) and in 2/5 injections in the remaining groups; T11 staining was limited (1/5 QLB-L and 2/5 QLB-T;both volumes); T10 to T4 staining occurred once (QLB-T large volume). Conclusions and Relevance: Both approaches were anatomically feasible in calf cadavers and produced injectate spread consistent with potential abdominal wall target coverage. Clinical trials are needed to determine analgesic efficacy and safety.

and Relevance: Here, we report atypical clinicopathological features observed in the case of CEL. These findings have potential biological, diagnostic, and prognostic relevance, emphasizing the need for further studies to elucidate their clinical significance and to expand the understanding of this disease.

Objective: To identify centrifugation parameters that maximize platelet recovery while preserving function in canine PRP. Methods: Whole blood from 10 healthy dogs was processed by single-spin (10 min at 800, 1,200, 1,500, or 2,000 rpm) or dual-spin (two-time immediate sequential repetition of the same centrifugation speed for 5 min) using a fixed-angle rotor (radius = 15 cm; 1,500 rpm = 364 × g equivalent). Platelet recovery and white blood cell (WBC) contamination were quantified, and platelet aggregation and dense-granule secretion (2-MeSADP, thrombin), thromboxane (Tx) A2 generation (TxB 2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]), protein kinase B (AKT)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation (immunoblot), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB release (ELISA) were measured. Results: Among single-spin conditions, PRP obtained at 1,500 rpm/10 min yielded the highest platelet recovery (≈25.1%) with < 1% WBC carryover. This PRP exhibited maximum 2-MeSADP- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and secretion, TxA2 generation, AKT/ ERK phosphorylation, and PDGF-BB release, suggesting that optimizing the centrifugal speed is crucial for achieving the optimal PRP collection with the utmost platelet function.Compared with the optimal single-spin condition, dual-spin at 1,500 rpm/5+5 min further increased platelet recovery (≈48.7%) and enhanced functional readouts. Conclusions and Relevance: A dual-spin at 1,500 rpm/5+5 min protocol produces leukocytepoor PRP with superior platelet recovery and function in dogs, supporting more effective and reproducible clinical and research applications.

and Relevance: Collectively, these observations underscore the importance of the VNO, not merely as an accessory olfactory system but as a central organ that links environmental conditions, endocrine regulation, and reproductive performance. This highlights its relevance in clinical diagnostics and welfare-oriented livestock management.

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish reference ranges related to the feet of normal Jeju horses by measuring the angles and length of the hoof, and the Hounsfield Unit (HU) value of soft tissues in the foot. Methods: Sixteen normal Jeju horses (mean age: 4.25 years; mean body weight: 282.06 kg) without lameness were examined using CT. After CT scanning, the angles and lengths of the hoof, such as hoof width and dorsal hoof wall angle, and the HU values of the soft tissues, such as the deep digital flexor tendon, were measured. Results: We identified significant differences in the HU values of overall soft tissues between the forelimbs and hindlimbs, and between the medial and lateral parts (p < 0.05). Length measurements showed no differences between left and right limbs or between medial and lateral parts, but significant fore–hind differences were found in most parameters (p < 0.05).Angle measurements revealed significant differences between left and right limbs and between fore- and hindlimbs, with an additional medial–lateral difference in the left hindlimb (p < 0.05). Conclusions and Relevance: The CT-based reference values established in this study provide valuable breed-specific data that may support assessment of hoof conformation and interpretation of CT findings in Jeju horses.

Objective: This study performed a longitudinal molecular characterization of P. multocidaisolates from pigs with respiratory lesions in South Korea (2016–2023), including subspecies identification, capsular serogrouping, virulence gene profiling, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Methods: A total of 1,358 pneumonic lung samples were collected from 960 pig farms between 2016 and 2023, yielding 169 P. multocida isolates. Subspecies were assigned by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Capsular serogroups were determined using multiplex Virulence genes (pfhA, hgbB, tbpA, and toxA) were detected by PCR assays. MLST was conducted using the RIRDC scheme, and phylogenetic analysis of concatenated loci assessed clonal relationships. Results: Serogroup A predominated (109/169, 64.5%), followed by D (47/169, 27.8%) and B (3/169, 1.8%). Serogroups F and A/D were each detected once (0.6%), and 8 isolates were untypable (4.7%). Co-detection of hgbB and pfhA occurred in multiple isolates. Notably, two serogroup B isolates carried both genes, representing the first such finding in Korea and suggesting enhanced virulence potential. MLST identified 5 clonal complexes and 15 sequence types, including ST9 linked to serogroup B. Conclusions and Relevance: The emergence of serogroup B/ST9 isolates co-harboring hgbB and pfhA highlights evolving virulence patterns in Korean swine and supports continued molecular and genomic surveillance to guide control strategies and reduce health risks.