Irish Veterinary Journal

Irish Veterinary Journal

Molecular prevalence of Chlamydia spp. in wild birds from Qinghai Lake, China ↗

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Next-generation sequencing of canine spontaneous cancer is a powerful approach in both comparative oncology and veterinary genomics. We encountered a unique case with concurrent mammary tumors. Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS), we profiled the tumor-specific landscape of somatic mutations across multiple tumor subtypes, providing unprecedented evidence within an identical genetic background. Of the seven mammary gland tumors (MGTs) isolated, two were diagnosed as benign and five as malignant. High-quality WGS (34.5X average sequencing depth, ≥ 20X coverage across 94.9% of the genome) on tumors and a blood sample revealed missense mutations in human breast cancer-related genes such as BRCA2 and TP53. Furthermore, we found evidence of canine-specific somatic mutations depending on the tumor subtypes, including HECTD4 in malignant tumors and NIPBL in epithelial-derived malignant tumors. This unique case study provides novel insights into the genomic heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and subtype-specific pathogenesis of naturally occurring canine MGTs. Despite some inherent limitations and potential for individual-specific variation, our results emphasize and guide future large-scale, longitudinal studies to further elucidate the clinical and biological significance of key somatic alterations.

Irish Veterinary Journal

Comparative genomic analysis of multiple mammary tumors from a single dog: whole-genome sequencing study ↗

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Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV), Border Disease Virus (BDV), and Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1, the cause of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, IBR), are economically important endemic viruses in ruminant livestock in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Deer could undermine control efforts in livestock by contributing to virus transmission and maintenance, but information on the presence of these viruses in the wild deer population is lacking. Blood samples from wild fallow and sika deer culled in Northern Ireland were collected opportunistically in the 2022–23 hunting season and tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of antibodies to these viruses (n = 116). No antibodies against BoHV-1 were detected. Antibodies against pestivirus were detected in three samples (2.6%), all from sika deer, and constitute the first report in this species in Europe. Virus strain differentiation by virus neutralization test (VNT) was inconclusive. Results therefore indicate no evidence of exposure to BoHV-1 and very low levels of pestivirus exposure in these deer populations. Based on these results there are currently no grounds to implicate deer as significant wildlife reservoirs of these viruses.

Irish Veterinary Journal

No evidence of BoHV-1 exposure and low levels of pestivirus exposure in sera from 116 opportunistically sampled wild deer in Northern Ireland ↗

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Transient myocardial thickening (TMT) is characterised by reversible left ventricular myocardial thickening. A 2-year-old castrated male British Shorthair was presented with a history of severe vomiting for 2 days. Based on abdominal radiography and ultrasonography, the cat was diagnosed with an obstructive gastrointestinal foreign body. Preoperative echocardiography revealed an increased maximum left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT: 6.9 mm, measured at end-diastole) and ratio of the left atrium to the aortic root (LA/Ao: 2.1), indicative of a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype. An enterotomy was performed, and the foreign body was found to be an almond. Immediately after surgery, the cat became tachypnoeic, and thoracic radiography revealed pulmonary oedema. The cat was then treated with cardiac medications. Five days after surgery, the cat’s condition clinically normalised. Two months after the first presentation, repeated echocardiography revealed a decreased LVWT (4.8 mm) and LA/Ao (1.58). The cat was diagnosed with TMT, and all cardiac medications were discontinued. The cat remained clinically well for 14 months after the last presentation. This is the first case report to demonstrate that foreign body ingestion may cause TMT, and that congestive heart failure (CHF) can develop after enterotomy in cats with subclinical TMT. The possibility of TMT should be considered in cats with foreign body ingestion that requires anaesthesia and/or surgery because it may trigger CHF, which could ultimately lead to death.

Irish Veterinary Journal

Congestive heart failure after enterotomy in a cat with asymptomatic transient myocardial thickening ↗

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Veterinary education has long relied on lecture-based methods and conventional case-based learning, approaches that may not fully cultivate the critical and systems thinking skills required in today’s complex clinical environment. In response, we developed an innovative digital tool that integrates interactive gaming, narrative-driven expression, and structured debriefing into a cohesive simulation framework. Using backyard poultry management—a case selected for its regulatory and ethical complexities in European practice—as our testbed, the simulation engages students through a point-and-click game focused on laying hens. The tool presents a series of interactive decision points and intentional "traps" that prompt reflective discussion during post-game debriefing sessions. A qualitative approach was employed to analyze data collected from focus group discussions, written group documents, and facilitator reflections during simulation sessions with veterinary students. Our thematic analysis identified three primary themes: (1) a multifactorial understanding of poultry health, (2) diverse perceptions of the veterinarian’s role in managing complex challenges, and (3) the simulation as an effective reflective trigger for enhancing clinical reasoning. These findings indicate that the simulation not only promotes active learning and systems thinking but also bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world clinical decision-making by linking clinical observations with broader regulatory, economic, and social considerations. Despite limitations such as reliance on self-reported data and the absence of a control group, our study demonstrates that a facilitation-driven simulation framework can transform case-based learning into a dynamic, reflective inquiry process. This approach offers a promising alternative for enhancing educational outcomes in veterinary education and lays the groundwork for future research incorporating objective measures of competence and further refinements to balance structured guidance with learner autonomy.

Irish Veterinary Journal

Bridging theory and practice: a facilitation-driven game for reflective, collaborative veterinary education ↗

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In the Republic of Ireland, pregnant dry dairy cows are typically housed and fed pasture silage. However, its mineral concentrations vary greatly, and dietary mineral recommendations are based on other main feedstuffs and cow types. This study, which is part of a larger project, aims to describe pasture silage mineral composition, comparing it to estimated Irish dry cow requirements, and describe mineral feeding practices. Macrominerals and trace minerals were determined for pasture silage samples from 27 commercial farms. Farmers completed a feeding management questionnaire, and mineral requirements for each farm were calculated for pregnant dry cows at 270 d of gestation, with mean estimated live weight of 557 kg and dry matter (DM) intake of 9.2 kg/d. Mineral concentrations in pasture silage exceeded the estimated dietary requirements for all macrominerals and some trace minerals (samples exceeding; Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Fe: 100.0%, Mn: 88.9%, and Co: 55.6%), while it didn’t meet them for some trace minerals (samples not meeting; Cu, I and Se: 100.0%, and Zn: 51.9%). Calculated pasture silage dietary cation-anion difference ranged from 18 to 49 mEq/100 g DM. All farms supplemented minerals; 91.6% provided a multi-mineral product (types/brands varied), which was mostly top-dressed over pasture silage (77.8% of farms) once a day (51.9% of farms). Only 26.0% of farms tested pasture silage for mineral composition, the importance of which should be promoted. Our estimated requirements and findings should be considered along with recommendations for disease prevention for dry cow mineral feeding optimization.

Irish Veterinary Journal

Dry cow pasture silage mineral concentrations and dry cow mineral requirements and supplementation practices on Irish dairy farms ↗

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Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), caused by bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1), is a highly contagious disease with significant economic impacts on the cattle industry. It can also lead to respiratory distress, reproductive losses and compromised animal welfare, and thus represents a key target for control. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify risk factors associated with BoHV-1 infection in Irish beef herds. Conducted under the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS), the study involved testing 10,659 beef breeding herds, representing approximately 20% of the national beef herd population. A total of 189,404 animals were tested. Using a ‘snapshot’ testing strategy herd-level BoHV-1 status was determined based on the presence of antibodies to the gE glycoprotein in up to 20 randomly selected animals, preferably over 9 months of age to exclude maternally derived antibodies. Vaccination histories were not available for participating herds. Results indicated an animal-level apparent prevalence of 11.4% and a herd-level apparent prevalence based on positive snapshots of 48.8% (defined as herds with ≥ 1 positive animal). Larger herds and high rates of animal in-moves per capita (here, > 17% of herd replaced by purchases in the past year) were identified as significant risk factors for recent (within the last three years) BoHV-1 circulation. Previous studies had indicated a herd-level prevalence in Ireland of up to 80%. The lower prevalence estimates identified in this study may reflect improved biosecurity and vaccination uptake in recent years. The findings from this survey, although showing that BoHV-1 is still endemic in Irish beef herds, provide updated prevalence figures which are considerably lower, indicating that a higher number of farms would be in a position to achieve freedom from BoHV-1 in a relatively short period. These results offer essential epidemiological insights to inform the design and implementation of a national BoHV-1 control programme in Ireland.

Irish Veterinary Journal

Prevalence and risk factors for Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 (BoHV-1) infection in Irish beef herds: results from the National Beef Welfare Scheme 2023 ↗

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Superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis is a major cause of lameness and early retirement in equine athletes. Research has shifted the understanding of tendonitis from being only a degenerative condition to recognizing inflammation as a central and dynamic factor in both its development and repair. While regenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma and mesenchymal stem cells have demonstrated promising benefits, their clinical efficacy remains inconsistent, and no single gold-standard protocol has yet emerged. This review highlights the inflammatory concept of equine tendonitis, with a focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms behind tenogenesis. In addition, we explore the emerging evidence supporting regenerative biologic interventions in modulating inflammation and promoting tenogenesis. With ongoing advances in the understanding of tendon pathobiology, this review highlights inflammation as a central determinant of tendon healing outcomes and outlines promising therapeutic avenues, such as autologous conditioned serum, injectable platelet-rich fibrin, and mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes, for SDF tendonitis in equine.

Irish Veterinary Journal

Regenerative biologics modulating inflammation and promoting tenogenesis in equine superficial digital flexor tendonitis: from molecular pathways to clinical translation ↗

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