Eraldo Sanna Passino

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is one of the most common orthopedic disorders in dogs and is associated with pain, joint instability, lameness, and progressive osteoarthritis. Although surgical stabilization is widely used, conservative management remains relevant in selected cases, particularly in smaller dogs or when surgery is declined or contraindicated. Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology is a non-invasive therapeutic platform designed to modulate endogenous bioelectrical activity, with a proposed role in neuromotor regulation and tissue repair. This study was designed as a translational, hypothesis-generating pilot investigation to assess whether a standardized REAC-based treatment protocol could produce a coherent and durable clinical signal in dogs with naturally occurring CCL rupture. Sixteen client-owned dogs with mono- or bilateral CCL rupture were enrolled and stratified by body weight into two groups: ≤15 kg and > 15 kg. All dogs received a standardized protocol including Veterinary Neuro Postural Optimization (VNPO), Veterinary Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (VNPPO), and Reparative Tissue Optimization (TO-RPR). Clinical outcomes were assessed by standardized orthopedic examination at baseline, within 15 days after treatment completion, and at 2- and 12-month follow-up. All dogs completed treatment and follow-up. In dogs weighing ≤ 15 kg, complete functional recovery was observed in all cases. In dogs weighing > 15 kg, most showed either complete recovery or clinically meaningful improvement, while one dog was classified as a non-responder and referred for surgical evaluation. Clinical improvements observed in responder dogs remained stable at 12 months. These findings do not constitute definitive evidence of efficacy, but suggest the presence of a coherent and durable clinical signal supporting further investigation of REAC-based treatment as a conservative or adjunctive strategy in canine CCL disease. Future controlled studies incorporating objective biomechanical, imaging, and biological outcome measures are warranted.

Radial and ulnar fractures in toy-breed dogs are associated with a high risk of complications due to limited bone stock and soft tissue coverage. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the postoperative clinical and radiographic outcomes in dogs undergoing radial and ulnar fracture stabilization with a titanium locking mini-plate system. Medical records and radiographs of toy-breed dogs weighing ≤5 kg treated between 2020 and 2025 were reviewed. Twenty-six dogs met the inclusion criteria. Radiographic union after primary fixation was observed in 92.9% of fractures. Implant failure occurred in 7.1% of cases and was successfully addressed with revision surgery, after which fracture healing was achieved. At final follow-up, limb function was graded as excellent in all dogs, including those requiring revision surgery. A shorter distal fragment length was significantly associated with implant failure, whereas implant length and proximal fragment length showed no significant association. These findings indicate that titanium locking mini-plates were associated with favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes. Distal fragment dimensions may influence the risk of implant failure and should be considered during surgical planning. However, the small number of implant failure events limits the robustness of statistical inferences, and the absence of a control group prevents direct comparison with alternative fixation techniques.

This study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies between genetic and visual coat color assignment in the Sarcidano Horse and to elucidate potential reasons. Individual DNA from 90 Sarcidano Horses was used for genetic assignment of coat color to explore the correspondence with individual forms containing phenotypical traits. The MC1R exon 1 and ASIP exon 3 have been genotyped and sequenced to obtain a picture of the coat color distribution in this breed. Surprisingly, once we compared the genetic results with the individual forms reporting the phenotypic data for each subject, a certain degree of non-correspondence between the phenotypic and genetic data in relation to coat color emerged. From the genetic analysis, Chestnuts (n = 58) resulted the most common Sarcidano Horse (n = 58), followed by a quite large number of Blacks (n = 28) and a very small number of Bays (n = 4), whereas phenotypic distribution resulted in 38 Chestnuts, 40 Bays, only 2 Blacks, and 10 Grays (without the possibility of recognizing the true color they carried). Chestnut resulted a very representative coat color, while many horses that visually identified as Bays were genetically Blacks. This discrepancy, that could be due to a variety of individual and external factors, including age, time of year, living situation and dietary condition, suggesting the importance of accurate coat color identification to ensure adequate features registration and reliable prediction of offspring’s coat color.

This study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies between genetic and visual coat color assignment in the Sarcidano Horse and to elucidate potential reasons. Individual DNA from 90 Sarcidano Horses was used for genetic assignment of coat color to explore the correspondence with individual forms containing phenotypical traits. The MC1R exon 1 and ASIP exon 3 have been genotyped and sequenced to obtain a picture of the coat color distribution in this breed. Surprisingly, once we compared the genetic results with the individual forms reporting the phenotypic data for each subject, a certain degree of non-correspondence between the phenotypic and genetic data in relation to coat color emerged. From the genetic analysis, Chestnuts (n = 58) resulted the most common Sarcidano Horse (n = 58), followed by a quite large number of Blacks (n = 28) and a very small number of Bays (n = 4), whereas phenotypic distribution resulted in 38 Chestnuts, 40 Bays, only 2 Blacks, and 10 Grays (without the possibility of recognizing the true color they carried). Chestnut resulted a very representative coat color, while many horses that visually identified as Bays were genetically Blacks. This discrepancy, that could be due to a variety of individual and external factors, including age, time of year, living situation and dietary condition, suggesting the importance of accurate coat color identification to ensure adequate features registration and reliable prediction of offspring’s coat color.

Introduction: Contact with pets within healthcare settings is considered worldwide an added value to assistance both in the case of animal-assisted interventions and also when pets are visiting hospitalized owners, due to the special emotional relationship between them and their pets. The goal of this work was to analyze local experiences on access of pets to healthcare facilities using a survey sent to doctors, veterinarians, and students in the region of Sardinia (Italy). Methods: The online survey consisted of 17 questions, with the objective to evaluate knowledge and interest of study participants on some aspects of human–animal interaction with particular reference to potential access of pets to hospitals facilities and nursing homes and to promote an initial social judgment in the medical and healthcare environment. A total of 2484 subjects were invited to participate to the survey through an email explaining the purpose of the study. Statistical analysis on the survey results was conducted by comparing the characteristics of respondents with their answers to animal-assisted-intervention-related questions. Results: Results showed that over 70% of the participants owned an animal; almost 80% of responses showed that survey participants were in favor of animal presence in hospitals; furthermore, the responses showed how the concept of One Health seems not only scarcely established, but also barely known. The large majority of respondents (over 80%) positively responded on questions around the role of animals as co-therapists. Conclusions: On the one hand, this study showed lack of knowledge on the concept of One Health, whose essence is too often unknown and, on the other hand, it confirmed that women may be more inclined to show empathy and sensitivity toward animals. Regarding the profession, students seem more concerned about the introduction of animals into hospitals than healthcare workers.

In this paper, we describe the results of an online survey consisting of 23 questions created to evaluate the knowledge and interest on animal welfare by students attending 15 different scientific, medical, and biomedical courses at University of Sassari, Italy. The survey collected students’ demographic data, level of knowledge both on animal welfare and 3Rs, as well as their opinions on animal experimentation. The majority of the cohort was female and over 24 years of age. About a third of the students responded that their graduate programme included subjects that taught science, ethics, and animal welfare legislation. Just 21.2% of respondents had heard about the concept of 3Rs. About a quarter of the students believed that animal models can be replaced by in vitro and in silico methods while half believed that both are needed. However, 70% of the participants did not know the existence of an Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee. The result showed the importance of an Animal Welfare Course for the professional future of a larger number of students and underlined the key role of veterinary medicine in promoting ethics and animal experimentation.

The goal of this study was to contribute to the general knowledge of the Sarcidano Horse, both by the identification of the genetic basis of the coat color and by updating the exact locations of the genotyping sites, based on the current EquCab3.0 genome assembly version. One-hundred Sarcidano Horses, living in semi-feral condition, have been captured to perform health and biometric checks. From that total number, 70 individual samples of whole blood were used for DNA extraction, aimed to characterize the genetic basis of the coat color. By genotyping and sequencing analyses of the MC1R Exon 1 and ASIP Exon 3, a real image of the coat color distribution in the studied population has been obtained. Chestnut and Black resulted in the most representative coat colors both from a phenotypic and genotypic point of view, that is suggestive of no human domestication or crossbreeding with domestic breed. Due to its ancient origin and genetic isolation, an active regional plan for the conservation of this breed would be desirable, focused on maintenance of resident genotypes and genetic resources. Collection and management of DNA, sperm, embryos, with the involvement of research centers and Universities, could be a valid enhancing strategy.

Early diagnosis of tendon injuries and accurate long-term monitoring of the healing process are key for equine veterinarians that use conventional ultrasonography. The development of strain elastography could improve the management of clinical cases. The aim of the study was to assess the intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility of manual measurements of the colored areas of the tendons within elastograms and to standardize this manual modality by comparing the analysis of the images with ImageJ. Twenty elastograms of the injured superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) of horses were analyzed by two different operators after an acute injury was diagnosed with ultrasonography. Statistical analysis demonstrated excellent intraobserver repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.949) and good interobserver reproducibility (ICC = 0.855) for manual measurements performed with tools available on the ultrasound unit. A good agreement between manual measurements and measurements performed with ImageJ (ICC = 0.849) was then demonstrated. Despite its subjectivity, the manual modality proved to be a valid method for analyzing images obtained with strain elastography.

Articular cartilage lacks a regenerative response. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a source of pluripotent cells for cartilage regeneration. Their use, however, is associated with a risk of teratoma development, which depends on multiple factors including the number of engrafted cells and their degree of histocompatibility with recipients, the immunosuppression of the host and the site of transplantation. Colonies of sheep embryonic stem-like (ES-like) cells from in vitro-produced embryos, positive for stage-specific embryonic antigens (SSEAs), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Oct 4, Nanog, Sox 2 and Stat 3 gene expression, and forming embryoid bodies, were pooled in groups of two-three, embedded in fibrin glue and engrafted into osteochondral defects in the left medial femoral condyles of 3 allogeneic ewes (ES). Empty defects (ED) and defects filled with cell-free glue (G) in the condyles of the controlateral stifle joint served as controls. After euthanasia at 4 years post-engraftment, the regenerated tissue was evaluated by macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical (collagen type II) examinations and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to prove the ES-like cells origin of the regenerated tissue. No teratoma occurred in any of the ES samples. No statistically significant macroscopic or histological differences were observed among the 3 treatment groups. FISH was positive in all the 3 ES samples. This in vivo preclinical study allowed a long-term evaluation of the occurrence of teratoma in non-immunosuppressed allogeneic adult sheep engrafted with allogeneic ES-like cells, supporting the safe and reliable application of ES cells in the clinic.