The importance of the intestinal microbiota in humans and dogs in the neonatal period.

The neonatal period represents a critical stage for the establishment and development of the gut microbiota, which profoundly influences the future health trajectory of individuals. This review examines the importance of intestinal microbiota in humans and dogs, aiming to elucidate the distinct characteristics and variations in the composition between these two species. In humans, the intestinal microbiota contributes to several crucial physiological processes, including digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system development, and modulation of host metabolism. Dysbiosis, an imbalance or disruption of the gut microbial community, has been linked to various disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and even neurological conditions. Furthermore, recent research has unveiled the profound influence of the gut-brain axis, emphasizing the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system, impacting cognitive function and mental health. Similarly, alterations in the canine intestinal microbiota have been associated with gastrointestinal disorders, including chronic enteropathy, such as inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, and ulcerative histiocytic colitis. However, our understanding of the intricacies and functional significance of the intestinal microbiota in dogs remains limited. Understanding the complex dynamics of the intestinal microbiota in both humans and dogs is crucial for devising effective strategies to promote health and manage disease. Moreover, exploring the similarities and differences in the gut microbial composition between these two species can facilitate translational research, potentially leading to innovative therapeutic interventions and strategies to enhance the well-being of both humans and dogs.

True vaginal prolapse associated with retroflection of the urinary bladder in a bitch.

True vaginal prolapse is rare in bitches and is most likely to occur near whelping. A 2-year-old intact female Brazilian mastiff, 39.5 kg, had a true vaginal prolapse associated with urinary bladder retroflection; the female was in estrus, and concomitantly had diarrhea for 3 d, plus vaginal hyperplasia, and ultimately a vaginal prolapse. Ultrasound examination and retrograde urethrocystography were extremely important for detection and identification of the position (retroflection) of the urinary bladder within the prolapsed vagina. These tools, therefore, are recommended for a conclusive diagnosis and surgical planning, to avoid trans- and postoperative complications, e.g., urethral damage or bladder rupture. Prompt diagnosis and surgical correction enabled a favorable prognosis and rapid postoperative recovery, avoiding complications or ultimately death of the dog.

Prolapsus vaginal vrai associé à une rétroflexion de la vessie chez une chienne. Le prolapsus vaginal vrai est rare chez les chiennes et est plus susceptible de se produire près de la mise-bas. Une femelle dogue brésilien intacte de 2 ans, pesant 39,5 kg, a eu un prolapsus vaginal vrai associé à une rétroflexion de la vessie urinaire; la femelle était en oestrus et avait simultanément de la diarrhée pendant 3 jours, plus une hyperplasie vaginale et finalement un prolapsus vaginal. L'examen échographique et l'urétrocystographie rétrograde étaient extrêmement importants pour la détection et l'identification de la position (rétroflexion) de la vessie dans le vagin faisant prolapsus. Ces outils sont donc recommandés pour un diagnostic concluant et une planification chirurgicale, afin d'éviter les complications trans- et postopératoires, par exemple des lésions urétrales ou une rupture de la vessie. Un diagnostic rapide et une correction chirurgicale ont permis un pronostic favorable et une récupération postopératoire rapide, évitant les complications ou éventuellement le décès du chien.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Congenital malformations in brachycephalic dogs: A retrospective study.

The popularity of brachycephalic dogs has increased in recent years due to their docile temperament and peculiar features. The historical inbreeding and consequent lack of genetic diversity involved in the development of these breeds led to an increase in the manifestation of deleterious genes that may lead to malformations. In addition, there are serious health issues intrinsic to the conformation, mainly attributed to these extreme characteristics. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to observe the frequency of malformations in brachycephalic dogs compared to the pure and mixed breeds (MB). The medical records of pregnant bitches admitted at the Service of Obstetrics and Animal Reproduction (SORA) from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrieved from the hospital's computer system and analyzed one by one. Seven hundred sixty-eight neonates born from 168 litters were included in this study. Of these litters, 72.6% (122/168) were brachycephalic. Malformations were found in 52 puppies, with an incidence of 6.77% (52/768). Of the 32 litters that produced malformed puppies, 28 were brachycephalic (87.5%). In total, 23 types of malformations were registered, the most common being cleft palate (1.30%) and anasarca (1.17%). Ten of the puppies (10/52; 19.23%) presented two or more associated malformations. Bitches above 7 years were more prone to present malformed puppies in their litters. Brachycephalic breeds were 3.03 times more likely to present malformed neonates when compared to other breeds; the odds ratio increased to 5.07 when modern brachycephalic was compared to ancestral brachycephalic. Regarding the mode of delivery, elective cesarean sections accounted for 66.6% of births while 19.64% were eutocic vaginal deliveries, and 13.69% were dystocic. The presence of malformed puppies in a litter causes suffering for the owner, the bitch and for the puppy itself, therefore, the veterinarian plays a key role in this scenario. Knowledge about congenital abnormalities, their causes, diagnosis, and approach is essential to reduce the incidence of malformations and improve the quality of life of these animals.