Veterinary journal最新文献

{"title":"Iron deficiency anemia in suckling piglets: When physiology cannot keep up with breeding goals","authors":"Paweł Lipiński ,&nbsp;Rafał R. Starzyński ,&nbsp;Małgorzata Lenartowicz ,&nbsp;Xiuying Wang ,&nbsp;Magdalena Ogłuszka ,&nbsp;Martyna Batorska","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106530","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106530","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Suckling piglets are the only neonates among mammals to show a disruption in the balance between iron supply and demand that results in spontaneous and progressive iron deficiency anemia (IDA). IDA in piglets exhibits a biphasic pathology with a mild manifestation just after birth due to critically low hepatic iron stores, which subsequently develops into severe anemia as a result of the extremely high growth rate in the early postnatal period produced by intensive selective breeding. Intriguingly, no cases of IDA have been reported in the offspring of wild boar, the major ancestor of contemporary pigs, still living in the wild in many regions of the world. Comparison of iron metabolism in the domestic pig and wild boar shows that the physiological mechanisms delivering iron for domestic piglets are similar to those established in wild boar offspring and thus are largely insufficient for their needs. Therefore, IDA in domestic pig neonates may be considered a man-made disorder whose symptoms manifest themselves in a particularly acute form in the offspring of modern breeds of domestic pig. Decades of breeding for economically important traits such as large litter size, high birthweight and rapid growth, has excessively increased iron demand. Effective prevention and treatment of IDA was introduced in the 1950s when iron-polysaccharide compounds suitable for parenteral administration were first employed extensively. However, anemic piglets remain an appropriate animal model of neonatal IDA for testing the effectiveness of new iron supplements and formulas, and for exploring and deciphering mechanisms of neonatal iron metabolism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106530"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"I feel your pain: Individual differences in welfare indicators after castration in horses","authors":"Sabrina Briefer-Freymond ,&nbsp;Emanuela Dalla Costa ,&nbsp;Aurelie Jolivald ,&nbsp;Rupert M. Bruckmaier ,&nbsp;Elie Atallah ,&nbsp;Maria Giorgia Riva ,&nbsp;Carrie Ijichi","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106538","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106538","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Personality affects both experience and expression of pain and the welfare impact of castration on horses is poorly understood. Therefore, the current study observed 19 horses to determine: the welfare impact of standard castration on horses; whether individuals consistently vary in their behavioural and emotional responses to pain; the influence of personality on behavioural and physiological responses to pain; whether Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) indicates how individuals feel about painful experiences. Eye temperature (IRT), salivary cortisol, HGS and a pain ethogram were measured at intervals before, throughout and during recovery from castration. IRT (p &lt; 0.005), Cortisol (p &lt; 0.024), HGS (p &lt; 0.03) and Maintenance behaviour (p &lt; 0.004) significant changed from baseline. Physiological and behavioural responses to castration were varied but not consistent within individuals. Veterinarian influenced responses, presumably reflecting the importance of clinician’s skill. Personality explained differences in cortisol responses with Neuroticism negatively (estimate=-0.275; p = 0.035), and Extroversion positively (estimate=0.406; p = 0.001) associated with the magnitude of response to castration. HGS was not confounded by personality suggesting that this pain indicator may be resilient to individual differences in pain expression and appears to reflect underlying affective pain states as it was associated with cortisol (r = 0.568, p = 0.027). Therefore, it is potentially an important tool in recognition of pain at an individual level. Further research should be done utilising a larger sample with greater standardisation of castration method to determine both the effect of baseline welfare on pain resilience and the sensitivity of Grimace Scales as an indicator of suffering during painful experiences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106538"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145782793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perception and use of cannabidiol (CBD) by French pet owners","authors":"Audrey Besegher ,&nbsp;Sarah Jeannin ,&nbsp;Narcisse Niamba ,&nbsp;Thierry Bedossa ,&nbsp;Dalila Bovet ,&nbsp;Sara Hoummady","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106536","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106536","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explored pet owners’ perceptions and use of cannabidiol (CBD) for dogs and cats in France, examining factors associated with CBD use and attitudes toward the product. A total of 2050 pet owners completed an online survey including demographic characteristics, pet health, knowledge, and attitudes toward CBD. Findings revealed that CBD use was not widespread but remained notable, with 29 % of dog owners and 13 % of cat owners reporting administration, rates lower than those reported in countries such as the United States, Canada, or Slovenia. Use was more prevalent among younger owners and those with prior personal experience of CBD or other alternative treatments. No significant difference was observed between urban and rural residents, likely due to widespread internet access facilitating information and online purchases. A higher proportion of dogs than cats received CBD, possibly due to the greater difficulty of administering oral substances to cats. Despite its relatively limited use, owners generally held positive views of CBD’s safety and benefits. Longer durations of CBD administration were linked to higher satisfaction levels. Importantly, discussions with veterinarians were significantly associated with CBD use, and veterinary recommendation was reported as a strong motivator for purchase decisions. Behavioral issues and pain were the main reasons for CBD use across species. Limitations include potential selection bias, a strong sex imbalance that limits representativeness for male owners, and reliance on self-reported data without clinical confirmation. These findings underline the need for clearer regulations, enhanced veterinary education, and clinical trials to provide evidence-based guidance on CBD use in veterinary medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106536"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The gut microbiome of Australian cats and dogs: Dietary influences, health impacts, and emerging research","authors":"Mithila Banik ,&nbsp;Saroj Bashyal ,&nbsp;Khandaker Asif Ahmed PhD ,&nbsp;Kakon Banik ,&nbsp;Kamal Dua PhD ,&nbsp;Jaesung P. Choi PhD ,&nbsp;Keshav Raj Paudel PhD ,&nbsp;Rajib Majumder PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the health, metabolism, and behaviour of companion animals, yet comprehensive syntheses of its composition and functional relevance in cats and dogs in Australia are overlooked and remain limited globally. This review synthesises current knowledge on the gut microbial communities inhabiting the gastrointestinal tracts of dog and cats, with a particular focus on taxonomic diversity, dietary modulation, and associations with disease states within Australian context. Core phyla including Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria dominate the canine and feline gut, but marked interspecies and individual variability is shaped by factors such as feeding practices, living environment, obesity, and chronic disease. Recent studies have elucidated functional signatures linked to conditions ranging from the influence of microplastics to pet gut health, as well as gut-microbiome transmission between pets and their owners, highlighting this area as a promising field of investigation. In parallel, this review contextualizes the broader landscape of pet ownership in Australia, where nearly 70 % of households own pets, and significant resources are devoted to nutrition, veterinary care, and preventive health. Emerging evidence also suggests bidirectional influences between pets and their human companions’ microbiota, highlighting opportunities for integrated approaches. We identify critical knowledge gaps, including the need for region-specific microbial baselines, standardized methodologies, and controlled intervention trials targeting microbiome modulation and transmission. By consolidating advances across microbial ecology, veterinary medicine, and translational research, this review provides a foundation for future studies that aim to harness the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the pet microbiome, thereby improving health outcomes for animals and humans alike.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106566"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145994557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and evaluation of a nanozyme-based lateral flow assay strip for avian leukosis virus detection","authors":"Liyan Cao ,&nbsp;Kexiong Wang ,&nbsp;Jie Wang ,&nbsp;Xiaoying Jin ,&nbsp;Bin Li ,&nbsp;Xiaomei Wang ,&nbsp;Ying Shen ,&nbsp;Rui Zeng ,&nbsp;Kai Li","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106508","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106508","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Avian leukosis (AL) is a common neoplastic disease in poultry caused by the Avian leukosis virus (ALV). As there are no specific drugs or vaccines for preventing and treating this disease, population purification is currently primarily achieved by culling affected individuals and selecting and breeding leukemia-free chicken flocks. To address the lack of a rapid and accurate ALV detection method, this study developed a lateral flow strip detection system based on Fe-Co nanozyme-antibody probes. Owing to the efficient signal amplification property of nanozymes, the system significantly improved detection sensitivity, with a minimum detection limit of 12.5 TCID₅₀/mL for ALV and 0.20 ng/mL for its related proteins. Furthermore, this test strip was eight times more sensitive than the commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) group-specific antigen detection kit. Specificity verification results showed that the detection test strip only produced a positive reaction to ALV and no cross-reactions with six common avian viruses, namely Newcastle disease virus (NDV), Marek's disease virus (MDV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), fowlpox virus (FPV), infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), and avian influenza virus (AIV). Additionally, the strip exhibited excellent intra- and inter-batch repeatability, with the corresponding coefficient of variation (CV) being less than 10 %. Clinical sample detection data indicated that the results of the nanozyme-based test strip were consistent with those of the commercial double-antibody sandwich ELISA detection kit, achieving a coincidence rate of up to 100 %. Collectively, the results of this study provide a novel technical method characterized by high sensitivity, high specificity, and simple operation for the on-site rapid screening of ALV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106508"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative effects of canine adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction on peripheral blood mononuclear cells: An in vitro model for therapeutic applications","authors":"Hitesh Rana,&nbsp;Ratan Kumar Choudhary","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106520","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106520","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative effects of canine adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy and lymphoma-affected dogs. SVF, a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), was isolated from canine periovarian adipose tissue and characterized by flow cytometry (CD45, CD44, and CD90), immunocytochemistry, and gene expression analyses (CD44, CD90, and CD105). Coculturing SVF with PBMCs showed that SVF significantly increased the population doubling time and decreased <em>Ki-67</em> expression in PBMCs (3.5-fold) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SVF exhibited immunomodulatory properties by remarkably down-regulating the pro-inflammatory cytokine <em>TNF-α</em> (44-fold; p = 0.0003) and up-regulating the anti-inflammatory cytokine <em>PTGS1</em> (88-fold; p = 0.008). These findings confirm that canine SVF contains functional MSCs and possesses significant immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative capabilities against PBMCs, suggesting its therapeutic potential. This study also demonstrates coculture of SVF and PBMC as an <em>in vitro</em> model for studying therapeutic applications of stem cells in canine inflammatory and proliferative conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106520"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hypoalbuminemia and altered thyroid parameters in dogs with chronic diarrhoea: Is protein loss driving TSH elevation?","authors":"Antoine Lecomte,&nbsp;Manon Baudry,&nbsp;Delphine Boucher,&nbsp;Nicolas Soetart ,&nbsp;Laetitia Jaillardon","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106507","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Systemic effects of chronic gastrointestinal disease can complicate the interpretation of endocrine tests in dogs. In this study, thyroid function was evaluated in 70 dogs with chronic diarrhoea to investigate its association with serum albumin and digestive biomarkers. Dogs were classified according to albumin concentration: ≥ 28 g/L (Group A, normal albuminaemia, N = 24), 20–27 g/L (Group B, moderate hypoalbuminaemia, N = 25), and &lt; 20 g/L (Group C, severe hypoalbuminaemia, N = 21). Total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (cTSH), TT4/FT4 ratio, albumin, total proteins, cobalamin, folate, and canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) were measured. Thyroid hormones, cobalamin, cTLI, and total protein were significantly lower in hypoalbuminaemic dogs (Groups B and C), while cTSH was higher in Group C. Albumin correlated positively with TT4 and FT4, and negatively with cTSH. Nine dogs (12.9 %) had elevated cTSH (≥0.5 µg/L), including six in Group C (28.5 %), and showed significantly lower albumin, globulin, cobalamin, TT4, FT4, and TT4/FT4 ratio compared to dogs with cTSH&lt; 0.5 µg/L). On multivariate analysis, a decreased TT4/FT4 ratio and lower globulin concentration were independently associated with elevated cTSH. These findings suggest that alterations in thyroid parameters are common in dogs with chronic diarrhoea and hypoalbuminaemia, particularly in severe cases. Low TT4, FT4, and TT4/FT4 ratios, together with elevated cTSH, may reflect thyroid hormone binding protein loss and altered binding dynamics rather than primary hypothyroidism; however, complementary tests, such as antithyroglobulin antibody assessment and/or TSH stimulation tests, were not performed, so subclinical primary hypothyroidism cannot be definitively ruled out. Such results highlight the risk of misdiagnosing hypothyroidism and underscore the need for cautious interpretation of thyroid tests in dogs with gastrointestinal disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106507"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145640143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and application of a focused ultrasound protocol in neonatal foals","authors":"Nicola Ellero ,&nbsp;Alessandra Maggi ,&nbsp;Valeria Busoni ,&nbsp;Ilaria Imposimato ,&nbsp;Carolina Castagnetti ,&nbsp;Aliai Lanci ,&nbsp;Jole Mariella ,&nbsp;Francesca Freccero","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106543","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106543","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to develop a standardized ultrasound (US) protocol using selected thoracic and abdominal acoustic windows, to assess its feasibility and applicability in healthy foals, and to evaluate its usefulness for detecting common thoracic and abdominal conditions in sick foals. The Focused US (FUS) protocol included 12 thoraco-abdominal windows (4 right-side, 3 ventral, 5 left-side) using a curved-array probe. It was applied to cohorts of healthy (n = 17) and sick (n = 23) foals by a veterinary clinician with limited US experience. The FUS showed good feasibility and applicability, with clear visualization of target abdominal structures. Diagnostic usefulness was high for identifying gastrointestinal disease and peritoneal effusions. However, several challenges emerged: the need to change recumbency, the relatively large number of US windows, the need for staff to restrain foals, and the prioritization of other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in sick foals. A shortened Foal Oriented Compressed US (FOCUS) protocol was developed, including 7 thoraco-abdominal windows from a single right recumbency (4 right-side, 3 ventral), and was tested in healthy (n = 3) and sick (n = 3) foals by three clinicians with varying levels of experience. The FOCUS proved significantly faster than FUS, with a short acquisition time (median 7 min, range 3–10 min). Main limitations include single-operator image acquisition, the small cohort of sick foals assessed using FUS, and limited evaluation of the FOCUS protocol. In conclusion, FUS can be performed by veterinarians without extensive US experience. However, in emergency settings, FOCUS may be preferred due to its greater time efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106543"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145858136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of infection, genetic evolution and structural characteristics of bovine coronavirus in dairy farms in Hebei, China","authors":"Zheng Niu ,&nbsp;Xinfeng Hou ,&nbsp;Yaqing Liu ,&nbsp;Liu Yang ,&nbsp;Lichen Nie ,&nbsp;Changlei Zhu ,&nbsp;Yong Huang ,&nbsp;Qian Du ,&nbsp;Dewen Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is a significant pathogen in dairy cattle, but its strain-specific adaptation and antigenic variability in China are poorly understood. This study investigated the prevalence, genetic evolution, and structural-functional characteristics of the BCoV S1 protein across three large-scale farms over four seasons and five growth stages. A seasonal pattern was observed, with the highest prevalence in autumn, potentially linked to temperature effects on host immunity and viral stability. Infection rates varied by farm, underscoring the influence of management practices. BCoV infection was associated with increased morbidity and mortality in milk-fed calves, resulting in an average weight reduction of 7.2 kg and an additional $30 in feeding costs per calf by 60 days, imposing substantial economic losses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Chinese BCoV strains form a distinct lineage, indicating regional adaptation. Variations in the S1 protein, particularly within predicted antigenic epitopes, suggest potential antigenic changes that could impact immune recognition and vaccine efficacy. Structural and physicochemical analyses revealed strain-specific differences in charge and hydrophobicity, which may alter immune recognition affinity. These findings highlight the need for ongoing genomic surveillance, enhanced biosecurity, and tailored vaccination strategies to mitigate the economic and health impacts of BCoV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106526"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145688474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rewiring canine anxiety: The impact of accelerated HF-rTMS on brain perfusion and behavioral outcomes in dogs","authors":"Sofie Salden ,&nbsp;Yangfeng Xu ,&nbsp;Stefanie De Smet ,&nbsp;Kathelijne Peremans ,&nbsp;Sara De Witte ,&nbsp;Andre Dobbeleir ,&nbsp;Ann Van Eeckhaut ,&nbsp;Jimmy H. Saunders ,&nbsp;Anouck Haverbeke ,&nbsp;Chris Baeken","doi":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106559","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106559","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Canine anxiety disorders significantly affect both pet dogs and their owners, highlighting the need for effective treatment approaches. Given the promising effects of accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (arTMS) in human medicine, this study explores its effects as a potential intervention for canine anxiety disorders. In this open-label trial, 20 dogs diagnosed with an anxiety disorder underwent two accelerated high-frequency rTMS (aHF-rTMS) treatment courses targeting the left frontal cortex, administered one month apart. Behavioral assessments were conducted using the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) at baseline and at multiple follow-up time points, while single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Following the second aHF-rTMS treatment course, significant reductions in social and nonsocial fear were detected, compared to baseline. In total, 56 % of the dogs were classified as responders, achieving a ≥ 20 % reduction in C-BARQ scores. SPECT imaging revealed progressive rCBF increases in the left frontal and subcortical regions in all dogs, while cerebellar perfusion changes were specific to responders only. No baseline factors reliably predicted treatment response. These findings suggest that aHF-rTMS can modulate brain perfusion and improve anxiety-related behaviors in dogs, positioning it as a promising therapeutic tool in veterinary behavioral medicine, while further bolstering the canine brain as a valid translational animal model for human noninvasive brain stimulation research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23505,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary journal","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 106559"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145960297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}