Journal of Applied Animal Science

Normative Clinical Chemistry Data for ICR Mice, Wistar Rats, Dunkin-Hartley Guinea Pigs, and New Zealand White Rabbits at National Laboratory Animal Center, Mahidol University, Thailand

Luxkana Truatnok, Chinnadit Ngamwongronnachai — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Clinical chemistry data are essential for evaluating alterations in organ function or tissue damage in experimental animals. However, only a limited number of publications provide reliable reference intervals, and methodological details are often insufficiently described. In this study, we characterized common clinical chemistry parameters in young and adult male and female ICR mice (Mlac:ICR), Wistar rats (Mlac:WR), Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs (Mlac:DH), and New Zealand White rabbits (Mlac:NZW). Blood samples were collected and analyzed for electrolytes, substrates, metabolites, and enzymes. Age-related variations were identified in both sexes of mice, specifically creatinine, uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and in guinea pigs, where creatinine, triglyceride, ALT, AST, and ALP differed significantly between age groups. Additionally, for some parameters, significant age-related differences were observed in only one sex across the studied species. These findings highlight the importance of establishing age-specific reference values to support accurate interpretation of clinical pathology data in biomedical and toxicological research.

Mechanical Comparison of Fixation Methods and Clinical Outcomes of Femur and Tibia Fractures in Pet Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Long bone fracture in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a common orthopedic problem seen in clinics, with a high incidence of femur and tibia fractures. The selection of the fracture fixation method is important for successful treatment. This study presents a mechanical comparison of fixation methods and the signalment, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of femur and tibia fracture fixation over a 15-year period at Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Thailand. The mechanical study was performed using femur and tibia 3D-printed models with different fixation methods including paraosseous clamp–cerclage stabilization (PCCS), bone plate and screws (BPS), and external skeletal fixation (ESF). Medical records of femur and tibia fractures in pet rabbits from 2008 to 2023 were collected. The data analysis included signalment, affected bone, fracture type, fracture etiology, duration from fracture to fixation, fixation method, complications, and healing time. ESF had the highest maximum resistance for femur and tibia fracture fixation. Thirty-one femur and fifty-three tibia fractures were analyzed in this study. Most of the femur fractures were fixed using PCCS, while the tibia fractures were fixed using the ESF method. The selection of the fixation method depended on many factors. Most long bone fractures in pet rabbits were successfully healed after fixation.

Aggressive Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma in a Young Adult Cat: A Case Report

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PAC) is a rare and aggressive exocrine tumor in cats, mostly associated with a poor prognosis because of its significant metastatic potential. A 3-year-old, spayed female Scottish Fold cat presented with chronic weight loss and an acute onset of lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting. Physical examination identified palpable masses in the right cranial and left caudal abdomen. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis and elevated feline pancreas-specific lipase (fPLI). Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an intramural duodenal mass, pancreatic enlargement with a heterogeneous parenchyma, and generalized lymphadenopathy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) confirmed a markedly enlarged pancreas containing multiple hypoattenuating nodules, pancreatic duct dilatation, and a large, heterogeneously enhancing mass causing duodenal compression. Histopathological examination of an incisional biopsy provided a definitive diagnosis of PAC. Due to the size of the tumor and its metastatic stage, surgical resection was not feasible. The cat received toceranib phosphate and symptomatic treatment. However, the pancreatic mass progressed rapidly, leading to severe obstruction of the duodenum one month after the diagnosis. Necropsy results confirmed metastasis to the duodenum, liver, and spleen. This report describes an uncommon young cat with PAC. This finding emphasizes the importance of early detection and the limitation of therapeutic options in feline pancreatic tumors.

Staged Salvage Repair of an Infected Canine Perineal Hernia after Mesh Herniorrhaphy Using Sacro-Ischial Sling Reconstruction: A Case Report

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Perineal hernia repair is difficult when infection involves a previous prosthetic reconstruction because infection control and durable pelvic support must both be achieved. This report describes staged management of a dog with postoperative mesh infection after repair of a contralateral perineal hernia, followed by delayed salvage sacro-ischial sling (SS) reconstruction. A 12-year-old intact male Thai Bangkaew dog weighing 16.9 kg was initially presented with a right caudal perineal hernia and later developed a contralateral left caudal perineal hernia after right-sided mesh repair and castration. The left-sided hernia was repaired using mesh, but purulent discharge developed postoperatively. Management consisted of wound opening, drainage, serial dressing changes, culture and susceptibility testing, antimicrobial adjustment according to culture results and clinical response, and eventual mesh removal with loose skin closure to maintain drainage. After infection control, delayed revision was performed using an 80-lb polyethylene leader-line SS and an active drain. Recovery after revision surgery was uneventful. Follow-up radiographs showed stable metallic crimp position without evidence of construct displacement, and no recurrence was observed through the last follow-up examination at 644 days after the initial left-sided mesh repair. The clinical contribution of this case is the demonstration that staged infection control, infected implant removal, and delayed SS reconstruction may be a feasible salvage strategy in selected dogs with infected perineal hernia repairs.

Insulation Strategies for Microwave-Heated Fluid Bags in Small Animal Critical Care and Anesthesia: Enhancing Hypothermia Prevention

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Perianesthetic hypothermia is a common complication in small animal anesthesia and critical care that contributes to delayed recovery, impaired coagulation, altered drug metabolism, and cardiovascular instability. Warming intravenous crystalloids is one component of multimodal thermal support, but warmed fluid bags lose heat after removal from the heat source. This study evaluated two simple, low-cost insulation materials for preserving the temperature of microwave-heated 0.9% sodium chloride bags. A laboratory experiment was performed using 500 mL and 1000 mL bags of 0.9% sodium chloride heated to approximately
39 °C in an 800 W microwave oven for approximately 38 seconds and 75 seconds, respectively. For each volume, three groups were tested in triplicate: no insulation, a thin foil-lined convenience-store bag, and a commercially available 3 mm aluminum foil bag. Fluid bags were stored in a 25 °C room, and temperatures were recorded over 3600 seconds. Temperature change over time was analyzed with linear mixed-effects models, and final temperatures at 3600 seconds were compared using independent-sample t-tests. In both volume groups, insulated bags retained significantly more heat than uninsulated controls. In the 500 mL model, Treatment, Time, and Treatment × Time were significant. In the 1000 mL model, Time and Treatment × Time were significant, whereas the main effect of Treatment was not. Final-temperature analysis showed significant differences between no insulation and each insulation method in both volumes, but no significant difference between thin and thick insulation. Readily available foil-based insulation materials substantially improved heat retention of microwave-heated 0.9% sodium chloride bags and can serve as adjuncts to perioperative hypothermia-prevention protocols.