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The aim of the study was a preliminary assessment of the anti-cancer efficacy of the capsaicin-containing habanero pepper extract in dogs. The study was conducted on a group of 50 dogs (33 females, and 17 males aged 6–18 years) diagnosed with different tumours, and 20 dogs (12 females and 8 males, aged 2-12 years) forming a control group. All animals were administered with a diet supplement based on habanero pepper extract containing capsaicin. Observations were conducted for a period of 6 months, during which time the general condition of the animals administered with the extract was monitored, and haematological as well as biochemical examinations were conducted at 2-week intervals in order to assess the tolerance of the animals to the extract. In the animals of the test group, tumour sizes were measured at monthly intervals. After the end of observations, the tumours were removed and subjected to histopathological tests. As a result of habanero pepper extract administration, the tumour size decreased by 5–50% in 15 dogs, the tumours size remained unchanged in 29 dogs, whereas tumour size increased by 10–30% in 5 animals despite the administration of the extract. The extract was well tolerated by the animals. Temporary undesirable symptoms in the form of vomiting or diarrhoea and licking of the anal region, which could stem from its administration, were observed in only nine dogs of the test group and 5 of the control group. An increase in asparagine aminotransferase (AST) activity was observed in 13 dogs of the test group, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was elevated in 11 dogs, whereas alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased its activity in 18 dogs. Increases in total bilirubin, urea and creatinine concentration were noted in the serum of 10, 9 and 9 dogs respectively. In the control group, the AST activity increased in 7 dogs, ALT in 5, ALP in 5, and total bilirubin concentration in 6. The preliminary clinical observations indicate that the capsaicin-containing habanero pepper extract exhibits favourable effects on different tumours in dogs and is well tolerated by the animals, thus the obtained results are a good sign for future studies on alternative medications used in dog oncology.

The aim of the study was to develop an intravital method of collecting hemolymph and to establish standards for the biochemical parameters of the hemolymph of the Cornu aspersum snail species. The research material consisted of 80 Cornu aspersum maxima snails. Hemolymph was collected from the main vessel with a sterile syringe and needle after removing a fragment of the shell. Hemolymph was studied biochemically by the colorimetric method. The parameters evaluated were aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), amylase (AMYL), urea (UREA), and triglycerides (TG). An average of 0.54 ml hemolymph was collected from the animals tested. After 24 hours, a film formed in place of the removed shell fragment and it underwent mineralization within a few days. All animals included in the study survived, and from some of them it was possible to collect hemolymph several times at intervals of several days. The proposed method of hemolymph collection made it possible to obtain material to develop standards for the biochemical parameters of hemolymph and consequently to monitor the health status of these mollusks.

Snails of the genus Cornu are farm-raised as edible molluscs. Dissection is one of the basic diagnostic tests available in the breeding of these animals, used to determine the cause of death or disease, and to collect material for further laboratory tests. The aim of this article was to present a method for the dissection of snails for veterinary use based on the experience gained from 200 mollusc dissections, and to present a short description of the anatomical structure of snails. The method described is characterized by its speed and simplicity. The observations made during the dissection, as presented in the article provide valuable diagnostic information for veterinarians responsible for care on snail farms.

The aim of this study was to present cases of rats with suspected pituitary tumours and the application of computed tomography in diagnosing pituitary tumours in rats. The study included 25 animals with symptoms suggestive of pituitary tumours (ataxia, paralyses, strabismus). The animals were submitted to a detailed clinical examination and computed tomography (CT). The CT confirmed pituitary tumours in 20 out of 25 animals. Additionally, this study enabled the proof of a definite correlation between the size of the pituitary tumour and clinical symptoms observed in sick animals. This article presents the usefulness of tomography examination in diagnosing pituitary tumours in rats and it is the first paper of this kind in Poland. However, it should be borne in mind that a CT without the use of a contrast medium only allows for the identification of neoplasm in some cases. It is the contrast-computed tomography that significantly increases diagnostic chances of this method in identification and evaluation of the size, shape and contour of proliferative lesions of the brain region in rats.

Endophytes are fungi of the genus Neotyphodium that live in symbiosis with grasses. The effects of this symbiosis can be both negative and positive. The negative effect may be due to alkaloids produced by endophytes that in higher concentrations are toxic to animals. The most common alkaloids produced by Neotyphodium fungi are ergovaline and lolitrem B. The current state of knowledge on the settlement of grasses by these fungi in Poland is rather small. It has been observed that fungi from the genus Neotyphodium occurring in a pasture sward can produce alkaloids. The average ergovaline content in grass from the permanent pasture in some areas exceeded the threshold level above which disease symptoms in animals may occur. The aim of this paper was to present a clinical case of ergovaline intoxication in a herd of 30 dairy cows. Out of the 30 animals, in 10 self amputation of the tails and visual disturbances were observed. Ergovaline poisoning was diagnosed on the basis of the results of analysis of the sera of infected animals by mass spectrometer. It enabled detecting a specific fraction in the serum of sick cows that was identified as ergovaline. The case of ergovaline poisoning confirmed by laboratory tests indicates that in some areas poisoning with this alkaloid may be a significant problem in the breeding of ruminant animals, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diseases with necrosis of the terminal parts of the body and decreased milk production

The study was aimed at the preliminary clinical assessment of the anti-cancer efficacy of a dietary supplement based on the extract of habanero peppers containing capsaicin in dogs with primary hepatic cancer. 24 dogs with primary hepatic cancer, divided into two groups, were followed up during the study. Group I included 16 dogs receiving a dietary supplement based on capsaicin-containing habanero peppers, while group II consisted of 8 dogs that did not receive any veterinary treatment. The dogs were subjected to clinical examination, ultrasound imaging as well as biochemical and haematological analyses. Patient survival was determined in both groups. An autopsy was performed in all animals that died or were euthanised, and tumour samples were collected for histopathological examination, on the basis of which the type of neoplasm was finally determined. Survival of dogs in group I ranged from 54 to 285 days (178.6 days on average). Survival of dogs in group II was 32-128 days (76.5 days on average). In none of the dogs classified to group I that had single tumours did the size of the lesion increase during supplement administration, and in the case of two dogs that were receiving the preparation for a long time (188 and 285 days), their liver tumours actually shrank. In all dogs from group II that had single tumours, the size of the lesions increased in the course of the observation. The preliminary clinical observations by the authors indicate that the capsaicin-containing habanero pepper extract exhibits favourable effects on liver tumours in dogs and is well tolerated by the animals, thus the obtained results are a good sign for future studies on alternative medications used in dog oncology..