Histiocytic diseases in veterinary medicine have been revised in the last few decades, but these are considered relatively rare in horses. This report describes a 9-year-old female horse, Dutch Warmblood, presented for investigation of severe nasal bleeding. A multinodular bilateral mass of 5 cm, reddish to white in color, that invaded and destroyed the surrounding tissues, was observed during a clinical examination of the nostril The morphological features of the tumor cells were represented by cytologically bizarre, highly phagocytic, multinucleated giant cells. These findings, together with immunohistochemical results allowed a diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma.

Abstract – Histiocytic diseases in veterinary medicine have been revised in the last few decades, 22 but these are considered relatively rare in horses. This report describes a 9-year-old female horse, 23 Dutch Warmblood, presented for investigation of severe nasal bleeding. A multinodular bilateral 24 mass of 5 cm, reddish to white in color, that invaded and destroyed the surrounding tissues, was 25 observed during a clinical examination of the nostril The morphological features of the tumor cells 26 were represented by cytologically bizarre, highly phagocytic, multinucleated giant cells. These 27 findings, together with immunohistochemical results allowed a diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma.

Nitrate and nitrite are toxicants which have become increasingly significant environmental chemicals. An increase in environmental distribution of nitrogenous compounds, especially in surface and ground water has been attributed to the intensive use of nitrate as agricultural fertilizers and to increasing amounts of nitrogenous wastes produced by municipalities, industries and feedlots. The purpose of this study is to illustrate a fatal nitrate toxicosis in cattle associated with the consumption of fennels (Foeniculum vulgare). Fifteen cows from the same farm suddenly developed weakness, muscular tremors, respiratory distress and finally anoxic convulsions. Affected animals died within 24 to 48 hours from the onset of the clinical signs. Five cows underwent a complete post-mortem examination. In all examined animals, gross lesions included presence of dark uncoated blood around the nostrils and the anal region, moderate inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, and brown discoloration of the skeletal muscles and kidneys. The histological examination showed tubular degeneration and congestion of glomerular vessels in the kidney. Toxicological analysis detected high levels of nitrates in the fennels used to feed the animals. The source of exposure to nitrates was identified in the fennels. The fennels were grown in a polluted area of Campania region and distributed in a public market for human consumption. The waste from the sale of the fennels were collected and fed the cows. The accumulation of nitrates in some vegetables pose a risk not only for animal health but also for human and environmental safety.

To evaluate the effect of decreasing dietary protein on growth performance, carcass traits, and intestinal mucosal morphometry, 180 female Hubbard strain broiler chickens were divided into 3 groups and fed 3 isoenergetic diets ad libitum from 14 d of age until slaughter age (49 d). The treatments varied according to 3 protein levels: high-protein diet (HiP, 22.5% CP, DM basis), medium-protein diet (MedP, 20.5% CP), and low-protein diet (LowP, 18.5%). Diets were obtained by replacing wheat middlings with soybean meal and were formulated to meet or exceed broiler amino acid requirements of the NRC. Morphometric indices of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were measured at the end of the feeding period and included villus height, crypt depth, villus-to-crypt ratio, and apparent villus surface area. The dietary protein level had a significant effect on final BW of birds, whereas ADG, ADFI, and feed efficiency remained unaffected by dietary treatment. The muscle (breast and drumstick) yields were significantly higher in birds fed the HiP diet compared with those of the MedP and LowP diets. Meat quality traits were not affected by the protein level. The villus surface area of all intestinal segments did not change among groups. Instead, reducing the dietary protein level to 20.5% resulted in a higher villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and ileum. On the basis of our findings, even if the high-protein diet promoted meat yield, a medium-protein diet could positively support broiler growth performance, as confirmed by favorable morphometric features of the intestine.