The purpose of this study was to clarify dermatologically the favorable effects of hot spring bathing on the rough skin in Capybaras. Non-volcanic hot springs used in this study showed alkaline quality of water (pH 9.3), containing sodium and chloride ions. The normal skin in Capybaras was characterized by the presence of relatively thick epidermis with mild alkaline state (pH 8.26). The dorsal skin had melanin granules in the basal layer. Their rough skin affected in the Japanese cold winter was improved by daily bathing in an alkaline hot spring. The skin properties returned to the normal skin conditions (moisture, melanin and erythema values) observed in the summer. The facial expression mainly changes in the eyes was scored to evaluate comfortable status. The comfortable status during hot spring bathing significantly increased as compared with that observed before bathing (p < 0.01). The thermography revealed a heat retention effect of body temperature after hot spring bathing for 30 min. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that hot spring had significantly comfortable and dermatological effects on the basis of evaluation for the skin and body conditions in Capybaras.

This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of hot springs on wound healing and heat retention by performing comparative experiments with tap water. The hot spring water used in this study was from an alkaline hot spring that was rich in sodium and chloride ions and exhibited high reducibility. Guinea pigs were divided into a hot spring bathing group and a tap water bathing group, and a bathing test was conducted for eight consecutive days. A comparison of the plasma amino acid composition between the two groups after the bathing test revealed differences in the concentrations of several amino acids associated with wound healing. Image analysis demonstrated that wounds made on the abdominal skin of guinea pigs were significantly contracted by hot spring bathing compared to that by tap water bathing, and histopathological findings showed that wound healing was accelerated. In the thermography test, changes in body surface temperature after bathing were investigated in both groups. The heat retention effect was not observed in the tap water bathing group after bathing, whereas it was enhanced in the hot spring bathing group until 30 min after bathing. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that hot spring bathing accelerates wound healing and has a more significant heat retention effect than tap water bathing.

Arterial medial calcification observed in animals is equivalent to Mönckeberg's sclerosis in human beings. This lesion is rarely reported in domestic animals. In addition, little information is available concerning the occurrence of arterial medial calcification in zoo animals. The aim of the current work was to report arterial medial calcification incidentally encountered in a Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla). This paper described the clinical findings, haematological and serum biochemical profiles, and histopathological results. Haematological examinations showed decreases in white blood cell counts, erythrocytic parameters and platelets. In serum biochemical examinations, both of the creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels markedly increased in this study. Glucose concentrations dramatically declined from the normal levels to the critical conditions. There was electrolytic imbalance which was not accompanied by increases in calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations.Enzyme activities (ALP, AST, ALP, γ-GT, LDH and CK) remarkably increased just before the animal died. Histopathological examinations revealed that this marked and thickened calcification extended linearly around the circumference of the vessels. The calcified deposits were located entirely within the medial layer of the arterial wall. The lesions showed involvement of the internal elastic lamina with calcification. Severe calcification was observed in the glomerular capsules, indicating serious chronic kidney disease. We concluded that arterial medial calcification in the Southern tamandua arose with progressing chronic kidney failure.

Ectopic hepatic tissue is an extremely rare developmental abnormality in human beings. Although this lesion is likewise rare in veterinary medicine and there were sparse reports in several species such as dogs, cats, cows, and calves, we incidentally encountered ectopic hepatic tissue in a guinea pig. In the case of guinea pigs, we report for the first time the occurrence of ectopic hepatic tissue implanted in the gallbladder. The healthy guinea pig remained asymptomatic, and its macroscopic findings also showed no abnormalities. Hematological examinations exhibited moderate decreases in white cell counts, hemoglobin concentrations, and packed cell volume ratio. Serum biochemical examinations showed decreases in total protein and albumin and increases in glucose levels, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. There were slight changes in electrolytes (Cl, Ca, and Mg) and inorganic phosphorus, indicating minor deviations from physiologic ranges. An increase in TBIL concentrations was not found in this examination. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of normal hepatic structures (hepatocytes and hepatic cords) within the wall of the normal gallbladder. The vascular and bile duct structures and portal triads were not observed in the ectopic hepatic tissue. In conclusion, this microectopic hepatic tissue in a guinea pig was characterized by the embedded structures of hepatic tissues, without foreign body reaction.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of static electric field (SEF) treatment on vitamin D3 (Vit D3)-induced hypercalcemia and renal calcification in mice. The mice were assigned to three groups: Vit D3-treated mice, mice treated with Vit D3 and SEF (Vit D3 + SEF), and untreated mice. After the administration of Vit D3, the Vit D3 + SEF-treated mice were exposed to SEF treatment by a high-voltage alternating current over five days. Serum biochemical examinations revealed that both the creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly higher in the Vit D3-treated group. Significantly, decreased Cl concentrations, and increased Ca and inorganic phosphorus concentrations, were found in the Vit D3-treated group. In the Vit D3 + SEF-treated group, these parameters returned to the levels of the untreated group. In the Vit D3-treated group, histopathological examinations showed marked multifocal calcification in the lumens of the renal tubules and the renal parenchyma. The myocardium was replaced by abundant granular mineralization (calcification), with degeneration and necrosis of the calcified fibers. The stomach showed calcification of the cardiac mucosa. SEF treatment remarkably attenuated the Vit D3-induced hypervitaminotic injuries. In conclusion, this study provides important evidence that SEF treatment can reduce hypercalcemia and remove calcium deposits from the renal, cardiac, and gastric tissues. SEF treatment is useful in the regulation of disorders caused by an imbalance of serum electrolytes.