Micheletino Matarazzo

Self-presentation:

Micheletino is a veterinarian currently serving at the MilitaryVeterinary Center of Grosseto, an Italian Army unit, where military dogs and horsesare bred. He collaborates with the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions of the Federico II University in Naples. His research focuses on osteoarticular diseases of growing dogs.

Project:

Study on osteo-articular pathologies in growing dogs: early diagnosis, prevention and therapeutic strategies

Puppies’ growth period represents a critical phase of their life, during whichskeletal and joint pathologies frequently occur. Some of these pathologies, such as hipand elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), patellar luxation and asepticnecrosis of the femoral head, cause lameness that can seriously compromise thequality of life of the affected dogs and their physical performance. Early diagnosis iscrucial to prevent the worsening of those pathologies, i.e. degenerative joint disease, and to improve therapeutic chances. Studies on hereditary and/or congenital osteoarticular diseases and on puppies’ health consequences became a central topic inveterinary orthopaedics. However, the exact understanding on the environmental andnutritional factors, the severity, progression, and prevalence of these pathologies incanine population are still lacunose. This project aims to investigate these issuesfurther and to provide support for management and treatment strategies throughearly diagnosis using Diagnostic Imaging techniques.

Supervisior:

Prof Leonardo Meomartino. Full professor of veterinary surgical clinic(MVET-05/A) teacher of Veterinary Radiology and Nuclear Medicine.