Veterinarija ir Zootechnika

The study was carried out to determine the influence of ketosis in cows during early lactation period, immediately after calving, on the occurrence of mastitis as a secondary disease and potential risk factor of recurrent mastitis, through monitoring of such udders during one lactation period. The research included 156 cows grouped into three groups of 52 cows from the Holstein Friesian and Simmental breeds. The first is a group with primary postpartum ketosis and secondary mastitis, the second group is with mastitis and free of ketosis, while the third is a control group of healthy cows. In order to prove ketosis, blood, milk and urine samples were examined for the presence of ketone bodies proven through laboratory tests. For the purposes of mastitis detection basic clinical evaluation of the affected udder was conducted and milk samples were taken for microbiological identification of causes of mastitis. Cows included in the first group, were monitored during the entire lactation in order to determine the number of cows with recurrent mastitis and the main risk factor that leads to the occurrence of recurrent mastitis, which is also the main goal of this paper. According the results in this study the recurrent mastitis was detected in total of 24 cows included in both groups for which, the common pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus is considered as the main cause for mastitis recurrence (87,5%). Statistical significance in milk yield was detected between control group and the groups with mastitis (p<0.05). The results in this study reveal that the metabolic disorder can be considered as a factor for recurrence of mastitis caused by the common pathogens and also mastitis can have significant impact on milk yield in dairy cattle.

The species Ehrlichia chaffeensis is important for public health as it is the etiological agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). The objective was to detect Ehrlichia chaffeensis in dogs from León, Nicaragua. Thirty-nine dogs with symptoms consistent with hemoparasitosis and tick infestation were evaluated and underwent a blood smear, SNAP® 4Dx® Plus immunochromatography test, and nested PCR. The presence of Ehrlichia spp morulae in blood smears was detected in 87.2 (95% CI, 72.6-95.7) of the samples, 53.9% (95% CI, 36.9-70.8) of E. canis/E. ewingii seropositive canines were detected with SNAP. Ehrlichia spp was detected by PCR in 87.2 % (95% CI, 72.6-95.7) of samples. In the nested analysis, 24.6% (95% CI, 10.7-40.6) of canines were positive for Ehrlichia chaffeensis. This is the first report of molecular detection of this important zoonotic agent causing canine ehrlichiosis in Nicaragua.

This study compared the effects of herbal essential oils, organic acids, and medium-chain fatty acids, and their sole and decreased mixture on performance, egg quality, blood constituents, and fecal microbial activity in laying hens. A total of 162 Hy-line W80 38-week-old laying hens were allocated into 6 treatment groups with 9 replicates. The treatment groups were as follows: 1: Control (C, basal diet, no supplement), 2: Supplemented with a herbal essential oil mixture (EOs), 3: 400 mg/kg humic acid (HA), 4: 15 mg/kg medium-chain fatty acids mixture (MCT), 5: EOs + HA + MCT mixture (EHAM), 6. A decreased mixture of EOs + HA + MCT (EHAM-L, 1/2 of EHAM). The results showed that the diet additives did not have a significant effect on the final body weight (BW) of hens (P&lt;0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly higher in the control compared to the supplemented groups (P&lt;0.01). The egg yield (number and percentage) and the egg mass in supplemented diets were greater than those of the control group (P&lt; 0.01). The Haugh unit, Roche color scale value, eggshell ratio, eggshell surface area, and eggshell unit weight did not show significant differences between groups. During the whole period, eggshell thickness in all supplemented groups was higher than that of the control group (P &lt; 0.01), and eggshell weight in the EHAM-L group was greater than in the control group (P&lt;0.01). Diet additives did not have a significant effect on egg albumen height and yolk color. Although diet additives did not affect blood parameters, they decreased fecal bacteria counts, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Candida albicans, and Gram-negative bacteria, compared to the control group (P&lt;0.01). In conclusion, diet additives increased egg yield, egg mass, and eggshell thickness, leading to better feed conversion rates due to their antimicrobial activity, compared to the control group.

One of the most important problems of the small ruminant sector are economic losses due to predators. The problem is mostly caused by wild predators and manifests itself especially by the damage caused to sheep and goat flocks, while the presence of these very same predators is absolutely necessary for the ecological system. Because sheep flock generally graze in the pasture at night, guarding them from wild predators is an important aspect of pasture-based sheep farming. For this purpose, livestock guarding dogs have been used primarily against predators such as foxes, wolves, bears, coyotes, hyenas, and big cats. In this study, a specific research survey form was developed and used to determine predator damages and the current status of shepherd dog use. Sheep and goat flocks were randomly selected from 12 different provinces where the research was implemented. Among the farms included in the research, 40.4% of them breed sheep, 52.5% breed goats, and 7.1% breed both sheep and goats. The flock size varies between 100 to 500 heads, and the breeding system is traditionally based on pasture, with some flocks being bred as nomadic herds on plateaus or pastures during summer. Among the provinces included in this research, the average number of wolf attacks and the number of animal casualties were 6.01 ± 0.704 and 12.17 ± 1.329, respectively and the differences between provinces were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05, P &lt; 0.01). The average of total economic damage caused by wolf attacks on sheep and goat herds was determined to be 2,299.7 ± 235.2 US$ and losses between provinces differed significantly (P &lt; 0.01).

The present study aimed to evaluate the meat production potential of the indigenous “Brune de l'Atlas” cattle breed as a contribution to improving local meat production in Algeria. It investigated the slaughter performance, body composition, and carcass traits of 51 “Brune de l'Atlas” bulls from four distinct Algerian ecotypes, aged 16.46±2.94 months, and subjected to a 128.4±97 days fattening period. The assessment focused on key meat production parameters, including live weight, body composition, slaughter yield, conformation, fatness, and carcass fineness. The studied bulls exhibited an average body weight of 366.56±92.56 kg, with interesting true and commercial dressing percentages at 60.11±11.09% and 56.1±10.04%, respectively. The study revealed the production of lean carcasses with a remarkably low proportion of body fat, reflected in remarkably low fat index of 1.48±0.76 and a body fat weight rate of 5.9±3.86%. While carcass conformation and compactness indices were relatively moderate, the findings highlight the promising slaughter performance of the indigenous Algerian cattle population. These results suggest that targeted genetic, nutritional, and management improvements could further elevate the value of their butchering performance, contributing to local meat supply and potentially reducing dependency on meat imports.

Background and Aim: Lice are among the most common ectoparasites in goats. They cause health problems: weight loss, hypoproteinemia, nutritional deficiencies, reduced vitality and anemia. The present study aims to investigate the seasonal dynamics of the most common species of lice in naturally infested goats and the influence of temperature and precipitation levels on it. Materials and Methods: The seasonal dynamics were monitored by examining twenty goats, ten from each of two different small herds in the Stara Zagora region. At the beginning of each month, over a period of two years (from January 2018 to December 2019), the individual and average intensity of infestation were determined dynamically. Results: Our findings reveal that parasitosis caused by Bovicola caprae and Linognathus stenopsis persists throughout the year, with clear seasonal patterns. Infestation intensity peaks in March, following the coldest months (December–February) when average temperatures are around 2–3°C. During the warmer months (June–August), when temperatures rise to 21–25°C, infestation intensity significantly declines. Statistical analysis confirmed a moderate negative correlation between infestation intensity and ambient temperature (r = -0.411, p < 0.0001), while no significant correlation was found with precipitation (r = 0.023, p = 0.7184) Conclusion: The observed seasonal dynamics of both lice species on goats clearly demonstrate that winter provides optimal conditions for the development of their populations, confirming that phthirapterosis in goats in our region has a pronounced winter seasonality.

In order to determine the influence of temperature seasonal factors on the productivity of goats and effect of their breed on the content of fatty acids in milk, an experiment was conducted with 30 goats of different genotypes throughout the year. The first group included 10 goats of the Saanen breed, the second group included 10 goats of the Russian white breed, the third group included 10 Ukrainian local breed goatsgoats of Ukrainian local selection. Productivity of goats as well as environmental temperature fluctuations were assessed daily, and the content of fatty acids in milk was determined twice a month during the year. Goats of the Saanen breed have a higher milk yield during the lactation period than goats of the Russian White breed and local goats of the Ukrainian selection. Genotype and external temperature influenced the milk yield of goats of all groups by 81.33% and 13.00%, respectively. It should also be noted that goats of the Saanen breed have a higher content of linolenic, isocaprylic, heptadecenoic, stearic, and erucic acids compared to goats of Russian white and Ukrainian local breed goatslocal Ukrainian selection. In Ukrainian local breed goatsgoats of local Ukrainian selection, the content of capric, lauric, arachinic, myristoleic, pentadecanoic, pentadecenoic, isopalmitic, palmitoleic, hexadecadienoic, linoleic, geneicosanoic acids was higher compared to goats of the Russian white breed and Saanen breeds. Russian white goats had a higher content of undecyl, behenic and docosahexaenoic acids compared to goats of Saanen breed Ukrainian local breed goatsand goats of local Ukrainian selection.

Russia's military operations against Ukraine significantly complicate environmental safety in agriculture and the country as a whole. The Ukrainian infrastructure is being destroyed by shelling, heavy metal contamination is caused by mining, the flight of missiles and drones, etc., which is turning into a global problem. Even environmentally friendly territories of Ukraine in the Forest-Steppe soil-climatic zone are subject to local technogenic impact. The production of crop and livestock products in agro-ecosystems requires not only systematic monitoring of quality and environmental safety, but also the development of effective technological methods for the production of environmentally safe cow's milk. Experiments were conducted on dairy cows of the Ukrainian black and red-motley dairy breeds with different types of feeding: silage-root, silage-hay, silage-hay, silage-hay-concentrate. The main diet of cows was supplemented with a specially developed mineral-vitamin premix, taking into account the antagonistic effect of its components on the ecotoxicants lead and cadmium. The animals of the control group were on the main diet, the second and third additionally ate the premix. The average live weight of cows was 500–545 kg. The average daily milk yield was 14.0–14.8 kg. The milk yield of animals was recorded based on decadal control yields. Laboratory chemical analysis of average feed samples for the concentration of macro- and microelements, including lead and cadmium, was carried out by the atomic absorption method. The STATISTICA version 10.0 program was used for statistical processing of the results obtained. The purpose of the research is to analyze the effectiveness of the applied technological methods in feeding productive cows for the production of environmentally safe milk and increasing animal productivity. Chemical analysis of feed showed an increased content of heavy metals lead, cadmium, copper, zinc. Analysis of diets showed a deficiency of macro- and microelements in cobalt (64.5%), iodine (59.8%), phosphorus (43.1%), sulfur (33.5%), calcium (7.6%), magnesium (7.2%) in cows with silage-root type of feeding; silage-hay - cobalt (54.1%), phosphorus (47.4%), iodine (40.1%), sulfur (28.0%), manganese (2.3%); silage-hay - cobalt (80.7%), iodine (65.2%), phosphorus (56.7%), sulfur (5.5%); silage-hay-concentrate – for cobalt (79.83%), iodine (20.15%), phosphorus (50.91%), sulfur (25.15%), manganese (20.15%), magnesium (2.7%). The most deficient in all diets were cobalt (54.1-80.7% average percentage of deficiency), phosphorus (43.1-56.7%), iodine (20.15-65.2%), sulfur (5.5-33.5%), manganese (2.3-20.15%), magnesium (2.7-7.2%) and calcium (7.6%). The deficiency of these essential elements increases the toxic effects of lead and cadmium. Feeding a mineral-vitamin premix contributed to a lower incorporation of heavy metals in the body of animals of the experimental groups, which positively affected their physiological and productivity, which increased on average by 1.3-1.7 times compared to animals of the control groups (P&lt;0.001). The silage-hay type of feeding was the most effective in relation to feeding the premix in the second experimental group. The milk productivity of cows increased by 1.6 times compared to the control group (P&lt;0.001). In cows with a silage-root crop type of feeding, productivity increased by 1.3 times, with silage-hay-concentrate ¬ 1.3 times, with silage-hay ¬ 1.4 times, with silage-hay ¬ 1.6 times, respectively. Balancing the main diet with an antitoxic premix contributed to a slight increase in milk production from 3477–4426 kg per lactation in the first control groups to 5444–5999 kg per lactation in the second experimental groups. Subcutaneous injection of a plant biopreparation enhanced the antitoxic effect of the premix, which also had a positive effect on the productivity of cows in the third experimental groups, where productivity increased by an average of 1.3–1.7 times. Among cows in the third experimental groups, the silage-hay type of feeding proved to be the best, milk productivity increased by 1.7 times compared to the control group (P&lt;0.001). The production of environmentally safe milk in areas of local contamination with heavy metals of technogenic, military origin requires the use of new proven technological techniques with the use of special mineral and vitamin premixes, which allows for maximum balance of feeding, restoration of homeostasis of the organism in which heavy metals are incorporated. Reducing the toxic effect of pollutants ensured the production of high-quality, environmentally safe cow's milk, contributed to increasing the productivity of cows from 3477-4426 to 5697-6899 kg per lactation, which is one of the indicators of the effectiveness of the developed zootechnical methods. Further research is aimed at monitoring the concentration of heavy metals in animal feed of different soil and climatic zones of Ukraine.