Original Scientific Article INTRODUCTIONThe mammary gland is a compound tubuloalveolar gland, divided into lobules by interlobular connective tissue. The mammary gland consists of parenchyma (alveoli), stroma (connective tissue), ducts, vessels and nerves. Bitches usually have fi ve pairs of glands. The cranial two pairs are referred to as cranial and caudal thoracic mammary Mammary tumours are the second most frequent neoplasia in dogs, mainly affecting older female patients. Approximately 50% of the mammary tumours are malignant with high percentage of mortality, if not treated in time. The aim of this study was to analyze the data of canine patients with mammary tumours, to evaluate the type of tumours, as well as the relationship between tumour incidence and dogs' age, reproductive cycle and sterilization. The survey was used to retrieve the information in the period of two years from the patient data base of the University Veterinary Hospital at the Faculty of veterinary medicine in Skopje. Patients included in this survey were subjected to routine clinical investigation and additional laboratory tests (cytological examination, x-rays imaging, CBC and biochemical profile, histopathology of the tumor samples). Aged female patients (12 -13 years) are the most susceptible category for development of mammary tumours. The reproductive history showed that five of the patients with malignant mammary tumours have never whelped and were not treated with any exogenous hormones. Malignant tumours (adenocarcinoma) were diagnosed in 90% of the patients. Three patients died due to lung metastasis. Late diagnosis is one of the major problems that results in lethal outcome due to lung metastases. Since ovarian steroids play an important role in the aetiology, the most effective prevention of mammary tumours is elective ovariectomy of the bitch at an early age.

The peripartal period in Holstein dairy cows is critical, due to the transition from pregnancy to lactation. We have studied the dynamics of biochemical parameters from day 5 before to day 60 after calving. The study included 10 multiparous Holstein cows, examined at days -5, 5, 10, 30 and 60 relative to calving. Blood samples were taken from vena jugularis. Analyzed biochemical parameters were glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, total bilirubin, albumin, total protein, urea, NEFA and BHBA. Milk production and body condition score were also estimated. Obtained results showed that cows were exposed to mild to marked metabolic distress. Energy status was changed due to increased values of NEFA and BHBA and decreased value of glucose after calving. Protein concentrations were increased at day 10 after calving, despite the decrease of the level of albumin. Urea concentrations before and after calving were within physiological range indicating an optimal protein diet. Increased values of total bilirubin at day 5 after calving indicated liver increased activity. Lipid status presented by triglycerides and total cholesterol revealed no differences in blood concentrations. Milk production was highest at day 30 after calving. BCS were highest in dry cows, thereafter they declined and recovered at day 60 after calving. In conclusion, biochemical parameters can be used as relevant indicators of metabolic distress in cows around calving with milk and BCS recording as aside parameters. Changes in some biochemical parameters indicate liver increased activity and metabolic stress, that could lead to decreased milk production, impaired reproductive performance and, finally, to illness.

Ehrlichia canis, the etiologic agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), is mainly transmitted by the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Clinical signs of the disease can be various, depending on the stage of the disease. Typical changes in hematological and blood biochemical parameters are: severe thrombocytopenia, mild to marked non regenerative anaemia and hypoalbuminemia. In order to present the effects of the treatment protocol on several hematological and biochemistry parameters, 34 Ehrlichia canis positive dogs were compared before and after treatment with doxycycline 10mg/kg/day, in duration of four weeks. Besides the clinical sings and laboratory findings, diagnosis was confirmed by antibody tests (Bionote, Korea, AGROLABO S.p.A., Italy). The most common clinical sings were depression, lethargy, pyrexia, vomiting and anorexia. Hematological analyses were performed on the automatic hematology analyzer Exigo EosVet (Sweden), while biochemistry analyses (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, albumin, total protein, globulin and alkaline phosphatase) were performed using the automatic analyzer ChemWell 2910 (Awareness Technology, INC, USA). Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in hematology changes was present regarding the red blood cells count, platelet count, hematocrit and hemoglobin before and after treatment. Hypoalbuminaemia (Mean 19.21 ±4.96 g/l) was the only serum biochemistry parameter with significant change before and after treatment, as well. Treatment with doxycycline in patients with E.canis resulted in significant increase of hematology parameters (red blood cells, hemoglobin, haematocrit and platelets), as well as albumins in serum.

Chios is a breed of sheep selected for milk production, with metabolic features typical for a dairy sheep breed. The energy requirements of pregnant sheep is increase in the last weeks of gestation. Metabolic imbalance in the late pregnancy in sheep, usually cause a metabolic disorder known as pregnancy toxemia. Additionally, a pregnant sheep exposed to low environmental temperatures has increased energy demands, due to its adaptation to undesirable environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic profile of Chios sheep exposed to different environmental conditions.Two groups of ewes were instigated. First group included 8 pregnant ewes with clinical signs of pregnancy toxemia exposed to cold stress during the winter season. The second group included 8 non-pregnant, clinically healthy ewes, that were examined during the non-breeding period, in the spring season. Blood samples were taken and serum concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutirate (BHBA), total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, triglyceride and cholesterol, as well as activity of AST and ALP were determined. Pregnant ewes exposed to cold stress had significantly lower levels of glucose and total protein, and significantly higher levels of BHBA, albumin and AST in the serum compared to non-pregnant ewes that were in optimal environmental conditions. There was no significant difference between the serum levels of urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides and ALP among the groups. In conclusion, low environmental temperature and poor feeding during the winter season caused metabolic distress in pregnant ewes during the early winter season.

Several reports indicated that a large proportion of dairy cows have not resumed cyclicity until day 60 after calving. These cows are traditionally classified as non-cycling (anoestrous or anovular cows). Static ovaries (SO, lack of luteal tissue and follicles >8 mm, and progesterone < 0.5 ng/mL) could be a possible underlying reason that contributes to a non-cycling status. Although SO affects both primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) cows, PP cows are more prone to be non-cycling than MP. Therefore, this study aims to compare the metabolic profiles and hormonal status between non-cycling PP and MP cows diagnosed with SO. One hundred and twenty one animals that did not express signs of oestrus until day 60 postpartum were grouped by parity (PP, n=58 and MP, n=63), then blood sampled and examined using transrectal ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected before the ultrasonographic examination. Out of those, 42 PP (72.4%) and 28 MP (44.4%) were diagnosed as non-cycling (bearing SO). Serum concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein and albumin did not differ between parity groups. The glucose concentrations in PP cows (1.43 ± 0.59 mmol/L) and MP cows (1.69 ± 0.71 mmol/L) did not differ, however, they were less than the normal physiological concentration. In addition, no differences were detected between parity groups for concentrations of NEFA, β-HBA, progesterone and estradiol. In summary, we concluded that non-cycling PP and MP cows bearing SO have similar hormonal status and metabolic profiles.

The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of blood variables obtained simultaneously from the jugular and mammary veins of dairy cows. Eighty Holstein cows were divided into four equal groups: dry, low-(LY), medium-(MY) and high-yielding (HY). Blood insulin, glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and urea concentrations were measured. The jugular and mammary vein (J/M) ratio between concentrations of each variable was calculated. Differences between the groups of cows in concentrations of variables in the jugular vein were not in accordance with those obtained for the mammary vein. J/M values for insulin and glucose concentrations were above 1.0 in all groups of cows. The ratios for NEFA and BHBA concentrations were under or equal to 1.0 in dry and LY cows but above 1.0 in the MY and HY groups, indicating that in MY and HY cows those metabolites are apparently utilised by the mammary gland. J/M values for urea were above 1.0 in dry and LY cows but less than 1.0 in groups MY and HY, indicating that in the latter case urea is apparently released by the mammary gland. In conclusion, J/M for NEFA, BHBA and urea may be useful for estimation of the critical point when the mammary gland receives insufficient energy precursors for its current activity.Key words: Energy balance, mammary vein, jugular vein, dairy cow, milk yield Energy balance (EB) is calculated as the difference between energy consumption in the diet and energy use by the body to support maintenance, growth, milk

A six-month-old Pomeranian male dog was referred due to a month long history of unformed, soft faeces and mild weight loss. Stool analyses by direct faecal smear, Zinc sulphate flotation and the Baermann concentration method revealed an infection with Strongyloides stercoralis. The dog was initially treated once with a combination drug of praziquantel, pyrantel and febantel (½ Drontal® Plus Tablets for puppies and small dogs; Bayer; i.e. 31.5 mg/kg bodyweight of febantel ). The treatment was repeated after 12 days with the same dosage for 3 consecutive days. The stool analyses performed 14 days and 3 months after the second treatment were negative for S. stercoralis larvae. The results suggest that a repeated treatment with Drontal® Plus Tablets is effective against S. stercoralis in dogs and has no adverse effects.

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