Case summary A 1-year-old domestic shorthair queen with five neonates was referred for umbilical cord entwinement in three kittens 24 h after parturition. The owner noticed the kittens were stuck to each other 3 h before admission. Despite a conservative treatment approach, prolonged ischaemia led to dry gangrenous changes in one of the kitten’s metatarsi. Relevance and novel information This and other neonatal complications in cats are rarely reported. Primiparity is a known factor contributing to postpartum complications. Furthermore, inexperienced owners require more assistance in mitigating these challenges. Therefore, further research and collaboration among breeders, owners and veterinary professionals are imperative in order to accurately determine the prevalence of this condition in kittens and develop effective strategies to address it.

Simple Summary Mastitis is defined as the inflammation of the mammary gland and is one of the most widespread and economically important diseases of dairy cows. Bacteria are the most reported mastitis-causative agents, while other pathogens are often overlooked because they are not routinely investigated. Incomplete diagnosis may result in inappropriate antimicrobial therapy, treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, dissemination of pathogens, and mastitis recurrences. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the presence of not only bacteria but also other microorganisms associated with cattle mastitis on dairy farms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country that lacks an effective mastitis control programme and bacteriological analysis of mastitic milk. The current study revealed Mycoplasma bovis as the main pathogen and a variety of other mastitis-causing agents in cattle: bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, and others), fungi (Candida spp.), and algae (Prototheca zopfii). The finding of mastitis cases requiring currently unavailable treatment and vaccines emerges in the broader scope of etiological agents in routine mastitis diagnosis. These measures applied at the herd and national levels are crucial for more effective mastitis control, animal health and welfare, the dairy industry, and public health. Abstract To obtain improved insights into the complex microbial aetiology of bovine mastitis, this study investigated the pathogens involved in cattle mastitis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 179 milk samples from cows with clinical mastitis (CM) and subclinical mastitis (SCM), as well as eight bulk tank milk (BTM) samples from 48 dairy farms, were analysed by standard bacteriological and mycological methods. Mycoplasma detection and identification were performed using culture techniques and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 88 (49.2%) mastitis samples were positive for known mastitis pathogens at 32 of 47 farms (68.1%). Mycoplasma bovis was a predominant pathogen (25/187; 13.4%) in the majority of herds (14/48; 29.2%) and accounted for 48.9% of positive CM samples. Escherichia coli was the second most dominant CM pathogen (34%), followed by Streptococcus agalactiae (10.6%), whereas Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common in SCM samples (17.1%). Other mastitis pathogens included Candida spp. and Prototheca zopfii. Two BTM samples were positive for M. bovis only, and one was positive for a mixed culture of S. aureus and Streptococcus uberis. The finding of various causative agents of bovine mastitis, with M. bovis emerging as the main pathogen, emphasizes the significance of comprehensive testing that includes not only common mastitis pathogens but also mycoplasmas, fungi, and algae.

Dairy cattle breeding is one of the most important branches of livestock production, which has been facing, for several decades, the chronic problem of declining reproductive performance. In 2005, the number of cattle worldwide was about 1,370,000,000, while in 2015 that number dropped below one billion, and in 2021 it shows a slight recovery as it was 1,000,970. This indicates the importance of applying different reproductive protocols in order to increase the number of cows in production. The type of bedding on which the animals stay, as well as the characteristics of the lying area itself, shows a significant impact on numerous physiological functions such as food intake, chewing, milk yield, but also levels of sex hormones. The type of bedding and lying area, which causes chronic pain and stress, leads to disorders of physiological and reproductive processes, since stress has direct negative impact on numerous cellular functions. A total of 66 dairy cows, 50 Holstein-Friesian cows kept on PD Butmir and 16 Simmental cows kept on a private mini farm, were included in the study. At PD Butmir, cows were kept in tie-stall housing system, while on a mini-farm they were kept free. Hormonal protocols of estrus and ovulation synchronization were used in April, May and June 2019. Cows were subjected to two estrus synchronization and ovulation protocols, Ovsynch and Cosynch72. At PD Butmir, 25 cows were subjected to Ovsynch and Cosynch72 protocols, respectively. At the mini-farm only Ovsynch protocol was applied. The Ovsynch protocol applied on PD Butmir had success in conception rate of 12% (n = 3), while the Cosynch72 protocol gave a score of 36% (n = 9). On the mini-farm, Ovsynch resulted in a conception of 25% (n = 4). Based on our results, the Cosynch72 protocol, compared to the Ovsynch protocol, was a better choice in the case of Holstein-Friesian cows kept in the tie-stall housing system. In the Simmental cows kept in the free stall system, the Ovsynch protocol proved to be better choice in achieving conception, compared to the Holstein-Friesian cows. Therefore, it is necessary to test several different protocols of estrus and ovulation synchronization, in order to find the most optimal one for a certain breed, type of keeping and breeding.

Cattle farming, as one of the most important branches of livestock production, has longbeen confronted with the chronic problem of the decline in reproductive performances. In 2005, thenumber of cattle around the world amounted to about 1,370,000,000 heads of cattle, while in 2012this number was just over a billion, which indicates the importance of applying differentreproductive protocols in order to increase production. Heat stress leads to disorders of thephysiological and reproductive processes, as the rise in body temperature caused by heat stress hasdirect negative consequences on numerous cell functions. The study included a total of 54 Holstein-Friesian cows, 28 experimental and 26 control cows from PD Butmir farm with 5 lactations onaverage. Hormone protocols for estrus and ovulation were used in June and July 2013. Cows in theexperimental group were subjected to a Presynch + 5dCoS2 protocol. Cows that did not conceiveafter this protocol were immediately subjected to resynchronization with Cosynch -72 protocol. Thesuccess rate of the Presynch + 5dCoS2 protocol was 19%, while in the case of Cosynch 72 it was33%, which was statistically significant (p <0,05). The first presynchronization and synchronizationprotocol (5dCoS2) did not significantly help to improve the conception rate after the firstinsemination postpartum, but it is evident that they had a positive effect on another protocol (COS72)in the form of reduction in embryonic mortality in the summer months when embryonic loss is thegreatest.The COS72 protocol provides satisfactory results in the summer, but good fitness and healthmanagement, as well as heat stress reduction in accordance with the location and farm design arethe preconditions for a successful estrus and ovulation synchronization program prior to artificialinsemination.

During its 132-year production, the characteristics of Livno cheesechanged, first because of the transition from sheep to cow’s milk, or their mixture.Livno cheese is specific primarly due to the presence of a specific plant cover inmountain area, climatic conditions and milk of autochthonous sheep. The purposeof this work is to determine the fatty acid composition of Livno cheese, with specialreference to the contenct of bioactive components that have a positive effect onhuman health, and to tracking any changes in their content depending on thesampling or feeding period. For the production of Livno cheese, which was sampledafter 90 days of ripening at ambient conditions, sheep’s milk was used, mentioningthat the cow’s milk was added in proportion (80:20), which is commonly used in thetraditional production of this cheese. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatographyin As Vitas laboratory in Oslo Innovation Center, according to the proceduredescribed in Luna and al. (2005). A total of 24 fatty acids were determined during thethree sampling periods (July, August and September) In cheese samples, saturatedfatty acid content (SFAs) was higher in relation to monounsaturated(MUFAs) andpolyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids. The fatty acid composition of the tested cheesesamples is specific, because it contains fatty acids which have been proven to havean extremely beneficial effect on human health.

: During puerperium phase in cows, uterus goes through involution process, while ovaries restore supressed cyclicity as a result of gestation. After 10-20 days postpartum (PP) luteinizing hormone (LH) levels begin to raise and renewal of cyclicity after parturition is probably most important factor for cows to successfuly conceive again. observed in right ovaries of cows in both groups, while corpora lutea were bigger in multiparous cows. Numbers and sizes of corpora lutea, may give an insight in quality of restoration of ovarian cyclicity and a solid base for prediction on future reproductive performances.

Clinical and subclinical disorders and diseases cause reproductive failures and decline in milk production. Etiology of disorders is mainly because of pathological effect of microorganisms, lapses in nutrition and lodging, as well as in management. After partrition, body is under stress and milk yield is highest, which favors appearance of metabolic and infective diseases. Status of puerperium, number of lactation, body condition score and season of parturition, have highest effect to cyclic ovarian activity. Regular development of dominant follicles, ovulation, formation of corpus luteum and luteolysis is necessary for establishment of regular cyclic ovarian activity, which leads to better fertility. Experiment had included 50 cows during first 52 days of lactation. Cows were separated in two main groups, those with normal puerperium NP (n=32) and abnormal puerperium AP (n=18). Examinations have been performed during period of 6 to 52 days postpartum. Ovarian dominant follicles have been observed using diagnostic ultrasound linear scanner. The highest number of dominant follicles are present during first two examinations, then their number declines and later in last two examinations rise again. Decrease in number of dominant follicles in both groups is most expressed in period of 14-30 days. During first examination, left ovaries have more dominant follicles, compared with right ovaries, while during later examinations, it is changed in favor of right ovaries. Increased number of vital dominant follicles from period 38-45 days postpartum and absence of abnormal uterine content in lumen in same period postpartum is sign of upcoming fertile estrus. Benjamin Čengić et al. 182

Honey, pollen and propolis have been used since the ancient times in the treatment of infected wounds. These substances express antimicrobial activity even against microorganisms resistant to conventional antibiotics and antiseptics. The goal of the research is to answer the question of whether these substances could help in healing of the udder wounds under the real field conditions. Substances subject to research were mixed in a remedy, which was applied directly into the udder wounds once daily. The wounds were treated with “Apimelem” during May and June, 2012. “Apimelem” applied into the udder wounds gave good results in elimination of infection, prevention of reinfection and faster tissue healing. Prepared “Apimelem” proved efficient, nontoxic and financially affordable, this is especially important for poor or natural disaster- affected areas. Key words: infected wound, “Apimelem”, antimicrobic activity, udder, cow

Goal of this research was to explore the efficiency of intrauterine application of 4% solution of Lotagen ® in the treatment of chronic endometritis of different severity, and to examine the effects of therapy to the breeding-reproductive parameters in animals treated under the real field conditions. Research was conducted between May 2005 - March 2007 by analyzing the data from the protocol of artifitial insemination and treatment of sterility in the county of Sanski Most. Research included dairy cows from 95 stables when chronic endometritis was diagnosed by clinical examination (n=126) at the earliest 21 day postpartum. Animals were treated intrauterinelly with 100 to 180 ml (primiparous and multiparous) of 4% solution of Lotagen ® during puerperium or in estrus, after puerperium. Out of total of 126 dairy cows with chronic endometritis treated with Lotagen ® once or more times, including a group of non-treated animals, clinical healing was noted in 117 animals (92,8%), artificial insemination was performed in 115 (87,3%) and 95 animals had conception (86,3%). Due to the lack of clinical healing, fertility loss or some other reasons, 31 cows were excluded (24,6%) from breeding and this research. The treatment results as well as some fertility parameters were affected by severity of chronic endometritis and time of therapy introduction. The more time elapsed from parturition, the severity of endometritis decreased. Consequently, the percentage of cured animals after the first treatment increased from 59,5% to 79,6% (P < 0,05). Percentage of healing in E 1-2 ( endometritis catarrhalis et mucopurulenta ) was 68,2% after the first treatment and was significant in relation to 44,4% in E 3-4 ( endometritis purulenta et pyometra ). Taking into consideration the conception accomplished in two examined groups, obvious differences are shown: experimental group - 91,5%, control group - 76,9% (P<0,05). The effects of treatment to the breeding-reproductive parameters were also evalauted with high conception rates noticed in treated animals. Key words: chronic endometritis, dairy cows, Lotagen ®