Interpreting bovine hematology is essential for diagnosing, monitoring, and prognosing various diseases. One of the most commonly used diagnostic tool is the complete blood count (CBC), which helps identify a wide range of organ and systemic diseases. The purpose of this review article is to provide veterinarians, especially field veterinarians, with as much useful information as possible, about bovine hematological tests. Bovine complete blood count can be of great assistance in diagnosing, further testing and predicting the prognosis of bovine diseases. However, it should be noted that the diagnosis of bovine diseases based solely on a complete blood count is only occasionally possible. In most cases, a complete blood count in bovine serves as an important adjunctive tool in diagnosing diseases. In this paper, we will focus on the specificities of bovine erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes.

Most agricultural crops are treated several times with different types of pesticides during cultivation and it is therefore very likely that pesticide residues remain on the treated agricultural crops. Pesticides are therefore a very important group of chemical compounds that need to be controlled, mainly because of their high toxicity and widespread use in the production of agriculturalproducts. The most commonly used herbicide is glyphosate. To ensure a high level of consumer protection, legal limits or maximum residue levels have been set in Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes anannual report that provides an overview of the official monitoring of pesticide residues in the European Union Member States, Iceland and Norway. This paper summarises the data from EFSA's annual reports from 2007 to 2022, referring to data related to the best-selling herbicide glyphosate.

The reception office at the Croatian Veterinary Institute plays a crucial role in ensuring the accurate and efficient handling ofsamples and accompanying documentation, and serves as the first point of contact for veterinarians and inspectors regarding samples, or for clients who call by phone. This paper outlines the best practices for managing sample reception, emphasising the importance of proper documentation, the use of technology to streamline processes, and the implementation of quality control measures. Proper documentation is essential for maintaining sample traceability and integrity, which is critical for accurate testing and analysis. The use of technology, such as electronic documentation systems and barcode scanning, can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the sample reception process. Additionally, implementing quality control measures, including regular audits and staff training, ensures the reliability and consistency of the reception process. By adopting these best practices, theCroatian Veterinary Institute can improve its operational efficiency and reduce the risk of errors, thereby contributing to public health and safety.

Urinary tract infections in dogs are common in veterinary practice and one of the main reasons for the use of antimicrobial drugs. They are mostly caused by bacterial infections, while viral, fungal and parasitic infections account for less than 1% of cases. In practice, treatment usually starts with antimicrobial drugs selected based on existing clinical experience, without knowing the specific pathogen or its sensitivity to a particular drug. The aim of this study was to present the local prevalence andantimicrobial resistance of the most common bacterial pathogens of dog urinary tract infections isolated from samples obtained in the city Split, Croatia and its surrounding areas. From January 2019 to July 2024, 897 urine samples were analysed bacteriologically, of which 307 were positive. Of the total number of bacterial isolates, 194 (62.8%) were Gram-negative bacteria and 115 (37.2%) were Gram-positive. The most frequently isolated bacterial pathogens were E. coli (45%), coagulase-positive Staphylococcus sp. (13.9%), Proteus sp. (10%), beta-haemolytic Streptococcus sp. (9.7%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. (7.4%), Enterococcus sp. (5.5%), Pseudomonas sp. (4.2%) and Klebsiella sp. (2.6%). Data on local susceptibility and resistance patterns of the most common uropathogens can help clinicians in the selection of antimicrobial drugs and can serve as a basis for antimicrobial resistance monitoring in the coming years.

This review paper briefly overviews various methods used to detect and identify Salmonella, a common foodborne zoonotic pathogen in veterinary medicine. Salmonella bacteria is mainly found in food products and, when ingested, causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Due to the ongoing presence of pathogenic Salmonella in food production systems, it poses a serious public health threat. Therefore, a constant need remains to enhance identification and detection methods capable of identifying this pathogen and preventing outbreaks. The conventional and widely-used culture-based method can be considered the gold standard. However, it is time-consuming and laborious, as is traditional serotyping by slide agglutination. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) offers faster detection with higher specificity by identifying Salmonella antigens or antibodies. However, some laboratories prefer other methods due to limited sensitivity and the time it takes to establish an immune response. Therefore, methods like subtyping or advanced molecular techniques have evolved over the years: polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods and next-generation sequencing (NGS) provide rapid and accurate identification of Salmonella.Unlike PCR-based methods that target specific genes, NGS provides a sequence of complete genomes. Mass spectrometry andFourier transform infrared spectroscopy are also used, while biosensors are still in the early stages of technological development. This paper discusses the progress of identification and detection approaches for Salmonella, emphasising their basic principles, applications, and performances, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Retained placenta (RP) is a syndrome that affects all species of domestic animals, including bovines. Retained placenta can lead to life-threatening complications and is considered an emergency in theriogenology practice. Various factors underlie the occurrence of RP, including defects in the immunological rejection of the placenta, disorders in myometrial contractions, infections, disorders in the release or function of proteolytic enzymes in the placenta, induction of parturition, preterm birth, abortion, stillbirth, excessive body weight, senility, bacterial andfungal toxins, inbreeding, abnormal hormonal environment at peri-parturition, injuries of the placenta, elective caesarean, environmental stressful conditions, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic disturbances, and breed.Depending on the underlying cause(s), different measures have been suggested to prevent RP, such as feeding a balanced ration, proper immunisation against diseases, supplying a dry and clean environment for parturition,using breeds with a low incidence of dystocia or RP. There are several methods for treating the disease, including manual removal of membranes, injection of collagenase into the umbilical arteries of the retained membranes,uterine lavage, hormone therapy, antibiotic therapy and others. This review highlights the effective means of management of RP in cattle.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common malignant skin tumours in dogs, significantly impacting canine health.Despite its prevalence, the study of biomarkers in canine SCC is still limited compared to human oncology. Biomarkers can providevaluable insights into the biological behaviour of tumours, aiding in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies. This reviewaims to consolidate the current knowledge on biomarkers in canine cutaneous SCC, highlighting parallels with human studiesto enhance the understanding and potential clinical applications in veterinary oncology. Several key biomarkers have been identified in canine SCC, including cyclooxygenases (COX-2), intermediate filaments (vimentin), angiogenic factors (VEGF), and apoptosis-related proteins (survivin). Other biomarkers such as periostin, heat shock proteins, SOX9, E-cadherin, cytokeratins, galectins, and kallikreins have also been explored, providing insights into the pathophysiology and potential therapeutic targets for canine SCC. The expression patterns of these biomarkers often parallel those observed in human SCC, underscoring their relevance in both veterinary and comparative oncology. Identifying and characterising biomarkers in canine cutaneous SCC is crucial for advancing veterinary oncology. Continued research in this area could lead to improved diagnostic tools and targeted therapies, ultimately enhancing the management of SCC in dogs.

This paper outlines the results of researching the incidence of mastitis in small ruminants in the Republic of Croatia over a six-year period (2017 to 2022). During this period, microbiological testing was performed on 801 samples of udder secretions from small ruminants in 13 counties and the city of Zagreb, with 178 samples (22.2%) testing positive for mastitis pathogens. Of the total 609 udder secretion samples from goats, mastitis agents were isolated from 150 samples (24.6%), while the 192 udder secretion samples from sheep revealed 28 (14.6%) contained mastitis agents. The highest prevalence of mastitis pathogens in goat udder secretions was found in 2018 (31.8%), and in sheep in 2020 (32.9%). Microbiological testing identified 16 species and genera of bacteria. The most common species were Staphylococcus aureus, isolated from 96 (53.9%) samples, Staphylococcusspp. (46 samples; 25.8%), Streptococcus spp. (7; 3.9%), Klebsiella spp. and Corynebacterium spp. (each 5; 2.8%), Escherichia coli (4; 2.2%), Streptococcus uberis and Proteus spp. (each 3; 1.7%), and Pseudomonas spp. (2; 1.1%). Other species and genera, such as Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Pasteurella spp., Mannheimia haemolytica, Enterococcus spp., Enterobacter and Serratia spp. were isolated sporadically, each from one sample. The isolated bacterial cultures were tested for sensitivity to antimicrobials using the disc-diffusion method to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cefaperazone, enrofloxacin, kanamycin, cloxacillin, lincomycin, neomycin, novobiocin, penicillin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole withtrimethoprim, and tetracycline. Sensitivity of the isolated agents to the antimicrobials was most pronounced towards cefoperazone and enrofloxacin, regardless of the species or genera of the isolated mastitis agent. The odds of isolating a mastitis agent from goat udder secretions was 1.61 times higher than for sheep (P<0.05). This study confirmed that the occurrenceof mastitis in small ruminants in Croatia is comparable to incidences reported in other Mediterranean countries.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a non-inflammatory disorder characterised by extensive bony proliferation along the axial skeleton. This study evaluates the radiological features of DISH in the lumbar and lumbosacral vertebrae of dogs. Radiographic records from the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were analysed for dogs older than one year over a 12-month period. Thirteen cases of DISH were identified, predominantly in large breed dogs, with no cases observed in small breeds. Mixed-breed dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Boxers were the most frequently affected breeds, and incidence was highest in dogs aged 7–10 years. The hallmark radiographic findings included flowing calcifications along the ventrolateral aspects of at least four contiguous vertebral bodies, with preservation of disc height. The most pronounced changes were observed between the L3 and L4 vertebrae. These findings highlight the importance of recognising DISH as a distinct entity in veterinary practice to avoid misclassification as severe spondylosis.

The past decade has witnessed active research in the field of feline veterinary oncology, focused on a deeper understanding of risk factors, key pathogenic mechanisms, prognostic markers, refinement of surgical techniques, exploration of new therapeutic targets, and neoplasia prevention. Despite certain advancements, the issue of verifying and predicting the biological behaviour of individual tumours remains unresolved. Among them is lymphoma, which often presents a chronic course (without athognomonic signs) and demonstrates significant variability in tissue involvement, explaining the considerable fluctuations in its recordedfrequency, ranging from 3.6 to 22%. The range of anatomical forms also varies significantly, with alimentary (up to 40%) and multicentric (up to 30%) lymphomas most commonly diagnosed. The probability of verifying numerous histopathological types (T-cell lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma) and their subtypes correlates with the anatomical form of lymphoma. A concerning trend is the dynamic increase in the registration of new and rare forms of lymphoma (primary lymphoma of the adrenal glands, pericardium, ocular globe, etc.), indicating the variability of pathogenetic mechanisms, likely due to enhanced genomic instability. In addition to well-established risk factors for lymphoma in cats, the adverse anthropogenic impact has become relevant. The initiation of lymphoma in cats due to tobacco smoke has been proven. The significance of age, breed, and gender predisposition as risk factors for lymphoma has been debated and largely depends on the region. The absence of vaccination against viraldiseases in cats increases the risk of lymphoma. The most significant risk factors for the development of lymphoma in cats are leukosis and immunodeficiency agents, although their etiological role has significantly decreased in recent years. Current research demonstrates the active involvement of chromosomal aberrations and chronic inflammation in lymphoma development. Kidney transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy increase the likelihood of lymphoma development in cats almost sevenfold.A risk factor requiring further study is genetic heredity, currently identified in Siamese, British, and Oriental shorthair cats.