Bison is one of few species successfully restored in captivity after extinction in wild. The more study of pathogenic agents and their epizootological relevance is important in view of reintroduction of animals bred in nurseries into the wild. Meanwhile, despite of special attention paid to bison during the last ninety years, knowledge of bison diseases is quire insufficient. In many cases the persistency of infestants in bison is the only thing known about a disease. Helminthiases are the only exception. A number of Soviet and Russian researches studied Helminthiases in bison nurseries, thus this part of parasitology is the best described. This paper summarizes available reports and our own studies. The following parasitic diseases have been reported in bison: anaplasmosis, babesiosis, borreliosis (Lyme disease), coccidiosis (eimeriosis), neosporosis, demodecosis, echinococcosis, bladderworm disease, megrim, bovine cysticercosis, fascioliasis, dicroceliasis, dictyocaulosis, sarcocystosis, thelaziosis, intestinal helminthosises. The paper describes epizootic data, clinical signs, diagnostics, and treatment of different diseases.

Trichinosis is a generic name for invasion diseases caused by roundworm species of Trichinella. Wild carnivorous and omnivorous animals are the prime reservoir of trichinosis infection in nature. Synanthropic centers of infection are formed when hunters introduce Trichinella worms with wild game which subsequently circulate among domestic animals and mouse-like rodents along the food chains. Trichinella larvae found in the carcass and skin of hunted or dead infested animals are resistant to heating. Our study was aimed at deinvasion of fur game fresh skins from Trichinella larvae residual in the muscular tissue of subcutaneous layer (fleshing) through physical (heating) processing. Invasive matter was inactivated in the MDF-type biomedical freezing chamber and exhaust hood at 0.5 meters per second air flow. Helminthologic test was used to determine viability of Trichinella in the skin fleshing. It is recommended to inactivate Trichinella larvae in the subcutaneous muscle tissue of skins from game animals with helminthiasis immediately after skinning or during skin preservation with drying or freezing. Incapsulated Trichinella larvae in residual subcutaneous muscle tissue on skins are resistant to drying and freezing. Inactivation of Trichinella larvae in the fox, raccoon dog, and marten skin fleshing takes 5 days at 4±2°C or 1 - 3 days at 24±2°C. Trichinella inactivation at minus 70±2°C takes 0.5 - 1.0 hour

The paper discusses comparative results of conventional dual-access (dual trocar) and author’s single-access video-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in kittens (two groups of 18 kittens each were operated at the age of 3.5 to 4 months). The paper provides details of the new surgery technique. Advantages, shortcomings, and singularity of the surgery in prepuberta animals are discussed. It was demonstrated that conventionally used in adult cat method of dual-access video-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy when uterine horns are fixed with transparietal suture requires large surgical site (10 sq. cm), elevated pneumoperitoneum pressure (14 mm Hg) to form sufficient surgical space (cone) in the abdomen to perform necessary operations. Age-specific anatomy of abdomen in kittens and duration of the surgery (25.8±3.1 minutes), resulted in development of intraoperative complication, viz. subcutaneous emphysema, in 16.7% of animals. To the contrary, new single-access video-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy has a number of advantages in kittens: small surgical site (2 sq. cm), one puncture point, minimum iatrogenic complications, and fast surgery (12.2±2.2 minutes). Anesthesia requires little anesthetic, thus rehabilitation period is shorter too. The essence of the patented surgery technique (Patent of the Russian Federation 2503419 C1) is in introduction of 5 mm trocar through a single puncture in the abdomen under lower pneumoperitoneum pressure; inspection of the abdomen cavity organs through optics and finding uterine horn; eventeration (under video surveillance) of the uterine horn outside abdomen with a manipulating tool. This new single-access laparoscopic technique provides for safe, easy, and effective surgery preventing intraoperative and postoperative complications hence eliminating necessity to keep the animal in clinic for long.

The research was aimed at morphometric description of lymphoid organs, spleen and thymus, in large white (LW) and steppe-type (ST) swine: absolute mass, length, width, and depth with respect to age. Macro- and microscopic techniques were applied. Morphometric examination demonstrated the following dynamics during the entire period from birth to age of 9 months: absolute mass of increased by 33.0 times spleen in LW swine and by 42.6 times in ST swine; spleen length increased by 4.8 times uniformly in both LW and ST swine; spleen width increased by 2.8 times in LW swine and by 3.4 times in ST swine; spleen depth increased by 2.6 times in LW swine and by 3.1 times in ST swine. Right cervical thymus lobe was examined, During the entire period of study right cervical thymus lobe increased in absolute mass by 11.0 times in LW swine and by 12.9 times in ST swine; thymus lobe length increased by 2.9 times in LW swine and by 3.3 times in ST swine; width of the right cervical thymus lobe increased by 2.8 times in LW swine and by 2.4 times in ST swine; and depth increased by 3.5 times in LW swine and by 5.0 times in ST swine. Augmentation of thymus morphometry was uneven during the period of study. The most intensive growth in all measurements was during the suckling period. All morphometric measurements of the spleen and right cervical thymus lobe were higher in LW swine at birth, yet growth rate of the measurements was higher in ST swine.

Functional system is the basic notion in the advanced concept of systemic regulation of bodily physiological functions; one of the ways to evaluate state of regulatory mechanisms is the heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. This study was aimed at HRV analysis in apparently health new-born calves under 10 days old. The author has carried out general analysis of electrocardiograms and HRV using variation pulsometry; stress index (SI) in regulatory systems was calculated for the selected category of animals. Average SI was drawn for healthy new-born calves: at Day 1 age: 215.4±16.57 points (normotonia, moderate sympathicotonia) and 979.3±41.1 (hypersympathicotonia); at Day 2 - 8 age 103.59±19.88 points (normotonia); and at Day 9 - 10 age 106.65±25.4 points (normotonia). It was found that stress index in apparently healthy newborn calves stabilized by age of 2 days to normotonia, hence the heart rate was regulated through a multi-level regulatory system at relatively steady level. Elevated SI in calves in the first days of life was detected and could possibly be explained by prevalence of one of the regulatory levels because of inherent functional insufficiency. In this case low functional reserves of the body manifested through high SI in regulatory systems during the first day of life regardless of its stabilization at Day 2 could be a sign of lower adaptation capacity of the animal.

The article describes results of research in pharmacokinetic properties of aminoseleton and its effects on biochemical, immune, and antioxidant status in piglets surviving wean stress. The study was carried out on 30 weaned piglets at a large pig farm in the Orel Oblast. Test Group 1 animals received aminoseleton 0.5 ml/kg subcutaneously twice with interval of 48 hours starting 5 days before weaning. Test Group 2 animals received 0.1 mg/kg aminoseleton orally following the same pattern. Group 3 was control piglets (received no treatment). Clinical and laboratory examinations were carried out at facilities of the State Scientific Enterprise All-Russia Scientific and Research Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Pharmacology, and Therapy at the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GNU VNIVIPFiT). The research showed positive effect of aminoseleton administered before stress factor action in weaned piglets. It stimulates humoral factors of natural resistance, improves metabolic processes and antioxidant status, thus promoting better adaptation to adverse stress environment, elevating feed conversion ratio, and improving growth rates in nursery piglets. Aminoseleton increased level of serum .-globulins in test piglets by 10.8 - 15.5% during adaptation period as compared with control, elevated bactericide (by 31.6 and 33.5%) and lysozymic (by 43.9 and 12.2%) activity of blood serum, phagocytic activity of leucocytes (by 4.3 and 4.9%), and phagocytic ration (by 15.0 and 9.8%) on day 3 after administration. Administration of aminoseleton before stress reaction cuts malondialdehyde production (by 16.7 - 42.5%) in test animals after stress event and its faster lowering in the adaptation period. Piglets in the test groups had higher daily weight gain compared with control animals, by 28.5% and 18.7% on Day 13 after weaning, and by 43.1% and 29.2% by Day 35.

This study was aimed at efficacy analysis of different non-conventional antibiotics in prevention of bacterial diseases in broiler chickens. Test for comparative analysis of efficacy of different antibacterial preparations in broiler chickens breeding was held at scientific and research center of Markinskaya Chicken Farm LLC in the Oktyabrsky District of the Rostov Oblast in November - December 2012 using Flavomycin, Basulifor, BIO+, bacteriocin, and cuprum sulphate. Ten groups of broiler chickens were enrolled into the test. Here are some results of the bacteriologic survey. Bacteriocin was the most effective in suppression of E. Coli. The least effective was probiotic preparation BIO+ at 200 g per ton. Probiotic preparation basulifor at 400 g per ton and bacteriocin were the most effective in suppression of Salmonella. The least effective was probiotic preparation BIO+ at 400 g per ton. Cuprum sulphate and probiotic preparation BIO+ at 200 g per ton were the most effective in Lb.spp bacteria preservation. Biacid was the least effective. Our test proved bacteriocin and probiotic preparation Basulifor at 200 g per ton the best preparations in terms of overall bacteriologic efficacy. The author found that efficacy of probiotic preparations and bacteriocin excelled antibiotics and other preparations.

A number of studies carried out in 1985 - 1995 in 50 sheep farms of the Yaroslavl Oblast using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests demonstrated 14% of sheep in large-scale industrial farm and 27% of sheep in small private holdings were infected with maedi-visna virus. The highest occurrence rate among ewes was detected at age 1.5 to 4 years; significant specific rate of mortality (76.1%) in ewes was observed during bearing and lactation period, and 1-2 months after lamb separation. Ewe mortality during breeding was higher in winter and spring (63.8%) than in summer or autumn (36.2%). Histologic examination of organs from compulsory slaughtered 464 sheep proved diagnosis of scrapie in 110, visna in 17, maedi in 8, and bronchiolar adenocarcinoma in 46 animals from 41 farms of total 50 screened. Individual pathomorphological development of scrapie was found in 8 farms; visna and maedi - in 5 farms, and adenocarcinoma in 5 farms. The following conclusions have been drawn following the study: pathohistological studies in slow viral infections in sheep allow identification of associated diseases thus improving control over epizootic situation in the farm; it is necessary to exclude possibility of paratuberculosis and mulleriosis in the herd to make visna-maedi serodiagnosis in sheep reliable; in case of slow viral infection detection, all infected animals must be eliminated, strict veterinary sanitary rules must be adhered to; young sheep must be kept in isolation and fed with goat beestings (milk); and strict selection and livestock management are called for to establish resistant sheep herd.

This paper aims at analysis of clinical and epizootological features of manifestation and pathomorphological of a newly emerges and insufficiently studied disease in swine younglings, lawsoniosis. The disease is caused by Lawsonia intracelluaris, a gram-negative intracellular bacterium. The parasite resides inside cell which makes it hard to get to with antimicrobial preparations. Once ingested by an susceptible animal, Lawsonia penetrates inside the cells of inner intestinal lining, predominantly in the small intestine, where it reproduces itself. Infested cells are being exhausted and die. The bowel loses absorption capacity. Diarrhea syndrome leads to red blood cells loss and anemia. Activation of lawosoniosis agents is associated with feeding ration changes or when new production groups are formed. Disease occurrence rate increases after vaccination too. All these activities are associated with pronounced stress impact which changes intestinal microbiocenosis and affects animal’s natural resistance. Infected piglets grow behind healthy peers. They have rapidly deteriorating appearance with pale skin. Along with diarrhea development, feces become red and black with objectionable odor. The black coloration is caused by intestinal bleeding. Small bowel is mostly affected. Ileum mucous layer is thickened unevenly, has loose consistency with sparse hyperemic spots, dark red in color with hemorrhages. In most cases there are serosanguineous infiltrates along the entire length of ileum and small bowel. Taking into account physiologic mechanisms of the disease and in seek of an effective therapy alternative to antibiotics, we tested a complex immune metabolic preparation with anti-infective preparation Metallosuccinate (Patent RF 2351323). The preparation decreases diarrhea syndrome in 30 - 60 minutes. It took three sets of the preparation administration with interval of 24 hours to attain complete clinical recovery.

This study was aimed at confirmation of recently identified antivirus and immunostimulating properties of double-helical Ca-modified RNA against murrain virus Asia-1 type. The agent was produced either from sodium nucleinate (Biosintez OJSC, Penza, Russia) or from killer yeast Saccharomices cerevisiae. The research led to conclusion that Ca-modified double-helical RNA is a possible immunostimulant to be used for protection against the disease. Rate of protection in the test swine was 87.5%. Therefore it’s safe to infer that the preparation reliably prevents murrain in swine. The preparation reveals non-specific immune stimulating properties which build emergency protection in animal regardless of the virus type or strain, without any adverse effects. The preparation is of nonprotein origin, easy in production, requires no special process equipment, and has a long shelf life.

Unfavorable global situation with murrain forced representatives of OIE/FAO/EC at April 1999 summit in Rome to decide on creating and funding of a buffer zone to prevent introduction of murrain virus to European countries through Russia. This paper describes results of screening of blood serum samples from vaccinated animals with the purpose to estimate immune background in animals starting from 2005 - 2008. The research proves that before introduction of the buffer zone the immune background in Armenia was extremely low. Immunization of animals under the international program resulted in increased immune response: Type A - to 53%, Type O - to 50%, and Type Asia - to 49%. Unfavorable global and regional situation with murrain and immense possibility of murrain virus to come to Armenia requires advanced murrain prevention measures, and continuation of preventive vaccination of large and small cattle using high-quality vaccines, along with serum monitoring researches aimed at evaluation of immune background in vaccinated animals and identification of possible deviations from preventive immunization policy.

The paper analyses data on reproduction of 62 bison cows in the nursery of Oksky Nature Reserve for the entire period of its operation since 1960 to 2014. It was found out that breeding season in bison lasts from July to April with its peak in September. Weak animals with deviations in growth which demonstrate insufficient fatness by the breeding season start, as well as cows which had delivered calves in September - October use the later period of the breeding season for mating. A tendency towards breeding season extension in the recent years was determined, with its overall shift to later period. Normally individual heat in bison cow takes 24 hours (75.9%) but it may last up to 7 days. 1 to 8 heat cycles (average 2.7 ± 0.22) occurs in a cow during one breeding season; multiple repeated heat cycles are more frequently observed in cows of 15-17 years and older or in cows after bad calving. Inter-calving period is 17.2 months; the period may elongate to 30 months in case of late autumn and winter calving. Separate housing of bulls and cows till age of 3 years has led to sexual maturity in cows postponed from age 2 - 4 years to 4 - 5 years, hence slower herd reproduction. Average reproductive range in bison cows is 12.1 years (lim 9 - 19 years), and each cow delivers average of 9 calves.