Introduction. The thorny-headed worms (Acanthocephala) are a small group of helminths, currently classified as a phylum. Adult helminths live in the intestines of various vertebrates. Eggs are excreted into the environment with feces, and in this way infest the arthropods, who are the intermediate hosts. The life cycles of some acanthocephala species can get complicated due to inclusion of the facultative, transport, paratenic or postcyclic hosts. Сhiropterans can be the definitive, intermediate or paratenic hosts for the various groups of parasitic worms, therefore they are an important link in the epizootic chains of spreading the invasive diseases. The aim of the articles of this series is to study the species composition of helminths parasitizing in bats of the Rostov Region. In the fourth paper of this series, we present data on thorny-headed worms and sum-up the previously published information.

Materials and Methods. The research materials were the articles from the open access databases: PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), CyberLeninka (cyberleninka.ru), Google Scholar (scholar.google.com), BHL (www.biodiversitylibrary.org), JSTOR (www.jstor.org), etc. Some data were provided by the colleagues.

 Results. The list comprising three species of thorny-headed worms that can parasitize in bats in Rostov region was compiled. While analysing the literature sources, one more Nematoda species, not mentioned by us previously, was added to the list of nematodes.

Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the review revealed that 15 bat species living in the Rostov region can be parasitized by 3 or 4 Acanthocephala species of 3 genera, 2 families and 2 orders. In total, 104 helminth species of three phyla can parasitize in chiropterans in the Rostov region: Nematoda, Platyhelminthes and Acanthocephala. Whereas, the largest number of parasites falls on the class Trematoda – 42 species. The largest number of helminth species was recorded in the serotine bat (54 species) and the common noctule (50 species). The least amount (4 species) – in the soprano pipistrelle. Our data show that the helminth fauna of bats in the Rostov region, Russia and in the world as a whole is still poorly studied. At the same time, some of the parasitic worm species distinguished in our research have the veterinary and medical significance, moreover, bats participate in the epizootic chains as the facultative hosts.

Introduction. The cases of clinical manifestation of canine babesiosis in St. Petersburg have been presented in the article. The cases of babesiosis in dogs caused by parasitizing Babesia canis and B. gibsoni have been described, including the local cases of animals infected with B. canis.

Materials and Methods. Out of 12 dogs admitted to veterinary clinics in St. Petersburg from April to October 2023, 10 were diagnosed with babesiosis caused by Вabesia canis, and 2 – by B. gibsoni.

Results. The clinical picture of babesiosis caused by parasitizing B. canis and B. gibsoni was similar. Two cases of babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni were studied. Four locally acquired cases of babesiosis in dogs were diagnosed in St. Petersburg. The clinical signs in animals varied from fever and rapidly developing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome to recurrent and long-lasting anemias of unknown etiology. The biochemical blood test had revealed the elevated level of ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and reduced level of total protein. By means of the clinical analysis, the hyperchromic anemia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined. The decisive factor in diagnosing was species-specific identification by using the real-time PCR method of fluorescence hybridization detection.

Discussion and Conclusion. The clinical picture observed in dogs infected with B. canis and B. gibsoni is similar. The course of babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni can be acute or chronic. Regardless of the region of Russia, during the period of Ixodid ticks activity, whenever the signs of fever and rapidly developing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or recurring and long-lasting anemias of unknown etiology are observed in dogs, the PCR assay for detecting pathogen DNA of Babesia, including B. gibsoni, should be done. Timely PCR diagnostics not only allows for accurate diagnosis of babesiosis but also enables monitoring the efficacy of therapy since a single treatment course may not always be efficient. For babesiosis caused by B. canis, the use of drugs containing imidocarb dipropionate proved to be efficient, whereas for B. gibsoni — the ones containing diminazene diaceturate. In cases of multisystemic intoxication caused by canine babesiosis, the plasmapheresis helps to stabilize the overall condition of an animal.

Introduction. Chronic coughing in dogs of small breeds older than 8–10 years is a complex diagnostic and therapeutic problem. These dogs are often diagnosed with heart murmurs caused by mitral valve degeneration (endocardiosis), and many of them also suffer from respiratory tract diseases. Thus, cough may be the result of one of the several different pathophysiological mechanisms. However, the available literature does not provide data on the incidence of inflammation processes in respiratory tract of dogs with tracheal collapse and endocardiosis. The aim of this research is to determine the presence or absence of respiratory tract infections or inflammations in dogs with tracheal collapse and compensated endocardiosis.

Materials and Methods. Dogs with asymptomatic endocardiosis, chronic cough, moderate tracheal collapse and moderate congestion in pulmonary circulation were selected for the study. A total of 27 dogs of small breeds met these criteria. All dogs underwent a complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile test, urine analysis, radiography of the neck and chest in three projections. The criteria for excluding dogs from the study were detection of decompensated heart diseases, neoplasms or systemic diseases, as well as X-ray detection of any patterns other than bronchial pattern and that indicating the tracheal collapse. In the absence of contraindications to anaesthesia, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed under anaesthesia for further assessment of tracheal collapse degree. The sample obtained with BAL underwent cytological and bacteriological examination. The collapse of trachea and of all visible bronchi was assessed in a subjective way as absent, mild, moderate or severe. The degree of tracheal collapse was determined in accordance with a pre-specified scheme based on the percentage of the tracheal or bronchial lumen diameter reduction at its narrowest point from 50% to 30% of its estimated diameter.

Results. Along with the neutrophilic inflammation present in most dogs, mixed and lymphocytic inflammations were also diagnosed. The cytological analysis of BAL fluid revealed that non-degenerate neutrophils were the predominant cells in 13 dogs (48%); macrophages (15%) were the predominant cells in 4 dogs; and lymphocytes (11%) were the predominant cells in 3 dogs, corresponding to neutrophilic, macrophage and lymphocytic inflammations, respectively. In three dogs with neutrophilic inflammation, the degenerative changes in neutrophils and phagocytic bacteria were observed, and inoculation to medium resulted in isolation of Escherichia coli in 2 dogs and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 1 dog. Aseptic mixed inflammation was observed in 7 dogs (26%).

Discussion and Conclusion: Aseptic inflammation of the respiratory tract was common in a group of dogs with subclinical endocardiosis and moderate tracheal collapse. The main cause of coughing remains unclear, whether it is caused by the collapse of the upper respiratory tract or persistent aseptic inflammation? Further research, observation and control over inflammation in dogs with endocardiosis are needed.

Introduction. The main cause of chronic coughing in dogs with endocardiosis is the simultaneous occurrence of chronic bronchitis and airway collapse. Oral administration of topical corticosteroids quickly improves the clinical signs in animals, but after their administration is stopped, the undesirable signs resume. The authors deem it necessary to study the inhaled administration of corticosteroids, which, in contrast to oral administration, delivers the drug directly to the airways reducing the number of systemic side effects. The aim of the present research is to determine the efficacy and safety of inhaled administration of topical corticosteroids in the frame of controlling chronic coughing in dogs with endocardiosis and congestive heart failure.

Materials and Methods. In total, 19 dogs of small breeds with endocardiosis, congestive heart failure (CHF) and a history of chronic coughing during more than three months were included in the research. The age of the animals ranged from 7 to 15 years, an average age was 12.3 years. All dogs underwent a complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile test, urinalysis, radiography of the neck and chest in three projections, and an echocardiography. Dogs with detected systemic diseases were excluded from the research. All dogs were prescribed fluticasone inhalations: one inhalation of 6–8 inhales 2 times a day using an AeroDawg-type inhaler spacer. Every 7 days during 35 days, the owners were completing a questionnaire on cough characteristics. Clinical examination of animals was carried out every 7 days including auscultation and ultrasound examination of the chest to detect the pulmonary edema and fluid in the chest. For early detection of CHF decompensation, the following indices were assessed by means of echocardiography: left atrium-to-aorta ratio; left ventricular internal diastolic diameter; ejection fraction of the left ventricle and left ventricular contraction.

Results. Inhaled administration of fluticasone has improved the quality of life of dogs — a positive effect has been noticed in animals already from the second week of treatment, and by the 21st day the stabilization of the patients' condition has been recorded. Coughing in general, as well as individual frequency, duration and severity of cough have decreased to minimum. Also, treatment with fluticasone has proved its safety, because within 35 days neither left ventricular systolic function impairment nor lung congestion increase, nor signs of pulmonary edema have been detected.

Discussion and Conclusion. The research results have proved the efficacy and safety of inhaled fluticasone in the frame of controlling coughing in dogs with endocardiosis and congestive heart failure. However, since treatment with fluticasone was evaluated only for 35 days, further studies with a longer observation period are necessary to exclude the possibility of cardiovascular complications.

Introduction. Canine mammary gland tumour is a widespread pathology registered in 20–30% of all the cases admitted to the veterinary clinics. Malignant mammary gland neoplasms cause the specific structural changes in the tissue, with the specific morphological transformations of the cellular, nuclear, parenchymatous-stromal and vascular components. However, currently, in the world there are no extensive and in-depth studies in this field, therefore the laboratory diagnostics of tumours using the examination of the morphometric parameters is difficult or impossible. The aim of the present research is to establish the significant morphometric parameters enabling differentiation of the histological types of canine mammary gland tumours in the course of diagnostics.

Materials and Methods. The research was conducted from 2022 to 2023 and based on investigation of the excisional biopsy specimens (n=15) obtained after unilateral mastectomy in dogs. The review specimens demonstrated the signs of three main histological types of tumour, which formed the respective groups: tubular (n=5), medullary (n=5) and solid (n=5). The sample of the studied histological types represented by three groups was subdivided into the main categories of morphometric parameters – cellular and nuclear (tubular (n=995), medullary (n=995), solid (n=995)), parenchymatousstromal (tubular (n=154), medullary (n=154), solid (n=154)) and vascular (tubular (n=1233), medullary (n=1233), solid (n=1233)). To establish the statistically significant differences among the studied parameters, a single-factor analysis of variance and its non-parametric analogue — the Kruskal-Wallis test, were used. The obtained results were analysed by interpretation of the calculated F-test.

Results. The area of the medullary carcinoma nuclei was larger compared to the tubular (p<0.01) and solid (p=0.000), the size of tubular carcinoma nuclei was larger than that of the solid (p=0.000). The highest nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio was determined in medullary carcinoma (p=0.000), the lowest — in solid carcinoma (p=0.000). The diameter of solid carcinoma vessels exceeded that of tubular (p=0.000) and medullary (p=0.000), and the diameter of tubular carcinoma vessels was slightly larger than that of medullary (p=0.001).

Discussion and Conclusion. All the studied histological types of tumours had statistically significant differences, which makes it possible to differentiate them when examining the morphometric parameters of the tissue. However, not all of the formed categories of morphometric parameters had demonstrated the statistical significance and require further study. The parenchymatous-stromal category of morphometric parameters had the least efficient differential properties. The cellular and nuclear category showed the greatest differential value due to availability of the specific differences distinguishable among all other tumour types. The most significant morphometric parameters in this group were the area of the nucleus and the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. The vascular category of parameters turned out to be highly specific and, therefore, the second diagnostically significant category of morphometric parameters. In this category of parameters, the vessel diameter proved to be of the greatest diagnostic value.

Introduction. Protein metabolism disorder (dysproteinemia) in dry and freshly calved cows often becomes a complicating factor during mastitis and endometritis and leads to the animal's liveweight decrease. Timely detection of physiological disorders and diseases in the highly productive animals by means of a biochemical blood test is the basic method to preserve the optimal indicators of herd productivity and prevent the economic losses, however, this issue is insufficiently followed up in the dairy farms. The aim of the present research is to analyse the protein metabolism in highly productive Holstein cows by biochemical parameters for timely prevention of the dysproteinemia and pathologies of the reproductive system.

Materials and Methods. The research was carried out in the conditions of a large dairy farm in the Central district of the Russian Federation in the period from March to June 2019. The objects of the research were 45 highly productive Holstein cows (dry, freshly calved and milking cows — 15 heads in each group). To analyse the protein metabolism and inflammatory processes in the tissues and organs of dry and freshly calved cows, the following biochemical blood parameters were studied: total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, transferase enzymes — ASAT and ALAT. The analysis was carried out by comparing the results obtained with the normal values of physiological parameters.

Results. In 5 out of 15 dry cows, the albumin level was 5.3–16% lower, and in freshly calved cows it corresponded to the lower limit of the physiological norm values. The total protein in the blood of the freshly calved cows was lower than normal by 20–23%, on average. The concentration of urea in blood of all cows under research was reduced by 1.5– 2.5 times, creatinine was 2–2.5 times elevated (56–89%). The ASAT enzyme activity in 75% of dry and in all freshly calved cows was 2–4 times higher. The reserve alkalinity parameter was 0,6–2,4 times less than the physiological norm values in all animals under research.

Discussion and Conclusion. During the research it was found that the compliance of the protein level in the diet of productive animals with the biological needs of their organisms should be determined by the concentration of total protein and albumin in the blood serum, and dysproteinemia and various pathologies of the reproductive system — by the content of urea, creatinine and activity of the aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) enzyme.

Introduction. Aquaculture is currently recognised as the most rapidly developing branch of agriculture. Various feed additives enable reduction of the negative impact of the production intensification measures on the hydrobionts and improve their immune status. The natural additives with sorption properties are of particular interest, they are environmentally friendly and cause no dependence. Humic acids, zeolites, aluminosilicates, charcoal, etc. are used as the sorption feed additives for fish. It is necessary not only to find a substance possessing the sorption properties that can be used as a feed additive, but also to determine its dosage, interaction with feed ingredients and other preparations, as well as its safety. The existing publications in the foreign and native scientific literature describe the research held in the certain hydrobionts species on inclusion in their diet of the certain sorption feed additives for a limited period of time. However, in the scientific literature, the review papers analysing the use of such feed additives in aquaculture are not available yet. The objective of the present review is to summarise the data available in the literature on the results of using the feed additives with sorption properties in fish farming.

Materials and Methods. To achieve the set objective, a search for the articles published on this topic in the period from 2006 to 2023 in the eLIBRARY.RU, PubMed databases was carried out by the keywords: feed additives in fish farming, fish feeding, feed additives with sorption properties, charcoal, zeolites, humic acids, chitosan, silica, opoka in the feed for hydrobionts. Only sources in Russian and English languages were included in the search. The papers that passed screening were analysed, systematized and presented in the form of a table, chart and PRISMA flow chart.

Results. The search yielded with 55 articles, which were included in this review. The information was systematized by the thematic units according to the substances used as feed additives and possessing the sorption properties. It was revealed that the most frequently used sorbents for both freshwater and marine fish were: active feed additive made of charcoal, zeolites, humic acids, humates. The main purposes for using the sorption feed additives were improving the physiological parameters of fish organisms and increasing the profitability of production. According to the literature sources, the natural sorbents were less often added directly to water.

Discussion and Conclusion. The summarised data obtained as a result of the review allow us to consider the feed additives with sorption properties as having a good perspective for implementation into fish farming. However, in the numerous studies conducted by the native and foreign authors, the dosages of sorbents included in the diet of the most of fish farming objects are not specified, the mechanism of their impact on fish is poorly studied, as well as there is no information on the duration and frequency of using the sorption feed additives in conditions of the industrial production, the reliable data on non-toxicity, synergism or antagonism of co-usage of the various feed additives is not available either. Thus, a more extensive work in this direction is required.

Introduction. According to statistics, rabies causes death of almost 59,000 people per year worldwide, but information about the cases of rabies in animals and people in the Middle East is scarce and not always reliable, whereas the region is deemed to be one of the most troublesome in terms of rabies, that makes the present research relevant. The aim of the review is to summarize the data from the literature sources published in the English language referring to the causes of rabies spread in the Middle East, methods of control of this highly dangerous infectious disease and the issues of prophylaxis measures efficiency.

Materials and Methods. The search for the material for reviewing was conducted in the electronic libraries PubMed, Web of Science, MDPI.com, etc. The search covered the sources published during the last 15 years in the English language only. The search was conducted by the keywords: rabies, Middle East, spread, prophylaxis, vaccination. The material that passed screening was analysed, systematised, and presented in a form of a figure, table, and PRISMA flow chart.

Results. The review has led to the conclusion that the situation with rabies spread in the Middle East is not uniform. Thus, Cyprus, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are recognised as rabies free, which is mainly due to the (semi)isolated geographical location of some of these countries. In the majority of the Middle East countries, the situation is far from being favourable: people undergo a high risk of getting infected by both dogs and wild animals. The main methods of control of this zoonosis that could be emphasized are those targeted at raising awareness of the population about the deadly danger of this infectious disease, the modes of its transmission, symptoms and the importance of timely preventive vaccination of people and domestic animals.

Discussion and Conclusions. On the whole, the aim of the conducted review on summarising the existing information on the causes of rabies spread in the Middle East and the main methods of control of this disease including the prophylaxis methods has been achieved. However, even though the review sample was quite big, in our opinion, the selected sources do not always truly reflect the situation concerning rabies in the studied territory. This can be explained by the objective and subjective reasons. The former include, for example, the instability of the epizootic and geopolitical situation, which hinders collection and analysis of statistical veterinary and medical reports. Among the subjective reasons, the considerable rabies incidence in the wild animals could be named, which ends in their death and is hardly ever recorded anywhere. The key aspect of prophylaxis is vaccination of animals and people against rabies. Despite all difficulties, it is necessary to ensure the availability of Human Rabies Immune Globulin and vaccines for animals in sufficient quantities in the Middle East countries.