Marijan Grubešić

Hematology and serum biochemistry of European mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) in Croatia.

The aim of the present study was to determine the reference intervals for the most commonly used hematological and biochemical parameters of European mouflon from a closed hunting ground in the eastern part of the Republic of Croatia. Blood samples were collected from 39 live, physically restrained, clinically normal European mouflon, as well as from 50 domestic sheep. The distribution of values within each parameter was determined and statistical differences in values between sexes were also determined. For each sample, 14 hematological and 18 biochemical parameters were analyzed. Hematology and biochemistry values of the European mouflon were also compared with the values of domestic sheep. In further studies, the established values might be useful for the health assessment of mouflon.

Malposition and loss of the left mandibular permanent canine in a male wild boar (Sus scrofa L.)

Few cases of pathological alterations of the continuously growing, rootless permanent canines (tusks) of male wild boars have been described in the scientific literature. In this paper we present a case of loss of the left mandibular permanent canine in a male wild boar from the Slovak Republic. The opening of the canine’s alveolus was misplaced posteriorly, which was evidence of a malposition of the tooth. The boar’s left maxillary tusk showed overgrowth and lacked a distinct wear surface, indicating that it had not been in contact with the left mandibular tusk due to the latter’s malposition. Our findings suggest that the left mandibular tusk had also shown overgrowth. It is supposed that malposition and overgrowth increased the tusk’s risk of being damaged, and that a strong mechanical impact caused a complete or incomplete fracture of the tooth. It is further supposed that infection and inflammation of the tusk’s pulp occurred as sequelae of the fracture. The spread of the infection and inflammation through the large opening at the tusk’s growing end then led to chronic osteomyelitis of the surrounding mandibular bone. In the course of the disease process, the tusk or its remnant was shed from the mandible.

Stichorchis subtriquetrus in European beaver from Croatia: first report

Since 1996, European beavers (Castor fiber) have been reintroduced from Germany to Croatia. However, little is known about the health status of the established population. Necropsy of a 2-year-old female European beaver, which died from a car accident, revealed 28 adult trematodes in the preserved fragments of the colon and in the peritoneal cavity. All of them were identified as Stichorchis subtriquetrus. The typical location of these parasites is the large intestine, and the finding of several specimens in the peritoneal cavity can be explained by the severe trauma. We assume that the trematode was introduced to Croatia along with the beavers. Furthermore, it is very probable that the life cycle can be completed as the intermediate hosts are part of the local fauna. This is the first record of S. subtriquetrus in Croatia.