Marijana Vučinić

INFLUENCE OF BREED, GENDER, REPRODUCTIVE STATUS AND ORIGIN ON NOISE RELATED FEARS IN THE BELGRADE POPULATION OF DOGS

The prevalence of canine noise-related fears was studied by the questionnaire method of dogs’ owners from different part of Belgrade. Dog-owners (N=147) were chosen from a variety of sources (permissive municipal areas and parks for walking of dogs, dog shows and exhibitions and veterinary surgeries for small animal practice). Owners indicated noise-related fears in 59 dogs (40.14%). Twenty-six (17.69%) of them were mixed breed dogs and 33 (22.45%) were pure breed dogs. Noise-related fears were indicated in 25 females (17.01%) and in 34 (23.13%) males and, in 27 (18.37%) intact and 32 (21.77%) neutered dogs. From 59 dogs with noise-related fears 13 of them (8.84%) were directly purchased from breeders and 46 (31.30%) were obtained from other sources. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in the rate of noise-related fears between the dogs directly purchased from breeders and dogs obtained from other sources.

Feeding behavior of stray dogs in a municipal shelter

Feeding time of stray dogs on the first, second, third, fifth and seventh day of captivity in a municipal shelter was studied. The average value of the feeding time of dogs decreased from the first day (429.07±107.08 seconds) to the third day in captivity when it reached the lowest average value (229.53±95.18 seconds). The feeding time of dogs on the third day in captivity differs significantly from the same parameter on the first (429.07±107.08 seconds) and second day (372.73±100.58 seconds) in captivity (p<0.01). The highest average value of feeding time of stray dogs in the shelter was recorded on the first day. On the fifth and seventh day the feeding time of dogs increased compared to the third day. However, there were no significant differences of the average value of feeding time on the third day comparing with the fifth day (260.8±111.06 seconds) or the seventh day (301.33±119.89 seconds). Dogs ate their food more slowly on the fifth and the seventh day than on the third day, but more quickly than on the first and the second day (372.73±100.58 seconds). Significant differences were estimated comparing the feeding time of dogs on the first day with the third (p<0.01), fifth (p<0.01), and seventh day (p<0.05) of housing in the municipal shelter. Also, the feeding time of dogs on the second day differed significantly from the third (p<0.01) and the fifth day (p<0.05).

The Effect of Carvacrol on Inflammatory Pain and Motor Coordination in Rats

Abstract Carvacrol is a monoterpenic phenol and an active ingredient of the plant essential oils of the family Lamiaceae. We have investigated the analgesic effect of carvacrol, the possible dependence of the effect in relation to animal sex, and the impact of carvacrol on motor coordination in rats. Hyperalgesia was induced by formalin (1.5%), which was administered SC in the upper lip of rat. Hyperalgesia and effects of carvacrol and indomethacin were measured by using the orofacial formalin test. The influence on motor coordination in animals treated with carvacrol was investigated by using the rota-rod test. Carvacrol administered PO in pre-treatment (45 min. prior to formalin) at a single dose of 50, 75 and 100 mg /kg BW, in the male, 50 and 100 mg /kg BW, in female rats caused a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect. This effect of carvacrol was significantly higher (P<0.01, P<0.001) in male rats. Compared with indomethacin administered during pre-treatment (2 mg/kg, PO), carvacrol (100 mg/kg) exhibits significantly higher (P <0.05 and P <0.001) antinociceptive effect on formalininduced hyperalgesia in male rats. In the rota-rod test carvacrol did not disturb the motor coordination in male rats, nor the dose of carvacrol with clear antinociceptive properties exhibited depressive effect on the CNS of treated rats. Keeping in mind that the monoterpene carvacrol is of plant origin, with potentially less side effects and without residues, it is realistic to expect the possibility of its therapeutic use in the treatment of inflammatory pain in animals.

VISIBLY MARKED AND MICROCHIPPED LOST DOGS HAVE A HIGHER CHANCE TO FIND THEIR OWNERS IN BELGRADE

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyse the demographic characteristics of lost and found dogs in Belgrade, Serbia. The demographic data concerning the 246 lost and 81 found dogs in the period of 5 consecutive years (January, 2009 to January 2014) was sampled and analysed from the data bases of four organizations for animal protection in Belgrade. The recovery rate of lost dogs and the chance to be reunited again with their owners was 33%. The highest recovery rate was estimated in the category of lost dogs with visible marks such as tags or collars (30%).The chi-square test disclosed that besides dogs with special visible marks, significantly more females, light colour coated, friendly/sociable and neutered dogs were reunited with their owners (P<0.0001).

Effects of Fish Meal Replacement by Red Earthworm (Lumbricus Rubellus) Meal on Broilers’ Performance and Health / Uticaj Supstitucije Ribljeg Brašna Brašnom Kalifornijske Gliste (Lumbricus Rubellus) Na Proizvodne Rezultate I Zdravstveno Stanje Brojlera

Abstract The research was performed to determine the nutritive value of raw earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) and dried earthworm powder, or earthworm meal (EM). In addition, the effects of a diet in which fish meal was substituted with EM or fresh earthworms on the health and productive performance of broilers were monitored. The experiment, which lasted 42 days, was conducted on one hundred Hybro G broilers divided into four equal groups. The control group was fed a standard feed, whereas, the first and the second one were given diets in which 50% or 100% of fish meal had been substituted with EM. The third experimental group received no fish meal but was given fresh earthworms ad libitum. The results of chemical analyses showed that earthworm meal contained 41.42% proteins (in dry matter) and satisfactory amounts of amino acids. Microbiological examination and tests for heavy metals suggest that earthworm meal and fresh earthworms did not contain heavy metals and harmful bacteria. Therefore, these feeds may be considered suitable for chickens. In the experiment as a whole no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the productive performance between the experimental groups of broiler chickens. These results suggest that dehydrated earthworm meal can be an adequate substitute for fish meal in the broilers’ feed. Ispitivana je hranljiva vrednost glista (Lumbricus rubellus) i brašna dobijenog od njih, kao i uticaj ishrane smešama u kojima je izvršena zamena ribljeg brašna brašnom od glista ili svežim glistama, na zdravstveno stanje i proizvodne rezultate brojlera. Ogled izveden na četiri grupe brojlera Hybro G provenijence trajao je 42 dana. Brojleri kontrolne grupe dobijali su hranu standardnog sirovinskog i hemijskog sastava. U prvoj i drugoj eksperimentalnoj grupi riblje brašno u smeši za ishranu bilo je zamenjeno brašnom od glista, i to u količini od 50% u prvoj i 100% u drugoj. Treća grupa hranjena je smešama iz kojih je potpuno isključeno riblje brašno, uz dodatak svežih glista ad libitum. Rezultati hemijskih analiza pokazali su da brašno od glista sadrži 41,42% proteina (računato na SM) i zadovoljavajuću količinu amino kiselina. Na osnovu ispitivanja sadržaja teških metala i bakterioloških analiza, utvrđeno je da brašno dehidrovanih glista i sveže gliste predstavljaju higijenski ispravno hranivo i da ne sadrži teške metale i štetne mikroorganizme. Analizom proizvodnih rezultata dobijenih u ogledu kao celini nije utvrđena statistički značajna razlika između grupa (p>0.05). Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da zamena ribljeg brašna u ishrani brojlera brašnom dobijenim od dehidrovanih glista predstavlja realnu mogućnost

Carvacrol importance in veterinary and human medicine as ecologic insecticide and acaricide

Carvacrol is an active ingredient of essential oils from different plants, mainly from oregano and thyme species. It poseses biocidal activity agains many artropodes of the importance for veterinary and human medicine. Carvacrol acts as repelent, larvicide, insecticide and acaricide. It acts against pest artropodes such as those that serve as mechanical or biological vectors for many causal agents of viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases for animals and humans. Therefore, it may be used not only in pest arthropodes control but in vector borne diseases control, too. In the paper carvacrol bioactivity against mosquitoes, house flies, cockroaches, ticks and mites are described. Potencial modes of carvacrol action on artropodes are given, too. Carvacrol reachs its biotoxicity against arthropodes alone or in combination with other active ingredients from the same plant of its origin, such as tymol, cymen or others. The paper explains reasons for frequently investigations on essential oils and other natural products of plant origin to their biotoxicity against food stored pest or pest of medicinal importance, as well as, needs for their use in agriculture, veterinary and human medicine.

Comparison of stress level indicators in blood of free-roaming dogs after transportation and housing in the new environment

ABSTRACT Animal welfare is of increasing importance and minimizing the stress is one of its prerequisites. Transport and new uncontrollable or unpredictable social environment are stressful for dogs and can affect their welfare. Particular unpleasant situations for free-roaming dogs include their capture in public areas and caging during the transport, vehicle vibrations, traffic noise, unknown environment, unloading and restricted housing condition. The new environment for free-roaming dogs presents potentially stressful novel experiences, such as new surroundings, unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells and unfamiliar people and other dogs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of transport and housing in the new environment on blood parameters (cortisol, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, and leukocyte count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) of 40 free-roaming dogs. Glucose concentration, leukocyte and neutrophil counts, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were significantly higher (P < 0.001; P < 0.01) after transport in comparison with the level of the same parameters detected in dogs after housing in the new environment. Cortisol, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and lymphocyte count were also increased immediately after the transport compared to the levels 24 h after when the dogs were housed in the new environment; yet, these differences were not statistically significant. Accordingly, study results indicate that the transport itself was more stressful for free-roaming dogs than their housing in the new environment.

Cytogenetic changes in human lymphocytes induced by alphachlorhydrine

This paper deals with the results of the investigation carried out with regard to genotoxic properties of Alphachlorhydrine administered at doses of 7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg of cell culture-human lymphocytes, during an exposition time of three days, under in vitro conditions. The assessment of the genotoxic effects of the tested chemosterilants was performed on the basis of numerical and structural aberrations in three experimental groups, in addition to one control group for each dose. On the basis of the obtained results it can be conculded that Alphachlorhydrine, administered in the abovementioned doses, induced genotoxic effects on human lymphocyte cells. The number of numeric aberrations increased with a dose increase, and the statistical analysis showed significant differences (p<0.01) in relation to the control group, but not between the applied doses (p<0.05). Analysis of the obtained results demonstarted that a dose increase during the same exposition time, resulted in a statistically significant increase (p<0.01) of structural aberrations in human lymphocyte cells; the highest level being achieved with the highest administered dose (30 mg/kg c.c.). As for Robertsonian translocations, there was a statistical significance with relation to the control group only in the case of the highest administered dose (30 mg/kg c.c.). Statistically significant differences (p<0.01) were recorded between the 30 mg/kg c.c. and 7.5 mg/kg c.c. doses. Also there were statistically significant differences between the levels of gaps and fragments in comparison to Robertsonian translocations (p<0.01); while the numbers of gaps and fragments were not significantly different.