Our study aimed to verify the hypothesis of the existence of a programming effect of parental obesity on the growth, development and mineralization of the skeletal system in female and male rat offspring on the day of weaning. The study began with the induction of obesity in female and male rats of the parental generation, using a high-energy diet (group F). Females and males of the control group received the standard diet (group S). After 90 days of dietary-induced obesity, the diet in group F was changed into the standard. Rats from groups F and S were mated to obtain offspring which stayed with their mothers until 21 days of age. Tibia was tested using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), micro-computed tomography (µCT) and mechanical strength using the three-point bending test. Biochemical analysis of blood serum bone metabolism markers was performed. DXA analysis showed higher tibia bone mineral content (BMC) and area. pQCT measurements of cortical and trabecular tissue documented the increase of the volumetric bone mineral density and BMC of both bone compartments in offspring from the F group, while µCT of the trabecular tissue showed an increase in trabecular thickness and a decrease of its separation. Parental obesity, hence, exerts a programming influence on the development of the skeletal system of the offspring on the day of the weaning, which was reflected in the intensification of mineralization and increased bone strength.

The withdrawal of antibiotic growth stimulators as of 1 January 2006 in the European Union countries has forced the search for alternative solutions to improve the health and productivity of poultry. The poultry industry also faces the challenge of developing alternative feeding systems with the restriction or exclusion of coccidiostats. One of them is the use of probiotic strains as feed additives. This study aimed to determine the effect of the use in compound feed of a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis on rearing rates and postmortem performance of broiler chickens. The experiment was performed on 8012 unsexed broiler chickens of the Ross 308 line divided into four equal groups. The experimental factors were the addition of a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis bacteria and the addition of a coccidiostat. The introduction of probiotic bacteria into compound feed did not increase the body weight of birds, in particular, control weights, and at the end of rearing, but it decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR) and mortality. Addition of probiotic in compound feed did not have a significant effect on bird muscle. The mean weight of pectoral muscle between control (C+, C–) and study (C–BL, C+C–BL) groups did not show statistically significant differences; however, the highest mean weight of the evaluated parameter was visible in the C+ group (0. 665) and the lowest in the C–BL group (0. 623). Similarly to the mean weight of the carcass, also in the mean weight of thigh muscles, the lowest statistically significant values were observed in chickens belonging to the C+C–BL group (vs. C–; P <0.05). Based on the obtained results, it can be acknowledged that the probiotic bacteria Bacillus licheniformis in broiler feed can be a good feed additive to replace antibiotics/coccidiostats. This probiotic has a positive effect on the overall health of birds, contributes to better use of nutrients and stimulates growth and development of broiler chickens.

The authors present a case report of an atypical liver vascular malformation in a cat. The lesion was diagnosed first by ultrasound, fine needle aspiration and computed tomographic examination, which revealed the presence of a thin-walled single echogenic oval structure in the caudate lobe of the liver without visible flow in Doppler examination and with content similar to blood. The echogenicity of the lesion was variable, which depended on its size and time after aspiration. Initially, atypical haemangioma was suspected. After surgical removal, histopathological examinations were performed. The final diagnosis was a benign angioproliferative lesion.

A cervical rib is a rare condition in dogs and cats, but is widely described in humans. It is a congenital disorder involving the presence of additional ribs located mainly on one side or, less often, on both sides of the seventh cervical vertebra. Cervical ribs are mostly found accidentally during chest X-rays. Occasionally, however, the presence of a cervical rib can be symptomatic: neurological, cardiovascular, or respiratory symptoms are possible. An 8-year-old Shih-tzu female was presented with a progressive monoplegia of the left thoracic limb. Computed tomography revealed cervical ribs on both sides of the seventh cervical vertebra. The patient underwent surgery treatment and fully recovered.