Tick-borne diseases pose a serious threat to human health in South-Eastern Europe, including Kosovo. While Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a well-known emerging infection in this area, there are no accurate data on Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Therefore, we sampled and tested 795 ticks. Ixodes ricinus (n = 218), Dermacentor marginatus (n = 98), and Haemaphysalis spp. (n = 24) were collected from the environment by flagging (all from Kosovo), while Hyalomma marginatum (n = 199 from Kosovo, all from Kosovo) and Rhipicephalus bursa (n = 130, 126 from Albania) could be collected only by removal from animal pasture and domestic ruminants. Ticks were collected in the years 2014/2015 and tested for viral RNA of CCHF and TBE viruses, as well as for DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by real-time PCR. In Kosovo, nine ticks were positive for RNA of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and seven for DNA of B. burgdorferi s. l. None of the ticks tested positive for TBEV. CCHF virus was detected in one H. marginatum male specimen collected while feeding on grazing cattle from the Prizren region and in eight R. bursa specimens (five females and three males collected while feeding on grazing sheep and cattle) from the Prishtina region (Kosovo). B. burgdorferi s. l. was detected in seven questing ticks (four male and one female D. marginatus, two I. ricinus one female and one male) from the Mitrovica region (Kosovo). Our study confirmed that CCHF virus is circulating in Kosovo mainly in H. marginatum and R. bursa in the central areas of the country. B. burgdorferi s. l. was found in its major European host tick, I. ricinus, but also in D. marginatus, in the north of the Kosovo. In order to prevent the spread of these diseases and better control of the tick-borne infections, an improved vector surveillance and testing of ticks for the presence of pathogens needs to be established.

This study was aimed for the evaluation of somatic cell count (SCC), physicochemical, and microbiological parameters during the end of lactation in the raw milk of Alpine and native Red goat breed. In the experiment, 102 milk samples from Alpine and native Red goats were included. Two different groups within the same breed were analyzed: a group consisting of animals in their first lactation and the second group consisting of animals from the fifth lactation. The milk samples were individually and daily collected during late lactation for three consecutive weeks, and milk fat, protein, lactose, SCC, and total bacteria with enterobacteria were assessed. Fresh milk of goats from late lactation period had a number of somatic cells (SC) within the expected value with log10 of 5.8–6.18 cells/ml for the compared groups. In both breeds, the total mesophilic bacteria were fewer in numbers, however, in the native Red goat, a larger population of such bacteria was enumerated. The number of coliforms and enterobacteria was below 100 cfu/ml. In the current study, we were able to show a significant difference among the studied breeds depending on lactation and season for fat (p = 0.002), but not for lactose and protein content. A positive correlation for total protein (TP), lactose, and fat as well as for lactose and SCC was found in the native Red goat breed. In the Alpine goat breed, a strong positive correlation (0.821**) was found for lactose and enterobacteria count (EC). In conclusion, these findings evaluate different goat milk parameters during late lactation period and provide an indirect measure to monitor goat mammary gland health for both breeds.

The ewes follow the seasonal reproductive pattern which in the climate conditions of Kosovo means that the sexual activity is manifested from Junе to August. We assessed the efficiency of two hormonal protocols for the oestrus synchronization in ewes out of the sexual season (during March-April 2012). For this reason two experimental groups, each comprised of 50 Sharr breed ewes, are formed. The both groups had the same breeding and physiological status (all are over 60 days after parturition) as well as management conditions. The treatment for the first group was comprised of progestаgen vaginal sponge insertion (Fluor Geston Acetate, 40 mg, Intervet®) for 14 days and the 500 IU of eCG (equine Chorionic Gonadotropin), Foligon (Intervet®), i/m were applied at the time of vaginal sponge removal. The second group followed the similar protocol, but they were additionally treated with 0.1 mg/ewe gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; Fertagyl, Intervet®) 36 h after the eCG application. The oestrus was detected by presentation of the ewes to ram 48 h after the vaginal device was removed. The presented ewes were mated twice in the interval of 12 hours. From the data of the study we have the rate that induced oestrus for the both groups was 94 % and 96 % respectively (P>0.05). We believe that combining hormonal treatment following an accurate methodology delivers very good results in inducing and synchronizing the estrus out of the mating season in sheep.

The health of dairy cows is an important factor affecting the profitability of dairy farms worldwide, and lameness is regarded as one of the most costly dairy cattle diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic cost of cow lameness among Kosovo dairy farms. Data collected from 56 dairy farms were analysed with a farm-level stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation model to estimate the cost of lameness. Lameness-associated sources of economic loss examined within the model included: reduced milk production, treatment cost, discarded milk, reduced cow body weight, and premature culling. Results showed that prevalence of lameness among cows on Kosovo dairy farms ranged from 17% to 39%. The average annual cost of lameness was estimated at €338.57 per farm (or €46.25 per cow). Reduced milk production was the largest financial contribution to the cost of lameness (45% of total economic loss) followed by premature culling (31% of total economic loss). Discarded milk, reduced cow body weight, and cost of treatment each contributed approximately 8% to the total economic loss. These findings indicate that dairy farmers need to be more cognizant of the financial losses associated with lameness and should be encouraged to implement management strategies to reduce lameness as a means of enhancing farm profitability.

Pregnancy diagnosis is an essential part of fertility management in cattle. Early detection of pregnancy 21 days after artificial insemination (AI) allows for early recognition and rebreeding of non-pregnant animals with a minimum delay, which benefits the economic interest for farmers. Rapid progesterone P4 tests are widely used in fertility management strategies, yet there is limited data about the efficiency of tests for P4 measurements in cow’s milk. By measuring P4 concentrations in the milk of different breeds: Red Holstein, Black-Holstein, Simmental, and local crossbreeds, this study aimed to assess the practical application and efficiency of an early and rapid pregnancy detection test from cow’s milk. The study was conducted in 2017–2018 and milk samples were taken from animals at day 21 after artificial insemination (AI) to diagnose pregnancy. The test indicated that of the total cows (n=400) included in this study, 69% were pregnant and 31% were not pregnant, as interpreted based on the P4 Rapid (Ridgeway Science UK) test results. Accuracy of the early diagnosis was verified 60 days after AI (without further AI of cows) by rectal palpation. Based on this examination, 263 (66%) cows were diagnosed as pregnant, while 14 (34%) were diagnosed as non-pregnant. The highest accuracy in pregnancy detection was found in the local crossbreeds and the Simmental breed, with 97% correct diagnosis of cows, followed by Red Holstein with 94% and Black Holstein with an accuracy of 90%. This study showed that the use of progesterone P4 rapid tests in milk samples is an effective, fast and accurate method for the early detection of pregnancy in cows, with an accuracy rate of 90 to 97% based on cattle breed.