Several local studies have examined evidence of blood parasites in different animals in Mosul; however, information about the most prevalent parasite and the seasonality of the infection remains limited. The objective of the study conducted here was to investigate the proportion and seasonality of blood parasites in animals in Mosul using the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Lab data. Laboratory records for a period of 25 months were used for data retrieval. In all included animals, Giemsa-stained blood smears were examined by an attending clinical pathologist for the presence of parasites. Seasons were assigned on a basis of examination date, and the seasonality was quantified by estimating season-to-season ratio. The results indicated that 61.77% of examined animals were tested positive for blood parasites. The most evident parasites were Trypanosoma spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and then Anaplasma spp., with evidence of mixed infection. The odds of the infection did not significantly vary in different age groups. There was a marked linear pattern in the seasonality of the infection with Trypanosoma spp. and Anaplasma spp. An increase of the infection during spring and autumn with Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. was also evident. In conclusion, infection with blood parasites in different animals in Mosul is common with substantial burden, the effect of age-related infection is negligible, and the seasonality of the infection is evident.

This study was focused on the detection of a new apicomplexan parasite (Plasmodium spp.) and its clinical and haematological effects during infection of domesticated water buffaloes (Bubalis bubalis) in Mosul city, Iraq. Although Plasmodium parasites of ungulates are diverse and distributed worldwide, no data are available in Iraq about any ungulate malaria, so the current investigation endea­voured to bridge this gap in the existing body of knowledge. The study included 70 cases of domesticated water buffaloes at different ages and from both sexes that were brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq. The animals were from different regions of Mosul in northern Iraq. Microscopic examination was carried out on blood smears to detect Plasmodium parasite. The nested PCR assay was also conducted using Plasmodium spp. cytochrome b gene (cytb) specific primers to confirm the infection. Results showed the presence of Plasmodium parasite in 24.28% (17/70) of cases. Plasmodium bubalis was detected by PCR in three cases from 11 buffaloes. Among infected buffaloes, the symptomatic cases of malaria were 64.5%, while only 35.5% were asymptomatic (occult) cases. Moreover, fever in 54% of cases, paleness of the mucous membranes in 36% of cases, and recumbences in 10% of cases were the clinical signs reported in symptomatic malaria cases. Anaemia and thrombocytopaenia made up the majority of the haematological abnormalities observed in malaria-infected buffaloes. This is the first report about Plasmodium bubalis in Iraqi buffaloes.

Mammary gland around parturition time shows different changes as a function of dramatic physiological adaptations of the animal for the transition period; from late pregnancy to lactation [1][2][3]. Mammary secretion undergoes a sequence of changes in ewes close to lambing [4]. Indeed, the milk secreted during this period is identified as transit milk, which is characterized by the formation of the colostrum that is subsequently changed to mature milk [5,6]. Ruminant colostrum is a thick creamy yellowish colour with a mixture of lacteal secretion containing immunoglobulins and other serum proteins, vitamins, lactoferrin, fat, and minerals [7,8].Determining the time of parturition is important for handling pregnant animals failed to show signs of parturition or suffered from dystocia [9,10]. Although the normal pregnancy period in ewes is about 140-155 days, with some individual variation according to the breed [11], different methods can be used for determination of the onset of parturition, including breeding records, ultrasonography, hormonal profile, specific proteins, changes in animal behaviour, as well as changes in the mammary gland (wet/dry udder) [12]. Lambing in some ewes, however, could be potentially missed by the owners as flocks of sheep are generally grazed in open areas where animals usually are not frequently closely M AMMARY gland and its secretion around parturition show different changes. The objective of the study conducted here was to examine the changes in the physical and chemical properties of the milk before, during, and after lambing. A total of 40 local Iraqi breed ewes, 2 to 4 years-old, confirmed pregnant by B-mode ultrasonography was used in this study.Milk was collected from each study ewe at 3 consecutive times, (i) on day 135 of pregnancy, (ii) at the time of lambing, and (iii) on day 5 postpartum. Milk examinations included colour, consistency, density, specific gravity, chloride contents, pH, light transmittance percentage, and light extinction coefficient. Results indicated changes of colour and consistency during different study periods. Milk density and specific gravity decreased as ewes approached lambing time and started lactation. Milk pH was low at the time of lambing. Mean of light transmittance percentage became zero at the time of lambing and later. The light extinction coefficient increased at the time of lambing and later. In conclusion, although signs of parturition could be simply observed, changes in milk properties can prompt owners to closely observe ewes whether they have already lambed or not.