The control of mastitis is a crucial step in the preparation of the next lactation in dairy cows. In order to assess the practices and attitudes surrounding the use of antimicrobials at dry-off, a survey was conducted among veterinary practitioners in fifteen provinces of Northern Algeria. The results revealed that 45.95% of the farms followed by the respondents were rather small in size comprising about ten cows per farm and that a large majority of the farmers practised gradual drying off (72.97%) without adjusting the feed ration (70.27%) to this stage. Antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) was a common practice and selectively performed in 86.49% of cases regardless of udder health status. Cefalexin was the most infused intra-mammary (IMM) antibiotic (40.54%), while tylosin was the one favoured for parenteral administration (48.15%). Analysis of factors influencing the antibiotic DCT efficacy showed that a frequent (13.51%) occurrence of new intramammary infections (IMIs) was related to farmers’ attitudes (self-medication) and the policy of blanket DCT. Although the use of a teat sealant was uncommon (71.43%) in the farming traditions, the substitution of antibiotics seems to be a plausible prospect, since the majority of participants (89.19%) agreed with the implementation of aromatherapy concept at dry-off, mainly as a complement to antibiotics. This survey gives an overview of risk practices regarding mastitis management in northern Algeria. Hence, further zootechnical, veterinary and organizational efforts need to be made to promote animal production and welfare as well as public health through improved udder health.

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This report describes the handling and clinical evolution of a malignant feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) in an eight-year-old female crossbred cat with a congenital disorder. Hence, the efficacy of tumor mass removal and the case prognosis was established by postoperative routine histological examination. A 6 cm diameter lump in the left thoracic mammary gland of multinodular appearance and purulent exudate with a reddish hue was excised after the entire mastectomy. The histopathological analysis showed the presence of numerous lymphovascular tumor emboli and frequently mitotic cells with hyperchromatic nuclei. These were consistent with an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis explaining the patient's death within 7 weeks after surgery. Histology and cytology findings are of critical importance to clinicians in the management of the most common mammary malignancies in cats, to provide the best possible relief to animals with life-threatening cancer. It could also serve as a cancer model for advancing knowledge in congenitally affected humans.