In our study, we confirmed the increasing trend for G+ bacteria in blood cultures but G- still predominate. The percentage of nonsurviving septic foals was high.

Data on the numbers of Pekin ducks transported to slaughterhouses between 2009 and 2014 and the numbers of ducks that died during these transports were recorded in cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic. In the monitored period, a total of 12,327,017 ducks were transported, of which 9,545 (0.077%) died. The levels of transport-related mortality over these years varied significantly (P < 0.001); the lowest mortality was observed in 2011 (0.059%) and the highest in 2013 (0.089%). The impact of distance on transport-related mortality in ducks was demonstrated. The lowest transport-related mortality (0.052%) was found for distances shorter than 50 km. It was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the mortality rates connected with longer journeys. The greatest mortality rates were found for transport distances of 101-200 km (0.105%). In addition, the season of the year significantly affected transport-related mortality in Pekin ducks. The highest death losses were found in the summer (0.090%). Death losses of ducks connected with summer transports were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in comparison with transport-related mortality rates in any other season of the year. The lowest death losses were found in duck transports carried out in the autumn and winter (0.069% and 0.072%, respectively) with no significant difference between those two seasons. Shortening transport distances and maintaining a suitable micro-climate inside transport vehicles especially in the summer are thus two important factors that can contribute to reducing transportrelated mortality in Pekin ducks in commercial practice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate data on doping controls in racehorses over a given ten-year period, primarily to identify positive findings and to summarise recommendations for the prevention of accidental contamination with prohibited substances, where appropriate. Data on doping controls of racehorses in the Czech Republic from 2010 to 2019 were obtained from the archives of the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic. For each year, the total number of horses starting at races held in the Czech Republic, the number of horses tested, and the results of the doping controls were determined. Data on the type of samples, positive findings and statements from responsible persons about the cause of the positive finding were recorded. During the monitoring period, 11,852 horses competed in races in the Czech Republic and 641 of them underwent a doping control. Blood was taken from 356 horses as the sample for testing and urine was collected from 285 horses. A total of 13 positive findings (2.03% of the 641 tested) were found during the period, namely of morphine, caffeine, theobromine, omeprazole sulphide, furosemide, clenbuterol, norketamine, ritalinic acid, dexamethasone, flunixin, hydroxylidocaine and oripavine. The most common cause, in a total of seven horses, was confirmed as suspected feed contamination. Prevention of positive doping results in our circumstances should therefore be directed primarily towards compliance with proper feed and stable management.