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Stresni događaji koji prethode klanju životinja utječu na kvalitetu mesa i u stručnim su krugovima predmet rasprava vezanih za dobrobit životinja. Uzroci stresa mogu biti rukovanje sa životinjama prije dolaska u klaonicu, istovar u nepoznatom okolišu, držanje u depou i inspekcija, te nepravilno provedeno omamljivanje i klanje. S obzirom na trajanje, možemo razlikovati akutni i kronični stres. Svaki od njih na drugačije se načine očituje u mesu. Usmrćivanje treba uzrokovati minimalni stres životinji, pa se u klaonicama trebaju osigurati humani uvjeti prije i u činu klanja. Postoji nekoliko objektivnih pokazatelja dobrobiti životinja u klaonicama, a to su: broj životinja koje se poskliznu ili padnu, broj životinja koje je potrebno poticati da se kreću, glasanje životinja i ponašanje životinja. Osnovni uzroci problema vezanih uz dobrobit u klaonicama su loša oprema i metode rada, čimbenici koji odvraćaju pažnju i time ometaju kretanje životinja, nedostatak edukacije zaposlenika u klaonicama, loše održavanje opreme i zgrada, loše stanje životinja koje dolaze u klaonicu, kao i genetičke linije životinja koje slabije podnose stres. U Hrvatskoj će primjena zakonodavstva o dobrobiti životinja biti moguća samo uz trajnu edukaciju osoblja koje radi u klaonicama.

Animals communicate to convey information that can influence the behaviour of other animals. Information can be communicated as visual, tactile, vocal, olfactory or seismic signals. Research investigating the applied approach of animal communication tends to utilize knowledge acquired in recent decades. Therefore, the present review paper describes the modalities of communication in carnivores and gives a glimpse into the communicative world of domestic dog (Canis familiaris). In the order Carnivora both social and solitary species can be found, although they are predominantly solitary. Living with humans has greatly influenced dogs’ social lives and their social organisation does not resemble the organisational level of highly social wolves. Dogs communicate more with humans than with conspecifics. For carnivores the evolutionary development of vocalisation may be influenced by their social background or the species habitat. The vocal communication of dogs consists of many different sounds, such as barking, groaning, growling, grunting, hissing, howling, mewing, panting, puffing, screaming, tooth snapping, chattering, whining, and yelping. Visual communication can include eye contact, facial expressions, ear position, tail position, fur position, body postures and movements. Nevertheless, for many dog breeds the possibility to communicate precisely is lost due to an extreme diversity in morphological characters and paedomorphosis. Olfactory signals may include urine and faecal droppings, ground scratching, anal sac secretions, general body odour, the rubbing of certain body areas on a specific object, and rolling in noxious-smelling substances. Male urination can mostly be considered as scent marking. General body odour is a product of glands on the dog’s feet, head, and anal region, the upper surface of the base of the tail and between the hind legs. Social investigatory behaviour between dogs is directed towards those body areas. The research confirms the importance of olfactory communication for canids, while new research into vocalisation is bringing exciting results. Additionally, further research that investigates not only dog-dog communication, but also dog--human communication, and vice versa, may represent an intriguing new approach that may highly influence our understanding of dog-owner relationship.

Posljednjih godina u svijetu raste interes potrošača za dobrobit životinja i kvalitetu proizvoda animalnog podrijetla. Stoga su zemlje Europske unije prihvatile novi pristup u proizvodnji hrane koji uvažava potrebe potrošača, takozvani “fork to farm” (od staje do stola) pristup. Garanciju kvalitete za europske potrošače predstavljaju zakonodavstvo i određene robne marke (brand-ovi). Za osiguranje kvalitetnog provođenja dobrobiti životinja u proizvodnji mesa najkritičniji procesi su tov, utovar, transport, istovar, omamljivanje i klanje. Svjetska iskustva pokazuju da je za humano postupanje prema životinjama, uz zakonodavstvo, neophodna i edukacija osoblja. U Hrvatskoj bi edukacija trebala obuhvatiti i potrošače i proizvođače, kako bi se uz kvalitetno zakonodavstvo stvorile jake građanske inicijative za kontrolu hrvatskog tržišta., During the recent years there is growing concern amongst consumers for animal welfare and quality of animal products. Ac- cordingly, the European Union member states accepted a new approach in the production of food, taking the necessities of the consumer in the so-called «fork to farm» approach into consideration. The guarantee of quality for the European consumers lies in the legislature and certain product brands. When securing the animal welfare in the meat production, the most critical points are the animal breeding, transport, i.e. its handling during the loading and unloading, as well as the procedure of stunning and slaughtering the animal. Worldwide experience shows that for the humane treatment of animals, next to the corresponding legislature, the education of personnel is indispensable. In Croatia this education should also include the consumers and the producers in order to create next to a quality legislature and strong citizen initiatives for the control of the Croatian market.

In the workshop positive and negative aspects of selection in animals were presented, such as the difference of natural and artificial selection, importance for selection of desired production trades, over-selection, as well as opportunities of genetics to improve animal welfare. Discussion was based on farm animals, but examples included pets, too.

Dogs are considered highly social animals, but for many decade dogs’ social cognition and communication were not studied separately from other canids. Many new researches carried out with domestic dogs had shown that in the course of domestication they developed utmost interspecific social cognition. It is presumably based on the similarities between human and wolf societies, where high level of dog-human communication was necessary for successful social organisation and coherence during activities. It was confirmed that dogs can understand human body language and they may use it to adjust their own behaviour. They are able to learn by imitation from humans and to generalize. Dogs may follow human signalling such as pointing or gazing to find a food. They may prefer to rely upon human’ s instructions instead of making their own decision, even when humans’ guidance is misleading. In situations of uncertainty they may search for human assistance and help. Furthermore, dogs are able to transmit a lot of information to human partners. Domestic dogs are more vocal than other canids and they may vocalise to attract human attention, or to convey information about their mood and intentions. When dog and human play together a high level of social compliancy is acquired by mutual exchange of different communicative signals between two species. In conclusion, dogs’ social cognition is interesting for science and has a high importance for development of sound pet dog– owner relationship.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determinate physical characteristics of sheltered dogs that may influence their adoption. In average, the dogs were 9 months old and they were adopted after 12 months. Potential owners had shown preference for younger and smaller dogs with light hair and ex-strays. Dogs’ sex was not important for adoption, and pure breed dogs were not adopted faster than cross breed dogs. These findings should be guidance for shelter staff to promote adoption of less popular kind of dogs.

The workshop comprised several topics related to aggressive behaviour of dogs, such as nature and nurture in aggression, breed differences, owner responsibility, prevention and behavioural consultations for aggressive pet dog.

Current research has shown that certain differences in behaviour cases distribution may be found between countries/regions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess behaviour problems reported by dog owners to the new referral practice in Croatia. During 7 months a total of 10 dogs were presented to behaviourist. The owners were asked to fill the questionnaire, and subsequently called for conversation at the veterinary clinic. The dogs were 8 males and 2 females, between 6 months and 11 years old. Both females and none of males were neutered. Two females and 2 males were mixed breed, while others were pure breed dogs (Maltese, Pekingese, Bull Terrier, Beagle, Dachshund, German Shepherd). Four males and 1 female were aggressive according to the owners’ claims: 4 dogs were aggressive toward people and 1 toward other dogs. Consequently, 1 male aggressive toward people (Bull Terrier), and 1 male aggressive toward dogs (mix breed) were euthanized. Two owners presented complain about their dogs fearfulness of certain dogs, humans and sounds (Dachshund and Maltese) ; both dogs were afraid to go out for a walk and a lack of socialisation was diagnosed. Two dogs were destructive: the female re-homed from a shelter and the male taken from a breeder (Beagle). One owner complained about dog’ s mounting behaviour on her leg ; the dog was a male taken from a street. During consultations owners acknowledge that their dogs have more behaviour problems (e.g. excessive vocalisation, jumping up), but only one owner previously searched for advices from a trainer. The results indicate that, in consistency with other studies, aggressiveness was the most common problem behaviour that owners report to the behaviourist. However, the worrying aspect for dogs in Croatia could be the lack of owners’ readiness to search for behaviourist help.

Die Schweinebetriebe verzeichnen eine Produktionssenkung bei Hitzebelastung im Sommer, in welcher die Reproduktion der Schweine infolge ungünstiger Umweltverhältnisse erschwert ist. Es zeigte sich, dass es möglich ist, mit einigen Substanzen die Stressfolgen zu reduzieren und die Reproduktion zu verbessern. Deshalb bestand das Ziel dieser Untersuchung darin, diejenigen Elemente im Verhalten der Ebers zu erforschen, die auf Hitzestress und eine kontinuierliche Nutzung zur künstlichen Besamug hinweisen könnten, und zu überprüfen, ob es möglich ist, den negativen Einfluss durch einen Futterzusatz (Ascogen® ; ) oder durch ein Imunomodulator (Baypamun® ; ) herabzusetzen. Die Untersuchung umfasste 36 Eber, die unter Verwendung des Zufallmechanismus in 4 Gruppen hinsichtlich der Behandlungsart eingeteilt wurden: die erste Gruppe erhielt Ascogen® ; , der zweiten Gruppe wurde Baypamun® ; verabreicht, die dritte Gruppe erhielt Ascogen® ; und Baypamun® ; , während die vierte Gruppe die Kontrollgruppe darstellte. Es wurde verzeichnet, dass die drei Versuchsgruppen eine höhere Aktivität im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe aufwiesen, was auf eine bessere Verträglichkeit des sommerlichen Verhältnisse deuten könnte. Diejenige Ebergruppe, die Ascogen® ; und Baypamun® ; erhielt, zeigte eine statistisch bedeutsame längere Futter- und Wasseraufnahme auf, und verbrachte weniger Zeit im Ruhen im Vergleich zu den anderen Ebergruppen. Die drei Versuchsgruppen waren im Reproduktionsbereich nicht statistisch bedeutsam erfolgreicher als die Kontrollgruppe, obwohl sie allgemein etwas bessere Ergebnisse erzielten. Daher schlussfolgern wir, dass eine Untersuchung mit einer höheren Tieranzahl die im Hintergrund dieser Ergebnisse liegenden Mechanismen bis in die Einzelheiten erläutern könnte, sowie auch dessen Bedeutung für das Wohlbefinden der Eber.

To promote good quality of live (QoL) for pets, veterinarians should have more opportunity for communication with pet owners. We presume that this may be accomplished with introducing a pet health insurance ; hence, we offered a questionnaire to dog and cat owners to verify their opinion. Our results had shown that many owners appreciated the idea of a health insurance for their pets. Indeed, 50.5% responders would immediately pay for their pet health insurance, although 56.5% of owners would take their pet equally frequently to a vet as now. Major part of owners would like that alternative medicine and euthanasia are covered with health insurance. The majority of responders agreed that other pet species (except dogs and cats) should be covered with insurance, too.

Fish welfare is becoming one of crucial fields of interest for welfare scientist and producers. Therefore, we evaluated one procedure that included handling of carps in hatchery. The carps used for reproduction had multiple injuries of two different sources. The presence of parasite Argulus foliaceus in 75.00% of animals was closely connected with erythrodermatitis. The predominant injury was found on the caudal fin or trunk in 44.44% of subject animals, but abscess was rear (11.11% of animals). No correlations were found between the fish weight and the number of parasites, or the number of injuries it had. Since the procedure of sewing is possible to omit, that should be a defined in recommendation for best practice. Overall, the case report confirmed that the number of parasites and injuries could be considered as suitable predictor of a poor welfare.

Animals communicate to convey information that can influence the behaviour of other animals. Information can be communicated as visual, tactile, vocal, olfactory or seismic signals. Research investigating the applied approach of animal communication tends to utilize knowledge acquired in recent decades. Therefore, the present review paper describes the modalities of communication in carnivores and gives a brief description of possible application in the shelter environment. In the order Carnivora both social and solitary species can be found, although they are predominantly solitary. Living with humans has greatly influenced dogs’ social lives and their social organisation does not resemble the organisational level of highly social wolves. Dogs communicate more with humans than with conspecifics. For carnivores the evolutionary development of vocalisation may be influenced by their social background or the species habitat. The vocal communication of dogs consists of many different sounds, such as barking, groaning, growling, grunting, hissing, howling, mewing, panting, puffing, screaming, tooth snapping, chattering, whining, and yelping. Visual communication can include eye contact, facial expressions, ear position, tail position, fur position, body postures and movements. Nevertheless, for many dog breeds the possibility to communicate precisely is lost due to an extreme diversity in morphological characters and paedomorphosis. Olfactory signals may include urine and faecal droppings, ground scratching, anal sac secretions, general body odour, the rubbing of certain body areas on a specific object, and rolling in noxious-smelling substances. Male urination can mostly be considered as scent marking. General body odour is a product of glands on the dog’ s feet, head, and anal region, the upper surface of the base of the tail and between the hind legs. Social investigatory behaviour between dogs is directed towards those body areas. The shelter environment is full of stimuli that may have communicative value for newcomers, such as the sound of numerous dogs barking, visual stimuli in the form of other dogs' postural displays, and finally an abundance of smells from conspecifics. Consequently, the existing communicative environment may have a negative effect on the dogs' behaviour and welfare, but equally communication parameters can be utilised as a positive environmental element ; eider as enrichment or a therapeutic method. Therefore, research that investigates the application of elements of dogs’ communication repertoire represents a new approach which may highly influence shelter dog welfare. In the majority of shelters dogs are kept in pairs or groups, which provides an environment with less social and physical deprivation, but equally may cause them stress. Thus, understanding dogs' communication in groups should make it possible to encourage desirable communicative patterns and prevent unwanted ones in shelter dogs. Therefore, this study was planned to determine communication patterns in a group of dogs in a shelter, in their dyadic and group interactions. Subjects were 14 neutered male dogs. The dogs were observed in their outdoor enclosure, where they were placed between 9 am and 4 pm. They were observed during 30 days, over 7 weeks, in total for 162 hours. Additionally, for one newly introduced dog, settlement into the group was recorded. The all-occurrence sampling method was used ; the dogs were continuously observed and sequences of each interaction were recorded as per ethogram. The findings showed that these group-housed dogs were engaged in different classes of dyadic and group interactions, resembling different communication patterns seen in wild canids. Individual dogs were frequently initiators of all three classes of dyadic interactions, that is, proactive neutral, proactive aggressive and reactive scent marking. Likewise, different dogs were recipients of the three classes of dyadic interactions. The predominant form of dyadic interactions was proactive neutral, while proactive aggressive behaviour was rarely observed, and the dogs frequently scent marked. All dogs also participated in three defined classes of group interactions. Two dogs vocalised regularly and received immediate reactions from the others in the group. At the group level, the dogs did not interact visually as frequently as they did by vocal or olfactory communication. Dogs differed in their rates of initiation of dyadic and group interactions, but the same dogs were recipients. The frequency of dyadic and group interactions that the dogs initiated was not influenced by their age or by the amount of time they had spent in the shelter. The number of dyadic interactions in which the newly introduced dog participated as initiator or recipient dropped during 7 weeks of observation, but his rate of group interactions remained stable. Some dogs showed a lot of interest in the observer, possibly indicating a need for human company. This research has presented some patterns of interactions that may be observed in the group of dogs, but due to limitations can be considered only as preliminary research.

Psi i mačke omiljeni su kućni ljubimci. Kako bi udovoljili ulozi koja im je namijenjena u ljudskoj obitelj, potrebno im je učenje. U periodu socijalizacije oni najlakše uče, pa je to razdoblje života u kome bi postupno morali biti izloženi okolišu u kakvom će živjeti kao odrasle jedinke. Razdoblje socijalizacije pasa je od trećeg do četrnaestog tjedna, a mačaka od drugog do devetog tjedna života. U početku perioda socijalizacije štenad i mačići uče norme ponašanja u leglu, a prisustvo i nježno bavljenje čovjeka s mladunčadi dobrohotno djeluje na daljnji razvoj društvenosti. Mladunčad u tom razdoblju spremno prihvaća pripadnike drugih vrsta. Nesocijalizirani psići i mačići razvijaju brojne probleme u ponašanju, kao što su strašljivost, anksioznost i agresija. Takvi kućni ljubimci često su ostavljeni u skloništu za napuštene životinje ili eutanazirani.

Agresija je najčešći i najozbiljniji problem u ponašanju pasa, a može biti usmjerena prema ljudima, drugim psima i ostalim životinjama. Agresivno ponašanje nastaje kao posljedica genskih i okolišnih čimbenika i manifestira se različitim vrstama poremećenog ponašanja. Postoje različiti tipovi agresija: dominancijska agresija, agresija prema drugim psima, posesivna i teritorijalna agresija, agresivna igra, hranidbena, predatorska i majčinska agresija te agresija nastala zbog straha i boli ili određenih medicinskih problema. Liječenje takvih stanja uključuje rad sa životinjama u obliku treninga za promjenu ponašanja te odgovarajuću medikamentnu terapiju.

Iguane su zadnjih godina sve popularniji kućni ljubimci. Odrasla zelena iguana može postići težinu od 7 kg i duljinu od dva metra uključivši i rep koji čini polovicu duljine. Boja kože zelene iguane varira od svjetlo (mladunci) do tamno (ženke) ili sivozelene (mužjaci). Iguane su primarno biljojedi, najviše vole lišće, jedu i voće. Mlade iguane ponekad jedu jaja, insekte i male kralježnjake. Probirljive su i vrlo lako usvoje loše hranidbene navike. Treba im osigurati grijani terarij s izvorom svjetlosti. Pogodna temperatura je 24-35°C uz još jedno mjesto zagrijano na 37°C tzv „ hot spot“ , vlažnost zraka 55-70%, svjetlosni ciklus 12/12 s obaveznim izvorom UV A(320-400nm) i B(290-320nm) zraka. Život u skupini za njih pretstavlja iznimno veliki stres, ne trba ih držati zajedno, osobito ne mužjake. To ne znači da iguane ne uspostavljaju kontakt s vlasnicima. Neke su jako druželjubive, vole se maziti i same traže blizinu vlasnika. Važno je prihvatiti svaku pojedinu iguanu takvu kakva je, bez nasilnog nastojanja da prihvati bliži kontakt. Osim načina držanja članak prikazuje način kliničke pretrage, uzimanje uzoraka za laboratorijske pretrage, način aplikacije lijekova te rehidraciju. Navedene su i preporučene doze lijekova.

Jedno od primarnih prava životinje je da ne budu gladne i žedne. Sa stanovišta dobrobiti za životinje je važno da dobivaju hranu odgovarajućeg sastava, dostatnu količinu hrane, te da mogu zadovoljiti motivaciju za hranidbeno ponašanje. Životinje su slabo hranjene (engl. malnutrition) ako hrana koju dobivaju nije odgovarajućeg sastava s obzirom na potrebe životinja, odnosno deficjentna je u jednom ili više hranidbenih sastojaka. Životinje koje su hranjene s takvom hranom su aktivnije, te češće pokazuju ponašanja istraživanja, žvakanja i rovanja. Takvo se ponašanje može smatrati potragom za hranom, a može rezultirati u nenormalnim ponašanjima, kao što su grizenje repova kod svinja i čupanje perja kod kokoši. Neuravnotežena prehrana jedan je od uzroka koji dovode do šepavosti mliječnih krava. Ako životinje ne dobivaju dovoljnu količinu hrane, one su pothranjene (engl. undernutrition). Sa stanovišta dobrobiti poseban problem predstavlja hranidba životinja selekcioniranih za brzi porast težine i proizvodnju velikih količina mlijeka, jaja ili mesa jer takve životinje imaju i veliki apetit, a kod rasplodnih životinja tih pasmina unos hrane je ograničen da se spriječe problemi s reprodukcijom. Stoga se predlaže razrjeđenje koncentrirane hrane s vlakninom. Poznavanjem prirodnog hranidbenog ponašanja moguće je stvoriti društveni i fizički okoliš u kome ga životinje mogu ispoljiti. Odgovarajuća hranidba životinja omogućuje zdravlje životinja, a time čini neizostavni dio dobre dobrobiti životinja.

Jedno je od primarnih prava životinje da ne budu gladne i žedne. Sa stanovišta dobrobiti za životinje važno je da dobivaju dostatnu količinu hrane odgovarajućeg sastava te da na taj način budu motivirane za prirodno hranidbeno ponašanje. Životinje hranjene hranom neodgovarajućeg sastava s obzirom na potrebe (malnutrition) zbog deficita jednog ili više hranidbenih sastojaka češće istražuju, žvaču i ruju. Takvo se ponašanje može smatrati potragom za hranom, a može rezultirati grizenjem repova kod svinja ili čupanjem perja kod kokoši. Neuravnotežena prehrana jedan je od uzroka koji dovode do šepavosti mliječnih krava. Ako životinje ne dobivaju dovoljnu količinu hrane one su pothranjene (undernutrition), što se pak negativno reflektira na proizvodnju. Sa stanovišta dobrobiti poseban problem predstavlja hranidba životinja selekcioniranih za brzi porast tjelesne mase te visoku proizvodnju mlijeka, jaja ili mesa. Kod rasplodnog podmlatka tako selekcioniranih pasmina unos hrane mora biti ograničen, kako bi se spriječila prerana spolna zrelost koja bi rezultirala reproduktivnim poremećajima i slabim proizvodnim rezultatima. U tu svrhu u obroku se povećava količina sirove vlaknine. Poznavanjem prirodnog hranidbenog ponašanja moguće je stvoriti društveni i fizički okoliš u kome ga životinje mogu ispoljiti. Odgovarajuća hranidba omogućuje dobro fizičko i psihičko zdravlje životinja, što je neizostavni dio njihove dobrobiti.

Summer is a critical period on pig breeding farms for reproduction. Therefore, in this research effects of a feed supplement in a summer period were studied. Boars were given Ascogen&reg ; mixed with food during a period of 60 days. The indicators of reproduction successfulness of each boar were collected before the research, after 30 days and finally after 60 days. According to the results, the control and the experimental group were equally successful before the treatment as well as after 30 days of the treatment. After 60 days, however, in the control group conception rate decreased and fewer piglets were born. The experimental group did not have a decline in reproduction.

Dobrobit životinja je suvremeno znanstveno poimanje odnosa ljudi prema životinjama koje se mogu naći pod negativnim utjecajem ljudskog djelovanja. Ovim istraživanjem obuhvaćeni su nerasti u intenzivnom uzgoju. Istraživanje je provedeno s ciljem da se utvrdi učinak dvaju prirodnih pripravaka – probiotika Ascogen&reg ; i imunomodulatora Baypamun&reg ; – na vladanje i dobrobit nerasta u ljetnom razdoblju jer je zbog visokih temperatura tada umanjena dobrobit nerasta, ali i uspješnost reprodukcije. Istraživanje je provedeno na svinjogojskoj farmi s postojećim tehnološkim rješenjem smještaja i držanja nerasta u okviru velike aglomeracije. Promatrano je vladanje nerasta (položaj tijela i kretanje, funkcionalna vladanja, mjesto u nastambi) i neki fiziološki pokazatelji uspješnosti reprodukcije (volumen i pokretljivost sperme, broj osjemenjenih krmača, uspješnost pripusta, pregon, pobačaj te broj živorođene i mrtvorođene prasadi). U prvom istraživanju nerasti pokusne skupine dobivali su 30 dana probiotik Ascogen&reg ; umiješan u hranu. To nije poboljšalo istraživane rezultate pokusne skupine nerasta u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu nerasta. U drugom istraživanju nerasti pokusnih skupina dobivali su 60 dana probiotik Ascogen&reg ; umiješan u hranu i/ili im je dvokratno apliciran imunomodulator Baypamun&reg ; . Istraživanje je pokazalo da se volumen i pokretljivost sperme pokusnih skupina nerasta i kontrolne skupine nisu statistički značajno razlikovali jer su rezultati pokusnih skupina bili tek nešto malo bolji od kontrolne skupine. Rezultati oplodnje krmača spermom svih triju pokusnih skupina nerasta bili su bolji u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Najveći broj uspješnih pripusta bio je spermom nerasta koji su dobili Baypamun&reg ; , a najveći broj krmača koje su se oprasile bio je od onih oplođenih spermom nerasta koji su primili Ascogen&reg ; . Ukupan broj oprasene prasadi dobiven od nerasta iz svake od pokusnih skupina bio je veći od onog kontrolne skupine, a najviše prasadi dobiveno je od skupine koja je primila Ascogen&reg ; i Baypamun&reg ; . Najmanji broj prasadi dobiven je od kontrolne skupine nerasta, no, oni su imali i najmanje mrtvorođene prasadi. Skupine nerasta obuhvaćene istraživanjem međusobno su se razlikovale prema vremenu koje su provele u pojedinom položaju tijela i kretanju. Nerasti koji su dobili Ascogen&reg ; statistički su značajno više ležali na boku od nerasta kojima je dan Baypamun&reg ; ili su im dana oba pripravka. Nerasti kojima su dani Ascogen&reg ; i Baypamun&reg ; statistički su značajno više stajali od nerasta kontrolne skupine i nerasta koji su primili samo Ascogen&reg ; . Ovakav obrazac vladanja može značiti da je skupina nerasta koja je primila oba pripravka lakše podnijela napor skoka na fantom u uvjetima ljetne žege. Prema učestalosti zauzimanja pojedinog položaja tijela i kretanju nerasti se nisu razlikovali. Od funkcionalnih vladanja nerasti kontrolne skupine kraće su jeli i pili od nerasta koji su primili Ascogen&reg ; i Baypamun&reg ; , a i manje učestalo su pili. Ujedno, nerasti koji su primili oba pripravka manje su mirovali od nerasta koji su primili samo Ascogen&reg ; . Prema dužini vremena provedenog na pojedinom mjestu u boksu ili ispustu, te prema učestalosti dolaska na pojedino mjesto nerasti promatranih skupina nisu se razlikovali. Mikroklimatski uvjeti u nastambama za neraste u vrijeme ljetnih žega nisu bili zadovoljavajući. Temperature su se kretale od 25, 0° C do 39, 9° C, a vlaga od 35, 6% do 68, 5%. Takvi uvjeti štete dobrobiti nerasta te smanjuju proizvodne rezultate. Sa stanovišta dobrobiti, može se preporučiti daljnja upotreba prirodnih pripravaka za neraste, međutim, njihovo prekratko korištenje ne može dati rezultate. Istodobno se treba usmjeriti i na druga rješenja, kao što su poboljšane nastambe, obogaćeni okoliš, koji daju mogućnost ispoljavanja vrsno-specifičnih vladanja, što bi trebalo dovesti do boljih rezultata proizvodnje.

Domestikacija je proces u kome su se životinje prilagodile čovjeku i okolišu. Kada su smještene u okoliš koji je fizički sličan staništu njihovih predaka, bihevioralna i fiziološka prilagodba se postiže brzo. Okoliš uvjetuje vladanje jer je ono oblikovano evolucijom tako da su životinje sposobne podnijeti varijabilnost okoliša. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je prikazati dio etograma tj. opisati ispoljena vladanja nerasta na farmi jer razumijevanje vladanja daje važnu informaciju kako sa životinjama najbolje postupati i unaprijed spriječiti moguće probleme. Promatrano je vladanje 32 nerasta u okolišu tipičnom za farmski uzgoj. Nerasti su bili smješteni pojedinačno u bokseve s ispustima, koji su bili odjeljeni betonskim zidom, odnosno rešetkastom ogradom. Svaki boks imao je hranilicu i pojilicu. Vladanje svakog nerasta bilo je promatrano po 3 sata kroz 5 dana (ukupno 15 sati ili 900 minuta), tijekom srpnja i kolovoza. Nerasti su najviše ležali na boku (480 min, 53, 33% vremena promatranja), kraće su stajali (279 min, 31, 00%), ležali na trbuhu (112 min, 12, 44%), a najmanje su vremena proveli hodajući (22 min, 2, 44%) i sjedeći (7 min, 0, 78%). Nerasti su u prosjeku jeli 88 min (9, 78%), pili 23 min (2, 56%), defecirali 1 min (0, 11%), urinirali 4 min (0, 44%), rovali 4 min (0, 44%), njušili 50 min (5, 56%), timarili se 3 min (0, 33%), roktali 65 min (7, 22%), društveno se vladali 32 min (3, 56%), ispoljavali elemente spolnog vladanja 12 min (0, 11%), promatrali okolinu 75 min (8, 33%), ispoljavali stereotipije 36 min (4, 00%) i mirovali 571 min (63, 44%). Nerasti su koristili prostor boksa 251 min (27, 89%) i prostor ispusta 649 min (72, 11%). Sličan popis vladanja opisali su i drugi autori na temelju promatranja svinja u poluprirodnom okolišu, no razlike postoje u trajanju pojedinih vladanja. Kod nerasta u boksu dominantan je položaj ležanje na boku, dok se svinje istraživane u poluprirodnom okolišu više kreću. Ležanje na boku vezano je uz mirovanje i može biti pokazatelj apatije ili potrebe da se rashlade. Ležanje na trbuhu i sjedenje predstavljali su prijelazne položaje. Nerasti su relativno dugo stajali jer su u tom polažaju obavljali većinu funkcionalnih vladanja. Najviše vremena nerasti su ležali zatvorenih očiju i nisu reagirali na nikakve podražaje u okolini. Hranu dobivaju ujutro, pa se može smatrati da su jeli kratko što je u suglasju sa spoznajama o dugim fazama neaktivnosti kod svinja hranjenih smjesom. Uz vladanje jela vezano je prethodno kratkotrajno njušenje i rovanje, koje u prirodi znatno duže traje. Takvo vladanje pokazatelj je neatraktivnosti ponuđene hrane. Pijenje, uriniranje i defeciranje su vladanja koja su se javljala fragmentarno. Nerasti međusobno kontaktiraju kroz ogradu i reagiraju na vladanje drugog nerasta istim vladanjem. Glasanje se razlikuje po glasnoći i trajanju, a odraz je stanja životinje. Malo korišteni nerasti su ispoljavali oblike spolnog vladanja, za razliku od onih koji su bili korišteni češće. Samotimarenje su nerasti kratkotrajno ispoljavali. Stereotipije su bile malobrojne. Nerasti su znatno više vremena provodili u ispustu nego u boksu, što je posljedica mikroklimatskih uvjeta. Osiromašeni okoliš boksa utječe na dio etograma nerasta time što smanjuje trajanje vladanja zanimanja za okolinu, a povećava trajanje mirovanja i ležanja. U ovom istraživanju broj ispoljenih vladanja odgovara repertoaru vladanja svinja iz drugih istraživanja, pa se može zaključiti da životinja pronalazi stimulanse sama kako bi ispoljila vladanja potrebna za održavanje homeostaze.

A number of 30 sows of different age and breed composition, accommodated in farrowing crates with piglets aged 27-28 days were observed, 24 hours before weaning. The partitions bars were removed from one side of the crate at 8th to 10th day after farrowing. Five sows' body positions were observed (lying on the left side, on the right side, on stomach, the sitting position and the standing position). Statistical analysis showed differences between the observed sow groups regarding the duration of the lying position on the right side (the 1st group differed from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th, while there was none for the 5th and 6th group) and the sitting position (only group 2 and 3 differed). The sows were lying for a shorter period of time than sows with suckling piglets and spent longer time in the sitting and standing position. Sitting was the dominant position of all noted positions of all noted positions, while the remaining observed activities (drinking, urinating, sniffing, rooting, scratching) were only short and happened, mostly, before and after feeding. It would be convenient to enable the sows some premise where they can remove from the piglets when they wish to do so, improving thus to their welfare and, although, earlier return of the sow to estrus would, enable a more successful production.

U kontekstu dobrobiti životinja eutanazija je prihvatljiva, ali uz određena ograničenja koja trebaju biti opisana u zakonu. Primarni kriterij je da odabrana metoda eutanazije mora biti bezbolna, uzrokovati brzi gubitak svijesti i smrt, te da zahtjeva minimum sputavanja životinje. Da bi smrt životinje doista bila humana, osoblje koje provodi eutanaziju mora biti adekvatno educirano. Potreba za eutaniziranjem se može javiti kod svih vrsta životinja koje koristi čovjek, dakle životinja u laboratorijima, farmskih životinja, kućnih ljubimaca, životinja u zoološkim vrtovima i divljih životinja. Pritom eutanazija treba biti način smanjivanja boli i patnje starih, bolesnih, teško ranjenih životinja ili životinja korištenih u pokusima, dok se prekobrojnost populacije kućnih ljubimaca i nekih vrsta životinja u zoološkim vrtovima treba unaprijed spriječiti drugim metodama. U Hrvatskoj postoji "Zakon o dobrobiti životinja", ali ne postoje odgovarajući podaci o broju eutaniziranih životinja, a takvi podaci bi trebali biti biti primjeri pri edukaciji na kojima će se poticati odgovornost i moralnost ljudskog društva prema životinjama.

A great number of sows' activities are related to the reproduction period. Accordingly, the understanding of their expressed behaviour may give an answer in regard to a better handling of the animal with the aim to achieve the animal welfare and the products of better quality. Thirty sows were under observation, 24 hours after farrowing, in the farrowing crates, and 5 positions and 6 activities were considered. During the research period the sows were mostly lying down, could rarely be found in the sitting position and all activities were only short-termed. Such a poor repertoire with rare activities and rare changes of position are characteristic of this reproduction phase but may also be a consequence of poor environment and disturbed welfare. A shorter period in the farrowing crates before farrowing and a shorter time before the weaning could help the sows welfare and enable them to show more maternal forms of behaviour as well as other forms of behaviour hitherto hindered by the crates.

Vladanje nerasta promatrano je na svinjogojskoj farmi prije i poslije uzimanja sperme, tijekom mjeseca srpnja i kolovoza. Promatrano je ukupno 37 nerasta (28 seghersa, 1 veliki jorkšir, 3 njemačka landrasa, 5 švedskih landrasa) smještenih u zasebne boksove s ispustom. Svakih pet minuta bilježen je položaj, funkcionalna vladanja i mjesto na kome se nerast nalazio. Prije uzimanja sperme nerasti su duže stajali ili se kretali i učestalije započinjali ta vladanja, a poslije uzimanja sperme više su ležali na boku i češće zauzimali taj položaj. Zastupljenost položaja sjedenja i ležanja na trbuhu se nije značajno statistički razlikovala prije i poslije uzimanja sperme. Funkcionalna vladanja jedenja, rovanja, njušenja, društvenog vladanja, roktanja, promatranja okoline i stereotipija bila su prije uzimanja sperme statistički značajno trajnija i učestalija. Poslije uzimanja sperme nerasti su značajno više mirovali. To su vladanje jednako učestalo započinjali prije i poslije uzimanja sperme. Razlike u vladanju po pasminama nisu pronađene, dok je starost nerasta utjecala na vladanje jer su mlađi nerasti poslije uzimanja sperme učestalije i duže obavljali funkcionalne oblike vladanja. Usporedba trosatnog termina na dan kad su nerasti korišteni i kad nisu, pokazala je da očekivanje skoka i neispunjenje očekivanog, nije promijenilo značajno statistički vladanje korištenih nerasta. Istraživanje različitih mjesta pokazalo je da su nerasti, statistički značajno, više boravili u ispustu uz ogradu prije uzimanja sperme, a poslije uzimanja sperme oni su značajno više bili uz ogradu boksa. Registrirani temperaturno-vlažni odnosi tijekom pokusa pokazuju da i oni utječu na vladanje nerasta.

The goal of these investigations was to check if two-time treatment of gilts by BaypamunR before transferring from the pre-farrowing to farrowing unit can activate natural killer cells, stimulate leukocyte production and lymphocyte proliferation, and decrease the rise in plasma cortisol caused by stress. The investigation comprised 30 one-year-old Swedish Landrace gilts in the late phase of gravidity, which were divided into three groups. Group 1 formed a control group, from blood which was taken in the pre-farrowing unit in order to enable comparison of the results of plasma cortisol with results obtained in the other two groups. In group 2, Baypamun in a dose of 2 ml i/m at days 7 and 5 was applied, and in group 3 at days 3 and 1 prior to transferal from the pre-farrowing to farrowing unit. After gilts in groups 2 and 3 had been transferred four days prior to farrowing, blood was taken from them at days 1, 3 and 5 of their stay in the farrowing unit. Plasma cortisol was analyzed by the radioimmunochemical (RIA) method. The obtained results by groups were compared with each other using one-way analysis of variance. According to the obtained results an average level of plasma cortisol of the gilts in groups 2 and 3 throughout the research was higher than in control group 1. A significant statistical difference (P < 0.05) appeared between control group 1 and group 3 at day 1 of the stay of gilts in the farrowing unit. Therefore, an anti-stress effect of Baypamun occurred between days 1 and 3 of the stay in the farrowing unit, i.e. by the day of farrowing, when the level of plasma cortisol again began to rise due to stress caused by partus.

Genetika svinja danas je u centru interesa zbog mogućeg korištenja njihovih organa u humanoj medicini, a metode istraživanja omogućuju uvid u fiziologiju mozga koja predstavlja osnovu vladanja. U želji da se postignu bolji proizvodni uspjesi i zadovoljavajuća dobrobit životinja, javlja se potreba da se u proizvodnim procesima uz okolišne uvjete prati hormonalni i neurotransmiterski sustav životinja. Danas su sve više naglašene pasminske razlike u vladanju svinja, iz čega proistječu i veči zahtjevi iz okoliša. Agresija kao uzrok i posljedica stresa, iako regulirana okolišem, još uvijek je previše izražena pri mješanju životinja u raznim fazama proizvodnog procesa. Individualne razlike agresije moguće je odrediti promatranjem vladanja, biokemijskom kontrolom neurohormonalnog sustava, te izbjeći izlučivanjem suviše agresivnih jedinki iz proizvodnje. Majčinsko vladanje dano je genetikom i moguće ga je modulirati okolišem. Krmače koje su manje osjetljive na stres bolje podnose uvjete intenzivne proizvodnje, bolje su majke i odgoje više praščića, pa bi selekcijom trebalo odabirati jedinke koje bolje podnose život na farmi, čime bi se povečali uspjesi proizvodnje i dobrobit životinja.

This research was carried out with the purpose of evaluating the influence of keep and shelter conditions on pregnant gilts in a new environment in regard to their welfare. Three sample groups were chosen, numbering 10 individuals of the Swedish Landrace breed immediately before farrowing. During the research the number of live and stillborn piglets was noted, as were farrowing duration, microclimatic conditions and behaviour of gilts. According to obtained results the gilt group with the longest average pregnancy duration was observed to have produced the greatest number of stillborn piglets. During the research the gilts took five body positions, mostly before and after farrowing, lying on their side, while less time was spent standing, lying on the stomach or sitting. The unusually long period spent lying in a side position before farrowing may have been a result of the higher temperature noted at that time in the farrowing crates. In the 24-hour period prior to farrowing the gilts changed their position more frequently and periodically demonstrated a type of behaviour similar to the building of nests carried out by sows in a natural environment. The frequent change in position may be attributed to a rise in air temperature in the crate, which made the sows restless, standing up and lying down more frequently than previously. One may conclude, therefore, that transfer of the animals from waiting crates to farrowing crates, and to inappropriate microclimatic conditions in the crates, may have negatively influenced the duration of farrowing, the number of live and stillborn piglets, as well as the behaviour and welfare of the gilts.

Istraživanje je provedeno radi prosudbe utjecaja smještaja i držanja gravidnih nazimica u novoj sredini u korist njihove dobrobiti. Za istraživanje je odabrano 30 jednogodišnjih nazimica švedskog landrasa u kasnoj fazi graviditeta, podijeljenih u tri skupine. Nazimice su četiri dana prije očekivanog prasenja iz skupnih čekališnih boksova premještene u individualne prasilišne boksove s uklještenjima. Tijekom prasenja bilježeni su broj živorođene i mrtvorođene prasadi te trajanje prasenja. Iz svake skupine nasumično je izabrana po jedna nazimica, a tijekom prvog, trećeg i petog dana boravka u prasilištu snimljeno je njihovo vladanje. Za vrijeme istraživanja u biozoni nazimica mjerene su temperatura, relativna vlaga i brzina strujanja zraka. Prema dobivenim rezultatima kod skupine nazimica kojima je najdulje prosječno trajao graviditet zabilježen je najveći prosječni broj mrtvorođene prasadi. Nazimice su tijekom istraživanja zauzimale pet tjelesnih položaja, pri čemu su prije i poslije prasenja najviše vremena proboravile u bočnim ležećim položajima, a znatno kraće su stajale, ležale na trbuhu i sjedile. Neuobičajeno dugo ležanje u bočnim položajima prije prasenja može se povezati s povećanom temperaturom zraka koja je vladala u prasilištu. U 24 sata prije prasenja nazimice su najučestalije mijenjale tjelesne položaje i povremeno su iskazivale obrasce vladanja koji sliče gradnji gnijezda krmača u prirodnom okolišu. Učestalo mjenjanje položaja može se dovesti u vezu s povišenom temperaturom zraka u objektu, zbog čega su krmače bile nemirnije i češće ustajale i lijegale. Stoga se može zaključiti da premještanje životinja iz čekališta u prasilište i neodgovarajući mikroklimatski uvjeti u prasilištu mogu negativno utjecati na trajanje prasenja, broj živorođene i mrtvorođene prasadi te vladanje i dobrobit nazimica.

Rukopis je u tipu znanstvenog djela. Priloženo djelo sadržu ukupno 26 stranica, a od toga je 17 stranica teksta, 4 slike i 3 tablice. Djelo prikazuje podatke o 30 sati promatranja ponašanja dviju divljih mačaka (Felis sylvestris) u Zoološkom vrtu grada Zagreba, a s obzirom na položaje tijela, funkcionalno ponašanje, utjecaje izvana i mjesto u nastambi. Ukupno je prikupljeno 3600 promatranih intervala, a što predstavlja reprezentativan uzorak.