During routine microbiological examination of milk samples from dairy cows without clinical signs of mastitis, quarter milk samples of 231 dairy cows from 12 herds were investigated for the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). The isolates were identified on the basis of colony morphology, Gram staining, catalase and coagulase test and the commercial kit, API Staph. CNS was detected in 29% (67/231) of the cows. A total of seven CNS species were identified with the most prevalent beingStaphylococcus (Staph.) chromogenes(30%) andStaph. haemolyticus(28·8%), followed byStaph. simulans(11·2%),Staph. xylosus(11·2%),Staph. epidermidis(7·5%),Staph. hyicus(6·3%) andStaph. sciuri(5%). The predominant species,Staph. chromogenesandStaph. haemolyticus, were further characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing using the agar disc diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer) and by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Considerable resistance to ampicillin and penicillin was observed in both species. Isolates with identical or highly similar PFGE profiles were detected at the herd level despite a marked heterogeneity seen for both species. On the basis of somatic cell count, absence of clinical signs of inflammation and heterogeneity of genotypes, we assume that CNS isolated in this study could not be considered as important causative agents of the bovine mammary gland inflammation.

Burnout is a major challenge for the veterinary profession and is closely linked to negative effects on mental health, reduced job satisfaction and impaired professional sustainability. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of burnout symptoms among Slovenian veterinarians and their association with factors such as work–life balance, ethical dilemmas and overall job satisfaction. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024, to which all registered Slovenian veterinarians (N = 1250) were invited. The response rate was 38% (N = 473). Burnout was assessed using the Mayo Clinic Physicians Wellbeing Index, which captures both the traditional burnout dimensions and broader indicators of psychological distress such as anxiety and depression. Results showed that 45.5% of veterinarians reported low burnout, 26.4% reported moderate burnout, and 28.3% reported high burnout. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that work–life imbalance, ethical conflicts and long working hours were significant predictors of burnout symptoms, with younger veterinarians and women being disproportionately affected. The findings highlight the importance of addressing the systemic and individual factors that contribute to burnout in veterinary practice. Tailored interventions that focus on improving work–life balance, enhancing ethical decision-making and promoting mental health awareness are recommended to mitigate the risks of burnout. These findings contribute to the growing literature on veterinarian well-being and provide valuable insight into the development of targeted strategies to promote veterinarians’ mental health and career sustainability.

The national regulation on animal welfare measure under the Rural Development Programme 2014–2022 identified grazing and helminth control as important measures to improve the welfare of cattle in Slovenia. The aim of the study was to evaluate these measures in terms of improving animal welfare and helminth control. Compositional fecal samples for coprological analysis were collected in the region of central Slovenia. Samples were qualitatively analysed for the presence of endoparasites using the flotation and sedimentation methods. During a seven-year period, 4480 compositional fecal samples were collected from cattle herds in the central Slovenia. In all seven years, the most prevalent helminths at the cattle herd level were Strongylida (ranging from 45.49% to 74.22%) and Paramphistomum sp. (ranging from 21.12% to 28.46%). After the treatments against helminths in grazing cattle, the prevalence of positive herds decreased from 83.63% to 63.64%. The calculated cross-correlation values showed significant positive association of the percentage of helminth-positive cattle herds with the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica (0.975), Nematodirus sp. (0.859), Strongylida (0.986), Strongyloides sp. (0.879) and Trichuris sp. (0.835). Hence, the efficient helminth control and improved animal welfare, as well as financial support of 53.40 EUR per livestock unit, contributed to a positive outcome of the programme.

Recent literature data indicate that canine and feline neonates are not born in a sterile environment as it was stated previously. The acquisition, colonisation and maintenance of the early life microbiota of healthy fetuses is a rapidly developing research area. In humans, the natural healthy infant microbiome plays an essential role in health and its assembly is determined by the maternal–offspring exchanges of microbes. Even though this topic is becoming more and more important in dogs and cats, the exact role of the neonatal microbiome is not yet fully known in animals. This review summarises the current knowledge of the normal physiological neonatal microbiome in healthy puppies and kittens.

Background/Objectives: Workplace violence is a recognised psychosocial risk across many professions but remains insufficiently investigated in veterinary practice. Evidence on workplace violence among veterinary employees in Slovenia is limited. This study aimed to examine reported exposure to different forms of workplace violence involving animal owners, co-workers, and supervisors among employees of veterinary organisations in Slovenia and to assess associated emotional responses. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between December 2024 and April 2025 among employees of all 182 registered veterinary practices and clinics in Slovenia. Of 1351 eligible employees, 178 completed the questionnaire (overall response rate: 13.17%), including 155 of 873 eligible veterinarians (veterinarian response rate: 17.75%). Respondents rated their agreement with statements describing verbal, physical, and psychological violence involving animal owners, co-workers, and supervisors, as well as associated negative emotional responses. Data were analysed using one-sample and paired-samples t-tests, principal component analysis, and multiple linear regression. Results: Respondents reported exposure to workplace violence involving animal owners, co-workers, and supervisors, with verbal and psychological forms particularly evident in interactions with animal owners. Fear, helplessness, and uncertainty were prominent emotional responses associated with violence involving animal owners, while violence involving co-workers and supervisors was also associated with negative emotional responses. Greater work experience was significantly associated with less intense negative emotional responses across all three perpetrator groups. Higher education and male gender were additionally associated with less intense emotional responses to violence involving animal owners. Conclusions: Workplace violence represents an important psychosocial concern in Slovenian veterinary organisations and may originate from both external and internal sources. Training, written protocols, and organisational and psychological support may warrant consideration as potential preventive measures; however, their effectiveness was not evaluated in this study and requires further investigation. The low response rate and potential non-response and self-selection bias limit the generalisability of the findings. Further research using validated event-based measures and stronger recruitment strategies is warranted.