This study examines the use of analgesic medications among sheep farmers, highlighting both their benefits and the significant gaps in their adoption. Our findings indicate that 26.7% of sheep farmers did not utilize any analgesics, a figure that contrasts sharply with high usage rates among swine (over 80%) and cattle (over 85%) farmers. The low utilization of NSAIDs and corticosteroids in sheep farming may be attributed to inadequate education and the lack of approved indications for these medications in Greece. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between farm size and the use of NSAIDs, with larger farms using more NSAIDs, especially flunixin. Furthermore, farms with higher NSAID use—typically the larger ones—tended to have higher milk yields, suggesting that enhanced management practices may contribute to improved outcomes. The results underscore the need for targeted educational initiatives to improve the use of analgesics in sheep farming and address welfare concerns. Overall, this research highlights the importance of addressing gaps in pain management practices in the sheep farming sector to promote better animal welfare. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to expand our understanding of analgesic use and its implications for sheep welfare.

This study examines the use of analgesic medications among sheep farmers, highlighting both their benefits and significant gaps in their adoption. Our findings indicate that 26.7% of sheep farmers did not utilize any analgesics, a figure that contrasts sharply with high usage rates exceeding among farmers in swine and cattle sectors. Low utilization of NSAIDs and corticosteroids in sheep farming may be attributed to inadequate education and the absence of approved indications for these medications in Greece. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between farm size and the use of NSAIDs, with larger farms using more NSAIDs, especially flunixin. Furthermore, farms using more NSAIDs/larger farms tended to have higher milk yields, suggesting that enhanced management practices are associated with better outcomes. The results underscore the need for targeted educa-tional initiatives to improve the use of analgesics in sheep farming and address welfare concerns. Overall, this research highlights the importance of addressing gaps in pain management practices within the sheep farming sector to promote better animal welfare. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to expand our un-derstanding of analgesic use and its implications for sheep welfare.

1. Scaly leg, caused by Cnemidocoptes mutans, is occasionally observed in backyard poultry farms in Greece. In Greece, infestations with C. mutans typically result in mild lesions and occasional scratching behaviour.2. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of two antiparasitic treatments - Phoxim (via foot baths and barn spraying) and Ivermectin (in feed) - in 36 backyard poultry farms in southern Greece, in groups of 15-82 chickens.3. All treatment protocols were found to be effective and safe for clinical use. A single application of either treatment was as effective as two applications administered 11 d apart. Barn spraying with Phoxim solution did not enhance the efficacy of the Phoxim foot bath. For Ivermectin administered via medicated feed, it was observed that providing the drug for only 1 d may result in some birds not consuming the necessary dose. Therefore, it is recommended to administer the medicated feed over at least two consecutive days to ensure adequate drug intake.4. The study investigated the impact of scaly leg on egg production, the potential effects of Ivermectin on egg production and the role of cohabiting Muscovy ducks in an additional 10 backyard poultry farms. The results indicated that (i) scaly leg disease was associated with a reduction in egg production, (ii) Ivermectin had no adverse effects on egg production in laying hens and (iii) Muscovy ducks were not affected by Cnemidocoptes mutans and did not contribute to its transmission or epidemiology.5. These findings provide practical recommendations for managing scaly leg in backyard flocks and contribute to improved poultry health and productivity in small-scale farming systems.

This study examines the reproductive outcomes of Lacaune crossbred ewes and hoggets under intensive production systems, focusing on vaginal prolapse and hydrometra associated with flaws in estrus synchronization (E.S.) protocols. Data from multiple farms were combined for analysis due to the absence of significant variation at the farm level. The findings revealed a strong association between vaginal prolapse, parity, and litter size, with hoggets carrying multiple fetuses facing the highest risk (p < 0.0001). This highlights the need to reconsider equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) administration in hoggets, as it increases the likelihood of multiple pregnancies and, consequently, prolapse. Additionally, a progressive rise in hydrometra prevalence was observed with repeated synchronization cycles in ewes, increasing from 0.51% after the third treatment to 12.33% after the fourth (p < 0.0001). Notably, in this study, the four synchronization cycles were applied over a relatively short period (7.22 ± 1.64 months), further supporting concerns that excessive hormonal treatments within a compressed timeframe exacerbate reproductive dysfunction. This pattern confirms that prolonged progesterone exposure can impair uterine function, leading to fluid retention and hydrometra, as previously reported. To mitigate these risks, adjustments in synchronization protocols—such as extending the interval between successive treatments—are necessary to safeguard reproductive health and enhance animal welfare. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing estrus synchronization strategies to balance productivity with the well-being of sheep in intensive farming systems.

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is an invasive parrot increasingly established in European cities, including Athens, Greece, yet its diet and exposure to plant toxins in Mediterranean ecosystems remain poorly documented. We examined seasonal foraging patterns in Athens and assessed the toxicity of key food items using a brine shrimp lethality assay. Field observations recorded 601 feeding events across 10 plant species. Four foods—cypress seeds (Cupressus sempervirens), chinaberries (Melia azedarach), Canary Island dates (Phoenix canariensis), and olives (Olea europaea)—accounted for 82.9% of feeding events. Dietary diversity was highest in winter and summer, while foraging density remained relatively stable, peaking in autumn. Toxicity assessment of aqueous plant extracts with Brine Shrimp (Artemia franciscana) Lethality Test (BSLT) identified chinaberries as the most toxic, indicating potential dietary risks. These findings indicate that P. krameri exhibits flexible, opportunistic foraging and can tolerate plant compounds that are harmful to other vertebrates, suggesting that toxicity does not seem to limit its diet. Seasonal dietary shifts and ecological plasticity likely support its urban invasion success, highlighting the importance of understanding diet composition and potential exposure to plant toxins in urban parakeet populations.

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is an invasive parrot increasingly established in European cities, including Athens, Greece, yet its diet and exposure to plant toxins in Mediterranean ecosystems remain poorly documented. We examined seasonal foraging patterns in Athens and assessed the toxicity of key food items using a brine shrimp lethality assay. Field observations recorded 601 feeding events across 10 plant species, and eight commonly consumed foods were tested with Artemia franciscana nauplii exposed to aqueous extracts for 48 hours to determine LC₅₀ values and toxicity classes. Four foods—cypress seeds (Cupressus sempervirens), chinaberries (Melia azedarach), Canary Island dates (Phoenix canariensis), and olives (Olea europaea)—accounted for 82.9% of feeding events. Dietary diversity was highest in winter and summer, while foraging presence remained relatively stable, peaking in autumn. Toxicity assays identified chinaberries as most toxic and cypress seeds as least, indicating potential dietary risks. These findings show that P. krameri exhibits flexible, opportunistic foraging and tolerates plant compounds harmful to other vertebrates. Seasonal dietary shifts and ecological plasticity likely support its urban invasion success, highlighting the importance of understanding diet composition and potential exposure to plant toxins in urban parakeet populations.