The use of carnivores as experimental models in auditory biology has led to a significant improvement regarding our understanding of the structure and function of the ear. Considering that data regarding the anatomy of the middle ear in the red fox are rare, this study aimed to describe the morphological and morphometrical features of the auditory ossicles in the red fox, as well as to provide their shape characteristics by geometric analysis. Nine adult red foxes were used in the study. The malleus, incus and stapes were extracted from the middle ear, prepared, photographed and measured using the software. For the geometric analysis, 19 landmarks were used. Following Principal Component Analysis (PCA), PC1 was found to explain approximately half of all variance (incus: 49.97%; malleus: 49.93%; stapes: 58.49%). The study demonstrated the similar anatomical organization of the auditory ossicles in line with important morphometric and basic geometric data, which can contribute to this field and add a useful perspective to the literature.

The coexistence of humans and dogs, in addition to all positive effects, can result in negative effects on human health. A particular risk is posed by a population of stray dogs, that is, dogs without owners and veterinary supervision. A contact with dogs in addition to bites, carries the risk of viral, bacterial and parasitic zoonoses, and can also cause psychological trauma. Children, the elderly and pregnant women are the categories most susceptible to the negative effects of dogs. The aim of the paper was to make an interdisciplinary analysis of the negative effects of dogs on humans. Dog bites cause wounds and dysfunction of damaged tissue, and often lead to various infections. The risks of rabies and tetanus are particularly significant if proper and timely treatment is not performed. Ongoing training for dog owners can significantly reduce the number of bites inflicted by owned dogs, but stray dogs remain a serious social problem and pose potential health risks of some zoonosis. Timely and adequate management of bite wounds and the use of rabies-post-exposure prophylaxis as well as psychotherapy , where indicated, significantly reduce possible adverse health effects for patients who have been bitten by dogs.

The laboratory rat, as important biomedical model, was often fed with unconventional diet usually made up of products from the bakery industry. Such diet consisted of insufficient caloric and nutritionally unbalanced meals could cause unreliable results in biomedical research. The study investigates the effects of malnutrition on the haematological profile of rats. The study is performed on Wistar male and female rats which were fed for 4 weeks exclusively with bakery products ad libidum. The following hematological parameters were observed in peripheral blood smears: red blood cell count, content of haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, white blood cell count, differential blood count, diameter of red blood cells, as well as the presence of atypical forms of red blood cells. Despite there were no statistically significant differences in overall haematological results (p > 0.05, with > 0.05), the significant part of obtained results were below physiological limits (HGB, MCHC and MCH). Other haematological parameters, including white blood corpuscles were kept in physiological limits, except for mild neutrophils in males. Also, the forms of anulocytes and spherocytes were recorded in peripheral blood smears. The results indicated the beginning of normocytic hypochromic anaemia which was caused by unbalanced meals.

The study of crystalluria is of great importance for the detection of substances of endogenous or exogenous origin that are present inthe urine, to a greater or lesser extent. Urinary sediment crystals can provide valuable answers for the assessment of therapeutic efficacy, as well as congenital and/or acquired pathophysiological conditions. The nature of the observed crystals informs the clinician of the biochemical irregularity of the urine. Crystalluria is of clinical significance only if it has been studied under good test conditions (sample selection, time and storage conditions). Crystalluria interpretations are performed on the basis of the urinary pH determined with statistically significant reliability. When studying crystalluria by light microscopy, it is necessary to provide light polarization or bidirectional illuminationin order to reduce the risk of diagnostic error.

Cytological analysis of urine sediment is an integral part of urine analysis and a useful, cost-effective diagnostic tool for all routine clinical examinations, which can sometimes be overlooked in veterinary practice. Proper handling and timely urine sample analysis are essential for valid microscopic analysis. Microscopic urinary sediment testing is usually carried out with stained or unstained specimen. A common urine may contain a small number of cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes, epithelial cells) of several crystals, spermatozoids (male animals). In contrast, a large number of cells or casts, the presence of unusual types of crystals, neoplastic cells, parasites, and microorganisms include abnormal findings, requiring a specialized diagnostic approach. Correct identification of organic components of the urinary sediment are crucial for accurate and timely diagnosis of kidney disorders. Laboratory experts should be trained to properly identify and classify organic components of the urinary tract.