Zoonotic parasites associated with domestic dogs have been well-studied in the majority of Europe. In the Balkan region, however, there is minimal knowledge of the parasites in dogs in shelters for rehoming in other European countries. This study aimed to investigate parasitic infections in dogs from two private shelters in Pristina, Kosovo. Faecal samples were collected, representing both adult dogs (72%) and puppies (28%). Coproscopic analysis revealed that 88% of dogs were infected with at least one parasite, with hookworms being the most common. Amplicon metabarcoding targeting internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-2 rRNA gene confirmed the presence of only Uncinaria stenocephala in 68% of samples apparently susceptible to benzimidazoles. The canonical F167Y and Q134H isotype-1 β-tubulin of U. stenocephala mutations conferring benzimidazole resistance were not detected. No evidence of Ancylostoma caninum was detected. Molecular analysis confirmed Giardia duodenalis in 18% of samples, with assemblages B, D and C detected. Other parasites detected included Cystoisospora spp. (18%), Toxocara canis (4%), Toxascaris leonina (6%), Trichuris vulpis (32%), Eucoleus aerophilus (10%) and Dipylidium caninum (2%). Co-infections were identified in 48% of the samples. These findings demonstrate a high frequency of gastrointestinal parasites in shelter dogs. The presence of U. stenocephala and T. vulpis points to the challenges with monitoring and managing these parasitic infections in such settings, as these are likely translocated with the rehomed dogs. The frequency of detection of hookworms emphasizes the need for further research into the distribution of hookworms in Europe because of the emerging benzimidazole resistance on other continents.

This article investigates the production of textiles in Thrace during the first millennium BC. It presents a functional analysis of textile-production tools from three towns in Thrace: Koprivlen, Adzhiiska Vodenitsa near Vetren, and Seuthopolis, and from Kastanas in Macedonia. The analysis shows that over the course of the Iron Age, textile production became more diversified and intensive. This process unfolded parallel to the emergence of opulent elite burials and urban communities. By examining a wider range of archaeological, iconographic, and textual data, the article contributes to our understanding of how the demand for textiles, and their consumption in different socially meaningful ways, connects to changes in production.

Since the beginning of the 19th century the Balkans has been a synonym for aggressive nationalism and unbridled violence; the two phenomena traditionally understood to be the key obstacles for its social development. This paper contests such views by arguing that it was the absence of protracted warfare and coherent nationalist doctrines that distinguishes the history of South Eastern Europe from the rest of the continent. Drawing critically on bellicose historical sociology and modernist theories of nationalism - with a spotlight on the work of Charles Tilly and Ernest Gellner. Drawing critically on bellicose historical sociology and modernists theories of nationalism the paper makes a case that it was not the abundance of nationalism and organised violence but rather their historical scarcity that proved decisive for the slow pace of social development in the Balkans.