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The purpose of this study was to evaluate in calves the effects of respiratory diseases of various severities on blood gases, acid-base balance and plasma lactate concentration. We included in the study 128 calves with clinical signs of various severities and outcomes of respiratory disorders. The age of the calves ranged from 1 to 12 months. According to the clinical findings, course of the disease and time of blood collection, the sick calves were divided into three groups: RD 1 (n=34) – calves with moderate clinical signs; RD 2 (n=73) – calves with severe respiratory symptoms and RD 3 (n=21) – calves with severe respiratory symptoms and died within 48 hours after blood sampling. Into the study we also included one group of 28 clinically healthy calves. In the arterial blood we evaluated: blood pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide – pCO2, partial pressure of oxygen – pO2, concentration of actual bicarbonate – HCO3−, base excess – BE, and saturation of hemoglobin by oxygen – O2-sat. The concentration of lactate was determined in the blood plasma. Significant effects of health status and severity of respiratory diseases were recorded in all the evaluated variables. Marked hypoxemia and hypercapnia were found in calves with severe respiratory disorders and in animals that died within 48 hours after blood collection. In most calves, the acid-base changes were characterized as compensated respiratory acidosis. The highest mean lactate values were recorded in calves that died within 48 hours after blood sampling. The presented results suggest the usefulness of the analysis of blood gases and acid-base status in the evaluation and prognosis of various degrees and severity of respiratory diseases in calves, and in monitoring the patient response to treatment. Although plasma lactate analysis is less consistent with the severity of respiratory diseases, it might be helpful in the indication of an untreatable stage of the disease and upcoming death.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different premedication protocols followed by a propofol/fentanyl TIVA on cardio-respiratory and hemodynamic changes in twenty-four dogs randomly divided into two groups (AMD-group: medetomidine, atropine and diazepam; AXD-group: xylazine, atropine and diazepam). Cardiorespiratory variables, acid-base indices, quality of sedation, induction, intubation and recovery were recorded throughout the experiment. Significant changes were observed for the pO2 level, which was increased in the AMDgroup from 90 min. (*P< 0.05) to 120 min. (**P< 0.01) of anesthesia. This can be explained by a reduction of the administration rate of propofol/fentanyl TIVA and oxygenation initiated due to excessively deep anesthesia detected by an anesthetsiologist, leading to improved ventilation and increased pO2. The pCO2 (*P < 0.05) reached more preferable values during the first 30 min. and pH (**P< 0.01) was significantly improved within the first 60 min. in the AXD-group thanks to less depressant effects of xylazine. Within the first 30 min. of anesthesia a significant heart rate difference between the groups was accompanied with significantly higher BP (hypertension) in the AXD-group (10 min. ***P< 0.001, 30 min. **P< 0.01). This points to the possibility of atropine application only in the case of a tendency to bradycardia followed by hypotension. It can be concluded that xylazine is a better option for the premedication of a propofol/ fentanyl TIVA in dogs undergoing a prolonged surgical intervention, in spite of the fact that lower sedation scores were attained. We have detected significantly less adverse cardio-respiratory and hemodynamic effects of xylazine, and a shorter recovery time when compared to medetomidine

The objective of this study was to describe the serum protein pattern in sheep with naturally acquired gastrointestinal parasitosis and to compare the distribution of protein fractions with the results obtained in animals with negative fecal examination results. Fecal and blood samples were taken from twenty-nine sheep positive for nematode eggs and twenty-four animals with negative results of fecal examination. Between the evaluated groups of sheep significant differences were noted in the relative mean values for all protein fractions and for albumin/globulin ratio (p<0.01 and p<0.001). The concentrations of total proteins showed no significant differences between both groups of sheep. The absolute mean values of albumin, α2-globulins and A/G ratio were significantly lower, the mean concentrations of α1-, β-, γ1- and γ2-globulins significantly higher in the nematode positive group of sheep (p<0.01 and p<0.001). In the nematode positive group the protein electrophoretic pattern showed a double α2-zone in three sheep and the γ-globulin zones were characterized by a diffuse higher broad and wide peaks. The presented results indicate that the gastrointestinal parasitic infections in sheep alter the distribution of serum proteins, and suggest their usefulness in animals with unchanged serum protein concentrations. The study brings new findings and extends the knowledge about the metabolic responses and consequences of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in sheep, particularly with regard to alterations in protein metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum proteins electrophoretic pattern and the concentrations of acute phase proteins in calves with chronic bronchopneumonia. Twenty-eight calves with clinical symptoms of disease were included into the evaluation. Blood serum was analyzed for total protein concentrations (TP), total and relative values of serum protein fractions, albumin/globulin ratio (A/G) and the concentrations of selected acute phase proteins - haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and fibrinogen (Fbg). The results recorded in sick animals were compared with those in 36 clinically healthy calves as control group. In calves suffering from chronic bronchopneumonia we found significantly higher total serum protein concentrations than in healthy calves (p<0.001). In sick calves a marked shift in the concentrations of most of the protein fractions was observed, with significantly higher mean total values of α1- (p<0.001), β1- (p<0.01), β2- (p<0.001), and γ-globulins (p<0.001) and relative mean values of α1- (p<0.01), β2- (p<0.01), and γ-globulins (p<0.001). On the other hand, the concentrations of albumin and A/G ratios were in calves with respiratory diseases significantly lower than those measured in healthy ones (p<0.001). The mean concentrations of α2- globulins did not differ significantly between the two groups of animals. In the affected calves significantly higher mean values of Hp, SAA, as well as Fbg (p<0.001) were described. The presented results suggest a marked effect of chronic bronchopneumonia in calves on most of the evaluated protein profiles and acute phase protein variables with a marked shift in the albumin and globulin concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the study was to map the blood serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in various age categories in cattle, small ruminants, and swine. Blood serum concentrations of TSH, T4, and T3 were analysed in randomly selected healthy animals of various species and age. Age-dependent changes of thyroid hormones were studied in 7 clinically healthy calves during the first 6 months of life. The observation started at the age of one month (body weight 45 - 51 kg). A similar study was done in 9 sucking piglets since birth to 9 weeks of age (weaning at 35 days). Blood samples were taken every week. In calves, heifers, and dairy cows we recorded significant differences in T4 and T3 values with the highest levels in heifers (p<0.05). The hormones mean concentrations in sheep, goats, and swine corresponded to data reported by other researchers. Within age dependent studies, mean concentrations of TSH showed no significant changes, however, most of the samples showed concentrations below the detection limit of the assay. In the third month close to weaning we found significantly lower serum T4 concentrations (p<0.05), compared with the initial value. Similar, but however insignificant decrease was observed for T3 concentrations. In the piglets, both T4 and T3 concentrations showed a significant (p<0.001) decrease during the study with the highest mean concentrations of T3 and T4 in the youngest piglets. After weaning, both in calves and piglets concentrations of the hormones slightly increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]