Serum C-reactive protein and immune responses in dogs inoculated withBordetella bronchiseptica (phase I cells)

Eight Beagle dogs were inoculated intrabronchially with 5×10⁹ live, avirulent cells ofBordetella bronchiseptica L-414 strain (phase I cells) (B. bronchiseptica) to investigate the serum levels of their C-reactive protein, the white blood cell counts, the antibody responses toB. bronchiseptica in the sera and tracheal secretions, and the effects of prednisolone given to four of the dogs on C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBC) and immune responses. In two Beagle dogs inoculated intrabronchially with sterile physiological saline, the concentrations of CRP and the WBC counts did not increase. CRP was markedly increased one day after inoculation in the dogs inoculated withB. bronchiseptica to 385.0–720.0 µg/ml (mean 498±132 µg/ml) in the group given theB. bronchiseptica inoculation only, and to 372.0–649.0 µg/ml (mean 551±106 µg/ml) in the group treated with prednisolone following inoculation ofB. bronchiseptica, as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The CRP levels were 23–95 times the pre-inoculation values, which indicated that prednisolone had no effect on the production of CRP. In the prednisolone-treated group, the WBC count increased and stayed at an increased level for approximately 12 days. An indirect fluorescent antibody test led to the detection of anti-B. bronchiseptica IgM and IgG antibodies in the sera from 5 days afterB. bronchiseptica inoculation and S-IgA and IgG anti-B. bronchiseptica antibodies in the tracheal secretions on the day after the challenge exposure toB. bronchiseptica. The increase in CRP after challenge exposure toB. bronchiseptica was significantly (p<0.05) smaller than that found after the first inoculation ofB. bronchiseptica.Abbreviations CRP C-reactive protein - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - FHA filamentous haemagglutinin - IFA indirect fluorescent antibody - WBC white blood cell(s)     

Plasma concentrations and tissue residues of bicozamycin given orally to pigs

Bicozamycin was dissolved in water and administered to pigs by stomach tube at 40 mg/kg once daily for 7 consecutive days. The plasma concentration was determined on days 1 and 7 of the dosing period. The mean (± SD) peak plasma concentrations were 2.06±0.36 µg/ml at 3.08±0.80 h on day 1 and 2.36±1.32 µg/ml at 2.80±0.74 h on day 7, the elimination half-lives being 3.80±0.92 h and 2.43±1.41 h, respectively. The mean areas under the plasma concentration-time curves were 15.88±2.18 (µg h)/ml on day 1 and 12.31±6.98 (µg h)/ml on day 7. These pharmacokinetic parameters did not differ between days 1 and 7, suggesting that there was no accumulation in the plasma after consecutive oral dosing. The residues in kidney, liver and muscle were examined in pigs slaughtered on days 1, 3 and 5 after the last dosing. One day after withdrawal, residues were found in the kidneys of all three pigs examined, at a mean concentration of 0.26 µg/g, and in muscle from one pig, but not in liver from any of the pigs. Bicozamycin was not detected in any of the samples taken 3 or 5 days after withdrawal.Abbreviations AUC area under the plasma concentration-time curve - C _max peak concentration - T _max time of the peak - t _1/2 elimination half-life     

Concentrations of C-reactive Protein in Normal Monkeys (Macaca irus) and in Monkeys Inoculated with Bordetella bronchiseptica R-5 and Measles Virus

The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum from normal crab-eating monkeys (Macaca irus) were measured by means of a monkey-specific turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA), and the changes in the serum CRP concentrations in crab-eating monkeys inoculated with Bordetella bronchiseptica R-5 and measles virus (Ichinose or NK 3 strain) were also examined. The CRP concentrations in sera from 54 normal crab-eating monkeys ranged from 0 to 8.3 g/ml (mean 2.2±1.9). No significant difference was found in the CRP concentrations between males and females (p>0.05). The concentrations of CRP in the sera from four crab-eating monkeys inoculated intrabronchially with 10⁹ live B. bronchiseptica increased gradually to a peak at 2 days after inoculation. The peak concentrations of CRP were from 102.4 to 313.2 g/ml, 54–96 times the preinoculative values of 1.9–5.6 g/ml. When the same four crab-eating monkeys were inoculated intrabronchially with measles virus 34 days after inoculation of B. bronchiseptica, the serum CRP concentrations did not increase. Monitoring of CRP is useful for assessing monkeys with acute B. bronchiseptica infection and will probably be of value in the diagnosis of other bacterial infections.     

The pharmacokinetics of primaquine in calves after subcutaneous and intravenous administration

The pharmacokinetics of primaquine was studied in calves of 180–300 kg live weight. Primaquine was injected at 0.29 mg/kg (0.51 mg/kg as primaquine diphosphate) intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC) and the plasma concentrations of primaquine and its metabolite carboxyprimaquine were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The extrapolated concentration of primaquine at zero time after IV administration was 0.50±0.48 µg/ml (mean ±SD) which decreased with an elimination half-life of 0.16±0.07 h. Primaquine was rapidly converted to carboxyprimaquine after either route of administration. The peak concentration of carboxyprimaquine was 0.50±0.08 µg/ml at 1.67±0.15 h after IV administration. The corresponding value was 0.47±0.07 µg/ml at 5.05±1.20 h after SC administration. The elimination half-lives of carboxyprimaquine after IV and SC administration were 15.06±0.99 and 12.26±3.06 h, respectively. The areas under the concentration-time curve for carboxyprimaquine were similar following either IV or SC administration of primaquine; the values were 11.85±2.62 µg.h/ml after the former and 10.95±2.65 µg.h/ml after the latter. The mean area under the concentration-time curve for primaquine was less than 0.1 µg.h/ml after either route of administration.Abbreviations AUC area under the concentration-time curve - CPRQ carboxyprimaquine - IV intravenous - 6M8AQ 6-methoxy-8-aminoquinoline - PRQ primaquine - SC subcutaneous     

Analytical and Clinical Validation of a Time-resolved Immunofluorometric Assay (TR-IFMA) for Canine C-reactive Protein in Serum

A time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (TR-IFMA) was developed for the determination of C-reactive protein (CRP) in canine serum. CRP was isolated from canine acute-phase serum by affinity chromatography on agarose coupled with phosphorylethanolamine. This isolated dog CRP was used as standard to calibrate the assay. Intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were in the ranges 5.3–7.1% and 4.8–13.3%, respectively. Accuracy, evaluated by adding 2 and 10 μg/ml of CRP to serum samples, provided recoveries of 99.9% and 106.8%. High correlation was found between CRP measurements by TR-IFMA and a by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (R² = 0.98). The limit of detection for the TR-IFMA method was 0.000067 μg/ml and the measurement of CRP in serial dilutions of acute-phase dog sera generated curves with the same slope as the one constructed with purified CRP. The TR-IFMA provides a precise, accurate and highly sensitive assay for CRP determination in dog samples. CRP levels in dogs with different diseases ranged between 10.2 and 210.7 μg/ml and were significantly higher than those observed in healthy dogs (< 7.1 μmg/ml).     

Monitoring C-reactive Protein in Beagle Dogs Experimentally Inoculated with Ehrlichia canis

The concentrations of C-reactive proteins (CRP) in the plasma of five beagle dogs experimentally inoculated with Ehrlichia canis increased markedly. The concentrations began to increase between 4 and 16 days and peaked between 15 and 42 days after inoculation of E. canis. The peak concentrations ranged from 217.8 to 788.8 g/ml (452.6±228.1 SD). After the peak, the concentrations of CRP decreased rapidly. The PCR product of 16S rRNA of E. canis became detectable in the five dogs between 18 and 27 days after inoculation of E. canis. Antibodies to E. canis were detected in plasma from the dogs between 5 and 15 days after inoculation of E. canis. The timings of seroconversion and of the start of the increase in CRP were approximately similar and the high concentrations of CRP in the plasma of the dogs tended to become apparent when the PCR product of 16 S rRNA of E. canis became detectable.     

Mineral deficiencies in grazing dairy cattle in Kordofan and Darfur regions in western Sudan

The seasonal changes in mineral profiles in serum of grazing dairy cattle and the concentrations of nutrients available from forages were determined in western Sudan. Blood samples were collected seasonally from dairy cows, Kenana and Botana breeds, in 6 locations in Kordofan and Darfur. Data were analysed as a split-plot design with repeated measures. The results indicated there were significant seasonal changes in concentrations of P, Cu and K, Ca, Mg, Na, Co, and Zn in blood serum of grazing cows. Concentrations of P, Ca and Na in serum were lowest during the late dry season (4.5 mg/dl, 8.21 mg/dl and 129 mEq/L respectively), while concentrations of Cu, deficient throughout the year, were lowest during the rainy season (0.35 µg/ml). The interaction of location×season was significant for serum P, Ca, Cu, Mg, Na, Co and K. Kenana cattle had lower Zn in serum (0.96 µg/ml) than Botana cattle (1.13 µg/ml). During the dry season, forages had very low CP (3.5±0.5%), high neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (67.5±1.8%) and high acid detergent (ADF) (38.5±1.2%) content. Calcium, P and Na levels in forages were deficient during the dry season (0.38±0.03%, 0.08±0.03% and 0.047±0.01% respectively). Copper also was deficient in forages during the dry season, but adequate during the mid-rainy season (3.0±2.4 and 26.1±1.5 mg/kg respectively). In conclusion, the low Cu concentration in sera of cattle indicated a possible nutritional deficiency throughout the year, while P, Ca, and Na were low in sera during the late dry season. Thus, seasonal deficiencies of minerals may affect productivity of cattle in the Kordofan and Darfur regions of Sudan.     

C‐reactive protein concentration in dogs with primary immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia

Background: Canine primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is associated with a high-mortality rate. C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most important acute-phase protein in dogs and may have value as a marker of prognosis or response to treatment in IMHA. Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate serum CRP concentration in dogs with primary IMHA at presentation and during treatment, to assess potential differences based on survival time, and to compare CRP with other laboratory parameters of inflammation and prognosis. Methods: Inclusion criteria for primary IMHA were anemia (PCV<0.30 L/L), a positive Coombs' test or persistent autoagglutination of erythrocytes, and the exclusion of underlying diseases by other diagnostic tests. Dogs were divided into 2 groups based on survival: dogs that were still alive 14 days after start of treatment (group 1) and dogs that died or were euthanized before day 14 (group 2). Serum CRP concentration, a CBC, and a biochemistry profile were performed on days 0, 3, 8, and 14. Serum CRP also was determined in 25 clinically healthy dogs. Results: CRP concentration in the 25 clinically healthy dogs ranged from 0–8.9 μg/mL (median 2.2 μg/mL). Thirty dogs were diagnosed with primary IMHA, 24 in group 1 and 6 in group 2. On day 0, CRP concentration in dogs in both groups (median 224 μg/mL) was increased above the reference interval. In group 1 dogs, median CRP concentration was 242 μg/mL on day 0, 69 μg/mL on day 3, 35 μg/mL on day 8, and 2 μg/mL on day 14. In group 2 dogs, median CRP concentration was 194 μg/mL on day 0, 119 μg/mL on day 3, and 41 μg/mL on day 8; only 1 dog in group 2 survived to day 8. There was a significant correlation between CRP and total WBC concentrations on days 0 and 3 (r=−.598, P=.003). Conclusions: Serum CRP concentration was markedly increased in dogs with primary IMHA. CRP concentration did not differ based on patient survival, but might be a marker for long-term monitoring of these patients.     

Potential effects of glucocorticoids on serum iron concentration in dogs

Prednisone was give norally(2mg/kg b.i.d.) to seven healthy mixed breed dogs for 3 consecutive days. Serum iron concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 142 +/- 26 micro g/dl (mean +/- SE) before a drug adminis- tration on Day 0 to a maximum of 307 +/- 47 micro g/dl on Day 2, and returned to the Day 0 value by Day 5. Mean total iron binding capacity did not vary more than 25% from the Day 0 value during the 9 day long study. The percent saturation of transferrin with iron increased from 33 +/- 6% on Day 0 to a maximum of 71 +/- 9% on Day 3. This determination had decreased to 34 +/- 3% on Day 5. No statistically significant changes occurred in these parameters studied in six control dogs that were not given the drug. To determine whether serum iron concentration might be correlated with endogenous serum cortisol concentration, these tests were determined in serum collected from nine dogs at 7 a.m., 3 p.m., and 11 p.m. each day for 3 consecutive days. Serum iron concentration was lower at 7 a.m. (147 +/- 9 micro g/dl) than at 3 p.m. (164 +/- 9 micro g/dl) or 11 p.m. (159 +/- 10 micro g/dl). Likewise serum cortisol was lower at 7 a.m. (1.29 +/- 0.18 micro g/dl) than at 3 p.m. (1.49 +/- 0.19 micro g/dl) or 11 p.m. (1.51 +/- 0.22 micro g/dl). There was a significant positive linear correlation between serum iron and serum cortisol concentrations when they were compared using mean values for each dog. From these studies, it appears that exogenously administered glucocorticoids and endogenous increases in serum cortisol concentrations may result in increased serum iron concentrations in dogs.     

The pharmacokinetics of thiamphenicol in lactating cows

The pharmacokinetics of thiamphenicol were studied after intravenous and intramuscular administration of 25 mg/kg body weight in lactating cows. Distribution (t _1/2) and elimination (t _1/2) half-lives of 6.10±1.39 min and 1.60±0.30 h, respectively, were obtained after intravenous administration. The body clearance was 3.9±0.077 ml/kg per min and the apparent volume of distribution was 1220.79±256.67 ml/kg. The rate at which thiamphenicol appeared in the milk, as indicated by the penetration half-life (t _1/2P) (serum to quarters), was found to be 36.89±11.14 min. The equivalent elimination half-life (t _1/2E) (quarters to serum) from the milk was 3.62±1.06 h and the peak thiamphenicol concentration in the milk was 23.09±3.42 µg/ml at 2.5±0.32 h.After intramuscular injection, the elimination half-life was 2.2±0.40 h, the absorption half-life was 4.02±1.72 min and the peak concentration in the serum was 30.90±5.24 µg/ml at 23±8.4 min. The bioavailability after intramuscular administration approached 100%. The penetration half-life was 50.59±6.87 min, the elimination half-life was 5.91±4.97 h and the mean peak concentration in the milk was 17.37±2.20 µg/ml at 3.4±0.22 h.Abbreviations AUC area under the concentration-time curve - CAP chloramphenicol - C _max peak concentration - IM intramuscular - IV intravenous - TAP thiamphenicol - t _1/2 distribution half-life - t _1/2 elimination half-life - V _c volume of central compartment - V _d volume of distribution     

In vivo efficacy of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) fruit extract on experimental fluoride exposure in rats

The study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of hydro-methanolic (1:1) extract of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) fruit pulp in removing body fluoride burden. Thirty rats were divided into five groups. Keeping no fluoride group as the control, rats of no treatment, low dose, middle dose and high dose groups received sodium fluoride orally at the rate of 200 mg per kg body weight daily for 14 weeks. Rats of low dose, middle dose and high dose group simultaneously received tamarind fruit pulp extract at three doses, viz. 25 (low), 50 (medium) and 100 mg (high) per kg body weight orally, respectively. Fluoride concentration in blood, urine and long bone of experimental rats was monitored to assess the efficacy of the extract. Mean serum fluoride concentration in fluoride exposed rats was 0.145 ± 0.009 and 0.783 ± 0.042 μg/ml on days 0 and 98. In comparison, fluoride concentrations in tamarind treated rats were 0.179 ± 0.021 and 0.633 ± 0.015; 0.179 ± 0.021 and 0.502 ± 0.025 and 0.176 ± 0.021 and 0.498 ± 0.030 μg/ml in low, medium and high dose groups, respectively on day 0 and day 98 of the experiment. There was a significant (p ? 0.01) increase in urinary fluoride excretion from day 28 onwards. The mean fluoride concentration in long bones of treated rats was significantly lower than the values recorded in fluoride exposed rats. These findings suggest that concomitant use of tamarind fruit pulp extract can reduce fluoride concentration in blood and bone and enhanced urinary excretion, indicating the ameliorative potential of fruits of tamarind in fluoride toxicity.     

C-reactive protein concentrations in canine acute pancreatitis

Objective: To determine if C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration is elevated in spontaneously occurring canine acute pancreatitis (AP), and to measure changes in CRP during the course of hospitalization. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine Foster Hospital for Small Animals. Animals: Sixteen client‐owned dogs with AP and 16 healthy controls. Interventions: Blood samples were obtained from the AP group on the day of diagnosis (Day 1), and on Days 3 and 5, unless the dog died or was discharged from the hospital. Blood was obtained from the control dogs once. Measurements and main results: Serum CRP was measured using a commercial immunoassay for each dog with AP and for healthy controls. Day 1 CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the AP group (56.1±12.7 μg/mL) compared with controls (2.8±1.3 μg/mL; P<0.001). For the 7 dogs that had samples collected on all 3 days, the mean CRP concentrations decreased significantly (P=0.043) over the 5 days of measurement. Of the 16 dogs with AP, 14 were discharged from the hospital and 2 were euthanized. Conclusions: Serum CRP concentrations were elevated in this group of 16 dogs with spontaneously occurring AP. In the 7 dogs that had measurements on all 3 days, the mean CRP concentration decreased from the day of diagnosis to the measurement made 5 days later.     

Seminal plasma lactoferrin but not transferrin reflects gonadal function in dogs

Lactoferrin purified from canine seminal plasma by a three-step chromatography procedure had a molecular mass of 75.2 kDa and cross-reacted with antiserum to equine seminal plasma lactoferrin. Seminal plasma lactoferrin concentrations were determined by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by using rabbit anti-equine lactoferrin antibody and alkaline phosphatase-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody in 14 normal dogs and found to range from 12 to 197 micro g/ml, with a mean value of 77 +/- 59 micro g/ml (the mean +/- SD). Seminal plasma transferrin concentrations were determined by a sandwich ELISA with goat antibody to canine serum transferrin and alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-canine transferrin antibody and found to range from 0.32 to 12.6 micro g/m l, with a mean value of 2.44 +/- 3.25 micro g/m l. The lactoferrin concentration significantly correlated with the sperm concentration (r=0.7025, P<0.01), but there was no significant correlation between the seminal plasma transferrin concentration and sperm density. These results indicate that seminal plasma lactoferrin, but not transferrin, reflects gonadal function.     

Evaluation of a commercially available human C-reactive protein (CRP) turbidometric immunoassay for determination of canine serum CRP concentration

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase marker in dogs that is useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory disease. Rapid, reliable, and automated assays are preferable for routine evaluation of canine serum CRP concentration.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether canine serum CRP concentration could be measured reliably using an automated turbidometric immunoassay (TIA) designed for use with human serum.
Methods: A commercially available TIA for human serum CRP (Bayer, Newbury, UK) was used to measure canine serum CRP concentration. Cross-reactivity of antigen was evaluated by the Ouchterlony procedure. Intra-and interassay imprecision was investigated by multiple measurements on canine serum samples and serum pools, respectively. Assay inaccuracy was investigated by linearity under dilution and comparison of methodologies (canine CRP ELISA, Tridelta Development Ltd, Kildare, UK). Then the assay was applied to serum samples from 14 clinically healthy dogs, 11 dogs with neoplasia, 13 with infections, 8 with endocrine or metabolic diseases, and 10 with miscellaneous diseases.
Results: Cross-reactivity between canine serum CRP and the anti-human CRP antibody was found. Intra-and interassay imprecision ranged from 5.2% to 10.8% and 3.0% to 10.2%, respectively. Serum CRP concentration was measured in a linear and proportional manner. There was no significant disagreement and there was linear correlation of the results in the comparison of methodologies, except for a slight proportional discrepancy at low CRP concentrations (<10 μg/mL). Dogs with infections had a significantly higher concentration of serum CRP than did all other dogs, and dogs with neoplasia had a significantly higher concentration of serum CRP than did clinically healthy dogs.
Conclusions: Canine serum CRP concentration can be measured reliably using the commercially available TIA designed for human CRP.     

C-reactive protein measurement in canine saliva.

An established time-resolved immunofluorometric assay designed for measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) in canine blood was evaluated and validated for use in canine saliva. C-reactive protein was measured in saliva specimens from 5 healthy dogs before and after the injection of casein and in 37 dogs with different disease conditions. The analytical and functional limits of detection were 0.000053 microg/ml and 0.0091 microg/ml, respectively, and intra- and interassay coefficients of variation ranged between 6.7-9.9% and 8.5-16.5%, respectively. A recovery experiment showed no significant disagreement between detected values and expected ones, and saliva CRP concentration was measured in a linear and proportional manner. A positive correlation was found between CRP levels obtained in saliva and serum samples in the experimental (R2 = 0.76) and clinical studies (R2 = 0.70). The assay was able to detect significant differences between salivary CRP levels in healthy dogs and dogs with inflammatory processes. These results suggest that saliva can be used for CRP measurement in dogs. The use of saliva presents the advantage of an easier and less stressful sampling method for the animals, which might be performed outside of hospital environments.     

Serum and skin concentrations after multiple-dose oral administration of trimethoprim-sulfadiazine in dogs.

Six healthy adult mixed breed dogs were each given 5 oral doses of trimethoprim (TMP)/sulfadiazine (SDZ) at 2 dosage regimens: 5 mg of TMP/kg of body weight and 25 mg of SDZ/kg every 24 hours (experiment 1) and every 12 hours (experiment 2). Serum and skin concentrations of each drug were measured serially throughout each experiment and mean serum concentrations of TMP and SDZ were determined for each drug for 24 hours (experiment 1) and 12 hours (experiment 2) after the last dose was given. In experiment 1, mean serum TMP concentration was 0.67 +/- 0.02 micrograms/ml, and mean skin TMP concentration was 1.54 +/- 0.40 micrograms/g. Mean serum SDZ concentration was 51.1 +/- 12.2 micrograms/ml and mean skin SDZ concentration was 59.3 +/- 9.8 micrograms/g. In experiment 2, mean serum TMP concentration was 1.24 +/- 0.35 micrograms/ml and mean skin TMP concentration was 3.03 +/- 0.54 micrograms/g. Mean serum SDZ concentration was 51.6 +/- 9.3 micrograms/ml and mean skin SDZ concentration was 71.1 +/- 8.2 micrograms/g. After the 5th oral dose in both experiments, mean concentration of TMP and SDZ in serum and skin exceeded reported minimal inhibitory concentrations of TMP/SDZ (less than or equal to 0.25/4.75 micrograms/ml) for coagulase-positive Staphylococcus sp. It was concluded that therapeutically effective concentrations in serum and skin were achieved and maintained when using the manufacturer's recommended dosage of 30 mg of TMP/SDZ/kg (5 mg of TMP/kg and 25 mg of SDZ/kg) every 24 hours.     

The Influence of High‐Intensity Moderate Duration Exercise on Cardiac Troponin I and C‐Reactive Protein in Sled Dogs

Background: C‐reactive protein (CRP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) are biomarkers of systemic inflammation and cardiac damage, respectively. Objective: To investigate the effects of short‐duration high‐intensity exercise on plasma cTnI and serum CRP concentrations in sprint racing sled dogs. Animals: Twenty‐two Alaskan sled dogs of 2 different teams participating in a 2‐day racing event. Methods: In this prospective field study, cephalic venipuncture was performed on all dogs before racing and immediately after racing on 2 consecutive days. Plasma cTnI and serum CRP concentrations were evaluated at each time point. Results: There was a mild, significant rise (P < .01) in median cTnI concentrations from resting (0.02 ng/mL; 0.0–0.12 ng/mL) on both days after racing (day 1 = 0.06, 0.02–0.2 ng/mL; day 2 = 0.07, 0.02–0.21 ng/mL). Serum CRP concentrations showed a mild significant increase (P < .01) on day 2 after racing mean (9.2 ± 4.6 μg/mL) as compared with resting (6.5 + 4.3 μg/mL) and day 1 after racing (5.0 + 2.9 μg/mL). Neither cTnI or CRP concentrations exceeded the upper reference range for healthy dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Strenuous exercise of short duration did not result in cTnI concentrations above the reference range for healthy dogs. Although increased after 2 days of short‐duration strenuous exercise, CRP did not reach concentrations suggestive of inflammation, as reported previously in the endurance sled dogs. Therefore, we surmise that moderate exercise does not present a confounding variable in the interpretation of cTnI and CRP concentrations in normal dogs.     

Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with multicentric lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration is high in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, whether CRP concentration changes in response to chemotherapy, and whether CRP concentration can be used as a marker for relapse in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. DESIGN: Cohort study. ANIMALS: 20 dogs with multicentric lymphoma and 8 healthy control dogs undergoing chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) or with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and L-asparaginase (VCMA) and 20 other healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Serum CRP concentration was measured weekly during the first month of chemotherapy and then at 3-week intervals until relapse in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, weekly for 16 weeks in healthy dogs undergoing chemotherapy, and once in the healthy dogs not undergoing chemotherapy. RESULTS: For both groups of dogs with lymphoma, mean serum CRP concentration during week 1 (prior to treatment) was significantly higher than mean concentrations following induction of chemotherapy and at the time of relapse. Mean serum CRP concentration in the healthy dogs undergoing chemotherapy was not significantly different at any time from mean concentration for the healthy dogs not undergoing chemotherapy. No significant differences were observed between dogs treated with CVP and dogs treated with VCMA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that serum CRP concentration is high in dogs with multicentric lymphoma but that serum CRP concentration is not a useful marker for relapse and that chemotherapy itself does not affect serum CRP concentration.     

Studies on the relationship between sway disease of bactrian camels and copper status in Gansu province

The clinical signs of camel sway disease in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu province were defined. The contents of eight minerals in soils, in forage and in the blood and hair of bactrian camels from this region were determined. The related blood indices were also measured. The concentration of molybdenum in soils and forage was 4.8±0.02 and 4.8±0.25 µg/g (dry matter), respectively, the copper to molybdenum ratio in the forage being only 1.3. The concentration of copper in blood and hair from the camels was 0.28±0.17 µg/ml and 3.50±1.00 µg/g, respectively. There was a hypochromic microcytic anaemia and a low level of ceruloplasmin in the blood. It is therefore suggested that sway disease of bactrian camels in this region is caused by secondary copper deficiency, mainly due to the high molybdenum content in soils and forage. The copper deficiency in the camels was aggravated during reproduction. Oral administration of copper sulphate can prevent and cure the disease.Abbreviations AKP alkaline phosphatase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Cp ceruloplasmin - Crt creatinine - DM dry matter - -GGT -glutamyltransferase - Hb haemoglobin concentration - LDH lactate dehydrogenase - MCH mean corpuscular haemoglobin content - MCHC mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration - MCV mean corpuscular volume - PCV packed cell volume - RBC red blood cell count     

Some Comparative Aspects of the Pharmacokinetics of Tylosin in Buffaloes and Cattle

The pharmacokinetics of tylosin were compared in cattle (Bos taurus) and buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Six animals received each a single dose of 10 mg/kg of tylosin tartrate by the intramuscular route. The serum concentration (C _max) and the volume of distribution (V _d) presented significant differences between the two species. C _max was 0.40 ± 0.046 µg/ml for buffaloes and 0.64 ± 0.068 µg/ml for cattle. V _d was 1.91 ± 0.12 L/kg and 1.33 ± 0.09 L/kg for buffaloes and cattle, respectively. However, as the present study did not show considerable differences in the pharmacokinetics of tylosin in buffaloes and cattle, similar dosage regimes of this drug can be recommended for both species.