Agreement in histologic assessments of the pituitary pars intermedia in aged horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate concordance among veterinary pathologists in the assessment of histologic findings in the pars intermedia of pituitary gland sections from aged horses with mild signs suggestive of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Sample Population-10 pituitary glands from aged horses. PROCEDURE: 7 pathologists were provided with signalment, clinical signs, and a single H&E-stained pituitary gland section from 10 aged horses with mild signs suggestive of PPID. Pathologists described histologic findings for each section and stated whether findings were consistent with PPID. Agreement among pathologists and with antemortem diagnostic test results was calculated. RESULTS: Overall, only fair agreement was found among the pathologists as to which horses had histologic findings consistent with disease (mean +/- SE kappa value, 0.34 +/- 0.069). Interpretation of individual sections varied, with minimal agreement (4 or 5/7 pathologists) for 5 of 10 sections evaluated. Postmortem assessment was in agreement with an antemortem endocrine diagnostic test result 79% of the time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Validation of antemortem diagnostic testing for PPID in horses often relies on the results of postmortem histologic evaluation. The lack of consensus in histologic interpretation of pituitary glands from aged horses with mild clinical signs in our study indicates that postmortem histologic evaluation of pituitary glands is an inappropriate standard in validation of antemortem diagnostic tests for detection of early PPID. Caution should be used when interpreting diagnostic test results in horses in which early PPID is suspected.     

Evaluation of the reliability and repeatability of automated milk urea nitrogen testing

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability (precision and accuracy), and repeatability of an infrared method of determining milk urea nitrogen. The reference method used for the reliability assessment was a wet-chemistry, enzymatic determination of milk urea nitrogen. Reliability and repeatability, as measured by concordance correlation coefficients, were 0.97 and 0.99, respectively.     

Diagnosis of canine brucellosis by ELISA using an antigen obtained from wild Brucella canis

An indirect ELISA test was developed for the diagnosis of Brucella canis infection in dogs. A bacterial whole cell extract was used as a solid phase antigen, using B. canis isolated from an infected animal. Sera from culture-positive and healthy negative animals were used as internal reference controls. The cut-off point was determined by a mathematical formula for a statistically valid value, which defined the upper prediction limit, based on the upper tail of the t-distribution of 21 negative control sera readings, for the confidence level of 99.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test were 95% and 91%, respectively. The ELISA test showed a significant concordance index (K=0.84) with the agar gel immunodiffusion test. The reliability of the ELISA for the detection of infected animals was established by a double blind study testing 280 sera provided by serum banks from different diagnostic and research institutions and analyzed by ROC Curve.     

Handheld mechanical nociceptive threshold testing in dairy cows – intra‐individual variation,inter‐observer agreement and variation over time

ObjectiveTo examine the use of handheld methodology to assess mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) on cows kept loose-housed.Study designProspective randomized partial cross-over experimental study. A one-factor (test day) design was used to evaluate MNT over time.AnimalsOne hundred and fifteen healthy, loose-housed Danish Holstein cattle.MethodsWe evaluated intra-individual variation, inter-observer agreement and variation over time of MNT using two handheld devices and two stimulation sites. Mechanical, ramped stimulations were performed with an algometer (6.5 mm diameter steel probe, 0–10.0 kgf) or an electronic von Frey device (plastic tip with diameter 0.8 mm, 0–1000 gf). Each cow received 5–6 consecutive stimulations within a 2 × 5 cm skin area on the dorsal or lateral aspect of the left third metatarsus until an avoidance reaction occurred. We investigated the difference in precision [expressed as coefficient of variation (CV)] between the combinations of devices and stimulation sites. The inter-observer agreement and the difference in MNT between test day 1, 3, 7, 10 and 24 were investigated for selected combinations. Data were analysed in mixed models and Bland-Altman as relevant.ResultsThe CVs did not differ [range 0.34–0.52 (p = 0.1)]. Difference between observers (95% limits) was 0.2 kgf (2.8) and 4 gf (369) for the algometer and von Frey device, respectively. Mechanical nociceptive threshold increased from 361 on test day one to 495 gf on test day 24 (p < 0.01).Conclusion and clinical relevanceAll methods showed a high degree of intra-individual variation, and no combination of device and stimulation site showed superior precision. Mean difference between observers was low, and MNT was not consistent over time. Further development of the methods is required before they can be used in research to investigate possible relations between claw lesions and hyperalgesia.     

Comparison of serological tests for equine trypanosomosis in naturally infected horses from Kazakhstan

In this study, we compared the complement fixation test (CFT), the horse complement fixation test (HCFT) and a card agglutination test for trypanosomosis (CATT/T. evansi) for the diagnosis of equine trypanosomosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Cohen's kappa test was used to evaluate the concordance between the three tests. Kappa scores for CFT versus HCFT and CATT are both 0.6165 (95% Confidence Interval CI 0.414--0.819) indicating a "substantial" agreement between CFT and HCFT or CATT, respectively. Kappa for HCFT versus CATT is 0.395 (CI 0.142--0.648) indicating a "fair" agreement between the two tests. In the absence of a golden standard, seroprevalence and sensitivity and specificity of the three tests were estimated using maximum likelihood estimation. CFT has a sensitivity of 57.2% (CI 31.5--79.5%) and a specificity of 95.8% (CI 89.2--98.5%), HCFT has a sensitivity of 80.6% (CI 44.1--95.6%) and a specificity of 99.5% (CI 90.7--100%), CATT has a sensitivity of 80.2% (CI 44.5--95.2%) and a specificity of 98.5% (CI 79.5--99.9%). The seroprevalence of equine trypanosomosis in Kazakhstan was estimated at 16.4% (CI 9.4--27.0%). The data suggest that for epidemiological studies and the control of equine trypanosomosis serological tests prove useful since they have a high specificity and a satisfactory sensitivity. Field applicable tests, such as CATT/T. evansi may be used to replace laboratory-based tests, such as CFT and HCFT.     

Development and psychometric testing of an instrument designed to measure chronic pain in dogs with osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To develop and psychometrically test an owner self-administered questionnaire designed to assess severity and impact of chronic pain in dogs with osteoarthritis. SAMPLE POPULATION: 70 owners of dogs with osteoarthritis and 50 owners of clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURES: Standard methods for the stepwise development and testing of instruments designed to assess subjective states were used. Items were generated through focus groups and an expert panel. Items were tested for readability and ambiguity, and poorly performing items were removed. The reduced set of items was subjected to factor analysis, reliability testing, and validity testing. RESULTS: Severity of pain and interference with function were 2 factors identified and named on the basis of the items contained in them. Cronbach's alpha was 0.93 and 0.89, respectively, suggesting that the items in each factor could be assessed as a group to compute factor scores (ie, severity score and interference score). The test-retest analysis revealed kappa values of 0.75 for the severity score and 0.81 for the interference score. Scores correlated moderately well (r = 0.51 and 0.50, respectively) with the overall quality-of-life (QOL) question, such that as severity and interference scores increased, QOL decreased. Clinically normal dogs had significantly lower severity and interference scores than dogs with osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A psychometrically sound instrument was developed. Responsiveness testing must be conducted to determine whether the questionnaire will be useful in reliably obtaining quantifiable assessments from owners regarding the severity and impact of chronic pain and its treatment on dogs with osteoarthritis.     

Comparison of three types of analyzers for urine protein-to-creatinine ratios in dogs

BackgroundQuantitation of urine protein is important in dogs with chronic kidney disease. Various analyzers are used to measure urine protein-to-creatinine ratios (UPCR).ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the UPCR obtained by three types of analyzers (automated wet chemistry analyzer, in-house dry chemistry analyzer, and dipstick reading device) and investigate whether the differences could affect clinical decision process.MethodsUrine samples were collected from 115 dogs. UPCR values were obtained using three analyzers. Bland-Altman and Passing Bablok tests were used to analyze agreement between the UPCR values. Urine samples were classified as normal or proteinuria based on the UPCR values obtained by each analyzer and concordance in the classification evaluated with Cohen''s kappa coefficient.ResultsPassing and Bablok regression showed that there were proportional as well as constant difference between UPCR values obtained by a dipstick reading device and those obtained by the other analyzers. The concordance in the classification of proteinuria was very high (κ = 0.82) between the automated wet chemistry analyzer and in-house dry chemistry analyzer, while the dipstick reading device showed moderate concordance with the automated wet chemistry analyzer (κ = 0.52) and in-house dry chemistry analyzer (κ = 0.53).ConclusionsAlthough the urine dipstick test is simple and a widely used point-of-care test, our results indicate that UPCR values obtained by the dipstick test are not appropriate for clinical use. Inter-instrumental variability may affect clinical decision process based on UPCR values and should be emphasized in veterinary practice.     

Diagnosis of canine brucellosis by ELISA using an antigen obtained from wild Brucella canis

An indirect ELISA test was developed for the diagnosis of Brucella canis infection in dogs. A bacterial whole cell extract was used as a solid phase antigen, using B. canis isolated from an infected animal. Sera from culture-positive and healthy negative animals were used as internal reference controls. The cut-off point was determined by a mathematical formula for a statistically valid value, which defined the upper prediction limit, based on the upper tail of the t-distribution of 21 negative control sera readings, for the confidence level of 99.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test were 95% and 91%, respectively. The ELISA test showed a significant concordance index (K = 0.84) with the agar gel immunodiffusion test. The reliability of the ELISA for the detection of infected animals was established by a double blind study testing 280 sera provided by serum banks from different diagnostic and research institutions and analyzed by ROC Curve.     

Investigations of the reliability of observational gait analysis for the assessment of lameness in horses

The objectives of this study were to assess the reliability of a numerical rating scale (NRS) and a verbal rating scale (VRS) for the assessment of lameness in horses and to determine whether they can be used interchangeably. Sixteen independent observers graded the severity of lameness in 20 videotaped horses, and the agreement between and within observers, correlation and bias were determined for each scale. The observers agreed with each other in 56 per cent of the observations with the NRS and in 60 per cent of the observations with the VRS, and the associated Kendall coefficient of concordance was high. Similar trends were evident in the agreement between two observations by each observer. The correlation between and within observers was high for both scales. There were no significant differences (bias) among the observers' mean scores when using either scale. There was a significant correlation between the lameness scores attributed when using the two scales, but the differences between the scores when plotted against their overall mean were unacceptable for clinical purposes. The results indicate that the NRS and VRS are only moderately reliable when used to assess lameness severity in the horse, and that they should not be used interchangeably.     

FC-50 Results of repeat intradermal testing in 135 dogs

Objective assessment of canine atopic dermatitis severity is very difficult and only a few scoring systems have been developed. The most commonly used is the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Scoring Index (CADESI), adapted from the human SCORAD. Despite wide use of this score in clinical trials, no validation has been performed to our knowledge. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of the CADESI in clinical practice. First, a set of 28 pictures taken from dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis was scored by six different investigators for three items: erythema, lichenification and excoriation. Next, 23 dogs with clinical signs compatible with atopic dermatitis were graded by two investigators using the CADESI. Erythema, lichenification and excoriation were assessed on 39 areas. With the pictures, significant correlations (Spearman's r , P  < 0.05) were found for each combination of investigators for erythema and lichenification, but only in 10 of 15 combinations for excoriation. Interobserver agreement ranged between poor and fair (0.221 < Cohen's κ <0.508, mean = 0.395). For the living animals, significant correlations ( P  < 0.0001), but poor interobserver agreement, were found for the three items (κ_erythema = 0.366, κ_{lichenification} = 0.385, and κ_excoration = 0.226). A significant correlation ( P  < 0.05) was found for each location, and interobserver agreement varied between very poor and good (0.16 < κ < 0.66). These results suggest that erythema and lichenification are reliably assessed, but that grading excoriation is more difficult. Also, the assessment of severity varied depending on the site studied.
Funding: Self-funded.     

The inter- and intra-observer reliability of a locomotion scoring scale for sheep

A seven point locomotion scoring scale, ranging from 0=normal locomotion to 6=unable to stand or move, has been developed. To test the between and within observer reliability of the scale, 65 movie clips of sheep with normal and varying degrees of abnormal locomotion were made. Three observers familiar with sheep locomotion were trained to read the movie clips. Thirty clips were randomly selected and used to test between and within observer agreement. There was high inter-(intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.93, weighted kappa [kappa(w)]=0.93) and intra-(ICC=0.90, kappa(w)=0.91) observer reliability, with no evidence of observer bias. The main between score differences were for scores 0 (normal) and 1 (uneven posture and shortened stride but no head movement). The results indicate that the locomotion scoring scale using groups of defined observations for each point on the scale was reliable and may be a useful research tool to identify and monitor locomotion in individual sheep when used by trained observers.     

Assessment of the variation in American Society of Anaesthesiologists Physical Status Classification assignment in small animal anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo evaluate the interobserver variability in the assignment of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification (ASA-PSC) to compromised small animal patients amongst a group of veterinary anaesthetists.Study designAnonymous internet survey.AnimalsHypothetical case presentations.MethodsSixteen hypothetical small animal cases with differing degrees of physiological or patho-physiological compromise were presented as part of an internet survey. Respondents were asked to assign a single ASA-PSC to each case and also to answer a number of demographic questions. ASA-PSC scores were considered separately and then grouped as scores of I–II and III–V. Agreement was analysed using the modified kappa statistic for multiple observers. Data were then sorted into various demographic groups for further analysis.ResultsThere were 144 respondents of which 60 (～42%) were anaesthesia diplomates, 24 (～17%) were post-residency (nondiploma holders), 24 (～17%) were current anaesthesia residents, 21 (～15%) were general practitioners, 12 (～8%) were veterinary nurses or technicians, and 3 (～2%) were interns. Although there was a majority agreement (>50% in a single category) in 15 of the 16 cases, ASA-PSC were spread over at least three ASA-PS classifications for every case. Overall agreement was considered only fair (κ = 0.24, mean ± SD agreement 46 ± 7%). When comparing grouped data (ASA-PSC I–II versus III-V) overall agreement remained fair (κ = 0.36, mean ± SD agreement 69 ± 19%). There was no difference in ASA-PSC assignment between any of the demographic groups investigated.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThis study suggests major discrepancies can occur between observers given identical information when using the ASA-PSC to categorise health status in compromised small animal patients. The significant potential for interobserver variability in classification allocation should be borne in mind when the ASA-PSC is used for clinical, scientific and statistical purposes.     

FC‐48 Reliability of the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Scoring Index

Objective assessment of canine atopic dermatitis severity is very difficult and only a few scoring systems have been developed. The most commonly used is the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Scoring Index (CADESI), adapted from the human SCORAD. Despite wide use of this score in clinical trials, no validation has been performed to our knowledge. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of the CADESI in clinical practice. First, a set of 28 pictures taken from dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis was scored by six different investigators for three items: erythema, lichenification and excoriation. Next, 23 dogs with clinical signs compatible with atopic dermatitis were graded by two investigators using the CADESI. Erythema, lichenification and excoriation were assessed on 39 areas. With the pictures, significant correlations (Spearman's r, P < 0.05) were found for each combination of investigators for erythema and lichenification, but only in 10 of 15 combinations for excoriation. Interobserver agreement ranged between poor and fair (0.221 < Cohen's κ <0.508, mean = 0.395). For the living animals, significant correlations (P < 0.0001), but poor interobserver agreement, were found for the three items (κ_erythema = 0.366, κ_{lichenification} = 0.385, and κ_excoration = 0.226). A significant correlation (P < 0.05) was found for each location, and interobserver agreement varied between very poor and good (0.16 < κ < 0.66). These results suggest that erythema and lichenification are reliably assessed, but that grading excoriation is more difficult. Also, the assessment of severity varied depending on the site studied. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Reliability of indicators of sheep welfare assessed by a group observation method

Assessments of animal-based outcomes form the core of routine veterinary clinical examinations and are being increasingly used as indicators of animal welfare. A method of group observation that did not require gathering and handling of individual sheep, was used to assess eight animal-based indicators of sheep welfare: demeanour, skin irritation, wool loss, excessive panting, coughing, lameness, and cleanliness of the ventral abdominal and 'breech' (perineum/gluteal/caudal hindlimb) areas. The inter-observer reliability of two or three observers who independently assessed these indicators was tested on 2406 adult sheep and growing lambs across 36 farms and the intra-observer reliability of an experienced, veterinary assessor--the 'test standard observer'--was assessed on 88 adult sheep during four on-farm assessments. Observer reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha (α) comparison of the recorded proportion (%) of sheep affected by each welfare condition and by binomial logistic regression modelling. High levels of inter-observer reliability were identified for the assessment of group lameness (α 0.76-1.00) and cleanliness of the breech area (α 0.97-1.00). Excellent intra-observer reliability was determined for lameness (α 0.99), cleanliness of the breech area (α 0.97), demeanour (α 1.00) and wool loss (α 1.00). In addition, proportion data and logistic regression models identified few between-observer differences. The results suggest that welfare outcomes based on observations of the behaviour and physical appearance of individual animals within a group may offer a reliable and feasible measurement tool for the on-farm assessment of sheep welfare.     

A comparison of five serological tests for bovine brucellosis.

Five serological assays: the buffered plate antigen test, the standard tube agglutination test, the complement fixation test, the hemolysis-in-gel test and the indirect enzyme immunoassay were diagnostically evaluated. Test data consisted of results from 1208 cattle in brucellosis-free herds, 1578 cattle in reactor herds of unknown infection status and 174 cattle from which Brucella abortus had been cultured. The complement fixation test had the highest specificity in both nonvaccinated and vaccinated cattle. The indirect enzyme immunoassay, if interpreted at a high threshold, also exhibited a high specificity in both groups of cattle. The hemolysis-in-gel test had a very high specificity when used in nonvaccinated cattle but quite a low specificity among vaccinates. With the exception of the complement fixation test, all tests had high sensitivities if interpreted at the minimum threshold. However, the sensitivities of the standard tube agglutination test and indirect enzyme immunoassay, when interpreted at high thresholds were comparable to that of the complement fixation test. A kappa statistic was used to measure the agreement between the various tests. In general the kappa statistics were quite low, suggesting that the various tests may detect different antibody isotypes. There was however, good agreement between the buffered plate antigen test and standard tube agglutination test (the two agglutination tests evaluated) and between the complement fixation test and the indirect enzyme immunoassay when interpreted at a high threshold. With the exception of the buffered plate antigen test, all tests were evaluated as confirmatory tests by estimating their specificity and sensitivity on screening-test positive samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Multiattribute evaluation of two simple tests for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in calf faeces

There is a need for simple and inexpensive diagnostic and screening tests for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in calves. A sucrose wet mount test and a lateral immunochromatography test were evaluated for epidemiological sensitivity and specificity, cost per test, simplicity, test time and ease of batching. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene locus, with gel electrophoresis, was used as a gold standard. Cohen's kappa statistic of agreement (kappa) between the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) sucrose wet mount test and COWP PCR-RFLP was 0.82, and the sensitivity and specificity of the OVC sucrose wet mount test were 88.6% and 93.8%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the lateral immunochromatography test were 78.3% and 93.3%, respectively, and agreement between this test and PCR-RFLP was good (kappa=0.73). There was substantial agreement between the OVC sucrose wet mount test and the lateral immunochromatography test (kappa=0.84). Both tests were inexpensive and easy to use; however, the lateral immunochromatography test was faster and simpler to perform than the sucrose wet mount test, and was generally more user-friendly. These tests provide practitioners and researchers with cheap, quick and accurate methods of detecting C. parvum infection in young calves.     

Validation of computerized Swedish horse insurance data against veterinary clinical records

The aim was to evaluate the agreement between computerized insurance data in a large Swedish horse insurance database and the information in the corresponding clinical records (CR). A random sample of 400 veterinary care and 140 life claims was included. Information on name of the horse, breed and gender, year of birth, specific diagnosis and system diagnosis (e.g. joints, digestive and skeletal) was compared between sources. The concordance for demographic variables was categorized as agreement, disagreement or data missing. For diagnostic information, the categories were agreement, minor disagreement and major disagreement and for system information agreement or disagreement. There were missing values for demographic information in the CR, varying from 2% for name to 16% for breed. The overall agreement for demographic information was >94% (disregarding missing data), 92% for system and 84% for specific diagnosis. For veterinary care and life claims, the observed agreement for diagnosis was 85 and 83%, minor disagreement 6 and 5%, and major disagreement 9 and 12%, respectively.

Using the CR data as gold standard, for the systems evaluated (joints, digestive, skeletal, skin and hooves), sensitivity varied between 62% (skin) and 89% (digestive) whereas the specificity was >96% for all systems. The positive predictive values ranged from 86% (skin) to 97% (digestive). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with agreement for diagnosis. Analyses were performed separately for veterinary care and life claims. Factors examined were type of visit (clinic/field), treating veterinarian/clinic (categorized as district veterinarians, private practitioners, small clinics, medium clinics and, for the clinics with ≥20 claims, the specific clinics), computerized or manual CR, processing clerk, whether the CR was included in the paper file, if the claim was rejected or reimbursed, system diagnosis and if a immediate settlement (in analysis for veterinary care claims) or death certificate (in analysis for life claims) was included in the paper file. For veterinary care claims, in the logistic regression model type of visit was significantly associated with agreement, with clinic visits generating better agreement than field visits.     

Comparison of Computed Tomographic Images of Birds Obtained With Sedation vs General Anesthesia

Computed tomography (CT) is an increasingly available and valuable imaging modality for the diagnosis of companion avian pets. Previously, CT studies of birds required general anesthesia with inhalant anesthetics. Owing to the risks associated with general anesthesia, the authors of this article investigated the effect of sedation on birds during a CT examination. In this study, 10 psittacine birds were imaged using a 40-slice helical CT scanner. Birds were sedated with midazolam and butorphanol and placed in a positioning device. Following the initial study, birds were removed from the device and placed under general anesthesia with isoflurane. A second study was then performed. Two radiologists, blinded to the identity of the birds and partially blinded to the conditions of the study, reviewed the images. Studies were evaluated using a questionnaire consisting of 18 questions. Each question was scored on a Likert scale. A Wilcoxon signed rank test compared scores of sedated and anesthetized birds. A significant difference (P = 0.05) between sedated and anesthetized studies was found for 2 of 18 (11.1%) questions for radiologist 1 and 1 of 18 (5.5%) questions for radiologist 2, with differences identified in the scleral ossicles and the femoral heads. Interrater agreement for all questions using a linearly weighted κ was 0.334 and 0.311 for sedated and anesthetized birds, respectively, indicating fair agreement. The interrater agreement, excluding the head and musculoskeletal system, was 0.381 for sedated animals, indicating fair agreement, and 0.404 for anesthetized birds, indicating moderate agreement. Based on our results, performing CT studies in birds with sedation is a viable alternative to studies performed under general anesthesia.     

Cellular effects of common antioxidants.

Tabular information of proposed cellular effects regarding the use of various antioxidants is presented. The information was gathered from scientific sources and experimental research from Medline. It is suggested that practitioners use their best available judgment and sound reasoning when applying these supplements in clinical situations.     

Evaluation of a portable glucose meter for use in cattle and sheep

Background: In farm animal practice, determination of blood glucose concentration under field conditions is often necessary. Objective: As there is no portable glucose meter device developed for use in farm animals, the analytical accuracy of a portable glucometer designed for people was evaluated for its use in cattle and sheep. Methods: Blood samples from 90 cattle and 101 sheep were used in the study. Glucose concentration was determined in whole blood immediately after blood collection from the jugular vein with the One Touch Vita portable glucometer and in serum with an enzymatic colorimetric method. The agreement between methods was assessed by Passing and Bablok regression analysis. The precision and the accuracy of the measurements were determined using the concordance correlation coefficient. Results: There was a strong linear relationship between the glucose values obtained using the portable glucometer and those obtained by the bench method in both cattle and sheep. Precision was 95% for cattle and 88% for sheep, whereas accuracy was 92% and 99%, respectively. The mean glucose values obtained using the portable glucometer were significantly lower by 8.3% in cattle and 3.2% in sheep than those determined by the bench method. Conclusion: The One Touch Vita portable glucometer can be used in clinical practice to determine blood glucose concentrations in cattle and sheep, but reference intervals (RI) must be corrected to allow for negative bias. Based on these equations the RI for blood glucose in cattle and sheep using the portable glucometer were corrected to 1.84–4.17 and 2.41–4.35 mmol/L, respectively.