Determination of haematological reference intervals in healthy adult greyhounds

Objective : The purpose of this study was to establish breed‐specific reference intervals for haematological measurands in non‐racing greyhounds. Suitability of the data for partitioning according to sex was also examined. Methods : Haematological data were collected from 304 healthy non‐racing greyhounds and analysed using non‐parametric methods. Results were compared with non‐breed‐specific canine reference intervals and also with greyhound reference intervals obtained by other investigators. Results : Compared with non‐breed‐specific reference intervals, the results showed comparable mean and upper limit and higher lower limit for erythrocyte count; higher values for haemoglobin, haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume; and lower values for total leucocyte count and absolute concentration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and platelets. Partitioning according to sex was recommended by the statistical analysis for all analytes except haematocrit and total leucocyte count. Clinical Significance : In this study the reference intervals were derived from a large sample size. The results are in general agreement with previous reports, although higher values for low reference limits have been noted for the erythroid parameters, and lower values for upper reference limits have been observed for the total and different leucocyte counts. Breed‐specific reference intervals provide a useful clinical tool for haematological evaluations.     

Determination of serum biochemical reference intervals for the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Biochemical reference intervals were determined for 31 clinically healthy Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus) between 1 and 6 years of age. Thirteen of the lynxes were wild-caught and the other 18 were captive-reared animals. The samples were collected between November 2004 and December 2006. The influence of sex (males vs. females), age (juveniles vs. adults) and habitat condition (free-living vs. captive) on the biochemical analytes were evaluated. Serum albumin concentrations were significantly higher in females than in males, while creatine phosphokinase was higher in males. The levels of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase were higher in juvenile lynxes, while gamma glutamyl-transferase and creatinine values were higher in adults. Lynxes captured in the wild had higher concentrations of iron, calcium, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine, but lower aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase than lynxes maintained in captivity. The results were generally comparable to commonly reported reference intervals for other lynx species, the domestic cat and other felid species.     

Normal reference intervals and the effects of sample handling on dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry (Sonoclot) in healthy adult horses

Objective

To determine reference intervals and the effect of sample agitation and rest time on Sonoclot analysis in healthy adult horses.

Design

Original prospective study.

Setting

University veterinary medical teaching hospital.

Animals

Sixty healthy adult horses.

Interventions

Blood was collected for assessment of complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, and Sonoclot analysis.

Measurements and Main Results

Horses were determined to be healthy based upon physical examination, CBC, and serum biochemistry analysis. Blood was analyzed in a glass bead‐containing cuvette using the Sienco Sonoclot analyzer following 2 rest periods (30 mins and 240 min) and with 2 sample handling interventions (agitated and nonagitated), to obtain values for clot rate, time‐to‐peak, activated clotting time, and platelet function. This study failed to detect a significant difference when a rest time of 30 minutes was compared with 240 minutes, but based on wide limits of agreement the 2 rest times were not considered interchangeable. Agitation at both rest times significantly affected all Sonoclot analyses leading to changes indicative of hypercoagulability.

Conclusions

Sample agitation and rest time should be taken into consideration when developing preanalytical guidelines for Sonoclot analysis in horses. Calculated reference intervals were relatively wide. Further research is needed to evaluate the clinical utility of Sonoclot analysis in horses.     

Changes in haematology and plasma biochemistry during maximal exercise in greyhounds

The haematological and biochemical changes associated with racing over 235 and 420 metres were studied in 23 greyhounds. Blood samples were collected while the dogs were resting and immediately after and 30 minutes after racing. Significant increases in red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit occurred. The increase in haematocrit was accompanied by increases in total plasma protein and creatinine concentrations. Blood lactate increased to 11.4 and 13.2 mmol/litre over 235 and 420 metres, respectively, and plasma glucose increased to 7.9 and 8.2 mmol/litre. After the 420 metres, the mean plasma ammonia concentration was 256 mumol/litre. Plasma free fatty acid concentrations also increased after dogs had run both distances. The highest concentrations of glycerol and uric acid were found 30 minutes after exercise.     

Determination of reference intervals for plasma biochemical values in clinically normal adult domestic shorthair cats by use of a dry-slide biochemical analyzer

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference intervals of plasma biochemical values in healthy adult domestic shorthair (DSH) cats by use of controlled conditions. ANIMALS: 95 healthy client-owned cats. PROCEDURES: Food was withheld from the cats overnight. All blood samples were obtained on the same day, at the same location, and by the same investigator. Blood samples were collected from a cephalic vein into lithium heparin tubes. After centrifugation of blood samples, plasma supernatants were harvested and stored at -20 degrees C until assayed for total proteins, albumin, creatinine, urea, glucose, calcium, phosphates, sodium, chloride, potassium, and CO2 concentrations and alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities. RESULTS: Reference intervals in healthy adult DSH cats were 65 to 85 g/L for total proteins, 27 to 39 g/L for albumin, 89 to 207 micromol/L for creatinine, 6.6 to 11.3 mmol/L for urea, 4.1 to 8.2 mmol/L for glucose, 2.4 to 2.9 mmol/L for calcium, 1.1 to 2.1 mmol/L for phosphates, 153 to 161 mmol/L for sodium, 120 to 127 mmol/L for chloride, 3.3 to 4.2 mmol/L for potassium, 15 to 21 mmol/L for CO2, 32 to 147 U/L for alkaline phosphatase, and 34 to 123 U/L for alanine aminotransferase. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provided reference intervals for plasma analytes in adult DSH cats. The influence of potential confounding factors was minimized through use of controlled preanalytic and analytic conditions. However, these results cannot be extrapolated to other feline breeds or used to interpret results from other biochemical analyzers.     

Effect of age on reference intervals of serum biochemical values in kittens

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of age on reference intervals of serum biochemical values in kittens. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 55 kittens from 12 specific-pathogen-free queens. PROCEDURE: Kittens were allocated at birth into colostrum-fed (n = 27) and colostrum-deprived (28) groups. Blood was collected at birth and on days 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 56. Serum samples were analyzed for activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, amylase, and lipase and for concentrations of albumin, total protein, bilirubin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, and triglycerides by use of an automated analyzer. Total serum solids concentrations were determined by use of refractometry. Serum IgG concentrations were quantified by use of radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: For several analytes, reference intervals changed rapidly, most notably during the first few days of life. Reference intervals for alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and triglycerides were higher from birth to 8 weeks than adult reference intervals. Aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, urea nitrogen, and creatinine were higher than in adults at birth but were similar to or lower than adult reference intervals by 8 weeks. Compared with adult reference intervals, reference intervals for calcium and phosphorus concentrations were higher and for albumin and total protein concentrations were lower throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Important differences exist between reference intervals for serum biochemical values of neonatal and adult cats. Age-appropriate reference intervals should be used for accurate assessment of serum biochemical test results in cats.     

Determination of a reference range for fructosamine in feline serum samples

Fructosamine, the product of a non-enzymatic reaction between glucose and serum proteins, is a component of serum which reflects long-term deviations from normal glucose and protein homeostasis. Thirty-one healthy, intact, domestic short-haired cats, living under uniform feeding and environmental conditions, were sampled to calculate a reference range for feline serum fructosamine. The results were obtained using a nitroblue tetrazolium colorimetric method. The analytical assay was evaluated by calculation of within-run and between-day variation, detection limit, and accuracy. Serum fructosamine concentrations were approximately normally distributed and the calculated reference range was 146–271 µmol/L (mean 209 µmol/L, standard deviation 31.6 µmol/L). There were no significant differences between male and female cats, or between cats older and younger than 12 months. Previously conducted studies give higher reference ranges, possibly because of differences in the test procedure and homogeneity of the test population.Abbreviations CL confidence limits - NBT nitroblue tetrazolium     

Effects of racing on hematologic and serum biochemical values in greyhounds

Blood samples were collected on nonracing days from 57 racing Greyhounds at 2 weeks, 8 weeks, 13 weeks, and 16 weeks after the beginning of the racing season. Hematologic and biochemical tests were performed to detect marked changes induced by stress of racing. In general, these Greyhounds were healthy. Rhabdomyolysis was detected in one dog. In several other dogs, possible subclinical muscle injury was identified by increased serum creatine kinase activities. Mean serum Ca concentrations tended to decrease during the racing season. None of the tests was a good predictor of racing performance. Mean values for several hematologic and biochemical tests were different from those of other breeds of dogs.