Effects of flunixin meglumine on blood pressure and fluid compartment volume changes in ponies given endotoxin

A study was conducted to determine whether body fluids undergo a net shift from one compartment to another during endotoxin-induced shock in the pony, and whether flunixin meglumine alters these endotoxin-induced changes in the volumes of body fluid compartments. Total blood, RBC, and plasma volumes were determined, using 51Cr-labeled RBC and PCV that were corrected for trapped plasma. Total body water was measured by distribution of 3HOH. Arterial blood pressure was measured directly, using a blood pressure transducer. Treatment (flunixin meglumine, 1.1 mg/kg of body weight) was given to 6 of the 12 ponies 1 minute before an IV injection of Escherichia coli endotoxin (100 micrograms/kg of body weight, LD100). The PCV and RBC volume increased in both groups; however, the hemoconcentration was less in flunixin meglumine-treated ponies. In nontreated ponies, total blood volume and plasma volume decreased significantly during the first hour after endotoxin administration. In treated ponies, total blood volume did not vary significantly, and plasma volume decreased only slightly. In both groups, the increase in PCV was apparently due to splenic contraction, which increased the number of circulating RBC. Hemoconcentration was further increased in nontreated ponies by the loss of plasma into the interstitial space. Flunixin meglumine reduced plasma loss, minimized hemoconcentration, and maintained normal blood volume. Total body water remained constant in treated and nontreated ponies.     

Plasma and blood volume in the calf from birth till 90 days of age.

Determinations of plasma volume were made of 9 clinically healthy Swedish Red and White calves from birth to 90 days of age by means of the isotop dilution technique. Commercially available ¹³¹I labelled human serum albumin was used. Calculation of the total blood volume was based on the plasma volume and packed cell volume.The plasma and blood volumes increased per kg body weight in average 17 and 14% respectively from directly after birth to 24 hrs. old. From 1 to 90 days of age the plasma and blood volume fell steadily per kg body weight. Plasma volume expressed as a percentage of body weight was 5.3% at birth, 6.5% at 1 day old, and 4.9% at 90 days old. Corresponding values for blood volume were 8.4, 9.3 and 7.0%.     

Blood volume measurements in gopher snakes, using autologous 51Cr-labeled red blood cells

Blood volume determinations were performed in 5 anesthetized gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus catenifer) by means of a 51Cr-labeled red blood cell (RBC) method. The mean blood volume was 52.8 ml/kg of body weight (+/- 6.21 SE). Previous blood volume measurements have not been reported for this species. The RBC survival rate was estimated to be greater than 660 days. The RBC survival rate is long, but it cannot be determined accurately by this method.     

Hemodynamic effects of methylprednisolone acetate administration in cats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms by which corticosteroid administration may predispose cats to congestive heart failure (CHF). ANIMALS: 12 cats receiving methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) for the treatment of dermatologic disorders. PROCEDURE: The study was conducted as a repeated-measures design. Various baseline variables were measured, after which MPA (5 mg/kg, IM) was administered. The same variables were then measured at 3 to 6 days and at 16 to 24 days after MPA administration. Evaluations included physical examination, systolic blood pressure measurement, hematologic analysis, serum biochemical analysis, thoracic radiography, echocardiography, and total body water and plasma volume determination. RESULTS: MPA resulted in a substantial increase in serum glucose concentration at 3 to 6 days after administration. Concurrently, RBC count, Hct, and hemoglobin concentration as well as serum concentrations of the major extracellular electrolytes, sodium and chloride, decreased. Plasma volume increased by 13.4% (> 40% in 3 cats), whereas total body water and body weight slightly decreased. All variables returned to baseline by 16 to 24 days after MPA administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data suggest that MPA administration in cats causes plasma volume expansion as a result of an intra to extracellular fluid shift secondary to glucocorticoid-mediated extracellular hyperglycemia. This mechanism is analogous to the plasma volume expansion that accompanies uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in humans. Any cardiovascular disorders that impair the normal compensatory mechanisms for increased plasma volume may predispose cats to CHF following MPA administration.     

Blood volume changes and production and destruction of erythrocytes in newborn dogs.

Erythrocyte, plasma, and total blood volumes were measured in dogs from birth to maturity. All of these volumes (per kilogram of body weight) were significantly greater in the dog at birth than at maturity. Erythrocyte volume decreased during neonatal and postnatal periods to less than that during adult period. Erythrocyte production and destruction were measured with a technique combining dilution method of T-1824 for blood volume measurement with uniform tagging of newly formed erythrocytes with 29Fe. Erythrocyte destruction was high during the first 2 weeks after birth.     

Relationship of blood corticosterone, immunoglobulin and haematological values in young crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) to water temperature, clutch of origin and body weight

Objective To examine whether sub-optimal temperature induced stress and immunosuppression in farmed saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) hatchlings. Design A clinico-pathological study. Animals A total of 140 hatchlings were used. Procedure Body weight and length, plasma corticosterone and immunoglobulin concentrations and total and differential white blood cell counts were measured in 140 hatchlings from five clutches divided between five water temperature treatment groups. Initially all groups were housed at 32°C for 10 weeks, then two groups (L, LC) were changed to low temperature (28°C) and two groups (H, HC) to high temperature (36°C), while one group (C) remained at 32°C. The LC and HC groups were maintained at these temperatures for 10 days, after which the water temperature of both groups was returned to 32°C. Blood samples were collected twice (at 6 and 9 weeks of age) before the initial temperature change, and at 10 days and 4 weeks after the initial temperature change (at 11.5 and 14 weeks of age). Results Except for an increase in plasma corticosterone in the HC group and a decrease in the L group when the temperature change was first introduced, changes in plasma corticosterone were not significant. There were no significant changes in immunoglobulin concentrations. There were, however, significant decreases in the total white cell and lymphocyte counts in the LC group after the temperature was decreased to 28°C, and an increase in these counts after water temperature was returned to 32°C. Clutch of origin had significant effects on body weight and length gains, and there were negative relationships between body weight and corticosterone concentrations and between body weight and immunoglobulin concentrations. Conclusions As haematological changes indicative of stress were not associated with significant changes in serum corticosterone, immunosuppression in young crocodiles may be independent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis.     

Evaluation of the ability to regulate blood volume under standardized motoric stress]

Sixteen German Landrace pigs of the meat type were kept in individual cages (0.47 m2 floor area each) or in two pens of four pigs providing 1.05 m2 per animal, under otherwise identical conditions for 45 days, commending at a body weight of 45 kg. Plasma volume and plasma glucose were determined before, during and after the pigs made to run on a band moving at 1 m/s for 20 minutes at 24 degrees C. Changes in plasma volume were studied from the total scatter of values (total area covered by the curve of values). This made it possible to quantify individual regulatory capacity and the influence of management. Close confinement in an individual cage reduced the regulatory capacity of the plasma volume by 3.5 to 4 times. There were significant qualitative and quantitative relationships between intravascular fluid volume and intravascular glucose or glucose concentration.     

Variations in the red blood cell picture during growth of goslings and chickens.

1. Haematological values have been determined in 40 goslings, aged 6 to 42 d, and in 86 chickens, aged 1 to 57 d. 2. The erythrocyte number of goslings remained virtually unchanged with age but there was a decrease in the volume of circulating blood when expressed in terms of body weight. 3. In chickens the number of erythrocytes per unit volume increased with age but the size of the erythrocytes diminished with the result that there was an increase in the red blood cell total surface area per unit volume. 4. The haemoglobin content of chicken blood also rose but the haematocrit value and the mead cell haemoglobin concentration remained constant: mean cell haemoglobin decreased significantly. 5. It seems probable that the blood of goslings has a smaller oxygen carrying capability that that of the chicken and this might be reflected with their slower metabolic rate per body weight unit. There are only a few data available on the changes in haematological values of the domestic fowl after hatching (Lange, 1919; Sandreuter, 1951; Lucas and Denington, 1957; Medway and Kare, 1959) and virtually none for the goose. In this paper various haematological values for both species are presented for the first weeks of post-embryonic life.     

Response of whole blood, erythrocyte and plasma vitamin E content to dietary vitamin E intake in the chick

Whole blood, red blood cells (RBC), and plasma vitamin E (VE) levels in chicks fed dietary VE (dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, dl-alpha Ta) supplementation in steps of 0.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0 and 30.0 mg/Kg were determined to examine their usefulness as an index of VE status. The increase in VE level was significant and linear in whole blood (r = 0.90), RBC (r = 0.89) and plasma (r = 0.93) in response to dietary VE intake. There was a close correlation between VE in plasma vs whole blood (r = 0.90), plasma vs RBC (r = 0.91) and whole blood vs RBC (r = 0.95). The plasma VE content was 1.2-1.8 times greater than that of whole blood, and 6.6-12.5 times greater than that of RBC. The plasma total lipids content was not affected by the dietary VE intake, whereas the level of VE in the plasma total lipids was significantly increased with increasing supplementation. Alpha tocopherol was the major isomer (ca 92%) of VE in whole blood, RBC and plasma at hatching. The small proportions of beta-tocopherol (ca 2%), gamma-tocopherol (ca 5%) and alpha-tocotrienol (ca 1%) observed at 1 day of age had decreased or totally disappeared by 7 days of age after feeding the VE-free basal diet. The data showed that in the chick, the whole blood and RBC levels of VE were as sensitive and reliable indexes of dietary VE status as was that of the plasma.     

Cardiovascular, haematological and biochemical responses after large volume blood collection in horses.

To determine whether removal of 20 mL/kg of blood (approximately 25% of blood volume) resulted in adverse physiological effects in donor horses, we removed this volume of blood from five horses and selected cardiovascular, haematological and biochemical variables measured during collection and for 31 days thereafter. We found that alteration in most variables occurred, although the changes in values usually remained within published reference ranges. Also, recovery of these alterations to pre-collection values was rapid, occurring within 24--48 h in most instances. We concluded that volumes of blood less than or equal to 20 mL/kg when collected appropriately from healthy donor horses result in no adverse acute or chronic physiological changes. These results suggest that horses undergo adequate physiological compensation when approximately 25% of blood volume is removed for the purposes of blood donation or production of plasma.     

Physiologic basis of blood loss during Eimeria tenella infection

Eimeria tenella-induced hemorrhage resulted in total blood losses of up to 10% of the body weight. Although packed cell volume was reduced 50%, neither plasma volume nor blood volume was significantly decreased, except briefly. The retention of lost blood in the ceca varied with the strain of E. tenella. Chicks infected with laboratory strain (L.S.) 24 passed most of the blood into the feces, whereas those infected with L.S. 49 retained most of the blood within the ceca.     

Furosemide-induced changes in plasma and blood volume of horses

The effect of furosemide administration (1 mg/kg body weight, i.v.) on plasma and blood volumes in 6 intact and 4 splenectomized horses was measured using Evans blue dye dilution, hematocrit, and hemoglobin and plasma total solids concentrations. Body weight decreased by 33.6 +/- 3.3 and 33.7 +/- 0.8 g/kg 4 h after furosemide administration to intact and splenectomized mares, respectively. Plasma volume, estimated by Evans blue dye dilution, was reduced by 8.3 +/- 3.3% (mean +/- SE) 4 h after furosemide administration. The reduction in plasma volume was first detectable 5-10 min after furosemide administration and was greatest 15-30 min (13.0 +/- 0.8%) after dosing. This study demonstrates that furosemide produces significant and rapid reductions in plasma volume in horses. These decreases in plasma volume only partially resolve 4 h after furosemide administration.     

Effect of hypertonic and isotonic saline solutions on plasma constituents of conscious horses.

Blood constituents and vascular volume indices were determined in 5 standing horses by use of 2-period crossover experimental design. Horses were either administered hypertonic (2,400 mosm/kg of body weight, i.v.) or isotonic (300 mosm/kg, i.v.) saline solution. Each solution was administered at a dosage of 5 ml/kg (infusion rate, 80 ml/min). Samples for determination of PCV, plasma volume, blood volume, plasma osmolality, total amount of plasma protein and plasma concentrations of protein, Na, K, and Cl were collected at 0 hour (baseline, before fluid infusion) and 0.5 hour (at the end of fluid infusion), and subsequently, at 0.25- or 0.5-hour intervals for 4.5 hours. All horses were given the predetermined dose of fluids by 0.5 hour after beginning the saline infusion. Values of P < or = 0.05 were considered significant. Administration of hypertonic saline solution was associated with decreased mean body weight by 4.5 hours, but weight change after isotonic saline administration was not significant. Other than body weight and plasma protein concentration, between-trial difference (treatment effect) was not observed for any measured variable or index. The F values indicated that increasing the number of horses would have not changed these results. A time effect was evident across both trials, so that mean (+/- SD) plasma volume increased (12.3 +/- 1.07%) and mean plasma protein concentration (-12.1 +/- 1.03%) and PCV (-11.9 + 0.67%) decreased proportionately and transiently in association with administration of either fluid at that volume. Other time effects included increased plasma osmolality and Na and Cl concentrations. Blood volume estimates and total amount of plasma protein remained unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reduction of the red blood cell mass of horses: toxic effect of heparin anticoagulant therapy

This study was designed to test the efficacy of heparin anticoagulant therapy in the horse and its effect on the formed elements of blood. Nine clinically normal, nontraumatized adult horses were subjected to 4 different heparin maintenance regimens (dosages of 320, 240, 160, and 40 U/kg of body weight). Porcine intestinal mucosa heparin (20,000 U/ml) was injected subcutaneously every 12 hours for 96 hours (total 9 times). A loading dose of one-third the maintenance dose was given IV just before the first heparin injection. Three control horses were given an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline solution. The 2 large doses of heparin (320, 240 U/kg) resulted in an extension of the therapeutic range for heparin anticoagulant therapy (1.5 to 2.5 X data base-line prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT]). The 160-U/kg dose maintained the APTT in the therapeutic range, and the 40-U/kg dose had no effect on the APTT. Heparin was shown to exert a profound influence on the RBC mass of the horse. Three of the heparin regimens (320, 240, and 160 U/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in RBC numbers, PCV, and total hemoglobin content. Platelet count also was reduced in the horses when given the 320 and 240 U/kg doses. The observed increase in the mean corpuscular volume was associated with decreasing RBC numbers. Plasma proteins, serum bilirubin, free hemoglobin (plasma), haptoglobin (plasma), and urine and fecal hemoglobin values remained unchanged in all groups. Heparin anticoagulation therapy with the smallest dose (40 U/kg) had no detectable effects on the measured values, nor did the saline solution.     

Effects of a highly concentrated hypertonic saline-dextran volume expander on cardiopulmonary function in anesthetized normovolemic horses.

Conventional fluid resuscitation is unsatisfactory in a small percentage of equine emergency surgical cases because the large volumes of fluids required cannot be given rapidly enough to adequately stabilize the horse. In anesthetized horses, the volume expansion and cardiopulmonary effects of a small volume of highly concentrated hypertonic saline-dextran solution were evaluated as an alternative initial fluid choice. Seven halothane-anesthetized, laterally recumbent, spontaneously ventilating, normovolemic horses were treated with a 25% NaCl-24% dextran 70 solution (HSD) at a dosage of 1.0 ml/kg of body weight, IV, infused over 10 minutes, and the effects were measured for 120 minutes after infusion. Plasma volume expansion was rapid and significant (from 36.6 +/- 4.6 ml/kg to 44.9 +/- 4.8 ml/kg), and remained significantly expanded for the duration of the experiment. Packed cell volume, total blood hemoglobin, and plasma protein concentrations significantly decreased, confirming rapid and sustained volume expansion with hemodilution. Cardiac index and stroke index immediately increased and remained high for the entire study (from 69.6 +/- 15.3 ml/min/kg to 106.6 +/- 28.4 ml/min/kg, and from 1.88 +/- 0.49 ml/beat/kg to 2.50 +/- 0.72 ml/beat/kg, respectively). Systemic vascular resistance significantly decreased immediately after HSD infusion and remained decreased for the duration of the study (from 1.41 +/- 0.45 mm of Hg/ml/min/kg to 0.88 +/- 0.22 mm of Hg/ml/min/kg). Arterial and venous blood oxygen content decreased significantly because of hemodilution, but actual oxygen transport transiently increased at the 10-minute measurement before returning toward baseline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of furosemide treatment on fluid and electrolyte balance in horses

Alterations in electrolyte and acid-base balance were studied in 6 horses for 8 hours after furosemide administration (1 mg/kg of body weight, IM), and the results were compared with those for 5 healthy untreated horses (controls) kept under identical environmental conditions. In the treated group, decreases in plasma potassium, chloride, and calcium concentrations and increases in total plasma protein content persisted for the 8-hour observation period, whereas there was no change in plasma sodium concentration, osmolality, or packed cell volume. Plasma bicarbonate concentration and PCO2 remained high throughout the study, during which time venous blood pH was modestly increased only at the 6-hour sampling time. Furosemide treatment resulted in decreases in urine pH, specific gravity, osmolality, and potassium and calcium concentrations and increases in urine volume and total urine sodium, chloride, and calcium excretion. Body weight decreased 19.2 +/- 5.2 kg (mean +/- SD) in treated horses (4 +/- 1% of body weight), compared with a weight loss of 8 +/- 2.1 kg in untreated horses (1.5 +/- 0.4% of body weight) during the 8-hour experimental period. The increased fluid losses induced by the diuretic did not cause any obvious clinical signs in the horses. Pulse pressure, skin turgor, capillary refill time, and jugular distensibility remained unchanged throughout the experimental period.     

Indwelling Cecal Catheters for Fluid Administration in Ponies

Two different fluid solutions were infused through percutaneous cecal catheters in 6 healthy ponies to determine the effects on body weight; CBC; packed cell volume (PCV); total plasma protein concentration; plasma fibrinogen concentration; abdominal fluid analysis; concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, Ca, total CO₂ (TCO₂), Na, CI, K, and P; and fractional clearance (FC) of Na, CI, K, and P. During intracecal administration of solution 1, FC_Na and FC_CI were significantly increased, whereas FC_K and BUN were significantly decreased. During administration of solution 2, FC_Na and serum P were significantly increased, while PCV was significantly decreased. All ponies developed peritonitis during the study. Complications included catheter-related problems, diarrhea, laminitis, and hypocalcemia. We concluded that hydration and electrolyte balance could be maintained by administration of crystalloid solutions intracecally, but that complications were associated with the procedure.     

Hematology and Clinical Chemistry in Amiata Donkey Foals from Birth to 2 Months of Age

The aim of the present study was to fill the void in data related to hematological and biochemical parameters of donkey foals. Whole-blood and plasma samples were obtained from 16 Amiata donkey foals at birth, at 24 and 48 hours, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. RBC, WBC, hemoglobin concentration (Hgb), mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, glucose, creatinine, blood urea, triglycerides, total cholesterol, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, creatine-phosphokinase, alkaline phosphatase, total calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and albumin were measured. Similar to equine foals, values of RBC, Hgb, and Hct decreased significantly after the first 48 hours of life in Amiata donkey foals, reaching values similar to adult donkeys. No changes were found for mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration during the study period. The WBC was low at birth when compared with subsequent measurements, but significantly increased in the subsequent surveys. Platelet count was lower in the first week, with a secondary peak 2 weeks later, and then a decline again up to the eighth week. In agreement with equine foals, electrolyte concentrations, triglycerides, and total cholesterol did not show significant differences. Creatinine, total bilirubin, and blood urea showed a trend similar to RBC, Hgb, and Hct. For the first time, data of hematological and biochemical parameters in Amiata donkey foals are provided.     

Concentrations of hormones, glucose, triglycerides and free fatty acids in the plasma of broiler chickens selected for weight gain or food conversion

1. The concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), reverse-triiodothyronine (rT3), triglycerides (Tri), free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose (Glu) were determined at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of age in blood plasma of male and female chickens of broiler lines selected for body weight (GL) or food conversion (FC). 2. Plasma concentrations measured in the same animal over a 24 h or a 2 week interval were not significantly correlated with each other. For different traits measured in the same plasma sample only the correlation between T4 and rT3 differed significantly from zero. 3. All traits were dependent on age. Line and sex effects were significant (P less than 0.05) for GH, T4, Tri, FFA and Glu. Additionally, line significantly influenced the plasma T3/T4 ratio and sex influenced plasma rT3. Interactions between line, sex and/or age were seldom significant. 4. Within line and sex, GH (at 6 weeks of age) and T3 (at 4 weeks of age) were negatively, and IGF-I and Tri (both at 6 weeks of age) positively correlated with the amount of abdominal fat at 6 weeks of age. No significant correlation between body weight at 2, 4 or 6 weeks of age and any of the plasma traits was found.     

Hemocytological and hemobiochemical studies in black pied, clinically healthy breeding calves in Morocco

In the following study, normal blood values were performed on 58 Friesian calves (30 males and 28 females) under preexisting Moroccan management conditions. The following parameters were evaluated: pH-value, p.CO2, actual HCO3, BE, BB, RBC, WBC, PCV, Hb, MCV, MCHC, Glucose, lactate, urea, creatinine, total protein, total bilirubin, enzyme activities of AST and GGT and electrolyte-values (Na, K, Cl). The values of all parameters varied significantly with age with the exception of MCV, MCHC and K. The female calves presented higher values of act. HCO3, BE, BB, Hb, PCV and MCV than the male calves (p less than 0.01). The calves were born in mixed acidosis stage which was largely restored 24 hours later. At the weaning, the calves showed a slight metabolic acidosis with a partial respiratory compensation. The metabolic acidosis was accompanied with an increase of lactate level in blood plasma. During the first month of life, the development of an anaemia (PCV decreased) was observed. The mean values of glucose and total protein increased after colostrum intake, whereas the electrolyte values in blood plasma decreased. In general, the mean values of lactate, creatinine, urea, total bilirubin and the activities of AST and GGT decreased with age, while glucose and total protein remained nearly unchanged. The age and the sex should be taken in consideration judging the above mentioned parameters in a new born calf from birth to weaning (here: two months).