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.     

Hepatozoon canis infection of wild carnivores in Brazil

Hepatozoon canis was diagnosed in a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) found on a highway in the region of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, after being hit by a car. The fox had bilateral fractures of the olecranon, which was corrected by osteosynthesis. Hematologic findings included a neutrophilia, eosinophilia, monocytosis and mild anemia. In the Leishman-stained blood film, gametocytes of Hepatozoon canis in neutrophils were identified measuring 9.1 ± 0.54 × 5.3 ± 0.46 μm.     

鱼类血液学指标的影响因素

介绍了鱼类血液的研究概况,综述了有关种间差异、水温、季节、环境胁迫和营养状况等生理生态学因素对鱼类血液的影响,探讨可能的生理生化机制。 更多还原     

Congenital heart disease in boxer dogs: results of 6 years of breed screening

This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and severity of ocular lesions in dogs with anemia (packed cell volume  20%) and/or thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150,000/μL). Dogs were divided into four groups: (1) anemic (n = 17); (2) thrombocytopenic (n = 36); (3) anemic and thrombocytopenic (n = 24); and (4) healthy controls (n = 26). The prevalence of ophthalmic lesions in these four groups was 12%, 42%, 42% and 0%, respectively. Anemia was not associated with the presence of ocular lesions (P = 0.41) or their severity. Thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with the presence of ocular lesions (P = 0.0016) and with their severity (P = 0.017). We conclude that thrombocytopenia, but not anemia, is associated with ocular lesions in dogs.     

Estimation of dietary copper requirement of juvenile soft-shelled turtles, Pelodiscus sinensis

Juvenile soft-shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) were fed diets containing 10 levels (0.8, 3.0, 5.0, 7.8, 9.0, 10.9, 20.4, 41.8, 78.6, 158 mg/kg diet) of copper (Cu) for 16 weeks. Turtles fed 5.0 mg Cu/kg achieved the best growth performance and the highest hematological values among all dietary groups. Growth was reduced significantly when dietary copper exceeded 20 mg/kg. Using the broken-line model with growth and hematological parameters as the dependent variables, the dietary Cu requirement of soft-shelled turtle was estimated to be 4.4–4.8 mg Cu/kg diet. Copper, iron, zinc and selenium concentrations in turtle liver were found to be influenced by dietary Cu level. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in liver tissue of turtles fed diets containing 78.6–158 mg Cu/kg were higher (P < 0.05) than those fed diets containing less copper. Furthermore, diets containing more than 20 mg Cu/kg significantly impaired growth and hematology of soft-shelled turtles, indicating the dietary Cu tolerance above the requirement may be as low as 4 fold (20 vs. 5 mg/kg). Based on the results of this study, a dietary Cu level of 4–5 mg/kg is recommended for soft-shelled turtles.