Body condition scoring (using a 5-point with quarter-point divisions) was performed on 66 Holstein dairy cows that began their second or later lactation in August, September, or October 1988. Cows' body condition was scored beginning on postpartum day 4 (+/- 1) and subsequently at postpartum days (+/- 1) 18, 32, 46, 60, 73 and 87. Blood samples were obtained on the same dates. Reproductive health examinations were conducted by 1 of 2 veterinarians beginning at postpartum day 21. Reproductive performance was evaluated in relation to body condition score and serum urea nitrogen and cholesterol concentrations. Number of days to first recorded signs of estrus and first breeding were not related to body condition score at calving, amount of condition loss, cumulative 80-day milk yield, or 305-day fat corrected milk yield. Cows that calved with body condition score greater than or equal to 3.50 required more days to conceive. Cows losing > 0.75 points of condition had longer days of conception. Body condition score at calving and amount of condition lost were not related to services per conception or diagnosis of follicular cyst. Cumulative 80-day milk yield was not related to days to conception or services per conception. Cows that produced greater than or equal to the mean 305-day milk yield required more services and had longer days to conception than cows that produced < the mean 305-day milk yield. Cows with diagnosis of ovarian follicular cysts had greater cumulative 80- and 305-day milk yields than did cows that were not diagnosed with follicular cysts. Cows conceiving with less than or equal to 2 services did not differ in average daily milk production, body condition score, or serum urea nitrogen concentration from cows conceiving with > 2 services, but cows that conceived with less than or equal to 2 services had higher serum cholesterol values than did cows requiring more services.

The prohibition of antibiotic use in edible snails obligates breeders to treat bacterial infections by different means, of which a common one is a bath in Gram-positive– and partially Gram-negative–bactericidal ethacridine lactate solution. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of bathing Cornu aspersum Müller snails in a 0.1% aqueous solution of ethacridine lactate on selected physiological parameters of haemolymph. The study included 80 snails, divided into two equal groups (study and control). The study group was subjected to bathing in ethacridine lactate and the control group to bathing in tap water. Both groups were treated daily for seven days. The number of haemocytes in the haemolymph, the activity of alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases, and the concentration of urea were determined. In the study group, after exposure to ethacridine lactate solution an increase in ALT activity, changes in the De Ritis ratio, an increase in the amount of haemocytes, and a decrease in body weight were found. No such changes were detected in the control group snails or in animals after the first bath. Multiple applications of a 0.1% ethacridine lactate bath may adversely affect Cornu aspersum Müller snails.

Recumbency is a frequent symptom occurring throughout lactation. Its cause can be related to the energy or mineral metabolism, or to trauma or infectious diseases. We compared various clinical chemistry parameters between healthy and recumbent cows and between cows with different causes of recumbency and determined if hypocalcaemia manifests in later lactation. Recumbent (n = 32) and healthy (n = 32) German Holstein cows were studied. After clinical examination, a serum sample was taken to measure the concentrations of Mg, Ca, Fe, Na, K, Pi, β-hydroxybutyrate, total bilirubin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea, and creatinine as well as activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), and γ-glutamyl transferase in recumbent cows > 5 d in milk and control cows matched for age, lactation number, and pregnancy stage. In recumbent cows, mean serum concentrations of NEFA, bilirubin, and CK were statistically higher, while those of Fe, K, and Pi were significantly lower. Parameters compared between different recumbency diagnoses showed some descriptive Fe, K, urea, and AST differences, but these were not statistically significant. The results show that only a limited number of parameters have diagnostic besides therapeutic value. Although of minor importance in our study, hypocalcaemia should be considered a cause of recumbency, even outside the typical risk period of parturient paresis.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin notably produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract (BSFE) contains specific enzymes which hydrolyse OTA. This study evaluated the efficiency of BSFE in ameliorating the immunotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of OTA in broiler chickens. Day-old broiler chicks were divided equally into four groups of ten: control, OTA (0.5 mg/kg feed), BSFE product (1 mL/L water) and OTA + BSFE at the same concentrations. The chicks were vaccinated against avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and infectious bronchitis, and lymphoproliferation was induced in all birds by phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P). Serum samples were taken before sacrifice and organ tissue samples were taken after, in which renal function biomarkers were assayed and the presence of OTA residue was evaluated by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Protein markers of apoptosis were determined by qPCR, and tissue lesions were examined histopathologically. Exposure to OTA significantly decreased the antibody response to the vaccines and the lymphoproliferative response to PHA-P, and significantly elevated the renal function indicators: serum urea, uric acid and creatinine. It also induced oxidative stress (reduced catalase activity and glutathione concentration), lipid peroxidation (increased malondialdehyde content), apoptosis (increased Bax and Caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 gene levels) and pathological lesions in kidney, bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus tissue. Residues of OTA were detected in the serum and tissue. BSFE mitigated most of these toxic effects. BSFE counters OTA-induced immunotoxicity and nephrotoxicity because of its content of carboxypeptidase and protease enzymes.

Sixty, day-old, chicks were reared up to 3 weeks of age and then randomly divided into 4 equal groups (3 treated and one control group). Urea (46 % nitrogen) was added to the grower-finisher ration of the treated birds at levels of 1% , 3% and 5% (groups I, II & III respectively). Feed and water were available ad libitum for all birds over the time of experiment. At days 7, 20 and 30 post exposure, 5 birds from each group were weighed, bled and sacrificed. All birds spontaneously died during the experiment were also necropsied. Haematological parameters (RBCs, WBCs counts, PCV and Hb), biochemical variables [urea, glucose, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase; (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase; (LDH)] and body weight gain were assessed. The encountered pathological changes were described. The obtained results indicated that: (1) decrease in RBCs, WBCs counts, PCV and Hb, (2) increase in ALP, LDH, urea and uric acid, while glucose level was decreased. (3) decrease in body weight gain in all treated birds. There were significant pathological changes in kidneys, heart, liver and lungs of the treated birds. It was concluded that addition of urea to poultry feeds to replace the more expensive protein-nitrogen has serious consequences which affect the health condition and weight gain of birds.

We measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by plasma disappearance of 99mTc-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), creatinine, and urea nitrogen, and urine specific gravity in 13 cats with naturally acquired hyperthyroidism before and 30 days after treatment by bilateral thyroidectomy, and in a group of 11 control cats. Mean (+/- SD) serum T4 concentration decreased from a pretreatment value of 120.46 (+/- 39.21) nmol/L to a posttreatment value of 12.15 (+/- 6.26) nmol/L (P < 0.0001; reference range, 10 to 48 nmol/L). Treatment of hyperthyroidism resulted in a decrease in mean (+/- SD) glomerular filtration rate, from 2.51 (+/- 0.69) ml/kg of body weight/min to a posttreatment value of 1.40 (+/- 0.41) ml/kg/min (P < 0.0001). Mean serum creatinine concentration increased from 1.26 (+/- 0.34) mg/dl to 2.05 (+/- 0.60) mg/dl (P < 0.01). Mean serum urea nitrogen concentration increased from 26.62 (+/- 6.83) mg/dl to a mean postthyroidectomy concentration of 34.92 (+/- 8.95) mg/dl (P < 0.01). All changes were significant. Two cats developed overt renal azotemia after treatment of hyperthyroidism. Our results provide further evidence that treatment of hyperthyroidism can result in impaired renal function. In addition, our results suggest that, in some instances, thyrotoxicosis might mask underlying chronic renal insufficiency.

Body condition scoring (using a 5-point with quarter-point divisions) was performed on 66 Holstein dairy cows that began their second or later lactation in August, September, or October 1988. Cows' body condition was scored beginning on postpartum day 4 (+/- 1) and subsequently at postpartum days (+/- 1) 18, 32, 46, 60, 73 and 87. Blood samples were obtained on the same dates. Reproductive health examinations were conducted by 1 of 2 veterinarians beginning at postpartum day 21. Reproductive performance was evaluated in relation to body condition score and serum urea nitrogen and cholesterol concentrations. Number of days to first recorded signs of estrus and first breeding were not related to body condition score at calving, amount of condition loss, cumulative 80-day milk yield, or 305-day fat corrected milk yield. Cows that calved with body condition score greater than or equal to 3.50 required more days to conceive. Cows losing > 0.75 points of condition had longer days of conception. Body condition score at calving and amount of condition lost were not related to services per conception or diagnosis of follicular cyst. Cumulative 80-day milk yield was not related to days to conception or services per conception. Cows that produced greater than or equal to the mean 305-day milk yield required more services and had longer days to conception than cows that produced < the mean 305-day milk yield. Cows with diagnosis of ovarian follicular cysts had greater cumulative 80- and 305-day milk yields than did cows that were not diagnosed with follicular cysts. Cows conceiving with less than or equal to 2 services did not differ in average daily milk production, body condition score, or serum urea nitrogen concentration from cows conceiving with > 2 services, but cows that conceived with less than or equal to 2 services had higher serum cholesterol values than did cows requiring more services.

Concentrations of serum and vitreous humor constituents at time of death, and concentrations of vitreous humor constituents at time of death and at 7 postmortem intervals were compared in 70 domestic, female New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Urea nitrogen concentration was significantly (P = 0.0094) different, but was linearly correlated in serum and vitreous humor at time of death and at the 4- and 8-hour postmortem intervals. Concentrations of gamma-glutamyltransferase were not significantly different in serum and vitreous humor at time of death, nor were concentrations significantly different in vitreous humor at time of death and at the 4-hour postmortem interval. The vitreous humor concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, sodium, potassium, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin, cortisol, and IgG were neither similar to nor predictive of serum constituents. Vitreous humor can be used as a source for estimates of serum urea nitrogen and gamma-glutamyltransferase up to 8 and 4 hours after death, respectively.

Enterotoxemia was induced in 4 lambs and 4 goat kids by continuous intraduodenal infusion of a whole culture of Clostridium perfringens type D. Clinical signs, hematologic values, biochemical alterations, and postmortem lesions in the lambs and goat kids were compared. The 4 lambs and 4 goat kids died within 25 hours of beginning the infusions. Lesions were not observed in the gastrointestinal tract of the 4 lambs; however, severe hemorrhagic enterocolitis was found in the 4 goat kids. This difference between the lambs and goat kids in the lesions caused by experimentally induced enterotoxemia may explain the discrepancies reported between sheep and goats in clinical signs, response to treatment, and efficacy of vaccination observed in naturally induced enterotoxemia in the 2 species.

OBJECTIVE To compare the plasma pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin between 3-week-old (preweaned) and 6-month-old (weaned) calves and to characterize the distribution of tulathromcyin into pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) and interstitial fluid (ISF) of preweaned and weaned calves following SC administration of a single dose (2.5 mg/kg). ANIMALS 8 healthy 3-week-old and 8 healthy 6-month-old Holstein steers. PROCEDURES A jugular catheter and SC ultrafiltration probe were aseptically placed in the neck of each calf before tulathromycin administration. Blood, ISF, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected at predetermined times before and after tulathromycin administration for quantification of drug concentration. A urea dilution method was used to estimate tulathromycin concentration in PELF from that in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Tulathromycin–plasma protein binding was determined by in vitro methods. Plasma pharmacokinetics were determined by a 2-compartment model. Pharmacokinetic parameters and drug concentrations were compared between preweaned and weaned calves. RESULTS Clearance and volume of distribution per fraction of tulathromycin absorbed were significantly greater for weaned calves than preweaned calves. Tulathromycin–plasma protein binding was significantly greater for weaned calves than preweaned calves. Maximum PELF tulathromycin concentration was significantly greater than the maximum plasma and maximum ISF tulathromycin concentrations in both groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that age affected multiple pharmacokinetic parameters of tulathromycin, likely owing to physiologic changes as calves mature from preruminants to ruminants. Knowledge of those changes may be useful in the development of studies to evaluate potential dose adjustments during treatment of calves with respiratory tract disease.