Blood and urine chemical values at parturition in clinically normal Holstein cows (n = 12) were compared with the same values in Holstein cows developing udder edema (n = 12). There was no statistically significant mean difference between the 2 groups for the serum and urine chemical data. Furosemide (500 mg) given IV caused a significant increase in serum calcium and sodium, urine chloride, potassium, and sodium, and fractional excretional ratio of chloride, potassium, and sodium. There was a significant mean decrease in the serum potassium, urine creatinine, osmolality, pH, and specific gravity. Hydrochlorothiazide (250 mg) given IV caused a significant mean increase in serum chloride, urine chloride, potassium, and sodium, and fractional excretion ratio of chloride, potassium, and sodium. There was a significant mean decrease in serum potassium and sodium, urine osmolality, pH, and specific gravity. Acetazolamide (500 mg) given IV caused a significant mean increase in blood urea nitrogen, serum chloride and glucose, urine sodium, and fractional excretion ratio of sodium, while causing a significant mean decrease in serum potassium, sodium, and phosphorus, and urine creatinine. Dextrose (500 g) given IV as a 50% solution caused a statistical mean increase in serum glucose, urine chloride, potassium, and sodium, and fractional excretion ratio of chloride and potassium. A statistical mean decrease occurred in the packed cell volume, blood urea nitrogen, serum calcium, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus, urine creatinine, osmolality, and pH.

Introduction: The transition period is the most challenging time for dairy cattle, which is characterised not only by negative energy balance but also by fatty tissue mobilisation.Material and Methods: The efficiency of energy pathways, β-oxidation in WBC and glycolysis in RBC (based on deoxyglucose transmembrane transport) were estimated. Insulin in blood plasma was determined using ELISA.Results: After calving and up to one month after delivery, a significant drop in blood plasma level was noticed, simultaneously with a rise in β-oxidation from 18.93 ±3.64 to 30.32 ±5.28 pmol/min/mg protein in WBC. A strong negative correlation between these two indices (r = −0.68) was found. During the period of transition to lactation an increase in glucose cross-membrane transportation from 41.44 ±4.92 to 50.49 ±6.41 μmol/h/g Hb was observed. A strong positive correlation between glucose transportation in RBC and β-oxidation in WBC (r = 0.71) was noticed. These data are in agreement with results of studies on dairy cows using liver slices from dairy cows in late pregnancy and different stages of lactation, in which changes in gene expression were analysed.Conclusion: It seems that measuring fatty acids oxidation and glycolysis using isolated blood cells may be an adequate and relatively simple method for energy state analysis to estimate the state of dairy cow metabolism and animal health.

Introduction: Clinical doses of anaesthetic agents were administered to rabbits and effects on the brain, heart, and liver were investigated biochemically and histopathologically. Material and Methods: The rabbits were randomly divided into three main groups (16 rabbits each) and each group into study (n = 8) and control (n = 8) groups. All study group rabbits received 3 mg/kg of midazolam (M) intramuscularly. Group 1.1 (M) received nothing further, group 2.1 (MK) also received 25 mg/kg of ketamine, and group 3.1 (MKI) besides ketamine was also given 2% isoflurane to induce anaesthesia for 30 min. NaCl solution in the same volume as midazolam and ketamine was injected into the controls. Results: In clinical evaluation significant differences were detected in respiratory and heart rates. In blood gas analysis the PO2 and PCO2 values showed statistical differences in anaesthesia intervals. Significant biochemical value changes were recorded in creatine kinase-Mb, glucose, and total protein. Histopathological liver examinations revealed higher total apoptotic and normal cell numbers in the MK than in the M and MKI groups. Apoptotic cell numbers were statistically significant in M and MK groups. Conclusion: Anaesthetic agents may increase programmed apoptosis. The MKI anaesthetics combination was found to cause less cell destruction in general than the other study groups. It was indicated that MKI was the safer anaesthetic combination in rabbits.

Introduction: The predictive value of selected parameters in the risk of ketosis and fatty liver in dairy cows was determined. Material and Methods: In total, 21 control and 17 ketotic Holstein Friesian cows with a β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration of 1.20 mmol/L as a cut-off point were selected. The risk prediction thresholds for ketosis were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: In the ketosis group, paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity and concentration of PON-1 and glucose (GLU) were decreased, and aminotransferase (AST) activity as well as BHBA and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) contents were increased. The plasma activity and concentration of PON-1 were significantly positively correlated with the level of plasma GLU. The plasma activity and concentration of PON-1 were significantly negatively correlated with the levels of AST and BHBA. According to ROC curve analysis, warning indexes of ketosis were: plasma PON-1 concentration of 46.79 nmol/L, GLU concentration of 3.04 mmol/L, AST concentration of 100 U/L, and NEFA concentration of 0.82 mmol/L. Conclusion: This study showed that the levels of PON-1, GLU, AST, and NEFA could be used as indicators to predict the risk of ketosis in dairy cows.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate changes in the serum levels of adiponectin and TNF-α, as well as insulin sensitivity, and to elucidate the possible relationship among the parameters and negative energy balance during the periparturient period of dairy cows.Material and Methods: Thirty primiparous Holstein dairy cows were selected for the study. Blood samples were collected from each cow seven days before the expected calving date, on the calving day, and 7, 14, and 21 days after calving. Blood non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and TNF- α levels were measured. Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (rQUICKI) was calculated using data on NEFA, insulin, and glucose concentrations.Results: When compared to prepartum levels, serum concentration of adiponectin significantly increased on day 21 postpartum. The rQUICKI increased and NEFA levels decreased on day 7 after parturition. Insulin and glucose levels decreased on days 7, 14, and 21 postpartum when compared with prepartum levels. BHBA levels decreased on day 21 and TNF- α concentration also decreased on days 7, 14, and 21 postpartum. Adiponectin levels positively correlated with NEFA during the preparturient period. Negative correlation was detected between adiponectin and rQUICKI on calving day and on 14ᵗʰ day after parturition. TNF- α concentration positively correlated with glucose levels on day 7 prepartum and on 21ˢᵗ day postpartum and with rQUICKI on 21ˢᵗ day postpartum. Negative correlation was detected between adiponectin level and insulin sensitivity.Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, we concluded that adiponectin could possibly increase insulin sensitivity when blood NEFA concentrations are elevated.

Although hepatobiliary disease is common in cats, little is known about the bile composition in either these diseased states or in healthy cats. The objectives of this study were to evaluate several analytes from the bile of healthy cats and to investigate the usefulness of measuring these variables to predict bacterial cholangitis. Cats were prospectively enrolled and divided into 3 groups: 21 healthy cats (group 1) and 14 cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease: 9 without bacterial biliary infection (group 2) and 5 with bacterial biliary infection (group 3). Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis was conducted on each cat. Bile cytology and culture were carried out and bile was analyzed for pH, lactate, and glucose levels using several point-of-care (POC) devices. Reference values for several bile analytes in healthy cats were calculated and are presented in this study. Neither the pH (P = 0.88) nor the lactate concentration (P = 0.85) was significantly different among the 3 groups. Sodium concentration was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 2 (P < 0.05). Bile pH, lactate, and glucose levels were unable to predict the presence of a bacterial infection in the bile.

OBJECTIVE To assess effects of buprenorphine hydrochloride (BH), sustained-release buprenorphine (SRB), and high-concentration buprenorphine (HCB) formulations in healthy rats. ANIMALS 8 Sprague-Dawley rats. PROCEDURES In a crossover-design study, rats received BH (0.05 mg/kg), SRB (1.2 mg/kg), HCB (0.30 mg/kg), or 5% dextrose solution (0.2 mL/kg), SC, once. Self-injurious behavior and thermal sensitivity (hind limb withdrawal latencies) were assessed prior to injection (time 0) and 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after injection. Food intake, kaolin intake, and fecal output were measured over 12-hour light and dark periods before and after each treatment. Values were compared among treatments and time points. RESULTS Self-injurious behavior was detected with all buprenorphine treatments; scores were greater at all time points during the 12 hours after HCB and 24 hours after SRB administration than at time 0. Percentage change in hind limb withdrawal latencies from time 0 was higher with BH and HCB 1 hour after injection than at other time points. Postinjection light-period food intake was higher (BH and HCB) and dark-period food intake was lower (BH, HCB, and SRB), compared with preinjection values for the same treatments. For SRB, postinjection light-period kaolin intake was greater than the preinjection value, and postinjection light- and dark-period kaolin intake was greater than that for other treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Hypoalgesic effects were briefly observed after administration of BH or HCB in healthy rats; adverse effects were detected in some rats with all buprenorphine formulations. Studies comparing effects of BH, SRB, and HCB in rats undergoing surgery or other noxious stimuli are indicated to determine clinical benefits in this species.