Collection of a satisfactory blood sample requires special procedures to prevent changes in glucose and lactate content after the sample has been obtained. Changes in measured plasma glucose and blood lactate concentrations attributable to anticoagulants and storage procedures, respectively, were examined in blood samples obtained from horses at rest and after exercise. To evaluate the effect of anticoagulants on measured plasma glucose concentration, blood was preserved with either sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate or lithium heparin. Measured plasma glucose concentration in blood obtained at rest and after exercise was 6 and 10% lower (P = 0.0038), respectively, when blood was preserved with fluoride/oxalate, compared with heparin. The erythrocyte volume in the blood sample was 15% smaller (P = 0.0001) in samples preserved with fluoride/oxalate, indicating a movement of water out of erythrocytes in the blood sample mixed with that anticoagulant. To evaluate the effect of storage procedure on measured blood lactate concentration, part of the blood sample was immediately deproteinized for blood lactate analysis, and the remaining blood was maintained for 30 and 60 minutes at either 0 or 22 C before deproteinization. When blood samples were maintained at 0 C prior to deproteinization, there was no difference in blood lactate concentration, regardless of the incubation time, compared with that in samples immediately deproteinized. Blood lactate concentration was greater (P < 0.01) in samples maintained at 22 C, compared with that in samples immediately deproteinized, and with that in equivalent samples maintained at 0 C. Blood preserved with fluoride/oxalate had lower measured plasma glucose concentration, compared with blood preserved with heparin, which was probably attributable to shrinkage of erythrocytes and dilution of the plasma with intracellular water. Minimal changes in blood lactate concentration were observed in samples maintained at 0 C up to 60 minutes.

Venous access devices connected to jugular vein catheters were implanted SC in 2 groups of 6 White Carneau pigeons (Columba livia). Total parenteral nutrition (TPN), or a control solution (lactated Ringer's solution) was infused as a bolus 4 times daily. Physiologic, hematologic, and biochemical variables were monitored over 5 days. Complications in the TPN-treated pigeons included 8.7% weight loss during the 5-day trial, hyperglycemia for up to 90 minutes after infusion, and glucosuria after infusion. Control pigeons lost 1.3% of their body weight and did not become hyperglycemic or glucosuric after infusion. Hematocrit in both groups of pigeons decreased to a value slightly below published reference values for pigeons. Five pigeons developed venous thrombosis in the proximal part of the cranial vena cava. Results indicated that intermittent administration of TPN is possible in birds; however, further research is required to develop better techniques for administration of TPN solutions. Additionally, it is important to determine, more specifically, the caloric and nutrient requirements of pigeons under stress and receiving TPN.

We characterized the clinicopathologic manifestations of experimentally induced endotoxin-induced mastitis. Responses to hypertonic fluid therapy also were assessed. Eight cows received 1 mg of endotoxin by in infusion in the left forequarter. Four hours after endotoxin administration, cows received 0.9% NaCl, 5 ml/kg of body weight (n = 4) or 7.5% NaCl, 5 ml/kg (n = 4) IV. Endotoxin-infused cows had expanded plasma volume, hyponatremia, transient hyperchloremia and hypophosphatemia, increased serum glucose concentration, and decreased serum activities of liver- and muscle-specific enzymes. Calculated plasma volume increased at 6 hours in cows receiving hypertonic NaCl, and at 12, 24, and 48 hours after endotoxin infusion in both groups. Concurrent observations of decreased serum protein concentration, erythrocyte count, and hematocrit supported observations of increased plasma volume. Relative plasma volume was greater in cows receiving hypertonic NaCl (124.3%) than in cows receiving isotonic NaCl (106.6%) at 6 hours after endotoxin infusion. Cattle receiving hypertonic NaCl had increased voluntary water intake after IV fluid administration. Increased water consumption was not accompanied by increased body weight, indicating probable occurrence of offsetting body water loss. Serum sodium concentration in cows receiving hypertonic NaCl was increased 2 hours after fluid administration, but the magnitude of the change was minimal (< 4 mmol/L) and transient, indicating rapid equilibration with either interstitial or intracellular spaces. Serum sodium concentration was decreased in cows receiving isotonic NaCl at 12, 24, and 48 hours after endotoxin administration, compared with concentration prior to endotoxin administration, indicating selective loss of sodium.

The absorption kinetics and glycemic effects of 3 long-acting insulin preparations (protamine zinc beef-pork insulin, ultralente beef-pork insulin, and ultralente human insulin) were evaluated in 9 healthy, adult, domestic shorthair cats (6 males, 3 females). A triple crossover study was performed, in which the serial serum concentrations of insulin and glucose were determined over a 24-hour period after sc administration of the 3 insulin preparations (dosage, 1.0 U/kg of body weight) at 3-week intervals. A control study was also performed in 4 of the cats by serially collecting samples for insulin and glucose determinations after administration of insulin diluent. After administration of protamine zinc insulin (PZI), mean (+/- SEM) serum insulin concentration increased significantly (P < 0.05) above baseline, reached a peak value (484 +/- 287 pmol/L) at 1 hour, and remained significantly (P < 0.05) higher than baseline at 24 hours. After administration of ultralente human insulin, the serum insulin curve was similar to that obtained after PZI administration, but mean serum insulin concentration took longer to peak (538 +/- 177 pmol/L at 4 hours). After administration of ultralente beef-pork insulin, mean peak serum insulin concentration was lower (220 +/- 54 pmol/L, not statistically significant) than that obtained after administration of PZI and ultralente human insulins; it then decreased to values statistically indistinguishable from baseline by 16 hours. The area under the serum insulin concentration curve for PZI (5,063 +/- 681 pmol.h/L) and ultralente human insulin (4,138 +/- 439 pmol.h/L) was significantly (P < 0.05) larger than that for ultralente beef-pork insulin (2,378 +/- 561 pmol.h/L). Serum glucose concentration decreased after administration of all 3 insulins, but the decrease was not different from that observed after diluent (control) administration. Results of this study indicate that differences may exist between absorption of PZI, ultralente human, and ultralente beef-pork insulins. Of the 2 ultralente insulin preparations, human insulin appears better absorbed than beef-pork insulin, but these findings need to be confirmed in cats with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus.