A study was carried out in pregnant sows with iron supplementation to assess the hematological variables as well as prevalence of stillbirth condition in the litter. A total of 12 pregnant sows of Large White Yorkshire were selected and divided into two groups under this study. Blood samples were collected at three different intervals during  pregnancy  and  after  farrowing.  The  first blood  collection  was  carried  out before administering iron injection and parentral iron supplementation (2000 mg intramuscularly) was done at 15 days interval. The second collection of blood was done after treatment just before farrowing. The third collection of blood was done at three weeks immediately after farrowing and the samples were analyzed by using auto analyser. The occurrence of stillbirth and total number of live piglets born were calculated during the farrowing. The variability in hematologic parameter and still birth condition of sows were analyzed by standard statistical method. The average value of heme protein concentration in sow was 11.52 gm /dl prior to farrowing. The litter size of 9.83 (0.87) and 0.33 (0.21) were achieved with respective of piglets born and stillborn piglets in iron supplemented group. Though the occurrence of still born condition between treated and control group did not differ significantly but had significant effect on total born piglets between groups.

Globally, many clinico-pathologic differences between hounds and other breeds have been investigated and most of the research has been focused on differences in the hematologic values between the breeds and hematologic reference intervals for the Greyhounds, which have been recently published. However, our native hound, Chippiparai, closely resembles the morphological traits of the hounds and yet there are no published reports on the hematological parameters of the Chippiparai breed from Tamil Nadu. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the red cell variables like Hemoglobin, Packed Cell Volume and RBC counts which were compared with that of non-hound breeds. Chippiparai hound dogs (n=30) and non-hound dogs (n=30) were selected amongst the dogs presented at Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital and various native hamlets. The Hb, PCV and RBC level sin the Chippiparai breeds were found to be higher which may probably be attributed to the need for appropriate oxygen supplementation under extreme climatic conditions, for running and hunting and probably as an inheritance from the other sight hounds. Also, these breeds can be  recommended as good blood donors since a lesser volume of their transfused blood (with greater PCV) can increase the hematological parameters of the anemic recipient dog as compared to an equal volume of blood from the non-hound blood donors.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the repeatability and accuracy of fingertip pulse oximeters (FPO) for measurement of hemoglobin oxygen saturation in arterial blood and pulse rate (PR) in anesthetized dogs breathing 100% O2. ANIMALS 29 healthy client-owned anesthetized dogs undergoing various surgical procedures. PROCEDURES In randomized order, each of 7 FPOs or a reference pulse oximeter (PO) was applied to the tongue of each intubated anesthetized dog breathing 100% O2. Duplicate measurements of oxygen saturation (Spo2) and PR were obtained within 60 seconds of applying an FPO or PO. A nonparametric version of Bland-Altman analysis was used. Coefficient of repeatability was the interval between the 5th and 95th percentiles of the differences between duplicate measurements. Bias was the median difference, and the limits of agreement were the 5th and 95th percentiles of the differences between each FPO and the PO. Acceptable values for the coefficient of repeatability of Spo2 were ≤ 6%. Agreements were accepted if the limits of agreement had an absolute difference of ≤ ± 3% in Spo2 and relative difference of ≤ ± 10% in PR. RESULTS Coefficient of repeatability for Spo2 was acceptable for 5 FPOs, but the limits of agreement for Spo2 were unacceptable for all FPOs. The limits of agreement for PR were acceptable for 2 FPOs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that some FPOs may be suitable for accurately monitoring PRs of healthy anesthetized dogs breathing 100% O2, but mild underestimation of Spo2 was common.

Pregnancy in many mammals, including mares, is associated with physiological changes that are reflected in hematological and biochemical profiles. Understanding those physiological changes and differentiating them from pathological changes is imperative for providing care and medical therapy in pregnant mares. Our objective was to compare normal hematological and biochemical profiles in healthy non-pregnant as well as healthy pregnant mares during the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy. Blood was collected by jugular venipuncture into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and serum tubes. Whole blood was analyzed using an ADVIA 120 hematologic analyzer and serum was analyzed using a Beckman Coulter AU5400. Statistical differences were detected using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent Student's t-test; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results demonstrated higher red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentrations and lower eosinophil counts (P < 0.001) in non-pregnant mares (n = 32) compared with pregnant mares at both 1st (n = 25) and 2nd (n = 17) trimesters. Biochemical analysis showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in albumin and blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.001) in the 2nd trimester and higher potassium levels (P = 0.03) in pregnant mares. Understanding such physiological changes is imperative to providing optimum care and medical treatment in mares. These data will assist clinicians to better evaluate and treat pregnant mares.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of equivalent volumes of equine plasma and 6% hydroxyethyl starch (600/0.75) solution (hetastarch) administered IV on plasma colloid osmotic pressure (pCOP) and commonly monitored clinicopathologic variables in horses. ANIMALS 6 healthy mares. PROCEDURES In a randomized, crossover study, horses were administered hetastarch or plasma (both 10 mL/kg, IV) 18 months apart. The pCOP and variables of interest were measured before (baseline), immediately after, and at intervals up to 96 or 120 hours after infusion. Prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times were measured before and at 2 and 8 hours after each infusion. RESULTS Prior to hetastarch and plasma infusions, mean ± SEM pCOP was 19.4 ± 0.5 mm Hg and 19.4 ± 0.8 mm Hg, respectively. In general, hetastarch and plasma infusions comparably increased pCOP from baseline for 48 hours, with maximum increases of 2.0 and 2.3 mm Hg, respectively. Mean Hct and hemoglobin, total protein, and albumin concentrations were decreased for a period of 72, 96, or 120 hours after hetastarch infusion with maximum decrements of 8.8%, 3.2 g/dL, 1.2 g/dL, and 0.6 g/dL, respectively. Plasma infusion decreased (albeit not always significantly) hemoglobin concentration and Hct for 20 and 24 hours (maximum changes of 1.5 g/dL and 6.6%, respectively) and increased total solids concentration (maximum change of 0.6 g/dL) for 48 hours. Platelet count and coagulation times were minimally affected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Overall, the hetastarch and plasma infusions comparably increased pCOP in healthy horses for up to 48 hours. Hetastarch induced greater, more persistent perturbations in clinicopathologic variables.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Mentha longifolia supplemented to broilers on some physiological parameters represented by hematological characteristics . A total of 90 chick of broiler faobre strain from IPA center for agricultural researches were used at one day old . The birds at 4th day old , were randomly assigned into three groups . Each group consisted of thirty birds . The control groub ( c ) was not treated , T1 group treated with aqueous extract 1 ml / day of concentration 0.25 (gm / ml water) and T2 group was treated with aqueous extract 1 ml / day of 0.125 gm/ml concentration and for eight weeks . All groups were fed the same commercial basal ration of broiler and the same environmental condition and vaccinations were allowed to each group . The results of blood samples tests were as follows . Treated birds expressed high values of blood hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume percentage and showed significant difference ( p < 0.05 ) compared with control group . The birds ofT1 group indicated high significant increased( p < 0.05 ) in total leukocytic count compared V with the T2 & control group . Theres is , significant increased ( p< 0.05 ) in numbers V of TWBCS in T2 group compared with a control group . A total erythrocytic counts revealed that there were Significant differences ( p < 0.05 ) between groupsln numbers of Red blood cells by increasing the number of red blood cells in treated group . These results refered to the benefit of aqueous extract of Men!/m /ongifolia to broiler chicken at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.125 gm /ml

The reference strains representing serotypes 1 to 12 of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biotype 1 were examined for their ability to utilize porcine hemoglobin (Hb) or porcine hemin (Hm) as iron sources for growth. In a growth promotion assay, all of the reference strains were able to use porcine Hb, and all strains except 2 were able to use porcine Hm. Using a preliminary characterization procedure with Hm- or Hb-agarose, Hm- and Hb-binding outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of approximately 75 kDa were isolated from A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 strain 4074 grown under iron-restricted conditions. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis revealed a number of common tryptic peptides between the Hb-agarose- and Hm-agarose-purified 75 kDa OMPs, strongly suggesting that these peptides originate from the same protein. A database search of these peptide sequences revealed identities with proteins from various Gram-negative bacteria, including iron-regulated OMPs, transporter proteins, as well as TonB-dependent receptors. Taken together, our data suggest that A. pleuropneumoniae synthesizes potential Hm- and Hb-binding proteins that could be implicated in the iron uptake from porcine Hb and Hm.

Thirty healthy male horses were allotted to 3 groups and treated blindly during 4 days. Group-1 horses received unfractioned calcium heparin (100 IU/kg of body weight, SC, q 12 h). Group-2 horses received a single dose of a low-molecular-weight heparin (50 anti-Xa IU/kg, SC) every morning, and a similar volume of saline solution every evening. Group-3 horses received the vehicle (saline solution), SC, every 12 hours. Citrated and EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples were collected before starting the medication (T-0) and once daily 3 hours after each morning injection (T-3, T-27, T-51, and T-75). The PCV, hemoglobin concentration, RBC and platelet counts, and clotting times (activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time) were determined, and a microscopic examination to detect hemagglutination was performed. Plasma concentration of heparin was measured by use of the antifactor Xa activity assay. Bleeding time was determined on the first and fourth days, using a double-template method. The horses given unfractioned heparin had marked agglutination of erythrocytes after the first injection that became more pronounced as treatment progressed. Also, significant decrease in PCV, hemoglobin concentration, and RBC count was observed during treatment. Platelet count was significantly decreased after the first day, and clotting times were significantly prolonged. In contrast to the horses given unfractioned heparin, those given low-molecular-weight heparin did not have any agglutination of erythrocytes during the 4 days of treatment, and there were no significant changes in PCV, hemoglobin concentration, or RBC and platelet counts. Activated partial thromboplastin time increased slightly in the horses given low-molecular-weight heparin, although the values remained within reference range. Both groups of horses achieved adequate concentrations of heparin in plasma for prophylactic purposes, but those given low-molecular-weight heparin achieved those values after the first injection. Bleeding times were not significantly different between heparin-treated horses and horses given saline solution during treatment. We conclude that low-molecular-weight heparin may be used more safely and conveniently in horses, because it does not affect equine erythrocytes, platelets, or clotting and bleeding times.