Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was measured, using an automated immunoturbidimetric assay, in 44 clinically normal dogs and 67 dogs with band neutrophil count greater than or equal to 10(9) cells/L, and values were found to be significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) different. Correlation of serum CRP concentration and band neutrophil count in the 67 dogs with greater than or equal to 10(9) band neutrophils/L resulted in a statistically significant P less than or equal to 0.05), but low correlation coefficient of 0.34. Serum CRP concentration and CBC values were determined for 6 clinically normal dogs undergoing anesthesia (controls) and 6 clinically normal dogs undergoing anesthesia and ovariohysterectomy. Significant alterations in CBC results and serum CRP concentration, compared with baseline values, were lacking in dogs of the control group. Serum CRP concentration was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased above baseline values in dogs undergoing surgery and was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased, compared with values in control dogs by 12 hours after surgery. In dogs undergoing surgery, serum CRP concentration was also significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) different from values in control dogs at 28 and 36 hours, but not at the 76- and 124-hour sample collection times. Alterations in CBC values compatible with possible or convincing inflammation were detected in 83% of the dogs undergoing surgery at the 8- and 12-hour postsurgery sample collection times, 100% of dogs at 16, 22, 28, and 36 hours after surgery, 83% of dogs at 52 and 76 hours after surgery, 67% of dogs at 100 hours after surgery, and 0% of dogs at 124 hours after surgery It was concluded that significant increases in CRP, concentration in dogs with surgical trauma were not detected earlier than CBC alterations compatible with possible or convincing inflammation.

We investigated the biochemical composition of blood from Holstein cows, native breed (criollas), and cows descended from fighting bulls (Vacas de lidia) raised at an altitude of 3,000 m (moderately high altitude, MHA), and compared the results with those from Holsteins and cows of similar genetic ancestry as the criollas (scrub cows), both raised at sea level (SL), to determine blood biochemical values characteristic of adaptation to high altitude. Only potassium and calcium concentrations were similar among groups. Glucose concentration was lower in MHA cows, with the exception of Vacas de lidia. Serum bicarbonate concentration was lower in MHA cows; this finding can be explained by hyperventilation in the hypoxic environment. Serum magnesium concentration was lower in SL and MHA Holsteins than in other groups. Serum phosphate concentration was lower in scrub cows, MHA Holsteins, and criollas than in other groups. Cholesterol concentrations were lower in SL Holsteins, whereas triglycerides were higher in scrub cows and MHA Vacas de lidia. Concentration of high-density lipoprotein was significantly greater in Vacas de lidia and less in MHA criollas than in the other groups. Uric acid and total protein were higher in MHA groups. Using radioimmunoassay for human proteins, thyroxine-binding globulin was undetectable. Total and free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were higher in scrub cows, followed by Vacas de lidia; lower values were detected in SL and MHA Holsteins and MHA criollas.

The specificity of serum antibodies for the polypeptides of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) was examined, using sera obtained from feedlot and range cattle. Test results in sera from feedlot cattle indicated a 60% rate of seroconversion and 95% seropositivity to BRSV, associated with lack of clinical signs of indicative respiratory tract disease. Exposure to other common respiratory tract viruses also was high (greater than 92% to bovine herpesvirus type 1, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and para-influenza virus type 3). Test results in sera from range cattle indicated BRSV serpositive rates of 28% in calves, 49% in yearling cattle, and 70% in mature cows; clinical signs of respiratory tract disease were not observed in these cattle. Antibodies to BRSV in sera from cattle in both environments reacted predominantly with polypeptides of molecular weight 80,000 through 85,000, 40,000 and 28,000. Reactivity to a glycoprotein of molecular weight between 43,000 and 44,000 and to several glycopolypeptides of smaller molecular weight increased in serum specimens obtained from feedlot cattle between time of entry into the feedlot and slaughter.

Over a 54-hour period, blood was removed from 8 adult sheep (body weight, 38.1 +/- 0.5 kg mean +/- SEM) in 9 episodes, 5 on day 1, 3 on day 2, and 1 on day 3. Cumulative blood loss was 1,630 +/- 63, 2,380 +/- 71, and 2,693 +/- 69 ml on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Blood samples (20 ml) were collected from 5 control ewes (33.8 +/- 2.8 kg) at equivalent times. Over the first day, mean arterial blood pressure decreased in the hemorrhaged sheep from 101 +/- 2 mm of Hg to 76 +/- 5 mm of Hg, but returned to control values by the beginning of the second day and, thereafter, was not different from control values. Heart rate was increased after the first hemorrhage episode and remained high throughout the entire protocol. Over the entire period, there were statistically significant decreases in hematocrit, plasma osmolality, sodium, total calcium (P < 0.001), potassium, and chloride values (P < 0.05). There was no change in plasma phosphate, bicarbonate, creatinine, or magnesium concentrations and an increase in plasma urea nitrogen (P < 0.001) concentrations. Plasma arginine vasopressin concentration was increased significantly (P < 0.001) over the entire period. Plasma ACTH concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) increased over time, but only some values on day 1 were significantly outside the normal range of the control group data. Because of wide variation between sheep, the group data for aldosterone were not significantly different from control values. Blood volume was restored on day 1 with fluid of osmolality, Na, and Cl composition equivalent to that of plasma. The effects of arginine vasopressin were apparent by day 2, when the major decrease in osmolality and Na and Cl concentrations were observed The sheep has good capacity to withstand severe, prolonged hemorrhage, most likely because of a large reserve of RBC in the spleen; hematocrit remained at 31% of control values when an estimated 100% of initial circulating blood volume had been removed.

Effects of dietary ochratoxin A (OA) and T-2 toxin, fed singly and in combination, were evaluated in growing crossbred pigs. Thirty-six barrows (3 replicates of 3 for each of 4 treatment groups, mean body weight, 18.0 kg) were fed: 0 mg of OA and 0 mg of T-2/kg of feed (control); 2.5 mg of OA/kg of feed; 8.0 mg of T-2/kg of feed; or 2.5 mg of OA plus 8.0 mg of T-2/kg of feed for 30 days. Production performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, immunologic, and pathologic evaluations were made. Body weight and body weight gain were decreased by all toxin treatments, but the combination toxin treatment reduced weight gain more than did either of the toxins administered singly and could be considered additive. Liver weight was decreased by combination treatment, whereas kidney weight was increased by OA treatment. Ochratoxin decreased serum cholesterol, inorganic phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase values; reduced mean cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and macrophage phagocytosis; and increased creatinine and total protein values. Consumption of T-2 toxin reduced hemoglobin and serum alkaline phosphatase values. The combination treatment decreased serum cholesterol, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, mean cell volume, hematocrit, and hemoglobin values, as well as lymphoblastogenesis and phagocytosis, and increased serum nine concentration. We concluded that OA and T-2, singly or in combination, can affect clinical performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, and immunologic values, and organ weights of growing barrows. Although some analytes were affected more by the combination than by either toxin alone, the interactions could best be described as additive, not synergistic.