Ljiljana Bedrica

The effect of intermittent cold treatment on the adipose tissue of the cat. Apparent transformation from white to brown adipose tissue.

Young cats (Felis domestica), aged 10-13 weeks, were intermittently exposed to a temperature of -30 degrees C for two periods of 1 hr per day. Animals were sacrificed on the 7th day and adipose tissue from the perirenal, pericardial, axillary, interscapular, and subcutaneous-inguinal depots was examined by electron microscopy and analysed stereologically. All examined depots were morphologically changed after cold treatment. Adipose tissue of perirenal, pericardial, and axillary depots showed a greater decrease in lipid content than the interscapular and subcutaneous-inguinal depots, but other changes were similar. Compared to the control group, which consisted of typical white adipose tissue, the diameter of adipose cells examined after cold treatment was diminished, in extreme cases to 18 micron (from 75 micron in the control group). The number of capillaries per cell was doubled (as evaluated on semithin sections). The most dramatic changes were observed in the mitochondria. Their volume increased to 0.48 micron 3 (from 0.13 micron 3 in the control), and the surface density of mitochondrial cristae per mitochondrial volume increased to 50 micron 2/micron 3 (from 32 in the control). Pleomorphism in mitochondrial size and inner structure and the presence of intramitochondrial electron-dense bodies and crystalline structures led us to conclude that the cold stress induced an increase in the absolute number of mitochondria in the adipose cells. The adipose tissue after cold treatment thus morphologically resembled the brown adipose tissue of cold-acclimated rodents. This implies that the adipose tissue of young cats can change its morphology and function, depending on the requirements of the organism.

Effects of Sex, Age, Body Mass, and Capturing Method on Hematologic Values of Brown Bears in Croatia

Effects of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors on 17 hematologic values from 56 brown bears (Ursus arctos) sampled in Croatia from 1981 to 2005 were evaluated. Differences between female and male bears were detected for number of erythrocytes, sedimentation rate after 30 min, and number of leukocytes and segmented neutrophils. Significant differences between free-living vs. captive and snared vs. not snared bears were detected for the same three parameters: leukocytes, segmented neutrophils, and eosinophils. It was concluded that the physical exertion of bears snared by leg, rather than their free-living status, influenced differences of results among these groups. The obtained mean values are useful reference values for the species.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis in addition to premedication in gastrointestinal surgery.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate three combinations of antibiotics applied perorally prior to laparotomy and gastrointestinal surgery and to select the most favorable combination. Research was performed on 24 female and male dogs divided into four groups. Following abdominal wall incision the caecum was compressed manually and 5 mL of saline solution was injected into it. Five mL of caecum contents was aspirated in a sterile syringe and only 0.1 mL was incubated into blood agar and homogenous agar. Bacterial colonies were counted and determined. Prior to surgery the control group (n=6) received no antibiotics. The group which received the combination of gentamicin and clindamycin (n=6) achieved the best reduction of E. coli whereas Enterococcus faecals was 100% destroyed. The group which received amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and metronidazole (n=6) acquired a reduction of bacteria Enterococcus faecalis, which could be sufficient for prophylaxis. The combination of gentamicin and erythromycin (n=6) failed to accomplish a reduction of the number of bacteria.

Haematological and biochemical parameters in the blood of an indigenous Croatian breed – Istrian cattle

Abstract. Haematological and biochemical parameters were examined in the blood of 87 cows, bulls and oxen of the indigenous Croatian breed, Istrian cattle. The sample represents 11.93 % of the total adult population. This breed is classified as highly endangered. The age of tested animals was between 2 and 17 years. Cattle were divided into three groups, animals aged 2 to 6 years (n=19), 7 to 10 years (n=37), and older than 10 years (n=31). Animals were kept in the area of Istria County, mostly in stables though occasionally at pasture. The cows were milked twice daily and gave an average of 1 000 litres of milk per year. Erythrocytes, leukocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume were determined. Differential analysis was performed by counting blood cells in the blood smear after Pappenheim staining. Biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, calcium and inorganic phosphorus were determined. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase was determined by spectrophotometry. These biochemical and haematological parameters of this Istrian breed were within the physiological range, while slight deviations were observed for certain parameters. The greatest deviation from the physiological range was shown in the concentrations of urea and creatinine. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic profile and haematological indicators for estimating the physiological status of these endangered cattle in Istria, for further investigation and for diagnostic purposes.

Canine babesiosis treatment with three different medicines

Canine babesiosis is a relatively frequent disease in Croatia. Elevated body temperature, anemia and haemoglobinuria are the most common signs. Diagnosis is rapidly obtained by employing blood smears, as B. canis is present in the red blood cells of affected dogs. Treatment is favourable and without consequences. Blood work was performed initialy, prior to treatment, and on the 1st and the 7th day following treatment. Following history and examination of the dogs blood and urine samples were taken. After confirmation of B. canis in the red blood cells, alltogether 226 dogs were tretated. Out of them 80 were tretaed with Berenil® (diminazen aceturate, Hoechst), 72 were tretated with Imizol® (imidocarb dipropionate, Schering-Plough-Animal-Health) and 74 with Oxopirvedin® (fenamidine dizetionate, Merial). Clinical findings, haematological analysis and urine analysis are given and statistically assesed. After tretment with Berenil®, symptoms of babesiosis regressed within 24 hours. Health improved more slowly in the group treated with Oxopirvedin® in comparioson with the group treated with Berenil®. Contrary to the above, Imizol® displayed the slowest regression of the disease and reinfestation with B. canis within 30 days was not noted. That is not the case if treatment was provided by Berenil® and Oxopirvedin®. In all 226 cases of canine babesiosis side effects were not noted, except topically inflammed tissue at the site of subcutaneous application.