Martina Klinkon

Fasciola hepatica: effects on blood constituents and liver minerals in fallow deer (Dama dama)

Haematological and serum biochemical constituents as well as the liver mineral concentrations can be affected by Fasciola hepatica. The present study compares the blood and liver constituents in 19 fallow deer with fascioliosis and in 43 without it. Blood samples, gastro-intestinal tract, lungs and liver were taken from 62 male and female fallow deer that were shot, aged 6 months and over, in enclosures, between 1999 and 2001 in Slovenia. Samples were analysed and the means of various parameters of blood and liver were determined. Significant differences in blood were found in the mean cell volume, total serum proteins, sodium, and calcium; and in liver and calcium and copper were higher in animals without fascioliosis. Mean cell haemoglobin concentration, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, alanine aminotransferase, urea, glucose and copper in blood were significantly higher in animals with fascioliosis. It has been concluded that some of the values in fallow deer like in other domestic ruminants are the sensitive indicators of liver cell damage in fascioliosis.

Indicators of passive immunity and health status of calves

The aim of this study was the determination of immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA), total serum protein content and activity of enzyme GGT in sera of 71 dairy calves up to the age of four weeks. We investigated to which extent the sera profiles correlated with total immunoglobulin level in the administered colostrum. The results were related to the health status of the calves. One of the goals of the study was also to asses the applicability of these indicators of colostrum supplied in Slovenian herds. In the serum samples the concentration of IgG, IgA, IgM, TSP and activity of GGT were measured. In colostrum samples the total Ig level was estimated. The correlations between the colostral Ig content and the concentration of IgG, TSP and activity of GGT were significant up to the 4th week of age. Only on the base of the values of the investigated parameters no direct conclusion about the foreseen health status of calves is possible. The investigated indicators are suitable to assess colostrum supply in calves at least up to the 3rd week of age. Indirect indicators such as TSP and GGT are more reliable to ascertain if the colostrum was absorbed as for estimation of immunoglobulin levels in the calfs serum.

Values of Blood Variables in Calves

Haematological and biochemical variables are most widely used medical decision making tool. Haematological and biochemical analyses of blood are very useful to get an insight in metabolic and health status of animal. During diagnostic procedure it is very useful to compare the values obtained from ill animal with normal values in healthy animals. Therefore specific reference intervals are needed for each animal species for appropriate interpretation of results of haematological and biochemical analyses. The reference values of different blood variables are well established for adult cattle, but for calves there is not a lot of data available. The values of different blood variables in calves and other young animals are changing with age. The values of haematological variables change after birth because of colostrums intake, short life time of erythrocyte and decrease of concentration of foetal haemoglobin. In growing calves the feeding and rearing system has an important influence on the values of different blood variables. Influence of feeding becomes more apparent after 5th week when consummation of dry food (hay, starter) increases

Relationship between blood haemoglobin and serum iron concentrations and heart girth in pre-weaned dairy calves

Abstract The aim of the research was to study the relation between blood haemoglobin (Hb) and serum iron (Fe) concentrations and changing of heart girth with age in calves. Blood samples of 66 dairy calves were taken at the age of 3, 5 and 16 weeks (wks). Blood samples were analysed for Hb and serum Fe concentration. At each bleeding, the heart girth was measured. The lowest mean concentration of Hb was measured at the age of five wks. The concentration of serum Fe and heart girth increased with age. Significant positive correlations were found between Fe concentration at 3 wks of age and heart girth of calves at 5wks (r=0.270; P=0.032) and between Fe concentration at 5 wks and heart girth of calves at 5 (r=0.283; P=0.021) and 16 wks (r=0.284; P=0.028). The lowest Hb concentration recorded at 5 wks, might suggest that this is the most critical period for developing anaemia in calves. The correlations established between heart girth and Fe concentration at different ages indicate that serum Fe concentration has some influence on changing of heart girth in calves.

Some Haematological Values of Farmed Fallow Deer (>Dama dama)

Abstract: Haematological examinations have been carried out on 62 healthy farmed male and female fallow deer after they had been shot during a routine cull. Comparisons were made between the sexes, between young (up to 2 years) and older (>2 years) animals, and between age groups according to sex. The following parameters (means and SDs) were examined on all samples: erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, total leucocyte count, and numbers of neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, band neutrophils and monocytes. Only minor differences in red cell and white cell parameters between different groups of animals were found. However, significant differences in mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, eosinophils and band neutrophils were discovered in different age and sex groups. The values provide useful information for diagnostic purposes in fallow deer.

Effect of estradiol on biochemical bone metabolism markers in dairy cows

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism (BBM) are products of bone tissue formation and resorption that escape to blood and urine where we can measure them. Biochemical markers of bone tissue formation (for instance bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP)) are products of osteoblast activity and biochemical markers of bone tissue resorption (for instance C terminal telopeptide crosslinks of collagen 1 (CTx)) are by products of osteoclast activity. Markers of bone metabolism can indicate if bone metabolism is more anabolic, catabolic or in general more or less active (Allen, 2003; Christenson, 1997). In high producing dairy cows there are tremendous changes in Ca requirements in the so called transition period when cows go from dry period into lactation. We expect increased catabolic bone metabolism at the beginning of lactation as absorbable Ca demand suddenly increases from about 20 g to around 60 g or more per day in high yielding cows because of colostrum and milk production concurrent with a relatively low dry matter (nutrient) intake. A significant proportion of dairy cows are not successful in maintaining normocalcaemia at the beginning of lactation and they develop subclinical hypocalcaemia with all negative effects on health, welfare and production or progress toclinical hypocalcaemia, so called milk fever (Goff, 2000). BBM have been detected in dairy cattle (Filipovic et al., 2008; Holtenius and Ekelund, 2005; Iwama, 2004; Liesegang et al., 2000; Staric, 2012). Studies suggest that BBM can be used as a prepartum tool to predict if a cow is going to have milk fever after calving (Staric, 2010).

Duphafral® Vit. D3 1000 and KatAn® anionic salts for the prevention of milk fever in dairy cows

On three dairy farms with similar dietary treatments the effect of intramuscular (i/m) administration of Duphafral® Vit. D3 1000 and oral administration of KatAn® anionic salts for the prevention of milk fever (MF) was studied in 30 Black and White cows. The first group of cows (n=10; dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD)=+95.99 mEq/kg DMI) 10 ml of Vitamin D3 was administered one week before the expected calving. KatAn® group (n=10; DCDA=-99.00 mEq/kg DMI) was orally administered 300 g of anionic salts per day two weeks before parturition. The third group of cows (n=10, DCDA=+95.99 mEq/kg DMI) was the control group. During the experiment we controlled the clinical status of cows and blood samples were taken (2 and 1 week before parturition, and 1, 2 and 7 days postpartum) for the determination of plasma Ca, iP and Mg concentrations. It was established that the best results were achieved by i/m administration of 10 million IU cholecalciferol (vit. D3) one week before calving. Only one cow in this group was affected by MF the second day after calving. In KatAn® group one cow showed typical MF symptoms the first day after calving and another cow had retained foetal membranes (RFM). In the control group the MF incidence was markedly higher. One cow developed MF, one RFM and one cow showed left-sided displacement of the abomasum (LDA). Because the cows refused to eat silage mixed with KatAn salts, each cow was given the solution (300 ml) daily via a manual drencher. On the basis of the analyses, clinical-laboratory data and time-consuming application of anionic salts, we are of the opinion that the best prophylactic measure for the prevention of MF on small and medium large dairy farms in Slovenia is i/m administration of Duphafral®Vit. D3 1000. .