1,721,093 research outputs found
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width as a Novel Parameter in Canine Disorders: Literature Review and Future Prospective
Full text linkSimple Summary Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a laboratory parameter that is automatically calculated by most hematology analyzers and reflects the degree of variation in the erythrocyte size. Various studies have shown that RDW can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in many hematological and non-hematological disorders in humans. This narrative review aimed to summarize the findings of available studies investigating the relationship between RDW and various canine disorders. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a quantitative laboratory parameter applied for the measurement of anisocytosis and is a reliable and inexpensive method for clinical classification of anemia. An increased RDW reflects a great heterogeneity in the size of red blood cells typical of regenerative and iron-deficiency anemia. In humans, numerous and recent studies have shown a relationship between increased RDW and the risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with various disorders. In particular, a strong association has been established between changes in RDW and the risk of adverse outcome in humans with diseases affecting different organs or systems. Following the human literature, some studies have recently been conducted trying to clarify the clinical role of RDW in various animal disorders, particularly in dogs. In this review, we summarize and critically evaluate the results of the studies based on the measurement of RDW in dogs. We also emphasize the need for further and more extensive studies on the use of this simple and inexpensive parameter in animals
Aorticopulmonary Septal Defect in a German Shepherd Dog
No full textA 2-year-old, female German shepherd dog was referred with a 2-month history of dyspnea, ascites, and anorexia. On physical examination, an arrhythmia, tachypnea, and a continuous grade V/VI heart murmur were evidenced. Atrial fibrillation anti tall R waves were noted on electrocardiography. Survey thoracic radiography revealed generalized cardiomegaly and enlarged pulmonary vessels. Echocardiography demonstrated severe dilatation of the left atrium and ventricle with reduced fractional shortening. Doppler echocardiography showed continuous and turbulent flow in the ascending aorta between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Necropsy demonstrated an aorticopulmonary septal defect
The effect of psyllium on some haematological and biochemical variables in the plasma of horses during an endurance ride: Preliminary results
No full textEight horses were subjected to a 120 kilometer endurance rids. The eight horses were divided into two groups of four horses each. Eight days prior to competition the diet of the experimental group was supplemented daily with Plantago Psyllium at a dose of 0.3 g/kg body weight/day. Blood samples were drawn for measuring haematocrit, total serum protein, sodium, potassium and chloride immediately before the start of the race and at the 40, 80 and 120 kilometre veterinary check points, In addition, the heart rate of the horses was recorded throughout the whole ride. All horses completed the ride at an average speed of 13.5 km/h. The heart rate during the ride varied between 80 and 160 beats/min without showing a distinct pattern between the horses of the two groups. The haematocrit increased in both groups during the ride, but to a higher extent in the control group. The concentration of the blood serum variables measured in both groups did not change significantly during the ride. The lower increase oi haematocrit in the horses supplemented with Plantago Psyllium may be attributable to a higher water content in their intestine due to its water holding capacity.[...
Variations of serum testosterone concentrations after physical exercises of different duration
No full textSerum testosterone concentration was determined before and after physical activities of different duration. The subjects under study were: (1) 7 competitive walkers before
and after a 20-km race (average race time 1 h 30 mm); (2) 9 middle-distance runners before and after 1-h training; (3) 16 marathon runners before and after a marathon run (average running time 2 h 33 mm); (4) 30 ultramarathon runners before and after a 107-km race (average running time 14h).
Serum testosterone increased by 51.8% (NS) in competitive walkers, by 38.2% (P < 0.05) in middle-distance runners, and by 44.9% (P < 0.01) in marathon runners; it decreased by 31.9% (P < 0.001) in the ultramarathon runners. These findings, and similar variations of serum testosterone observed in an ultramarathon runner during a 6-h training session, suggest that serum testosterone increases during physical
activities lasting up to 3 h and decreases to or even below the pre-exercise values for longer physical efforts. The possible mechanisms responsible for these differences are discussed
Diagnostic imaging of cardiovascular disease in small animals
Full text linkCardiovascular disease (CVD) has always been an important field of application for diagnostic imaging in small animal practices and, vice-versa, diagnostic imaging has greatly expanded the diagnostic capabilities of veterinary clinicians dealing with CVD.
In addition to physical examination and electrocardiography, cardiac imaging offers unique opportunities to understand and investigate cardiovascular function and dysfunction. Among the different imaging modalities, each with specific advantages and disadvantages, some focus primarily on cardiac structure and anatomy and others are mainly concerned with cardiac physiology and function
In vitro mucolytic activity of recombinant human deoxyribonuclease on equine tracheobronchial mucus
No full textThe viscosity of the mucus, its DNA concentration and the size range of the DNA were determined on tracheobronchial samples from 11 horses with lower airway diseases before and after incubation with recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase). The horses were divided into two groups on the basis of the cytology of the samples: group A (five horses) with more than 60 per cent neutrophils and group B (six horses) with fewer than 50 per cent neutrophils. The mean mucus viscosity and DNA concentration in the preincubation samples were significantly higher in group A than in group B, and there was a correlation between DNA concentration and mucus viscosity in the preincubation samples from group A. Incubation with rhDNase significantly reduced the viscosity of the samples only in group A
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