Biochemical and blood gas alterations in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) whole blood stored in CPDA-1 and CPD/SAG-M bags.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and blood gas alterations of whole blood of buffaloes that was stored in citrate-phosphate-dextrose with adenine (CPDA-1) and CPD/SAG-M blood bags for 42 days. DESIGN: Prospective study. INTERVENTIONS: Ten male buffaloes were used in this study. A total volume of 900 mL of blood was collected from each buffalo so that 450 mL was stored in CPDA-1 and 450 mL was stored in CPD/SAG-M bags at 2-6°C for 42 days. The stored blood was evaluated at 7 time points (D): D0 (immediately after blood collection) and 7 (D7), 14 (D14), 21 (D21), 28 (D28), 35 (D35), and 42 (D42) days after collection. Blood gas, biochemical, and microbiological parameters were monitored. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The overall blood pH decreased from 6.997 ± 0.05 at D0 to 6.784 ± 0.09 at D42, differing from baseline from D14 onward (P < 0.05). There were increases in partial pressure of oxygen (pO2 ), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2 ), lactate, and potassium (K) and decreases in the concentrations of sodium, bicarbonate, glucose, and pH (P < 0.05) during storage in both bags but no alterations in total protein concentration. Most of the variables were consistently similar between the 2 types of blood bags (P > 0.05) evaluated, with the exception of pCO2 , HCO3, cholesterol, and total protein, which had higher values in the CPDA-1 bag (P < 0.05). The K, pO2 , and lactate had the highest alterations during storage, with increases from baseline to D42 of 563%, 317%, and 169%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In general, no significant changes of clinical importance were observed after storage of whole blood samples from buffaloes for 42 days in the 2 types of blood bags that are indicated for use with this species.

Evaluation of infrared thermography, force platform and filmed locomotion score as non-invasive diagnostic methods for acute laminitis in zebu cattle.

This study aimed to characterize oligofructose-induced laminitis in zebu cattle and comparatively evaluate four different diagnostic methods for laminitis. A total of 29 rumen-cannulated Nelore heifers, weighing 474.5 ± 58.5 kg were used. Laminitis was experimentally induced by intraruminal administration of 0.765 g/kg oligofructose twice daily for three consecutive days, followed by a single dose of 10.71 g/kg oligofructose on the fourth day. The animals were evaluated before administration of the highest dose of oligofructose (basal) and every six hours for up to 24 hours (6, 12, 18, 24 hours) and thereafter, every 12 hours for up to 72 hours (36, 48, 60, 72 hours) post-induction. The following diagnostic methods were used: hoof pain sensitivity test (hoof-testing), locomotion scoring, hoof infrared thermography, and force platform. Diagnosis of laminitis was confirmed after two positive responses to hoof pressure testing. Using a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, we defined the appropriate cut-off for infrared thermography and force plate as 30 °C and < 24%, respectively. From the 29 heifers, 27 developed laminitis (93.1%) which occurred between 24 h to 72 h in the digits from two limbs, with more frequent sensitivity in the lateral digits. Locomotion analysis detected twenty-eight heifers with laminitis and showed that a greater (P = 0.006) number of animals had lameness in two limbs (n = 13; 56%). Using hoof-testing as gold standard for the diagnosis of laminitis the locomotion score displayed 100% sensitivity, 97% specificity and 98% accuracy; infrared thermography showed 96% sensitivity, 63% specificity, and 75% accuracy whilst force plate had 76% sensitivity, 82% specificity and 79% accuracy. This suggests that, for the diagnosis of laminitis in cattle, pain evaluation is more efficient. Considering the difficult to evaluate pain sensitivity in Nelore animals, filmed locomotion score, infrared thermography and force plate methods can be indicated for non-invasive lameness detection in beef farms.

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids of Western Pará, Brazil.

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids raised for distinct purposes in the western state of Pará, Brazil, and to identify potential risk factors associated with parasite infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted with cluster sampling in 101 farms from 18 municipalities (farm horses). In visited municipalities, samples from sport and cart horses were included. Serum was obtained for detecting antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. using indirect fluorescent antibody test, with a cut-off point of 1:64 and 1:50, respectively. Association analysis, using the chi-square test, was performed to evaluate possible risk factors related to the prevalence of antibodies. A total of 1298 equids were sampled (947 farm, 240 sport, and 111 cart horses), including 1244 horses, 2 donkeys, and 52 mules. The number of equids sampled per property ranged from 1 to 49. Of the total examined, 134 (10.3%) had antibodies against T. gondii, and of the 18 municipalities visited, 11 (61%) had at least one positive animal. Seventy-three of the 1298 equids (5.62%) from 44% of the municipalities tested positive for Neospora spp. The type of the animal (farm, sport, or carthorse) was not associated with the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii; however, antibodies against Neospora spp. was more prevalent in carthorses (P = 0.001) (13.5%) than in farm (5.0%) and sport (4.6%) horses. Breed of the horse and the presence of cats were risk factors for the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii, and presence of dogs was a risk factor for the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora spp. This is the first report of seropositive equids for T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the state of Pará contributing to the knowledge on epidemiology of the two parasites.