Accuracy evaluation of two veterinary glucometers for use in dogs

The glucometers (GT) are important strategy for measuring blood glucose. They must be within the specifications of ISO 15197: 2013 and evaluated by analysis of the error grid. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of two veterinary glucometers (GT1 and GT2) by comparing the blood glucose values measured in capillary blood with those provided by reference laboratory method in plasma samples, transformed or not at equivalent plasma values. In the evaluation of GT1 in capillary blood samples and the hexokinase laboratory method, the mean differences were 25.90 mg / dL and 26% of the samples fell within the limits proposed by ISO 15197: 2013. The comparison of GT1 to the estimated plasma glucose values showed a mean difference of 10.89 mg / dL and 99% of the samples were in the desired limits. Comparisons of GT2 and laboratory glucose oxidase in capillary blood samples, mean differences were 10.58 mg / dL and 22% of the samples met the ranges proposed by ISO; 15197: 2013. When evaluated by the estimated plasma glucose, the mean differences were 9.7029 mg / dL and 99% of the samples met the limits. When evaluated by the error grid, 87% of the samples evaluated by GT1 fell on the zones of errors A and B and those evaluated by GT2 presented 86% of the samples on such zones. The glucometers evaluated did not present the accuracy to measure capillary glycaemia according to the standards set in ISO 15197: 2013

Evaluation and comparison between methods of measurement of systolic blood pressure in healthy conscious cats

Após validação de dois diferentes métodos de mensuração de pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) não invasivos ou indiretos (oscilométrico e Doppler vascular) com o invasivo ou direto (cateterização arterial padrão ouro) em 12 gatos hígidos anestesiados de mesma faixa etária, os métodos não invasivos foram avaliados e comparados em 24 gatos hígidos e conscientes, divididos em quatro grupos de idade. Em cada animal, procedeu-se à mensuração da pressão pelos métodos Doppler e oscilométrico. O método oscilométrico foi o primeiro a ser realizado, e, logo em seguida, o método Doppler. Os valores considerados foram obtidos das médias de sete medidas consecutivas para cada método, com intervalo de 30 segundos entre elas. A primeira medida e as medidas discrepantes (variação ˃ 20% PAS), obtidas com sinais óbvios de estresse e/ou com movimentação do animal, foram descartadas. Os métodos de mensuração oscilométrico e Doppler, embora tenham apresentado médias estatisticamente diferentes em todos os grupos, quando comparados em cada grupo, apresentaram uma correlação significativa, alta e positiva. Ou seja, sempre que for obtido um valor elevado por um método, o mesmo fato ocorrerá com o outro método e vice-versa. Clinicamente, a diferença observada não é relevante, uma vez que a diferença média dos valores obtida pelos dois métodos, em cada grupo, foi menor que 1,1%.After two different validation systolic blood pressure measurement methods (PAS), not invasive or indirect (oscillometric and doppler vascular) with invasive or direct (arterial catheterization - Gold Standard) in 12 anesthetized healthy cats of the same age group, not invasive methods were evaluated and compared in 24 healthy conscious cats, divided into four age groups. In each animal, we proceeded to measure the pressure by Doppler and oscillometric methods. The oscillometric method was the first to be performed, and, shortly thereafter, the doppler method. The values considered were obtained from averages from seven consecutive measurements for each method with an interval of thirty seconds between them. The first measurement and disparate measurements (range ˃ 20% PAS) obtained with obvious signs of stress and / or animal movement were discarded. Methods of oscillometric and doppler measurement, although statistically different averages were shown in all groups when compared, each group showed a significant high positive correlation, meaning that when a high value is obtained by a method, the same occurs with the other method, and vice versa. Clinically, the observed difference is not relevant since the mean difference values obtained by the two methods, in each group was lower than 1.1%

O leucograma como indicador de estresse no desmame e no transporte rodoviário de bovinos da raça Nelore

Stress can cause economic losses due to lower weight gain and increased susceptibility of animal diseases. Among the events that cause stress in calves, stand out weaning and road transport, which can result in increased serum concentrations of adrenaline and / or cortisol. This study evaluated the influence of weaning and road transport on the leukogram of Nelore calves. With this purpose, 30 calves with seven to eight months of age, divided into three groups, the first being composed of lactating animals (GL), the second by weaning animals (GD) and the third by weaning animals subjected to road transport for four hours (GDT). The first day of weaning, but not in subsequent days, there were changes in GD and GDT leukogram compatible with the action of adrenaline, as significant increases counts of WBC and neutrophils (p < 0.05), without changing in the neutrophil lymphocytes ratio (NL). In the GDT, immediately after transport, but not in subsequent days, leukogram changes were (p < 0.05) compatible with the action of cortisol, as higher N: L ratio and decreased eosinophil count. It was concluded that, under the conditions of this experiment, there are changes in leukocytes on weaning and road transport related to the action of adrenaline and road transport, respectively, and that the WBC can be used as an indicator of stress in this species

Effects of total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, enteral fluid therapy with or without glutamine, and fluid therapy on the acid–base and electrolyte balance of horses starved after exploratory laparotomy

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, enteral fluid therapy with or without glutamine, and fluid therapy on the acid–base and electrolyte balance of horses starved after exploratory laparotomy. Sixteen healthy male and female adult horses of mixed breed, aged between 4 and 14 years, and having a mean body weight of 248.40 ± 2.28 kg and a body score index of 3–4 (scale of 1–5) were divided into four groups with four animals per group. After an adaptation period of 30 days, they were randomly divided into four experimental groups: enteral fluid therapy, enteral fluid therapy associated with glutamine, total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, and parenteral fluid therapy. The experiment was further divided into two phases: Phase 1 and Phase 2. In Phase 1, an exploratory laparotomy was performed, treatments were administered to the groups and the horses received no food or water other than those given to their respective groups. In Phase 2, the animals were re-fed. Each phase had a total duration of 144 h. Venous blood samples were collected every 24 h throughout the experimental period for blood gas and electrolyte analyses. The following parameters were evaluated: pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, total carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, base shift, anion gap, sodium, potassium, chloride, total calcium and magnesium. Completely randomized designs with a 4 × 7 factorial scheme (groups × harvest time) in Phase 1 and a 4 × 6 factorial scheme (groups × harvest time) in Phase 2 were used with four replications. All values were considered significant when p≤0.05 (95% probability). Blood pH, bicarbonate concentration, and base shift in the PARGL group decreased, indicating metabolic acidosis. Changes in the acid–base and electrolyte balance were more intense in the PARGL group than in the other groups. These results demonstrated the need to monitor blood gas and electrolyte balance in horses with food restriction under nutritional support or prolonged fluid therapy so that such changes are promptly corrected

Importância do vírus da leucemia felina na linfomagênese: Revisão

O vírus da Leucemia felina (FeLV) é um retrovírus oncogênico frequentemente relacionado ao linfoma em felinos domésticos. O principal mecanismo pelo qual o FeLV induz neoplasia é através da mutagênese insercional adquirida somaticamente, podendo o provirus integrado ativar proto-oncogenes ou interromper um gene supressor de tumor. O principal proto-oncogene alterado pelo FeLV é o c-myc. Esta revisão tem como objetivo elucidar um dos principais mecanismos pelos quais o FeLV está associado ao linfoma em felinos domésticos

In vitro inibition and reversion of equine platelet aggregation using ketoprophen, phenylbutazone and flunixin meglumin

Several diseases may lead to platelet pre-activation and hypercoagulability states in horses. The activity of many drugs against platelet aggregation may, not only contribute to the evaluation of a disease but also its response to the therapy. With the aim to study in vitro prevention and reversion of platelet aggregation, the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID): ketoprophen, phenylbutazone and flunixin-meglumin were evaluated. The comparison demonstrated that phenylbutazone and ketoprophen prevented platelet aggregation induced by ADP better than flunixin-meglumin, in a superior manner to the monoclonal antibody Reopro, and in a better way than the membrane receptor blockers Ro-438857 and RGDS. The reversion of platelet aggregation demonstrated that even phenylbutazone or ketoprophen have a dose-dependent effect.Como são várias as enfermidades e os distúrbios que induzem à hipercoagulabilidade e à pré-ativação de plaquetas em eqüinos. A atividade de medicamentos utilizados para controle dessas enfermidades sobre a agregação de plaquetas pode, não apenas servir para avaliar sua evolução, como também a resposta terapêutica. Com o objetivo de avaliar a prevenção e a reversão da agregação plaquetária de eqüinos in vitro foram utilizados os antiinflamatórios não esteroidais (AINES): ketoprofeno, fenilbutazona e flunixim meglumine. A comparação demonstrou que a fenilbutazona e o ketoprofeno previnem a agregação de plaquetas de eqüinos induzida pelo ADP, de forma mais eficaz do que o flunixim-meglumine e, superior ao fragmento monoclonal de anticorpo Reopro, sendo semelhante a dos bloqueadores de receptores de membrana Ro-438857 e RGDS. Quanto a reverão da agregação plaquetária tanto a fenilbutazona quanto o ketoprofeno demonstraram efeitos dose-dependente

Líquido sinovial de eqüinos: proteína, celularidade e precipitação de mucina, a fresco, após refrigeração e congelamento

Considerando que as patologias que determinam claudicação são comuns e representam um importante aspecto na Medicina Veterinária Eqüina, com cerca de 33% das claudicações devendo-se a enfermidades articulares, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo comparar o líquido sinovial de eqüinos a fresco, após refrigeração e após congelamento, para avaliar sua estabilidade e possível utilização como terapêutica. Foram utilizados 25 animais dos quais foram obtidos, por artrocentese, 5ml de líquido sinovial de ambas as articulações intertársicas proximais. As amostras de cada animal foram misturadas e a amostra final foi dividida em três alíquotas, sendo então analisadas a fresco (GI), após refrigeração (GII) e após congelamento (GIII). A proteína foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos I e II, e II e III (p0,05). Os grupos I e II, e I e III foram significativamente diferentes (p0,05). O linfócito foi a célula de predomínio. Alterações morfológicas foram observadas em 8% dos leucócitos em animais do Grupo II e em 64% em animais do GIII. Os três grupos estudados foram equivalentes quanto à precipitação de mucina (p>0,05). Com base nos resultados, pode-se concluir que o líquido sinovial sofre alterações quanto à proteína e celularidade após refrigeração e congelamento, porém ainda permanece dentro dos parâmetros aceitáveis de normalidade.Lameness related to arthropathies are common and so very important to Equine Veterinary Medicine, considering that almost 33% of all lamenesses are due to arthropathies. The present experiment aimed the evaluation of synovial fluid estability after cooling and freezing and its possible therapeutical utilization. Samples of synovial fluid were taken from 25 equines, from both intertarsus proximall joints by arthrocentesis. Samples from each animal were mixed and then divided into 3 aliquotes, and analysed fresh (GI), after cooling (GII) and after freezing (GIII). The protein evaluation showed significant difference between GI and GII and II and III, but GI and GIII were statistically similar. Leukocytes counting showed GI and GII, and GI and GIII to be statistically different, but no difference was seen between GII and GIII. Lymphocyte was the predominant cell in 96% of the cases. Morphological abnormalities in 8% of the leukocytes of animals in GII and in 64% of those in GIII were found. Mucin clot showed no difference betwen all groups studied. Based on the results, it was possible to conclude that the synovial fluid has different protein and cellularity values after cooling and freezing, but is still in the normal range

Perfil mineral de vacas mestiças Girolanda no período de transição em sistema semi-intensivo em duas estações do ano

The metabolic profile of dairy cows in the transition period during summer and winter was evaluated. Were used 31 crossbred Holstein/Gir cows at each season, totaling 62 cows. During summer they remained in pasture with supplementation of corn silage and concentrate and in the winter, corn silage and concentrate was offered to furnish the nutritional requirements. A total of 11 blood samples from each animal were taken according to the following protocol: four collections weekly antepartum, at birth and at 2, 5, 10, 15, 21 and 30 days postpartum. Concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were evaluated. All analytes varied according to the physiological status. The average concentrations of calcium and magnesium were higher in summer than in winter. In both seasons, the lowest mean calcium concentrations occurred near calving, and 75% of the animals in winter and 35.48% of the animals in the summer were hypocalcemic. Only on the tenth day postpartum, the calcium concentrations returned to levels of prepartum, demonstrating that this time is necessary for the adaptation of the new condition of lactating. Magnesium concentrations were lower postpartum than prepartum in both seasons, demonstrating the need for this mineral for the production of milk. The average concentrations of magnesium remained always within the reference values for the species, but 19% of the animals at two days postpartum in winter and 7% of the animals at 10 days postpartum in summer had concentrations below these limits. Phosphorus concentrations suffered large variation along the peri-partum, but always at high levels, with 49.8% of the animals in winter and 37.3% in summer had phosphorus levels above the reference range of the species