ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Blood biochemistry and reference intervals help to differentiate between healthy and ill dogs as well as to provide information for the prognosis, evaluation, and monitoring; however, these intervals are often obtained from adult animals. It is essential to understand that puppies and adults are physiologically different, which justifies the need to obtain age-specific biochemical reference intervals. The aim of this research was to assess the potential effect of age, sex, body size, and their interaction on routine biochemical analytes and physiological constants (body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate). To carry out the research, we selected 197 healthy dogs of both sexes and different body sizes (small, medium and large) classified by age: group I (4-8 wk), group II (9-24 wk), group III (25-52 wk), and group IV (> 52 wk). The biochemical analysis included the measurement of the enzymatic activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, globulins, glucose, urea, and creatinine. Statistical analyses used analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a general linear model (GLM), which allows the comparison of multiple factors at two or more levels (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The results of this study showed that ALT, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, and body temperature levels were lower in puppies than in adult dogs of group IV (p < 0.05), while the enzymatic activity of ALP, LDH, glucose concentration, and heart rate were higher. Whereas sex, body size and the interaction did not show a significant effect (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Some biochemical components are influenced by age. For this reason, this manuscript contributes with additional data for the clinical interpretation of blood biochemical results in puppies.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Blood Chemical Analysis/veterinary , Body Size/physiology , Dogs/blood , Aging/blood , Animals , Dogs/growth & development , Dogs/physiology , Female , Hematologic Tests/veterinary , Male , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
Since its first patent (1897), commercial dry feed (CDF) for dogs has diversified its formulation to meet the nutritional needs of different breeds, age, or special conditions and establish a foundation for integration of these pets into urban lifestyles. The risk of aflatoxicosis in dogs has increased because the ingredients used to formulate CDF have also proliferated, making it difficult to ensure the quality required of each to achieve the safety of the entire CDF. This review contains a description of the fungi and aflatoxins detected in CDF and the ingredients commonly used for their formulation. The mechanisms of action and pathogenic effects of aflatoxins are outlined; as well as the clinical findings, and macroscopic and microscopic lesions found in aflatoxicosis in dogs. In addition, alternatives for diagnosis, treatment, and control of aflatoxins (AF) in CDF are analyzed, such as biomarkers of effect, improvement of blood coagulation, rate of elimination of AF, control of secondary infection, protection of gastric mucosa, reduction of oxidative stress, use of chemo-protectors, sequestrants, grain-free CDF, biocontrol, and maximum permitted limits, are also included.
Subject(s)
Aflatoxins/toxicity , Animal Feed/toxicity , Food Contamination , Foodborne Diseases/veterinary , Mycotoxicosis/veterinary , Animal Feed/microbiology , Animals , Dog Diseases , Dogs , Foodborne Diseases/microbiology , Fungi , Secondary MetabolismABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a frequent disease. It is characterized by hypercalcemia and elevation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. The incidence is variable, being more frequent in women (3:1) in the perimenopauseal period. In the last decades, diagnosis of asymptomatic PHPT has increased due to automatized calcium determinations. Duration of the disease and serum concentrations of calcium and PTH determine symptomatology. Surgery is the definitive treatment. It is important to assess surgical criteria in asymptomatic patients. Successful treatment of this disease depends on a highly specialized team of parathyroid surgeons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and biochemical background of patients subjected to parathyroidectomy from January 1998 to August 2003 in our medical center. We then analyzed clinical and laboratory data, final histopathologic diagnosis, and surgery outcome. RESULTS: Sixty seven patients were included, with an average age of 50 years (+/- 11.9), 15 men and 52 women. Greatest frequency of PHPT was observed in patients between 40 and 60 years of age. Average calcium value was 11.7 mg/dl (+/- 1.23) and that of PTH was 194.5 pg/ml (+/- 93). Histopathologic diagnosis was adenoma in 56 (83.58%), hyperplasia in 9 (13.43%), and carcinoma in 2 (2.9%) patients. Cure of the disease was achieved in 65 patients (97%). PHPT is a surgically curable disease; it is necessary to confirm diagnosis and decide on surgical treatment in accordance with established criteria even if the disease is asymptomatic.
