Serum vitamin D3 (25-OH vit D3) concentrations and hemogram changes in calves with enzootic pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Enzootic pneumonia is an important disease complex associated with insufficient colostrum intake after birth, adverse environmental conditions, and stress. Vitamin D deficiency may be an important predisposing factor for this disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate in calves with enzootic pneumonia.

METHODS

A total of 30 calves, aged 3-5 months, under the same care and feeding conditions were used. Groups were formed according to Clinical Respiratory Scoring as the group with mild/moderate enzootic pneumonia (n = 10), the group with severe enzootic pneumonia (n = 10), and the healthy control group (n = 10) without any disease. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of animals in all groups on Day 0; a complete blood count was performed, and serum vitamin D levels were measured using the Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.

RESULTS

Although no statistical differences were observed in total leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil, basophil, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels between groups, statistically significant differences in blood neutrophil, monocyte, and erythrocyte counts were found between the groups. Monocyte counts were statistically decreased in the mild/moderate group compared with the control group. Neutrophil counts were significantly higher in the mild/moderate and severe groups than in the control group. Erythrocyte counts were increased in the mild/moderate and severe groups compared with the control group. Vitamin D concentrations were statistically lower in the mild/moderate and severe groups than in the control group. However, no statistical differences in Vitamin D concentrations were observed between the mild/moderate and severe groups. There was a negative and significant correlation between erythrocyte counts and vitamin D concentrations (r = -0.64, P < .0001). While erythrocyte counts increased in the severe group compared with the mild/moderate group, vitamin D concentrations decreased. Also, a negative and significant correlation was observed between platelet counts and vitamin D concentrations (r = -0.74, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study determined that serum vitamin D concentrations in calves with pneumonia were lower than those in healthy calves. Detailed studies on the etiologic and prognostic importance of low vitamin D levels in calves with enzootic pneumonia may provide valuable data for prevention and treatment.

Comparison of the effects of buparvaquone and paromomycin on oocyst excretion and clinical parameters in diarrheal calves naturally infected with cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidium is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects a wide variety of hosts. Twenty calves with cryptosporidiosis were divided into two groups. A single dose of 2.5 mg/kg buparvaquone was administered intramuscularly to one group, while 100 mg/kg/day paromomycin was administered orally to the other group. The results obtained from the study in which oocyst shedding and clinical parameters of sucking reflex, mental status, oocyst scattering were observed in both groups offer an effective control option with this study, which provides results that support the application of a single dose of buparvaquone injection against the complex treatment methods applied to calves with cryptosporidiosis in the field. In this study, a significant decrease in oocyst shedding and rapid improvement in clinical findings were observed in calves.

Clinic Congenital Neosporosis in a Calf

Neosporosis is an infectious disease which is caused by a protozoan called Neospora caninum and characterized by endemic and epidemic abortions in adult cattle and congenital encephalomyelitis in calves. Our case was a female calf from the Holstein breed which was born in a farm with abortion and infertility problems and was unable to stand up after birth.. It was stated that it was the third pregnancy of the mother cow and that the previous pregnancy was aborted in the fifth month. In clinical examination, sucking reflex of the calf was present and there was spastic paralysis starting from pelvic muscle in rear limbs. Blood (EDTA and spare tube) sample was taken from the cow and from the calf before sucking first colostrum and cerebrospinal fluid was collected from the calf.. Based on the clinical and serological findings, a diagnosis of congenital neosporosis was made. As a result, neosporosis must be considered in the clinical diagnosis of calves with neurological symptoms during the neonatal period.

Iodine Intoxication in Beef Cattle in Turkey - Clinical, Hematological and Biochemical Evaluation

Iodine is an essential trace element for humans and animals. The incidence of iodine poisoning in cattle is low. In the present study, we evaluated the clinical findings, serum glucose and cholesterol, thyroid hormone and urine iodine levels in cattle exposed to excess iodine. All of the clinical data were determined following the addition of potassium iodide to the drinking water. Inappetence, cough, and hyperthermia were notable clinical findings. We detected a very high iodine level (470 μg /L) in an analysis of the drinking water samples. A biochemical analysis revealed that the serum cholesterol levels in the affected cattle were significantly lower (p<0.05) than in healthy cattle. However, the serum glucose in the affected cattle was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to healthy cattle. The iodine concentration in the urine of the affected animals was also significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the healthy animals. Importantly, a hematological analysis indicated leukocytosis with neutrophilia. Several clinical signs, including hyperthermia, tachycardia, alopecia, and a naso-oral discharge, based on suspected history can suggest iodine intoxication. In addition, biochemical parameters, such as urine iodine, serum glucose and cholesterol levels, were observed to be different between healthy and affected cattle. The thyroid function in affected cattle should also be studied.

Effect of Erythropoietin on Microvascular Anastomosis in Rat

Purpose: To investigate the re-endothelialization potential of erythropoietin (EPO) following microvascular anastomosis in rat femoral artery.Methods: Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 300 g and 320 g were allocated randomly into two groups (control and EPO, n = 48). Left femoral artery microvascular anastomosis was performed in the rats. The control group was given 0.5 mL of 0.09 % NaCl subcutaneously 48 h  postoperatively while the EPO group was given 150 U/kg recombinant human erythropoietin  subcutaneously 48 h post-operatively. Tissue was harvested from each group after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days. All of the rats were sacrificed for morphometric analysis. Each arterial segment was analyzed morphometrically using Clemex Image Analysis software by a single examiner. The cross-sectional area of the media and neointima was measured and the intima/media ratio was calculated. Hematocrit  measurement was carried out for all the rats.Results: The I/M ratio differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the control and erythropoietin groups, at all time-points. The hematocrit was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the control group than in the erythropoietin groups on day 7, but not on the other days.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that erythropoietin markedly inhibits neointima formation with accelerated re-endothelialization in rat femoral arteries following microvascular anastomosis.Keywords: Erythropoietin, Microvascular anastomosis, Re-endothelialization, Hematocrit, Neointima/media ratio

The dome procedure: a new technique for the reconstruction of the umbilicus

PURPOSE

The absence of the umbilicus is, in essence, an aesthetic deformity of the abdominal wall. The goal of reconstructing the umbilicus is to obtain a natural, three-dimensional appearance. In this study, we present a new technique called the "dome procedure" for the reconstruction of the umbilicus.

METHODS

This procedure can be applied under local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis and the drawing of the design is simple. The technique was applied to six patients who presented with an absence of the umbilicus following repair of a large incisional and umbilical hernia.

RESULTS

No major or minor complications were encountered. Patient satisfaction was high after surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The dome procedure, which enables the umbilicus to have a natural appearance with sufficient depression and normal-appearing wrinkles, is simple, easy to perform, and safe.