The purpose of this study was to investigate possible alterations in acid-base balance parameters and the coagulation profile in neonatal diarrheic calves. Twenty neonatal diarrheic and 20 clinically healthy neonatal calves aged between 1 week to 10 days were used. All blood samples were taken on the third day from the onset of diarrhea symptom. Venous blood samples were collected from each animal to determine platelet numbers, pH, pCO 2 , pO 2 , HCO 3-, BE, O 2 SAT, ctCO 2 and electrolytes (K + , Na + and Cl -). Plasma samples were collected from each animal for the measurement of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), the concentrations of fibrinogen, D-dimer and the activity of antithrombin III (AT III). Blood pH (7.19), BE (-10.6 mmol/l), HCO 3 -(25.15 mmol/l), pO 2 (3.33 kPa), O 2 SAT (24.12 %) were significantly lower and serum concentration of K + (6.55 mmol/l) was significantly higher in diarrheic calves. These changes indicate the state of uncompensated metabolic acidosis with accompanying hyperkalemia. TT (32.05s) and APTT (39.9s) values were more prolonged in calves with diarrhea than in the control group. D-dimer (587.25 μg/l) concentrations were significantly increased while a visible drop in AT III (103.75%) activity and platelets counts (598 x10 9 /l) were observed in diarrheic group of calves. The results suggest that a consumptive type of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed in diarrheic calves.

This study investigated changes in the coagulation profile of 10 healthy female dogs subjected to ovariohysterectomy. Blood samples were collected three times -before, directly after and 24 h after surgery. Plasma samples were analyzed to determine thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen content, D-dimer content and antithrombin (AT) III activity. The results revealed post-operative haemostatic system disorders related to prolonged APTT, higher fibrinogen and D-dimer concentrations and lower levels of AT III activity.

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The acid-base equilibrium is closely linked to gas exchange in the lungs, and respiratory exchange ratios are used to evaluate respiratory effectiveness and tissue oxygen levels. Acid-base indicators are determined in both arterial and venous blood samples. This study compares the usefulness of acid-base indicators of venous and arterial blood in monitoring the condition of horses with recurrent airway obstruction. Prior to treatment involving bronchodilating glucocorticoids, expectorant and mucolytic drugs, more pronounced changes were observed in venous blood (pH 7.283, pCO 2 61.92 mmHg, pO 2 35.541 mmHg, HCO 3-31.933 mmHg, BE 2.933 mmol/l, O 2 SAT 58.366%, ctCO 2 38.333 mmol/l) than in arterial blood (pH 7.309, pCO 2 53.478 mmHg, pO 2 90.856 mmHg, HCO 3-28.50 mmHg, BE 3.133 mmol/l, O 2 SAT 93.375%, ctCO 2 31.652 mmol/l), indicating compensated respiratory acidosis. The improvement of respiratory efficiency minimized acidosis symptoms in both venous blood (pH 7.365, pCO 2 43.55 mmHg, pO 2 47.80 mmHg, HCO 3-30.325 mmHg, BE 3.050 mmol/l, O 2 SAT 80.10%, ctCO 2 29.80 mmol/l) and arterial blood (pH 7.375, pCO 2 39.268 mmHg, pO 2 98.476 mmHg, HCO 3-26.651 mmHg, BE 4.956 mmol/l, O 2 SAT 98.475%, ctCO 2 28.131 mmol/l). Venous blood parameters were marked by greater deviations from mean values, both before and after treatment. Acid-base indicators determined in venous blood are indicative of respiratory disturbances, but they do not support a comprehensive evaluation of gas exchange in the lungs.

Kennel cough is a multifactorial disease occurring all over the world; however, its epidemiology is still not fully understood. To the authors' knowledge, no studies monitoring the occurrence of infectious agents responsible for kennel cough have been carried out in Poland. Therefore, the objective of our study was to determine which of the four pathogens most frequently isolated in other countries are predominant in north-eastern Poland. Swabs from the upper respiratory tract and tracheal lavage fluids from dogs (n = 40) exhibiting symptoms of this disease were analysed. Canine herpesvirus, canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus type 2 and Bordetella bronchiseptica were identified by polymerase chain reaction. At least one of the above-listed infectious agents was found in all dogs. The predominant pathogen within the area under our study, both in mono-and co-infections, was canine herpesvirus (32/40), whereas canine adenovirus type 2 occurred least frequently (4/40). The effectiveness of detection of selected pathogens from both types of study material was also compared. Tracheal lavage fluid was more suitable for the isolation of canine herpes virus, canine parainfluenza virus, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Swabs from the upper respiratory tract were more suitable for the isolation of canine adenovirus type 2. Canine, canine herpesvirus, canine parainfluenza virus, respiratory disease