The purpose of the study reported here was to evaluate the haemostatic function in calves with suspected septic shock and to reflect the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Twenty-six calves suspected of having septic shock (experimental group) and 10 clinically healthy calves (control group) were used. On admission, the experimental group of calves had been ill for an average of 2 days. Therapy was applied to the experimental group of calves. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts were determined. Blood smears for toxic neutrophil and schistocyte intensity were evaluated. For the coagulation profile, plasma activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) values were determined. Toxic neutrophils in blood smears were observed in 12 calves of the experimental group. APTT was prolonged in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Fibrinogen concentration was found to be higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Total leukocyte counts were higher in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Platelet counts in the experimental group were lower than the control group (p < 0.001). However, when the individual values of coagulation profiles of each calf were evaluated, 8 calves had at least three abnormal coagulation profiles (APTT >72 s, PT >34.5 s, TT >33.7 s, FDPs >5 microg/ml, PLT < or = 150 x 10(3)/mm(3)) and abnormal erythrocyte morphology (schistocytes > or = 1). The most common abnormal tests in the coagulation profile were APTT and PT (7 cases), FDPs (6 cases), thrombocytopenia (4 cases), and schistocytes in blood smears (8 cases) in these 8 calves. The results of this study indicate that DIC might be a significant risk factor for mortality in calves with suspected septic shock.

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RESuMENEn el presente estudio se investigaron los efectos de la paratuberculosis subclínica en las concentraciones séricas de betacaroteno y retinol en ganado lechero. Se utilizaron 30 vacas lecheras multíparas y no vacunadas de raza Holstein, de 3 a 9 años de edad. 15 de las 30 vacas fueron diagnosticadas subclínicamente positivas a paratuberculosis mediante PCR (grupo 1). Las 15 vacas restantes fueron clasificadas como grupo control (grupo 2) que estaba sano. Los niveles de retinol y de betacaroteno del suero fueron analizados por análisis colorimétrico en todas las muestras. No hubo diferencias con respecto a las concentraciones de retinol y de betacaroteno de suero entre los grupos.

Abstract. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of sodium borate on the concentrations of serum calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P) in dairy cattle in the peripartum period. In the study, 14 healthy Holstein cows in the periparturient period (four weeks before and three weeks after calving) were divided into two equal groups according to oral treatments with sodium borate (30 g/day, group B), while some cows from the group were not treated (group C). Blood samples were obtained weekly from the prepartum 4 weeks until postpartum 3 weeks. At calving, changes were observed for the concentrations of the serum Ca, Mg and P in B and C groups. Ca (p>0.05) and Mg (p<0.001) concentrations were higher in group B than group C at calving. During the postpartum periods serum Ca and Mg concentrations increased (p<0.05) in group B compared to group C. Serum P concentrations were not affected by boron. The results suggest that sodium borate may be useful for sustaining metabolic balance and perhaps in preventing metabolic disorders such as milk fever and hypomagnesemia in dairy cattle during the periparturient period.

In the present study, effects of enrofloxacin on biochemical, haematological and blood gas parameters were investigated. Changes in laboratory parameters were monitored during the treatment period. Enrofloxacin was administered (5 mg/kg intramuscularly, once daily) to 10 healthy dogs for 14 days. Acidosis and temporary increases in aspartate aminotransferase, indirect bilirubin, sodium, partial pressure of CO2 and mean corpuscular volume levels as well as decreased levels of inorganic phosphorus, ionized calcium, potassium, partial pressure of O2 and standard bicarbonate were observed. The results of this study suggest that these observed effects of enrofloxacin on blood gas parameters should be taken into consideration in long-term use of the drug.