Assessment of pulmonary function test, acute phase proteins, cytokines and electrocardiographic changes in naturally occurring bovine respiratory disease of feedlot cattle calves

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary function test, acute phase proteins, proinflammatory cytokines, electrolyte balance and electrocardiographic alterations in bovine respiratory diseases (BRD) affected calves compared to pen matched healthy control calves. A total of 30 calves (20 BRD affected calves and 10 apparently healthy calves) were used in this study. BRD affected calves showed significant (P< 0.05) reduction in blood pH, partial pressure of oxygen, oxygen saturation, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and chloride, and significant (P< 0.05) increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide, total carbon dioxide and potassium. Acute phase proteins and proinflammatory cytokines assessment revealed a significant (P< 0.05) increase of serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, fibrinogen and interleukin-6 in diseased calves compared to healthy control calves. Electrocardiographic examination of BRD affected calves revealed a significant increase in heart rate with a significant (P< 0.05) alteration in electrocardiographic changes (ECG) wave trace parameters (P wave, QRS complex, T wave, PR interval, QT interval). In conclusion, measurement of pulmonary function test, APPs, cytokines and ECG could be used as valuable and early diagnostic tools for BRD diagnosis in feedlot cattle calves.