Biochemical and Hematological Reference Values in Calves and Their Significance for Health Control

Abstract

Bouda ]., P. Jagos: Biochemical and Hematological Re/erence Values in Calves and Their Significance/or Health Control. Acta vet. Brno, 53,1984: 137-142. Clinical and biochemical examination of 114 calves from birth to the age of 6 months was carried out. Blood samples were taken from v. jugularis prior to the first colostrum intake and after 1,4,7,21,42,60,90 and 180 days. From the total number of 114 followed calves reference biochemical and hematological values were obtained from the group of 53 healthy calves.In dependence on calf age reference values of total protein including fractions and immunoglobulins in blood serum and levels of vitamin A, E and C, carotenes, glucose, urea, enzyme activities (AST, GMT), minerals (Na, K, Mg, inorg. P, Zn, Cu, Fe) in blood plasma were determined. In calf blood acid-base values (pH, pCO" BE, SB), hematocrit, hemoglobin, methemoglobin, erythrocyte and leukocyte counts were determined. Hypogammaglobulinaemia, hypovitaminoses A and E were found in 50-75 % of calves. Among the most significant biochemical data from the diagnostic point of view, the determination of Ig and vitamin levels, acid-base balance of blood, plasma levels of glucose, urea, some minerals and AST activity are included.The selection of clinico-biochemical parameters of calves has to be purposeful. During the examination and diagnosis of metabolic disorders the development of immunological proceses, the lability of homeostasis, the functional and organ immaturity and the dynamics in relation to calf age have to be taken into consideration.

Pathophysiology of Severe Diarrhoea and Suggested Intravenous Fluid Therapy in Calves of Different Ages Under Field Conditions

“…1990; R 0 u sse 1 and K a sa r i 1990). Before IV rehydration there was hyperkalemia in both groups of diarrhoeic calves as compared with the values after IV rehydration or the reference values stated by Bouda and Jagos (1984). Hyperkalemia occurs in severely diarrhoeic calves, because H ions diffuse from acid plasma into the intracellular fluid compartment and in order to maintain electroneutrality, K ions diffuse into the plasma.…”

Age-related changes in the concentrations of serum proteins in calves

“…The age and nutrition of evaluated animals are the important factors that may affect the concentrations of frequently analyzed biochemical variables. Bouda and Jagoš (1984) reported that when diagnosing metabolic disorders in calves, there is a need to consider the developing immune system, labile homeostasis, functions and immaturity of body organs, and changes relating to the age of animals.…”

The use of meadow-grass silage with formic acid in the nutrition of young calves

“…The plasma mineral contents were within the normal ranges for three-month-old calves (Bouda and Jagos, 1984;Dalton, 1967;Friedrich et al, 1986;Reece and Wahlstrom, 1972) with the exception of Mg, the level of which (0.38 mmol/1) indicated subclinical hypomagnesemia (Ivins and Alcroft, 1969;Smith, 1957). The probable cause was insufficient intake with the diet (the limited amount of concentrate in the ration) additionally influenced by natural factors (low constitutional Mg reserves, low utilization of Mg in the feed) that intensify hypomagnesemia in calves (Bomba et al, 1993).…”