Changes in hematological and hematochemical parameters in lactating dairy sheep according to different pasture management and heat stress risk: A longitudinal study.

Sheep in Italy are exposed to heat stress (HS) for several months, increasing the risk of HS-related problems such as the decrease in growth, reproductive performance, milk quantity and quality and natural immunity. This study aimed to assess changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in dairy sheep from three different farms with varying pasture management: A (no water or shade), B (water but no shade), and C (both water and shade). From March to June, when HS risk is high, monthly blood samples (T1-T4) were collected from 20 sheep per farm (total n = 60).

Mind the Step: An Artificial Intelligence-Based Monitoring Platform for Animal Welfare.

We present an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced monitoring framework designed to assist personnel in evaluating and maintaining animal welfare using a modular architecture. This framework integrates multiple deep learning models to automatically compute metrics relevant to assessing animal well-being. Using deep learning for AI-based vision adapted from industrial applications and human behavioral analysis, the framework includes modules for markerless animal identification and health status assessment (e.

Evaluation of glomerular filtration rate estimation through plasma clearance of iohexol in seagulls (Larus michahellis).

Background: Current endogenous indicators utilised in avian medicine are not sensitive enough to detect renal disease in its early stages. Alternative markers ought to be examined as a result. The aim is to investigate the accuracy of limited-sampling models for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in adult seagulls using plasma clearance of iohexol (IOX).

Cross-sectional study: can endogenous procalcitonin differentiate between healthy and bovine respiratory disease-affected preweaned dairy calves?

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) represents a significant challenge in cattle management due to its multifactorial nature and lack of a gold standard diagnostic method. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a potential biomarker for bacterial infections in various species, including cattle. This study aimed to investigate plasma PCT concentration variations in pre-weaned dairy calves categorized as BRD-positive using clinical scores (WRSC; BRD-positive ≥5), thoracic ultrasonography with two cut-off (TUS; BRD-positive ≥1 or ≥3), or a combination of both methods (WRSC/TUS1cm or WRSC/TUS3cm).

Immunity transfer in mule foals fed with good IgG quality colostrum.

While the passive transfer of immunity in horse and donkey foals has been extensively studied, there is limited information for mule foals. Immunoglobulin type G (IgG) and serum total protein concentration (TP) were assessed at different sampling times to evaluate the correlation between serum radial immunodiffusion (SRID) with electrophoresis, refractometry, and dry chemistry analyzer (Biuret), and to estimate serum IgG concentrations using serum TP in mule foals. We analyzed a total of 30 samples collected at birth, and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of life from 6 mule foals by SRID, electrophoresis TP, biuret TP, and refractometry TP.

Case-Control Study: Endogenous Procalcitonin and Protein Carbonylated Content as a Potential Biomarker of Subclinical Mastitis in Dairy Cows.

Procalcitonin (PCT) and protein carbonylated content (PCC) are promising biomarkers for bacterial infection and inflammation in veterinary medicine. This study examined plasma PCT and PCC levels in healthy cows (H) and cows with subclinical mastitis (SCM). A total of 130 cows (65 H and 65 SCM) were included in this study.

Hematology and clinical chemistry in mule foals from birth to two months of age: A preliminary study.

In horses and donkeys, age-related changes in hematological and biochemical parameters preclude the use of normal values of adults in the evaluation of foals. This study aimed to obtain data on hematological and biochemical parameters of mule foals from birth up to the second month of life and to assess age-related changes in order to determine if dedicated reference ranges are required in younger animals. Blood samples from seven healthy mule foals were obtained at birth before colostrum consumption, 24 h, 48 h of life, and then weekly until the second month of life.

Evaluation of a smartphone electrocardiograph in healthy foals and comparison to standard base-apex electrocardiography.

Smartphone-based technology for ECG recording has recently spread as a complementary tool for electrocardiographic screening and monitoring in adult horses and in other animal species. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a smartphone-based ECG in healthy foals. This was a prospective observational study (authorization n.

Apgar Score, Clinical, Hemato-Biochemical, and Venous Blood Gas Parameters in a Cohort of Newborn Mule Foals: Preliminary Data.

The study aimed to assess Apgar scores and collect data on clinical, hemato-biochemical, and venous blood gas parameters in seven mules during their first 48 hours of life. Apgar scores, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT), body weight (BW), time to achieve sternal recumbency, stand, nurse, and pass meconium were recorded. Blood samples were collected at birth (T0), 6 (T6), 12 (T12), 24 (T24), 48 (T48) hours of life.

Novel Board Game versus Active Case-Based Discussion to Teach Final-Year Veterinary Students the Diagnostic Approach to Clinical Cases.

Traditional lectures, where students listen passively, often do not reflect the complexity of real-life decision-making situations. Furthermore, modern students are using online devices for daily activities, and this has a challenging side effect for educators, as many people these days can only maintain their focus if topics are discussed in concise and engaging ways. For these reasons, there is growing interest in the use of games for educational purposes.

Case - Control study: Evaluation of plasma procalcitonin concentration as an indicator of inflammation in healthy and sick cows.

This case - control study aims to evaluate Procalcitonin (PCT) plasma concentrations in healthy and hospitalized cows with a conclusive diagnosis of inflammation due to bacterial infection. Thirty-four healthy and 131 sick cows were included. Procalcitonin concentrations were assessed using an ELISA kit for cattle.

Relationship between Blood Parameters and Outcome in Rescued Roe Deer.

Veterinary facility admissions of wild animals are increasing alongside the interest in wildlife diseases. To improve animal welfare, it is therefore important to increase veterinarians’ knowledge of wild animal medicine and to improve the clinical and diagnostic procedures, especially in the case of patients affected by trauma or multiple traumas. Blood analysis can be a quick and minimally invasive way of gathering useful clinical information for adequate treatment and management, and, together with a good clinical examination, to help predict hospitalisation outcomes.

Molecularly imprinted polymers as effective capturing receptors in a pseudo-ELISA immunoassay for procalcitonin detection in veterinary species.

In this study, a new sandwich-type immunoenzymatic assay, based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as an artificial antibody (pseudo-ELISA), was developed for the determination of procalcitonin (PCT) in veterinary species. The quantification of PCT in human medicine represents the state of the art for the diagnosis of sepsis; instead the clinical studies on the relevance of PCT as a sepsis predictor in veterinary patients are few, likely due to the total absence of validated assays. MIPs have been widely used as antibody mimics for important applications, and MIP-based sandwich assays have emerged as promising analytical tools for the detection of disease biomarkers.

Validation of a new smart textiles biotechnology for heart rate variability monitoring in sheep.

Robust Animal-Based Measures (ABMs) are fundamental in order to assess animal welfare, however in semi-extensive sheep farming systems is not easy to collect ABMs without inducing additional stress in the animals. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive technique of assessing stress levels related to animal welfare. It is considered a sensitive indicator of the functional regulatory characteristics of the autonomic nervous system.

Body Condition Score Is Not Correlated to Gastric Ulcers in Non-Athlete Horses.

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a worldwide disease of the stomach that can be found in different categories of horses. Different clinical signs may be present, but a large number of horses are asymptomatic. The aim of this study was to identify a possible correlation between body condition score (BCS) and EGUS in a population of horses.

Novel Board Game versus Active Case-Based Discussion to Teach Final-Year Veterinary Students the Diagnostic Approach to Clinical Cases.

Traditional lectures, where students listen passively, often do not reflect the complexity of real-life decision-making situations. Furthermore, modern students are using online devices for daily activities, and this has a challenging side effect for educators, as many people these days can only maintain their focus if topics are discussed in concise and engaging ways. For these reasons, there is growing interest in the use of games for educational purposes.

Evaluation of Ultrasound Measurement of Subcutaneous Fat Thickness in Dairy Jennies during the Periparturient Period.

The body condition score (BCS) represents a practical but subjective method for assessing body fat reserves. Real time ultrasonography (RTU) has been proposed as an accurate method to objectively measure subcutaneous fat (SF) thickness and predict body fat reserves in cows, horses and donkeys. The aim of the present study was to describe RTU measures of SF thickness during periparturient period in jennies.

Effect of a Phytogenic Feed Additive in Preventing Calves' Diarrhea.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the preventive and the therapeutic effect of Stodi as phytogenic feed additive rich in phenolic substances on the calf diarrhea, during the first 24 days of life. A total of 40 calves were included and randomly divided into Group C (control group) and Group T (treated group) with placebo or treatment administration started from the third day of life (T0). Calves belonged to group C received 2 L of warm water, while the calves assigned to group T received 2L of warm water plus 30 g of Stodi.

Standard measurement of the normal forelimb claw dimensions in Egyptian buffalo cows (Bubalus Bubalis) before and after functional trimming: a post-mortem study.

The aim of this study was to compare forelimb claw dimensions in buffalo cows, and to establish a reference values for functional claw trimming. Medial and lateral healthy front feet claws were evaluated from 20 young (YB) and 20 mature (MB) Egyptian buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis). The dorsal wall length (TL), dorsal wall angle (TA), heel length (HBL), height (HBH) and width (HBW), sole (SL) and claw length (CL) and sole width (SW) were measured.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia magnitude quantification as a potential marker of stress and pain in cows and sheep.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) provides a quantitative evaluation of 'vagal tone' and may be used for pain and stress assessment in livestock. The aim was to quantify the magnitude of RSA in cows and sheep. In 7 cows and 4 sheep standing at rest we measured the 3-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) together with the pneumogram, to identify inspiration and expiration.

Can Procalcitonin Be Dosed in Bovine Milk Using a Commercial ELISA Kit?

The aim was to evaluate the use of a bovine procalcitonin (PCT) ELISA kit (Cusabio, China) for assessing PCT in bovine milk samples. Validation was performed by using 10 plasma and corresponding milk samples from mastitic cows. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated.

Maternal and Neonatal Evaluation of Derived Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Biological Antioxidant Potential in Donkey Mares and Foals.

Our aim was to measure the concentrations of derived reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) of donkey mares and foals at delivery and to verify the protective role of the placenta against fetal oxidative stress. A total of 15 Amiata jennies with a physiological gestation length and delivery were included together with 17 foals (two twin foalings). After delivery, maternal and foal venous blood samples were collected along with blood from the artery.

Evaluation of Plasmatic Procalcitonin in Healthy, and in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Negative or Positive Colic Horses.

Colic horses show systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) clinical signs. Procalcitonin (PCT) showed increased circulating levels in sick horses. This study compares plasma PCT concentrations in healthy vs.