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Age‐related changes in biochemical and hematologic variables in B orzoi and B eagle puppies from birth to 8 weeks
Author(s) -
Rosset Emilie,
Rannou Benoit,
Casseleux Grégory,
ChalvetMonfray Karine,
Buff Samuel
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2012.00415.x
Subject(s) - biology , andrology , immunology , medicine
Background Nonspecific signs of illness and availability of only limited information about expected biochemical and hematologic values in puppies make formulation of a differential diagnosis challenging for veterinarians. Objectives The objectives of this prospective study were to describe age‐related changes in biochemical and hematologic variables in B orzoi and B eagle puppies from birth to 8 weeks and to compare results with adult reference intervals ( RI s). Methods Biochemical and hematologic analytes in blood collected in heparin and EDTA from 31 clinically healthy puppies (21 B eagle and 10 B orzoi dogs) were measured or calculated each week from birth to 8 weeks of age. RI s were calculated using the parametric robust method after B ox– C ox transformation. Results There were no significant differences between values of puppies and adults for ALT activity, glucose concentration, MCHC , WBC count, and platelet count. Total protein concentration, RBC count, and HCT were lower and creatine kinase activity was higher in puppies of all ages compared with these variables in adults. Compared with adult RI , in puppies urea concentration was higher at birth and week 1, creatinine concentration was lower at weeks 1–5, ALP activity was higher at all weeks except for weeks 4 and 6, hemoglobin concentration was lower at weeks 1–8, MCV was higher at birth and week 1, and reticulocyte count was higher at all weeks except week 1. Statistically, mixed models accounted for evaluation of the same puppies each week and in most cases demonstrated an effect of age and sometimes breed. Some reference intervals should be used with caution owing to potential outliers. The 90% confidence intervals exceeded those recommended by the I nternational F ederation of C linical C hemistry. Conclusions Clinicians should be aware of temporal changes in biochemical and hematologic values for puppies during the first 2 months of life to avoid misinterpretation of results.