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ABSTRACT: Understanding the biochemical changes associated with various types of exercises is important, since they affect the function
of different systems and the type of energy used. Analyzed separately, the clinical signs of distinct muscular alterations
have a limited diagnostic value and require the use of complementary laboratory exams. Such exams are also used to evaluate
the animal’s training, clinical state or athletic capacity. This study determined the serum concentrations of proteins, metabolites,
minerals and serum enzymes in equines subjected to team penning contests, correlating these data with sex and frequency of
physical activity. A puncture was made in the external jugular vein to collect 5mL of blood from 29 equines, 18 males and
11 females, at rest (Group I) and after exercising (Group II). The biochemical serum analyses were carried out with a Micronal
B-280 spectrophotometer using commercial kits and an automatic multichannel analyzer (Abbott Diagnostics—ARCHITECT c8000)
using specific kits. The animals were divided into Groups A, B, C and D according to the number of times they participated
in the contest. The serum albumin concentrations, A:G ratio and iron declined significantly (p < 0.05) after exercising, unlike the concentrations of total proteins, globulins, total calcium, uric acid, urea, creatinine,
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK), which increased. Females showed a
higher increase of creatinine. Moreover, the rise in total protein, globulins, creatinine, AST, LDH and CK levels differed
among groups A, B, C, and D. It was concluded that the team penning contest causes alterations in the biochemical serum profile
of equines, and that sex and the number of participations in the contest are interferential variables.
Comparative Clinical Pathology 04/2012; 18(3):313-319.
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ABSTRACT: The physiological variations and the influence of sex and age on the serum biochemical profile of dogs were evaluated based
on an analysis of 132 blood specimens from 44 newly weaned and young adult Doberman dogs, ranging in age from 2 to 36months,
from a private kennel. The analyses were processed colorimetrically in an automatic analyzer using commercial kits. The mean
values of the serum biochemical parameters analyzed here remained mostly within the physiological reference intervals. The
only differences were albumin, which showed higher values and chloride with lower values than those reported in the literature,
suggesting that the animals were in good health. The age brackets showed significant differences in serum concentrations of
total protein, albumin, globulins, albumin/globulins (A/G) ratio, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, total calcium, ionized calcium,
phosphorus, iron, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In terms of sex-related differences, phosphorus
was higher in males and the calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio was higher in females. Age appeared to influence several serum
biochemical parameters in young Doberman dogs, especially up to 6months of age, while sex influenced only the serum phosphorus
concentration and the Ca/P ratio.
Comparative Clinical Pathology 04/2012; 16(1):41-46.
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ABSTRACT: Canine hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoans of the genus Hepatozoon. Several tick species have been implicated as potential vectors. Therefore, extensive studies are needed to determine the 'natural' endemic cycle of this parasite. This paper presents the first report of the presence of Hepatozoon canis oocysts in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus collected from an infected dog.
Veterinary Parasitology 01/2011; 177(3-4):392-6. · 2.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The occurrence of Hepatozoon sp. infection in dogs was evaluated in the urban area of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study involved 300 animals, 120 from the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 80 from private clinics, and 100 from the Animal Protective Association (APA). Among these animals, 7.66% presented Hepatozoon sp. gamonts inside neutrophils. No statistically significant difference was found among the diagnoses based on capillary and venous blood smears, but a statistical significance was identified in age range and breed. The main signs and symptoms the animals presented were pale mucous membranes, swollen lymph nodes, ocular discharge and pain in response to renal palpation. All the ticks collected were of the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus and no oocyst of the parasite was found in the hemolymph of the ixodidae. The findings of this study reinforce the presence of Hepatozoon sp. infecting dogs in Uberlândia, MG, with age and breed possibly related to the infection. The symptoms presented by the animals were consistent with those reported by other researchers.
Veterinary Parasitology 11/2010; 174(1-2):155-61. · 2.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: An evaluation was made of the clinical and hematological aspects of 115 dogs infected naturally by Hepatozoon sp. and treated at the Hospital School of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. Of the 115 dogs for whom peripheral blood films were evaluated, 89 (77.39%) presented parasitemia by Hepatozoon sp. solely, while 26 (22.61%) had combination of Hepatozoon sp., Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. Young male dogs less than a year old, of undefined breed (UB), were the most commonly affected. Thirty-nine (33.92%) of the dogs were asymptomatic while 76 (66.08%) presented varied clinical symptoms, the most frequent being anorexia, pulmonary alterations, hyperthermia, pale mucosae, apathy and/or prostration, and diarrhea. The majority of hematological alterations were normochromic-normocytic anemia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and nuclear deviation of neutrophils to the left (NDNL). The findings of this study confirm that Hepatozoon sp. causes clinical and hematological alterations of varied intensity, which, albeit not specific to canine hepatozoonosis, reinforce the notion that the discovery of the agent in dogs, even with low parasitemia, should be taken into consideration.
Veterinary Parasitology 06/2008; 153(1-2):3-8. · 2.58 Impact Factor
