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The aim of this study was to assess the significance of body condition scoring and metabolic profile test for estimation of energy status of healthy high-yielding dairy cows. Twenty one healthy cows (primiparous and secundiparous) were divided into three groups: dry cows, early puerperal cows and early lactating cows. Cow's energy status was estimated by the analysis of blood samples for beta-hydroxybutirate (BHBA) and glucose. Additionally, urea, total bilirubine and total protein were measured in blood serum samples. According to body condition scores (BCS) results dry cows were overweight (4.03±0.29 points). Immediately after calving, cows lost their weight significantly, since BCS was 2.85±0.46 points at puerperal period and 3.12±0.33 points at day 60 of lactation (p<0.001 compared to dry period, respectively). Glucose concentration did not change significantly between dry and puerperal period, while BHBA increased significantly (0.46±0.14 mmol/l at dry period to 1.08±0.21 mmol/l at puerperal period; p<0.001). Urea concentration did not change significantly during examined period. Total bilirubin concentration significantly increased from dry (6.31±0.37 mmol/l) to puerperal period (7.63±2.52 mmol/l; p<0.001 compared to dry period) and remained high until day 60 of lactation (7.62±0.13 mmol/l; p<0.001 compared to dry period). Total protein concentration decreased from dry to puerperal period (69.59±6.14 g/l to 58.87±3.29 g/l; p<0.001). According to obtained results it can be concluded that cows were not in adequate energy status during transition period. Our results also indicate that, body condition scoring, BHBA and total bilirubin concentrations can be used as reliable indicators of cow's energy status even when there are not clinically visible health disorders.

Equine veterinarians frequently anesthetize horses. In majority of cases performing short-term anesthesia (duration, 20 minutes). But there is substantial need for long term anesthesia. The aim of this work is to present our experience with a long term and short term total intravenous anesthesia in horses. In this paper we are presenting results of anesthesia monitoring of a horse undergoing surgical remove of an abdominal testis (complete abdominal cryptorchid). Sedation of the horsewas conducted with xylazine, 1.0 mg/kg, iv, and midazolam 0.06 mg/kg, iv. The total anesthesia was induced using a combination of ketamine 2.2mg/kg/iv, and midazolam 0.1 mg/kg/iv. After induction the horse was restrained and anesthesia was maintained with continuous intravenous drip of a combination of drugs mixed in infusion bottle with midazolam (0.002 mg/kg/min), ketamine (0.03 mg/kg/min), and xylazine (0.016 mg/kg/min). Additional ketamine (0.03 mg/kg) and midazolam 0.03 mg/kg/iv was administered if the horse moved its head or limbs during the procedure. The duration of anesthesia was 90 minutes. During this time cardiopulmonary parameters and reflexes were monitored continuously.The recovery of anesthesia was 30 minutes and horse stood on the first attempt 40 minutes. Midazolam, ketamine, and xylazine in combination produced TIVA in this horse and can be used for short term, middle term, and longer lasting surgical procedures in the field.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of body condition score to metabolic acclimation in heat stressed Holstein cows. Body condition of cows had no effect on any of the tested parameters during the thermal neutral period, except for the percentage of protein in milk. Heat stress has been demonstrated to have an impact on all the selected parameters, and has been found to be the cause of decreased milk production and quality, increased rectal temperature and respiration rate, decreased glucose, non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and cholesterol concentration, increased urea and bilirubin concentration, and loss of subcutaneous fat. Obese cows (BCS>4) had less ability of acclimation to heat stress as compared to normal and thin cows (significantly lower production and milk quality, and significantly higher rectal temperature and respiration level in relation to the other groups of cows). Obese cows showed a significantly higher concentration of NEFA and significantly lower glucose during exposure to heat stress. The steady increase in NEFA concentrations and decrease of backfat thickness suggested that fat was used for energy purposes, which significantly increased the heat balance and led to poor acclimation to heat stress in obese cows. Cows with high body condition were at higher risk of developing liver failure and lipidosis (reduced cholesterol and elevated bilirubin concentration) during heat stress, which could be linked with increased concentrations of fatty acids in the blood. This was found with an increased concentration of urea during exposure to heat stress, with significantly higher concentration in obese cows. Using the fat for energy purposes depends on the sensitivity to insulin, which increases during heat stress. Obese cows are naturally less sensitive to insulin and more prone to lipolysis. However, these signs should be the focus of future research.

Pyometra (chronic purulent inflammation of the uterus) is a frequent reproductive disorder in sexually mature bitches that usually occurs between the 4th week and the 4th month following estrus when the animal is not pregnant. The objective of this investigation was to examine the influence of the breed of bitch on the age when pyometra is diagnozed, and in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The average age of 321 examined bitches with diagnozed pyometra was 8.4 years. A statistically significant (P≤0.05) difference was established in the average age of bitches of big breeds (7.3 years) in comparison with the age of bitches of small breeds, at the time of pyometra occurrence (9.8 years). Bitches of mixed breeds were aged 8.8 years on the average when they were diagnozed with pyometra. Pyometra was diagnozed at the age between 7 and 9 years in 52% of the examined bitches of big breeds, while 51% bitches of small breeds were diagnozed with pyometra when they were considerably older (≥10 years). On the grounds of the results of these investigations, it can be concluded that the risk of pyometra occurring increases significantly after 5 years of age, but that breed has a significant effect on the age at which pyometra occurs in bitches

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REZIME

Insulinska rezistencija je mehanizam kojim se omogućuje započinjanje laktacije i obezbeđivanje potrebne energije za laktaciju koja sledi kod krava u ranoj laktaciji. Ona se odlikuje smanjenom proizvodnjom insulina ili smanjenom osetljivošću tkiva (pre svega masnog) na insulin. Merenje isnulinske rezistencije se vrši različitim testovima, a za praktičnu primenu od posebnog interesa je određivanje indeksa insulinske senzitivnosti koji se baziraju na vrednostima insulina, glukoze i NEFA u krvi u bazalnim uslovima.