Background Data for Hematological and Blood Chemical Examinations in Juvenile Beagles

Abstract

Abstract:As the first step to get historical background data for physiological examinations in juvenile dogs, hematology and blood chemistry data obtained from juvenile beagle dogs (less than 3 months of age) used in the control group of toxicity studies conducted in our laboratory were summarized and compared with those obtained from adult beagle dogs (6 months of age). In the hematological examination, growth of beagle dogs was shown to be associated with increases in erythrocyte parameters and with decreases in reticulocyte and leukocyte counts. In the blood chemical examination, growth of beagle dogs was shown to be associated with increases in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatinine and with decreases in creatine phosphokinase, glucose, total cholesterol, and calcium. The differential leukocyte ratio showed no age relation, but the actual count showed a tendency toward decrease. Alkaline phosphatase showed a tendency to increase from 0 months of age to 3 months of age, but it decreased at 6 months of age. The present results were roughly similar to those previously reported.

Effect of Age, Sex, and Breed on the Blood Biochemistry and Physiological Constants of Dogs From 4 Weeks to > 52 Weeks of Age.

“…Serum creatinine levels also tended to increase as age advanced. Our results are consistent with some studies (4,5,10,20). Moreover, the lower creatinine in young animals, in relation with adults, correlates with smaller body size and decreased muscle mass (1).…”

“…The enzymatic activity of AST from this research did not evince a signi cant effect, which agrees with the studies from other authors (5,13). Nonetheless, other research did nd age-related differences in AST enzyme activity (9,10). On the other hand, this study shows that the enzymatic activity of the ALT tends to increase with age.…”

“…The enzymatic activity of LDH evaluated in the present study was higher in puppies from 4-8 wk old. However, a study conducted in 2013 did not observe age-related differences in LDH enzyme activity (10). In puppies, LDH is at the highest levels during suckling, likely because of the enhanced use of lactose as a glucose precursor during the neonatal period.…”

“…Regarding ALP enzyme activity, it remained elevated from week 4 to week 52, compared to adults, but it began to decrease since week 25. Numerous reports indicate that in young animals there is an increase increase in ALP compared to adults (5,6,10,11). This is the result of the activity of the ALP bone isoenzyme, which is increased in serum during bone development and growth (1,28).…”

“…Limited studies have examined the effect of age, sex, and breed on biochemistry variables in puppies, but most of these studies were performed in a controlled laboratory, environment, or with speci c breeds where dogs experienced identical living conditions and followed the same diet (4,(8)(9)(10). In most cases the puppies' history and physical examination are the same as for adults; however, there may be some variations in the physiological constants.…”