Halime Kara

Failure of passive transfer (FPT) is an important determinant of survival in neonatal puppies. Practical indirect indicators that could serve as alternatives to measuring serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) have not yet been adequately characterized. In this exploratory study, 76 Turkish Kangal puppies aged 48 ± 4 h, born to 12 dams (mean age 40.2 months) were evaluated. Serum IgG measured by ELISA was the reference method, with values below 2.3 g/L classified as FPT. Whole-blood, fresh-serum, and frozen–thawed serum Brix values were evaluated together with serum total protein, albumin, globulin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, canine parvovirus antibody levels, and percentage change in body weight from birth to sampling, using receiver operating characteristic analysis. FPT was identified in six puppies (7.9%). The area under the curve (AUC) values for total protein, globulin, and percentage change in body weight were 0.986, 0.981, and 0.948, respectively, with the associated cutoffs considered exploratory; each detected all six cases with 82.9–94.3% specificity. Fresh-serum Brix showed moderate discrimination (AUC: 0.771), whereas whole-blood Brix was inconclusive (AUC: 0.432). Total protein, globulin, and early body weight change are promising screening indicators for detecting FPT. However, because of the limited number of cases, their cutoffs should be validated in larger populations, including other breeds, before clinical use.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has emerged as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in both human and veterinary medicine. In human medicine, RDW has been linked to a wide range of disorders. In veterinary medicine, however, its application has been explored more selectively. In dogs, elevated RDW has been associated with cardiac injury, inflammatory and/or immune-mediated conditions, pneumonia, endocrine disorders involving the thyroid and adrenal glands, and vascular problems. In cats, research has mostly focused on cardiac disease, and overall, RDW remains a relatively underexplored marker. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate RDW in relation to the anemia profile of cats infected with feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). For this purpose, the study population comprised 60 cats naturally infected with feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and 10 healthy controls. Infected cats were stratified into anemic (n=30) and non-anemic (n=30) groups based on comprehensive erythroid parameters (RBC, HCT, HGB) in accordance with established reference intervals for the species. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) did not differ significantly between groups (P=0.802). RDW failed to distinguish anemic from non-anemic individuals. This lack of discriminatory power was confirmed by ROC curve analysis, which demonstrated AUC values of 0.505 and 0.433 for the respective groups. We conclude that RDW lacks statistical significance as a differentiator between anemic and non-anemic states in cats with FPV infection. These findings highlight the need for larger-scale studies to determine whether RDW holds any clinically meaningful diagnostic or prognostic value in this context.

This study compared the performance of the Brix refractometer and radial immunodiffusion for assessing passive transfer immunity in Holstein calves and examined the relationship between passive transfer immunity and early body weight gain during the first 72 hours of life. A total of 136 Holstein calves that received ≥ 3 L of high-quality colostrum (Brix ≥ 22 %) within 30 minutes after birth were included. Blood samples for immunoglobulin G and Brix readings were collected 36–48 hours post-birth, and body weight was recorded at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Two immunoglobulin G thresholds were applied: 24 g/L (‘excellent’ passive transfer immunity; Group 24) and 18 g/L (‘adequate’ passive transfer immunity; Group 18). Correlation analyses were performed between radial immunodiffusion and Brix values, as well as between immunoglobulin G and body weight gain indices across intervals (0–24, 0–48, 0–72, 24–48, 24–72, 48–72 hours). Significant correlations were found between Brix and radial immunodiffusion (r = 0.804; P < 0.001), confirming the reliability of the refractometer for field use. Mean immunoglobulin G concentrations differed significantly between low and high groups for both thresholds (P < 0.001). No significant immunoglobulin G differences were observed by gender (29.54 ± 1.26 vs. 28.04 ± 1.17 g/L; P = 0.432) or birth weight (≤ 38.7 vs. > 38.7 kg; P = 0.466). Correlations between immunoglobulin G and body weight gain were weak and nonsignificant (P > 0.05). body weight gain did not differ by passive transfer immunity category, although males showed slightly greater weight loss at 24–48 hours (P = 0.026) and higher gain at 48–72 hours (P = 0.048). Overall, the Brix refractometer strongly correlated with radial immunodiffusion, validating its practical use, but early body weight gain was not a reliable indicator of passive transfer immunity status.

Citrulline is an amino acid associated with enterocyte mass in humans and animals. It is important for diagnosis in cases of severe enterocyte loss. While many studies have been conducted in humans, research in veterinary medicine is limited. This study is the first to evaluate plasma citrulline concentrations in cats. The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of plasma citrulline concentration in cats with feline panleukopaenia (FPV). Ten healthy (control) cats and twenty infected cats (FPV) were used in the study. The plasma citrulline levels of all the animals were measured. The tandem mass spectrometry liquid chromatography (LC-MS-MS) method was used to determine these levels. Immunosuppression and thrombocytopenia were detected in cats infected with FPV (p < 0.05). The mean plasma citrulline concentration in the panleukopenia group was 11.10 μmol/L, compared to 12.48 μmol/L in the control group. The citrulline levels of the panleukopenia and control groups were found to be similar. The citrulline results showed no statistical significance between the groups. In conclusion, plasma citrulline levels were not found to be of diagnostic significance.

Objective: This study aims to compare the colostrum quality of Akkaraman and Merino ewes using refractometric measurements. Material-Method: The study material consisted of colostrum samples obtained from Akkaraman and Merino ewes reared under the continental climate of Ankara. The ewes were housed in separate barns on the same farm and received identical husbandry practices, feeding regimens, and synchronized lambing periods. Colostrum samples were collected within 4 hours postpartum via hand-milking into sterile polyethylene tubes. Samples were stored frozen until a target sample size of 50 per breed was attained, then thawed at room temperature before analysis. Brix values (%) of colostrum were determined using a digital refractometer (Milwaukee MA871, 0–85% range; Milwaukee Instruments, Inc., Rocky Mount, NC, USA). Colostrum quality was categorized as follows based on Brix values: 26% (good). Results: While half of the Merino ewes produced poor- or moderate-quality colostrum, 56% of Akkaraman ewes yielded good-quality colostrum. No statistically significant difference was observed in colostrum Brix values between the two breeds (p > 0.05). The minimum and maximum Brix values for Akkaraman ewes were 16.40% and 43.90%, respectively, whereas Merino ewes exhibited a range of 15.80% to 43.00%. The mean Brix value was 27.45% for Akkaraman ewes and 26.10% for Merino ewes. Conclusion: The colostrum quality of Akkaraman ewes was comparable to that of Merino ewes. These findings suggest that when compared to colostrum brix values of other breeds documented in the literature, Merino and Akkaraman breeds exhibit higher colostrum quality than dairy-type sheep but lower quality than meat-type sheep.

The effects of heat stress on colostrum quality, passive transfer failure, and disease incidence were investigated in a large population in order to prevent calf morality and yield losses in Holstein cows and calves. There was a statistically significant correlation between colostrum quality and the daily temperature humidity index, 7-day average temperature stress, and average temperature humidity indexes experienced by the cows during the dry period (P<0.001). It was observed that passive transfer failure occurred in 21% of the calves. There was a significant positive correlation (P<0.05) between the relative humidity and the temperature and humidity index values of the day of birth and the calf serum brix value. A negative and significant correlation was observed between Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) and serum brix value (r = -10, P<0.01). It was observed that the passive transfer success and diarrhea and pneumonia that were overcome in the first 365-day period showed a negative correlation (P<0.01). As a result, it has been observed that the heat stress experienced by cows and calves affects colostrum quality and passive transfer success, which also affects development and protection from diseases.

Kangal Shepherd Dogs are highly valuable working dogs unique to Turkey, known for their robustness in withstanding harsh climatic conditions and possessing advanced herd protection and management abilities due to their genetic characteristics. Haematological values serve as crucial indicators of the physiological and physiopathological parameters in animals. A complete blood cell count (CBC) emerges as a powerful diagnostic tool when appropriately assessed. Given the establishment of pure breeds, it is essential to acknowledge that breedspecific hematologic values may exhibit variations influenced by factors such as gender, lifestyle, age, and geographical location. Therefore, understanding the physiological distinctions between genders becomes paramount. This study aims to assess the impact of gender on the complete blood count in Kangal Shepherd Dogs. Upon comparing hematologic parameters between female and male Kangal Shepherd Dogs, a statistically significant difference was observed in the mean platelet volume (MPV) value, which was higher in females than males (p < 0.05). While the mean red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), and haematocrit (HCT) values were higher in males, no statistically significant results were found (p > 0.05)

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of the "modified colostrum feeding" method, which was created as an alternative to the "classical colostrum feeding" method with the highest possible amount of colostrum in the first 4 hours after birth, on the success of passive transfer in calves. The animal material of the study consisted of calves from two different farms in the same region, producing with Holstein cows and having similar new-born protocols. In the study, which included 70 calves from each farm, new-born calves were given 10% of their weight within the first 4 hours after birth, and 2.5 L colostrum after 12 hours with the classical colostrum feeding method. In the modified method, new-born calves were given as much colostrum as the calf could drink, once every 3 hours, a total of 5 times in the first 12 hours. In the feedings made after 12 hours, as in the classical method, 2.5 liters of colostrum was given to the calves in the morning and evening, and then the calves were fed with milk. The amount of colostrum consumed by the calves fed with the modified method at each meal was recorded, and the blood IgG levels were measured using the ELISA method. In the first 5 feedings made in the modified method, respectively; They drank an average of 5.51 L colostrum in the first 12-hour period, 2.52 L in the first feeding, 0.86 L in the second feeding, 0.52 L in the third feeding, 0.98 L in the fourth feeding, and 0.63 L in the fifth feeding. While the mean blood IgG level of the calves in the modified colostral feeding group was 37.33 mg/ml, it was measured as 31.04 mg/ml in the classical colostral feeding group. With this difference made in the colostrum feeding method, the blood IgG levels of the calves reached a significantly higher level compared to the classical method (p˂0.005). As a result, it has been seen that the new method revealed by this study provides a more successful passive immune transfer compared to the accepted classical method.