The aim of the study was to evaluate selected indicators of protein metabolism in cows fed with fodder contaminated with mycotoxins after application of a mycotoxin deactivator product (MDP). Experimental group (Exp.)—10 cows, fed total mixed ration (TMR) containing: 0.769 mg/kg-deoxynivalenol and 0.032 mg/kg-zearalenone TMR DM. Control group (Con.)—10 cows fed TMR without mycotoxins. In the exp. cows, the mycotoxin deactivator product (MDP) Mycofix Plus was used in the form of an additive to TMR in the amount of 10 g/head/day for 90 days. Blood was taken in Exp. group three times, before MDP administration, and on days 30 and 90 of its use. In the con. group, blood was collected once. All cows were assessed for free amino acids, total protein, albumin, globulin, and urea. Cows with mycotoxicosis (before MDP administration) showed low total protein, albumin, total-essential (TEAA) and total-non-essential amino acids (TNEAA) compared to after MDP administration (p < 0.01). Compared to the control group, TNEAA values were lower and TEAA higher on all study dates (p < 0.001). The results of our research showed the negative impact of mycotoxins on the parameters of protein metabolism in cows, and the use of MDP improved the processes of protein metabolism and improved the overall health of cows.

Heart and kidney diseases are among the most frequent medical conditions diagnosed in small animals. Due to the functional interconnection between these organs, the concept of the cardio–renal axis has been developed. In this context, renal disease or dysfunction often occurs secondary to heart diseases, such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is the most common cardiomyopathy and a leading cause of mortality in large-breed dogs. Traditional biomarkers like creatinine or symmetric dimethylarginine concentration are not always effective, especially in the early stages of the disease, underscoring the need for more sensitive markers of renal impairment during heart failure (HF). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of selected biomarkers as indicators for early kidney damage in dogs with stage B2 DCM. We measured serum concentrations of cystatin C, KIM-1 (kidney injury molecule-1), and NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) and their ratios to creatinine, analyzing their diagnostic values. Cystatin C was quantified using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay, while KIM-1 and NGAL were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits designed for canine diagnostics. The concentrations were indexed against serum creatinine. The study included 26 dogs: 9 with HF and 17 healthy controls. The mean ± standard deviation for healthy dogs for cystatin C, cystatin C/creatinine ratio, KIM-1, KIM-1/creatinine ratio, NGAL, and NGAL/creatinine ratio were 0.24 ± 0.04, 0.26 ± 0.07, 0.61 ± 0.07, 0.67 ± 0.13, 2.76 ± 1.8, and 2.79 ± 1.81, respectively. For DCM dogs, these values were 0.27 ± 0.1, 0.32 ± 0.12, 0.61 ± 0.08, 0.69 ± 0.17, 6.46 ± 5.22 (p = 0.02), and 7.99 ± 6.53 (p = 0.04). This study’s findings suggest that during the asymptomatic phase of DCM, only NGAL concentration and the NGAL/creatinine ratio may serve as diagnostic markers for early-stage kidney injury.

Fibrinogen is used in the diagnosis of inflammation as an acute phase protein. The research objective set by the authors of this study was to assess the applicability of fibrinogen concentration measurement in the blood plasma of the peak of lactating dairy cows through the evaluation of the reference values by using the functional PT-derived (Prothrombin Time-derived) method. Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 259 HF (Holstein-Friesian) and white-backed cows. The animals were clinically healthy. Fibrinogen concentration was determined by automated PT-derived method. Fibrinogen concentrations were calculated as the mean of duplicate samples. Samples with differences between duplicate results greater than 5% were rejected. Results: In the group of HF cows, the average fibrinogen concentration was 11.75 ± 4.80 g/L. In white-backed cows, it was 9.53 ± 4.79 g/L. At total of 76.01% of the results of the fibrinogen concentration in HF cows and 82.05% of the results obtained in the group of white-backed cows were within the ±1 SD (Standard Deviation) range. Conclusions: Based on our own research, the PT-derived method may be applied in order to determine the concentration of fibrinogen in cattle herds in animal health monitoring studies. An individual laboratory should focus more on verifying reference intervals established elsewhere.