Belgian blue (BB) cattle have an 11-bp deletion in myostatin that causes skeletal muscle hyperplasia and increased muscle mass, leading to a ‘double-muscled’ phenotype. Preliminary data suggest that this phenotype may be associated with breed-specific hematologic and biochemical values. Therefore, in this study, we sought to compare hematologic and serum biochemical parameters in healthy BB and Holstein Friesian (HF) cows and to propose breed-specific reference intervals for BB cows. Hematologic parameters, total protein, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities, albumin, and globulins were measured in 183 clinically healthy adult BB and HF cows. There were significant differences between BB and HF cows in 17 of 27 measured parameters. BB cows had significantly higher creatinine concentration and CK and AST activities (p < 0.001). RBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit (p < 0.001), MCV and lymphocytes (p < 0.05) were also significantly higher in BB cows compared with HF cows. The average N/L ratio was greater than 1 in both breeds. These results suggest that BB and HF cows have significantly different clinically relevant hematologic and serum biochemical values, and, therefore, breed-specific reference intervals should be used.

Background: The presence of both nucleated RBC and thrombocytes in birds makes the determination of hematological variables difficult. This leads to time‐consuming manual evaluation. New‐generation analyzers are hypothesized to be both time‐saving and accurate.Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the performance of two hematology analyzers in 27‐day‐old broilers and to establish reference intervals (RIs) for RBC and WBC variables obtained by automated and manual methods.Methods: Automated HCT, WBC count, and differentials obtained using Sysmex XT‐2000iV and XN‐1000V on 309 and 56 EDTA blood samples from Ross 308 male broilers, respectively, were compared to manual PCV, manual WBC count, and differentials from November 2021 to November 2022. RIs for automated HCT and RBC variables (from impedance channel) on one hand, and manual PCV and WBC's variables on the other hand, were established.Results: The Sysmex XT‐2000iV was accurate for HCT and outperformed the XN‐1000V but, both automated methods and manual methods cannot be considered interchangeable. Constant error, proportional error, and bias were identified and calculated for each analyzer for HCT. Both analyzers were unable to enumerate WBC. RIs were established as follows: HCT‐XT (L/L) [0.27–0.36]; HCT‐XN (L/L) [0.24–0.38]; manual PCV (L/L) [0.27–0.37]; manual WBC (×10⁹/L) [10.0–38.4]; manual differential (×10⁹/L) with heterophils [1.5–16.2]; lymphocytes [5.1–18.9]; monocytes [0.0–2.1]; eosinophils [0.0–2.2]; basophils [0.0–3.1].Conclusions: Both analyzers are usable for the evaluation of HCT in Ross 308 chickens and in specific conditions for the other RBC variables. Manual methods are still preferred for the evaluation of WBC variables.

Background: Lipiduria has recognized physiopathological and diagnostic relevance in human medicine, while data regarding its relevance in animals remain limited. Hypothesis/Objectives: To determine the frequency of lipiduria in dogs and cats and to assess whether lipiduria represents an epiphenomenon or is associated with animal-related factors. Animals: Urinalysis results from 140 dogs and 74 cats. Methods: Retrospective study. Cases were included if complete urinalysis data were available. Animals were classified as lipiduric or non-lipiduric. Animal characteristics, as well as selected hematologic and urinary abnormalities, were compared between groups. In dogs, factors potentially associated with the presence of lipiduria were further evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Overall, 58% (125/214) animals were lipiduric, including 46% (64/140) dogs and 82% (61/74) cats. Lipiduria was significantly more frequent in cats (82%) than in dogs (46%) (P < .00001). Among cats, lipiduric individuals were older (mean age 9.5 years; SD ± 4.5; P = .02). In dogs, females (63%; 40/64) were overrepresented in the lipiduric group (P = .0008). Lipiduric dogs had a higher mean urine pH (6.4; SD ± 1.2; P = .00054) and more frequently exhibited struvite crystalluria (17%; 11/64; P = .003). In multivariable analysis, female dogs had 3.5-fold higher odds of lipiduria (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.7-7.3), and the odds of lipiduria increased by 5% for each 0.1-unit increase in urine pH. Conclusions and clinical importance: Lipiduria was a common finding in this study, particularly in cats. In dogs, our findings suggest a potential link between lipiduria, female status, and high urine pH. Abstract Translated to French: Contexte: Les données concernant la signification clinique de la lipidurie chez les chiens et les chats restent limitées. Objectifs: Déterminer la fréquence de la lipidurie chez le chien et le chat et évaluer si elle présente un caractère pathologique. Animaux: Analyses urinaires chez 140 chiens et 74 chats. Méthodes: Étude rétrospective. Les animaux étaient inclus lorsqu’une analyse urinaire complète était disponible et étaient classés comme lipiduriques ou non lipiduriques. Les caractéristiques des animaux et certaines anomalies biologiques, ont été comparées entre les animaux lipiduriques et non lipiduriques. Chez le chien, des facteurs potentiellement associés à la lipidurie ont été évalués. Résultats: Cinquante-huit % (125/214) des animaux présentaient une lipidurie, qui était significativement plus fréquente chez les chats (82%; 61/74) que chez les chiens (46%; 64/140) (P < .00001). Les chats lipiduriques étaient plus âgés (âge moyen: 9,5 ans; SD ± 4,5; P = .02). Les chiennes lipiduriques étaient surreprésentées (63%; 40/64; P = .0008). Les chiens lipiduriques présentaient un pH urinaire moyen plus élevé (6,4; SD ± 1,2; P = .00054) et plus fréquemment des struvites (17%; 11/64; P = .003). En analyse multivariée, les chiennes présentaient une probabilité de lipidurie 3,5 fois plus élevée (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.7-7.3), et les chances de présenter une lipidurie augmentaient de 5 % pour chaque augmentation de 0,1 unité du pH urinaire. Conclusions et relevance clinique: La lipidurie était fréquente dans cette étude, particulièrement chez les chats. Chez le chien, les résultats suggèrent une association potentielle entre la lipidurie, le sexe femelle et un pH urinaire plus élevé.