BACKGROUND: The literature reporting hematologic and serum biochemical variables in puppies is limited. As puppies are physiologically different from adult @entity235 , an age effect would be expected. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe age-related changes in hematologic and serum biochemical variables in puppies aged 16-60 days and compare the results to reference intervals (RI) for adults. Our second aim was to determine RI for this age group. METHODS: A total of 227 blood samples were collected from 101 clinically healthy puppies, mainly mixed breeds. To assess the effect of age, the results were compared to RI for adult @entity235 , and variations within the age period 16-60 days were studied. Reference intervals for the groups 16-24, 28-45, and 46-60 days of age were determined. RESULTS: Lower values in puppies compared to adults were found for RBC, HGB, HCT, concentration of albumin, globulin, total protein, @entity1011 , and @entity1372 : @entity972 ratio. Higher values in puppies compared to adults were found for activities of @entity22252 and CK, and concentrations of inorganic @entity3151 , @entity460 , and @entity972 . For MCV, MCHC, albumin:globulin ratio, and @entity413 concentration, different values in puppies compared to adults were found for some of the age groups. No age-specific differences were found compared to RI for adults regarding WBC, absolute counts of lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and platelets, RDW, activities for AST, ALT, amylase, @entity55972 , and concentrations of @entity3645 , @entity165 , @entity1133 , @entity1372 , and @entity2865 . CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that age has a significant effect on several hematologic and serum biochemical values in puppies, warranting age-specific RI.

Age-related changes in hematologic and serum biochemical variables in XXXX aged 16-60 days.

@entity1133 :: ('MESH:D014508', 'Chemical') :: ['urea'] @entity235 :: ('9615', 'Species') :: ['dogs'] @entity55972 :: ('404010(Tax:9615)', 'Gene') :: ['lipase'] @entity2865 :: ('CHEBI:17996', 'Chemical') :: ['chloride'] @entity1372 :: ('MESH:D012964', 'Chemical') :: ['sodium'] @entity165 :: ('MESH:D002784', 'Chemical') :: ['cholesterol'] @entity460 :: ('MESH:D002118', 'Chemical') :: ['calcium'] @entity972 :: ('MESH:D011188', 'Chemical') :: ['potassium'] @entity1011 :: ('MESH:D003404', 'Chemical') :: ['creatinine'] @entity3151 :: ('MESH:D010758', 'Chemical') :: ['phosphorus'] @entity3645 :: ('MESH:D001647', 'Chemical') :: ['bile acids'] @entity413 :: ('MESH:D005947', 'Chemical') :: ['glucose'] @entity22252 :: ('403548(Tax:9615)', 'Gene') :: ['ALP']
@entity235 :: (9615,Species) :: ['dogs']
