Investigations of the metabolic profile in a group of cats during a bioequivalence test

In cats, the low blood volume, along with other morpho-physiological features, restraints the possibility of serial blood sampling, and the procedure itself is an important stress factor. The present study aimed to evaluate the health status of a group of cats, based on the analysis of the metabolic profile evolution, during a bioequivalence study, as well as the influence exerted by the serial blood sampling over the blood parameters. The investigations were carried out on a group of 37 adult cats (15 females and 22 males), European race, with bodyweights ranging from 2 - 4 kg. The protocol had two stages, with an interval of 14 days in-between them. A number of 11 blood samples were collected during each phase. According to the protocol, the biochemical tests were associated with hematological and clinical tests in the initial and final stages of the experiment. The evolution of the metabolic profiles parameters indicated non-significant variations, with individual values in- between the physiological ranges. Regarding the hematological parameters, the values were situated in-between the normal physiological ranges. Due to the variables that can influences the result of the serial blood sampling in a bioequivalence testing, a metabolic profile it is needed in order to evaluate the general health status and the stress response. The comparative analysis of the biochemical and hematological parameters revealed small variations, with no pathological consequence on the general health status, indicating a good accommodation to the stress induced by the serial blood sampling.