Table 2 Overview of assessed variables on the animals

Clinical examination

Rectal temperature

Body temperature measured rectally by thermometer [°C]

Continuous

1

General behaviour: calm

Evaluation of general behaviour during general examination, any behaviour noticeably calmer than usual

Binominal

2

General behaviour: agitated

Evaluation of general behaviour during general examination, any behaviour noticeably more agitated (may also be restless, aggressive towards observer) than usual

Binominal

3

Coughing

Any coughing occurring during general examination

Binominal

4

Sniffing

Any sniffing occurring during general examination

Binominal

5

Nasal discharge

Any visible sign of nasal discharge

Binominal

6

Snout

Evaluation of snout disc (e.g. particularly dry, sticky)

Binominal

7

Ocular discharge

Any sign of ocular discharge

Binominal

8

Ear veins

Noticeably pronounced ear veins

Binominal

9

Respiratory rate

1 min count of respiratory rate by visual assessment of uplifting of flanks

Continuous

10

Heart rate

Auscultation behind left elbow, 1 min count of heart beat

Continuous

11

Heartbeat: intensity decreased

Decreased intensity

Binominal

12

Heartbeat: intensity increased

Increased intensity

Binominal

13

Abdominal breathing

Breathing is heavy and laboured, chest ring is visible with each breath

Binominal

14

Feces

Any deviation of normal feces (e.g. consistency, colour, admixtures)

Binominal

15

Skin condition

Any deviation in skin condition (e.g. discolouration, inflammation, abscesses)

Binominal

16

Bristles

Any deviation (e.g. overlong, dull, density)

Binominal

17

Breathing noise

(upper lung border)

Auscultation of both sides of the lungs at superior frontal border of the lungs, any more than normal breathing sound is noted as breathing noise

Binominal

18

Breathing noise

(medium lung border)

Auscultation of both sides of the lungs at medium frontal border of the lungs, any more than normal breathing sound is noted as breathing noise

Binominal

19

Breathing noise

(lower lung border)

Auscultation of both sides of the lungs at anterior frontal border of the lungs, any more than normal breathing sound is noted as breathing noise

Binominal

20

Conjunctivae: pale

Evaluation of colour of conjunctivae, any sign of paler colour than normal

Binominal

21

Conjunctivae: reddened

Evaluation of colour of conjunctivae, any sign of more intense colour than normal

Binominal

22

Episcleral vessels

Deviation in appearance (e.g. blurred, pronounced)

Binominal

23

Tail: Skin irritation

Skin irritation (e.g. reddening, scales) of tail/tail tip

Binominal

24

Tail: Bleeding

Blood visible on tail/tail tip

Binominal

25

Tail: Necrosis

Signs of necrosis (e.g. constriction, dead tissue, brownish-black discolouration, dryness) on tail/tail tip

Binominal

26

Tail: Partial loss

Tail is not in full length

Binominal

27

Tail: Crust

Formation of crust on tail/tail tip

Binominal

28

Tail posture

Evaluation of tail posture (curled, raised, hanging, tucked under, wagging), any other than curled or raised is evaluated as deviation

Binominal

29

Abdominal tension

Any increase in abdominal tension assessed by palpation

Binominal

30

Sunken flanks

Flanks appear caved-in

Binominal

31

Prepuce

Any abnormality of prepuce (e.g. scales, abrasions, fluid, adhesion)

Binominal

32

Body condition score

Assessed on a five point scale, 3 is normal, 1, 2 thin, 4, 5 overweight

Numerical

33

Lnn. inguinalis superficialis

Assessed by palpation, normal size depends on size (age) of the animal, any enlargement is evaluated here

Binominal

34

Lameness

Any visible deviation from normal stride

Binominal

35

Joints

Any deviation in any visible joint of extremities (e.g. swelling, thickening, warmth) accessible by vision and palpation

Binominal

36

Hernia

Any presence of hernia of any size accessible by vision and palpation (e.g. umbilical, scrotal)

Binominal

37

Pathological examination

Body weight

Weight of freshly dead whole animal

Continuous

38

Nutritional status: thin

Nutritional status is evaluated as emaciated, moderate, normal, very well nourished, fat; emaciated and moderate is counted together for this indicator

Binominal

39

Adrenal gland weight (right)

Adrenal glands are carefully dissected from surrounding tissue and weighed [g]

Continuous

40

Adrenal gland weight (left)

Adrenal glands are carefully dissected from surrounding tissue and weighed [g]

Continuous

41

Relative adrenal gland weight (right)

Adrenal gland weight / body weight

Continuous

42

Relative adrenal gland weight (left)

Adrenal gland weight / body weight

Continuous

43

Skin: scratches

Any scratches on any part of the skin

Binominal

44

Skin condition

Any deviation in skin condition that are not scratches (e.g. discolouration, inflammation)

Binominal

45

Ear: scratches

Any scratches on outer part of ear

Binominal

46

Umbilicus

Any anomaly on the umbilicus (e.g. inflammation, fluid, thickening)

Binominal

47

Pneumonia

Any sign of pneumonia

Binominal

48

Lung: cyst

Fluid filled sack in lung tissue

Binominal

49

Lung: alveolar histiocytosis

Pathohistologically visible infiltration of alveoles by histiocytes

Binominal

50

Lung: hyperemia

Visible hyperemia

Binominal

51

Lung: edema

Visible and palpable edema

Binominal

52

Lung: emphysema

Visible and palpable emphysema

Binominal

53

Pleuritis

Any sign of pleuritis

Binominal

54

Peritoneal cavity: serous effusion

Any sign of serous effusion in peritoneal cavity

Binominal

55

Liver: hyperemia

Visible hyperemia

Binominal

56

Liver: hematopoiesis

Pathohistological evidence of formation of blood cells in liver tissue

Binominal

57

Liver: lymphohistiocytic inflammation

Pathohistological evidence of inflammation process with proliferation of lymphocytes

Binominal

58

Myocarditis

Any sign (macroscopically and pathohistologically) of myocarditis

Binominal

59

Pericard: serous effusion

Any sign of serous effusion in pericardium

Binominal

60

Diaphragma: lymphohistiocytic inflammation

Pathohistological evidence of inflammation, invasion of lymphohistiocytes

Binominal

61

Kidney: lymphohistiocytic inflammation

Pathohistological evidence of inflammation, invasion of lymphohistiocytes in one or both kidneys

Binominal

62

Kidney: cyst

Fluid filled sack in one or both kidneys

Binominal

63

Hydronephrosis

Any macroscopically visible extension of pyelocaliceal system of one or both kidneys

Binominal

64

Kidney: hyperemia

Any macroscopically visible sign of hyperemia in one or both kidneys

Binominal

65

Intraocular fluidurea in aquaeus fluid of anterior chamber increase

Urea content in aquaeus fluid of the anterior chamber

Binominal

66

Bladder: lymphohistiocytic inflammation

Pathohistological evidence of inflammation, invasion of lymphohistiocytes in bladder

Binominal

67

Spleen: hyperplasia

Spleen is enlarged

Binominal

68

Spleen: hyperemia

Any sign of hyperemia of spleen

Binominal

69

Bronchus associated lymphoid tissue: hyperplasia

Enlargement of lymph nodes associated to bronchus

Binominal

70

Colon associated lymphoid tissue: hyperplasia

Enlargement of lymph nodes associated to colon

Binominal

71

Colon associated lymphoid tissue: crypt abscesses

Histopathologically visible crypt abscesses within the colon

Binominal

72

Colon associated lymphoid tissue: multinucleated giant cells

Histopathologically visible infiltration of multinucleated giant cells into lymph nodes associated to colon

Binominal

73

Pulmonal lymph nodes: hyperplasia

Enlargement of lymph nodes associated to lung

Binominal

74

Pulmonal lymph nodes: purulent inflammation

Visible purulent inflammation of lymph nodes associated to lung

Binominal

75

Pulmonal hemosiderosis

Visible signs of hemosiderosis in the lung tissue

Binominal

76

Mesenteric lymph nodes: hyperplasia

Enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes

Binominal

77

Mesenteric lymph nodes: purulent inflammation

Visible purulent inflammation of mesenteric lymph nodes

Binominal

78

Tonsils: hyperplasia

Enlargement of tonsils

Binominal

79

Tonsils: crypt abscesses

Any pathohistologically visible crypt abscesses in the tonils

Binominal

80

Tonsils: purulent inflammation

Purulent inflammation of tonsils

Binominal

81

Lnn. gastrici: sinus histiocytosis

Pathohistologically visible hyperplasia with infiltration of histiocytes into sinus of lymph nodes associated to the stomach

Binominal

82

Ln. sternalis: sinus histiocytosis

Pathohistologically visible hyperplasia with infiltration of histiocytes into sinus of lymph nodes associated to sternum

Binominal

83

Tongue: inflammation

Any sign of inflammation in the tongue

Binominal

84

Tracheitis

Any sign of inflammation in the trachea

Binominal

85

Rhinitis

Any sign of inflammation in the nasal mucosa

Binominal

86

Nasal discharge

Any sign of nasal discharge

Binominal

87

Atrophic conchae

Any atrophy of conchae

Binominal

88

Gastritis

Any sign of inflammation in the stomach

Binominal

89

Pars proventricularis: hyperceratosis

Any sign of hyperceratosis or inflammation in the pars proventricularis

Binominal

90

Gut: inflammation

Any visible inflammation in the gut

Binominal

91

Gut: crypt abscesses

Pathohistologically visible crypt abscesses

Binominal

92

Gut: intraluminal inclusion corpuscles

Pathohistologically visible intracelluar inclusion bodies

Binominal

93

Tail: dermatitis

Any inflammation in the skin of the tail

Binominal

94

Tail: crust

Any formation of crust on the tail

Binominal

95

Tail: blood

Any signs of blood on the tail

Binominal

96

Tail: necrosis

Any signs of necrosis (including pathohistological findings) on the tail

Binominal

97

Tail: intralesional bacteria

Pathohistologically visible bacteria in present lesions

Binominal

98

Tail: exsudation

Any sign of exsudation (including pathohistological findings) in the skin of the tail

Binominal

99

Tail: osteomyelitis

Any signs of osteomyelitis in the tail

Binominal

100

Ear necrosis

Any signs of necrosis on one or both ears

Binominal

101

Skeletal musculature: inflammation

Any inflammation in all of skeletal musculature

Binominal

102

Joints: swelling/inflammation

Any swelling and/or inflammation of any joints

Binominal

103

Spinal cord: inflammation

Any signs of inflammation in any part of the spinal cord

Binominal

104

Oesophagitis

Any signs of inflammation of the oesophagus

Binominal

105

Thymus: giant cell infiltration

Multinuclear giant cell infiltration into thymus visible in pathohistological exam

Binominal

106

N. ischiadicus: inflammation

Any sign of inflammation in one or both Nn. ischiadici

Binominal

107

Thyreoiditis

Any sign of inflammation of the thyroid gland

Binominal

108

Sternum: myeloid dominance

Pathohistological visible dominance of myeloid cells in sternal bone marrow

Binominal

109

Plexus brachialis: perinerval hemorrhages

Visible bleeding in plexus brachialis

Binominal

110

Pancreas: hemorrhage

Visible hemorrhage in pancreas

Binominal

111

Cystitis

Any sign of inflammation of the bladder

Binominal

112

Sheath: hyperkeratosis

Any sign of hyperkeratosis in the sheath

Binominal

113

Blood sample

Leukocytes [G/l]

Collection of standard blood parameters according to laboratory of University of Veterinary Medicine, Hanover, Foundation (TiHo)

Continuous

114

Erythrocytes [T/l]

Continuous

115

Haemoglobin [g/l]

Continuous

116

Haematocrit [l/l]

Continuous

117

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) [fl]

Continuous

118

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) [pg]

Continuous

119

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) [g/l]

Continuous

120

Thrombocytes [G/l]

Continuous

121

Lymphocytes [%]

Continuous

122

Segmented granulocytes [%]

Continuous

123

Rod-nuclear granulocytes [%]

Continuous

124

Metamyelocytes [%]

Continuous

125

Eosinophilic granulocytes [%]

Continuous

126

Basophilic granulocytes [%]

Continuous

127

Monocytes [%]

Continuous

128

Normoblasts [%]

Continuous

129

Anisocytosis

Continuous

130

Polychromacy

Binominal

131

Poikilocytosis

Binominal

132

Total bilirubin [µmol/l]

Continuous

133

Conjugated bilirubin [mmol/l]

Continuous

134

Protein [g/l]

Continuous

135

Albumin [g/l]

Continuous

136

Globulin: Albumin ratio

Continuous

137

Creatinine kinase (CK) [U/l]

Continuous

138

Aspartate-amino-transferase (ASAT) [U/l]

Continuous

139

CK: ASAT ratio

Continuous

140

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) [U/l]

Continuous

141

γ glutamyl transferase (GGT)

Continuous

142

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) [U/l]

Continuous

143

Creatinine [µmol/l]

Continuous

144

Urea [mmol/l]

Continuous

145

3-hydroxybutanoic acid (3HB)

Continuous

146

Glucose [mmol/l]

Continuous

147

L-lactate [mmol/l]

Continuous

148

D-lactate [mmol/l]

Continuous

149

Calcium (Ca) [mmol/l]

Continuous

150

Magnesium (Mg) [mmol/l]

Continuous

151

Phosphorus (P) [mmol/l]

Continuous

152

Sodium (Na) [mmol/l]

Continuous

153

Potassium (K) [mmol/l]

Continuous

154

Iron (Fe) [mmol/l]

Continuous

155

Hemoglobin in plasma

Continuous

156

Hemoglobin in serum

Continuous

157

Anemia

Binominal

158

Hypoproteinemia

Binominal

159

Hypomagnesemia

Binominal

160

Hyponatremia

Binominal

161

Hypokalemia

Binominal

162

Hyperkalemia

Binominal

163

Hypoglycemia

Binominal

164

Hyperglycemia

Binominal

165

Hypocalcemia

Binominal

166

Leukopenia

Binominal

167

Leukocytosis

Binominal

168

Hyperphosphatemia

Binominal

169

Cerebrospinal fluid

Dopamine [ng/ml]

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid contents according to protocol of Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf

Continuous

170

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) [ng/ml]

Continuous

171

5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA) [ng/ml]

Continuous

172

Homovanillic acid (HVA) [ng/ml]

Continuous

173

Serotonin

Continuous

174