1A.K. Mohammed, A.K.B. Sackey2, L.B. Tekdek2 and J.O. Gefu1
1National Animal Production Research Institute, 2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Eleven adult dromedaries introduced into a sub-humid climate in northern Nigeria were bled monthly for 36 months to establish mean haematological reference values for the zone. The mean erythrocyte value was 9.37±1.07 x 1012 L-1, haemoglobin 11.66±1.12 g dl-1 and packed cell volume was 29.97 ±3.37%. The mean erythrocytic indices were 32.24 ± 4.68 fl for mean corpuscular volume, 12.56 ± 1.72 pg for mean corpuscular haemoglobin and 39.16 ± 3.18 g L-1 for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The mean leukocyte count was 13.41 ± 2.82 x 109 L-1 while their percentage distributions were: 42.59 ± 16.97 % neutrophils, 54.00 ± 17.22 % lymphocytes, 0.63 ± 0.62 % monocytes and 2.77 ± 2.67 % eosinophils. The she-camels had significantly (P < 0.05) higher packed cell volume, neutrophils and eosinophils values but lower total leukocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes. Dry season samples were significantly (P<0.05) higher in PCV and WBC values while neutrophils and lymphocytes were higher in the samples collected during the wet season.
Key words: Camel, dromedary, haematological values, Nigeria, sub-humid climate
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