SOME HEMATOLOGICAL AND BLOOD SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES ASSOCIATED WITH RESPIRATORY AFFECTIONS IN CAMELS

This study was carried out on 40 camels in Assuite governorate, 10 of them apparently healthy, 20, suffering from moderate respiratory signs and 10 cases suffering from severe respiratory signs. The animals were followed until slaughter and post mortem examination showed severe congested lungs. Blood samples were collected from the clinically healthy and diseased groups of camels. Two blood samples were obtained from each animal, one as a whole blood and the other in the form of blood for obtaining clean non – haemolysed serum .Hematological studies revealed the presence of high significant decrease in total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume in diseased camels when compared with clinically healthy ones. There was also a high significant increase in total leucocytes count, significant increase in neutrophile, and eosinophil cells were recorded in diseased cases. The study of biochemical parameters revealed high significant elevation in the values of AST, ALT, and ALP activities, also in blood urea and serum creatinine and presence of high significant decrease in the levels of total protein and albumin of diseased cases. From the previously mentioned data, it was clear that respiratory affections in camels cause significant changes in blood picture and liver and kidney functions.