Haematology and serum biochemistry parameters in chemically immobilized Manipur’s Brow Antlered Deer or Sangai

Abstract

Haematology and serum biochemistry parameters were determined for apparently healthy Manipur’s Brow Antlered Deer (4) or Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii) maintained at the Conservation Breeding Centre, Langol, Manipur under semi-captive conditions. Venous blood samples were collected from the animals via the jugular vein puncture following immobilization using drug mixture of medetomidine and ketamine. Results were determined for haematological and serum biochemical parameters for the species and because of limited published information available results were compared with values obtained from captive reared Thamin (Rucervus eldii thamin) and captive/free ranging Red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus). Higher total white blood cell, absolute lymphocyte and eosinophil, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase were recorded in Manipur’s Brow antler deer than Red deer, while serum biochemical parameters such as sodium, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and sodium were higher while creatinine, albumin, triglycerides and cholesterol were lower than Thamin deer. The values reported here can be used as a starting point for establishing blood parameters for clinically healthy adult Manipur’s Brow Antlered Deer in India. To our knowledge, this is the first report of base-line blood values for the Manipur’s Brow Antlered Deer.