Volume 57 (2007) Issue: 2007 No#2-3

Haematological status of one-day old ostriches (Struthio camelus domesticus)

Author(s): Raukar Jelena, Šimpraga M, Zadro R, Lužar-Stiffler V

Keywords:one-day old ostriches, red blood cells, white blood cells, iron and copper concentrations

Measurement of haematologic and biochemical parameters is an important part of evaluating the health of ostrich chicks. Thus aimed to determine haematological and biochemical parameters in the blood of one–day old ostriches in intensive breeding. The blood count, iron and copper concentrations were determined in 30 clinically healthy, one–day old unsexed ostriches of the domesticated subspecies of ostrich Struthio camelus domesticus. Their importance in clinical evaluation and disease condition is discussed. In this study the following mean values were determined in 30 clinically healthy, one–day old unsexed ostriches: erythrocyte count = 1.48 x 1012/L, MCV = 126.6 fl, MCH = 52.9 pg, MCHC = 418 g/L, haemoglobin concentration = 79 g/L, haematocrit = 18.87%, platelet count = 8.6 x 109/L, leucocyte counts 9.1 x 109/L, heterophils = 82%, eosinophils = 0.5%, basophils = 2.5%, lymphocytes = 11%, monocytes = 3.4%, iron = 4 mmol/L and copper = 2.6
mol/L. We hope that the data presented in this study will be an incentive to clinicians and scientists in the field, to use haematological and biochemical examinations as an aid to the diagnosis of diseases in ostriches.