Blood Gas, Acid-Base and Electrolyte Analysis in Healthy Dromedary Camel Calves up to 21 Days of Life

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Neonatal mortality represents a major cause of production loss in camelids, reaching rates higher than 25%; despite the increasing global importance of this species, most of the physiological features of the newborn dromedary camel remain unknown. Tailored reference values for dromedary calves are needed for a more accurate discrimination of healthy and sick animals. This study aimed at investigating the blood gases, acid-base and electrolyte profiles in healthy dromedary calves during the first 3 weeks of age, assessing possible associations with age. A total of 21 healthy dromedary camel calves aged between 1 and 21 days were sampled on the same day, and venous blood was analyzed through a VETSTAT® analyzer. Calves were divided in two groups; younger calves aged 1–10 d, and older calves aged 11–21 d. Age was associated with differences in K(+), Na(+), Cl(−), sO(2) and pCO(2) between the two groups. These results suggest an effect of age on some blood parameters, and provide preliminary data regarding the blood gas, acid-base and electrolyte profiles in the healthy dromedary calf during the first 3 weeks of age. ABSTRACT: The importance of prompt evaluation and care of the newborn is essential for reducing neonatal mortality, which represents a major cause of loss in camelids. This study investigated the blood gases, acid-base and electrolyte profiles in healthy dromedary calves during the first 3 weeks of life, assessing possible associations with age. Twenty-one dromedary camel calves aged 1 to 21 days were sampled, and venous whole blood analyzed through a VETSTAT® analyzer. The following parameters were measured: sodium (Na(+)), potassium (K(+)), chloride (Cl(–)), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), partial pressure carbon dioxide (pCO(2)), partial pressure oxygen (pO(2)), total hemoglobin concentration (tHb), hemoglobin oxygen saturation (sO(2)), total carbon dioxide (tCO(2)), bicarbonate (HCO(3)(–)), base excess (BE) and anion gap (AG). Calves were divided in two groups; younger calves (1–10 d), and older calves (11–21 d). Statistical analysis showed an effect of age, with lower K(+) (p < 0.001) and higher Na(+) and Cl(−) (p < 0.05) mean concentrations in the younger calves compared to the older ones, and higher pCO(2) and lower sO(2) mean concentrations in the older group. These preliminary results firstly described the blood gas, acid-base and electrolyte profiles in the healthy dromedary calf during the first 3 weeks of age, suggesting an effect of age on some parameters.