Haematological and biochemical blood reference values for Canary Island camels (Camelus dromedarius), an endangered dromedary species

The purpose of this research was to develop reference values for haematological and biochemical variables in the Canary camel breed (Camelus dromedarius). 114 clinically healthy dromedary camels were assessed. Age, sex, and pregnancy status was also recorded. The reference range for red blood cells (RBCs) was 8.45 – 13.65 X10(6)/µL, haemoglobin (HGB) was 10.61 – 15.29 g/dL, packed cell volume (PCV) was 19.93 – 32.51 %, and white blood cells (WBCs) 7.35 – 18.36 X10(3)/µL. A correlation was established between the haemoglobin concentration (HGB) (g/dl) and packed cell volume (PCV) obtaining a linear regression (HGB = 0.31 PCV + 4.67). Young animals had higher RBC and WBC values than adult animals. Additionally, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), phosphorus, calcium, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and lipase were higher in young animals compared with adults. Female dromedary camels showed higher values for the three main variables: RBC, HGB and PCV, but no differences between sexes were detected in the biochemical variables results. The WBC count was higher in non-pregnant females than in pregnant animals. These results provide references values for the Canary camel breed and may contribute to the understanding of differences in 18 haematological and biochemical parameters in dromedary camels with a potential impact in health and welfare for this species.