Haematology and serum biochemistry of captive unsedated chital deer (Axis axis) in Australia.

Haematological and serum biochemical values were measured in blood samples collected over a 12-mo period from 37 unsedated chital deer (Axis axis). Stags and hinds, ranging in age from birth to maturity, were sampled. Haemoglobin, total erythrocyte and haematocrit values were low at birth and sex differences were not apparent in neonates and juveniles, but were in adults. Chital stags had higher erythrocyte parameters (P less than 0.001) and lower erythrocyte indices than hinds, and the total leucocyte count was higher in stags (P less than 0.01). Some parameters (erythrocytes, muscle enzymes, glucose, cortisol) decreased over successive serial sampling. The differential leucocyte count of older stags decreased during the initial handling period. The major rutting period in February and March was characterised by changes in the differential leucocyte count, elevations in serum muscle enzymes, and lower serum cortisol levels. Alkaline phosphatase activity in serum reflected the annual antler cycle of chital stags. Serial sampling over many weeks, either weekly or tri-weekly, produced haematological and biochemical changes in successive samples which may have reflected a reduction in stress and excitement associated with restraint.

The haematology and serum biochemistry of wild fallow deer (Dama dama) in New South Wales.

Fallow deer (Dama dama) were captured in an enclosure trap in southern New South Wales. Blood samples were collected for determination of haematological and biochemical values after capture and in one group after 3 h of transportation. Results were compared between fawns and does, transported and non-transported fawns, and transported and non-transported does. Fawns had higher haemoglobin, total red cell count, packed cell volume and lymphocyte numbers, but lower red cell indices and eosinophil numbers than does. Fawns also had lower levels of serum globulin than does, resulting in a higher albumin/globulin ratio in the former. The fawns had higher inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase but lower glucose and urea nitrogen. There were only minor differences in red cell parameters and indices between transported deer but there were significant differences in the differential leucocyte counts, with the former having a relative neutrophilia with left shift, lymphopaenia and eosinopaenia. The effects of transport were also reflected in higher activities of the muscle enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. The non-transported deer had higher total white cell counts and higher lymphocyte and eosinophil counts than have been found previously in fallow deer.

Perinatal foal mortality associated with a herpesvirus.

An outbreak of perinatal foal mortality associated with a herpesvirus is described. Twenty two foals either were still-born, or died soon after birth, or were weak and soon developed severe respiratory signs, or were normal at birth and developed respiratory symptoms 18 to 24 hours later. Elevated temperatures, heart and respiratory rates were constant features. The animals were severely leucopaenic, and showed an absolute neutropaenia. At autopsy the lungs were enlarged, and showed varying degrees of aeration and moderate to severe oedema and congestion. Histopathology showed an acute focal necrotising bronchiolitis with the presence of intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies. Herpesvirus was recovered from 9 foals in cell culture and identified by electron microscopy.