Hematological Alterations As Potential Indicators of Health Status: an Investigation of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic One-Humped Dromedary Camels

Objectives: In this study, hematological changes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic one-humped dromedary camels were investigated. Materials and Methods: Thirty dromedary camels, aged between 1 to 10 years, from different regions of Northern Nigeria and neighboring African countries, were sampled at the Mai'adua International Livestock Market in Katsina State, Nigeria. The camels were randomly categorized into symptomatic (10) and asymptomatic (20) groups based on clinical presentations such as diarrhea, poor body condition, tick infestation, and cutaneous lesions. Blood samples were collected from each camel into labeled vacutainers containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and subsequently analyzed using a veterinary hematology analyzer. Results: The findings indicated a significantly (p < 0.05) increased packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and neutrophil count in symptomatic camels compared to asymptomatic ones. Conversely, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increased lymphocyte count in symptomatic camels compared to their asymptomatic counterparts. Conclusion: The hematological parameters, including RBC, PCV, Hb, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, exhibited significant alterations in symptomatic camels compared to asymptomatic ones. Further research is recommended to investigate the underlying causes of hematological alterations in symptomatic camels and the potential impact of factors such as age, nutrition, and regional variations on camel hematological parameters. [Vet. Res. Notes 2024; 4(6.000): 65-68]