Haematological changes in west African dwarf goats following haemorrhage

Changes in haematological parameters were determined in West African Dwarf goats subjected to a 30% haemorrhage. Analyses were made before and at the end of bleeding and at 1, 4 and 24 h after haemorrhage. Significant decreases in the red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration, which are reportedly due to haemodilution by interstitial fluid were found after haemorrhage. Although the mean corpuscular volume remained normal, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte osmotic fragility decreased significantly 24 h post-haemorrhage. The total white blood cell count increased significantly 4 or 24 h after haemorrhage due to increases in the neutrophil and eosinophil counts. However, the monocyte, basophil and lymphocyte counts were unaltered.