HEMATOLOGY AND SERUM ELECTROLYTES OF WEANED DAIRY CALVES RAISED IN THE DERIVED SAVANNA ECO-ZONE OF NIGERIA

Résumé

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of breed on hematological indices and serum electrolytes as a measure of health status of multibreed reference population in the derived Savanna zone of the tropics. 21 dairy calves comprising of 7 Bunaji, 7 Jersey and Jersey x Bunaji were used for the study and their packed cell volume, white blood cell (WBC) and its differential counts, red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin, serum potassium, sodium, calcium and phosphorus were assessed. Results obtained reveal no significant (p 0.05) difference in the hematological indices measured except for WBC and RBC. The WBC and RBC of New Jersey calves was significantly (p<0.05) the highest, while the significant (p<0.05) least value obtained in the Jersey x Bunaji breed. The serum electrolytes were statistically (p>0.05) similar across the breeds. It is therefore concluded that the hematological parameters were within the normal physiological range for healthy calves which shows proper adaptability to the ecological zone.