Hematology and Clinical Chemistry in Amiata Donkey Foals from Birth to 2 Months of Age

The aim of the present study was to fill the void in data related to hematological and biochemical parameters of donkey foals. Whole-blood and plasma samples were obtained from 16 Amiata donkey foals at birth, at 24 and 48 hours, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. RBC, WBC, hemoglobin concentration (Hgb), mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, glucose, creatinine, blood urea, triglycerides, total cholesterol, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, creatine-phosphokinase, alkaline phosphatase, total calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and albumin were measured. Similar to equine foals, values of RBC, Hgb, and Hct decreased significantly after the first 48 hours of life in Amiata donkey foals, reaching values similar to adult donkeys. No changes were found for mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration during the study period. The WBC was low at birth when compared with subsequent measurements, but significantly increased in the subsequent surveys. Platelet count was lower in the first week, with a secondary peak 2 weeks later, and then a decline again up to the eighth week. In agreement with equine foals, electrolyte concentrations, triglycerides, and total cholesterol did not show significant differences. Creatinine, total bilirubin, and blood urea showed a trend similar to RBC, Hgb, and Hct. For the first time, data of hematological and biochemical parameters in Amiata donkey foals are provided.