Effects of Haemorrhage on Thermoregulation, Heart Rate and Blood Constituents in Goats (Capra hircus)

The effects of two levels of bleeding (15 and 30%) on physiological responses were evaluated in adult goats. The magnitude of haemorrhage was expressed as percentage of initial total blood volume after plasma volume determination by dye dilution. The groups subjected to haemorrhage had higher rectal temperature, respiration rate and heart rate compared to the control; the responses were more marked with the higher level of bleeding. The treated groups had lower Packed Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and Total Leucocyte Count (TLC) compared to the control; they were significantly lower with high level of bleeding compared to the control. The ratio of lymphocytes decreased, whereas the neutrophil ratio increased in treated groups compared to the control. The treated groups had lower serum total protein and albumin concentrations compared to the control. The plasma glucose level was higher in treated groups compared to the control and it increased with the increase of bleeding level. The treated groups had lower serum Na, Ca and Mg concentrations compared to the control. The levels of these minerals decreased with increase of bleeding level. The 15% bleeding group returned to normal values within 2 weeks, whereas the 30% bleeding group recovered within 5 weeks.