Effect of long-term dehydration on the body weight, body temperature and packed cell volume in buffalo
Ramkrishna, V.; Saigal, R.P.
Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 33(1-2): 101-106
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0236-6290 PMID: 2940821 Document Number: 260024
In order to study the effect of dehydration on body weight (b. wt.), body temperature (b. temp.) and packed cell volume (PCV) in buffalo, 6 buffalo calves kept under normal conditions and 9 kept on long-term dehydration, all aged 1 to 1.5 years, were used. The animals at long-term dehyration clinically showed cachectic and soporous behavior, shrunken eyes, anorexia, eye discharge, hard faeces and uncoordinated gait. The buffalo calves survived maximum 15 days of dehydration. The values of b. temp. and PCV in normal buffalo calves ranged between 37.9 and 39.0.degree. C and between 28 and 43%, respectively. There was significant (P < 0.01) reduction in b. wt., increase in PCV and fall in b. temp. from day 3, 6, and 12 onwards, respectively. There was significant (P < 0.05) negative correlation between PCV and relative humidity (rel. hum.) and between PCV and b. temp., and positive correlation between b. wt. and b. temp. Multiple correlation studies showed significant (P < 0.01) correlation of b. wt. with PCV, rel. hum. and b. temp., and of PCV with b. wt., rel. hum. and b. temp. It is apparent that also the rel. hum. in the sheds played an important role in the regulation of water metabolism.