Blood acid-base and serum electrolyte values in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Acid-base, serum electrolyte, plasma protein, and packed cell volume (PCV) values were determined in venous blood samples from 30 red deer (Cervus ela phus) of both sexes showing no clinical signs of disease. The animals were 5 months of age and kept on pasture in the Valley of Mexico, at an altitude of 2450 m. Blood samples were collected without sedation. Mean blood value s were: pH 7.411 +/- 0.041, pCO(2) 37.7 +/- 4.4 mmHg, base excess 0.7 +/- 3 .2 mmol/L, actual bicarbonate 24.3 +/- 3.1 mmol/L, total CO, 25.3 +/- 3.2 m mol/L and anion gap 23.5 +/- 5.5 mmol/L. Mean serum electrolyte levels were : Na+ 142.3 +/- 2,5 mmol/L, Cl- 100.5 +/-2.3 mmol/L, and K+ 7.03 +/- 1.03 m mol/L. Plasma protein and PCV values were 60.0 +/- 6.6 g/L and 0.47 +/- 0.0 5 L/L, respectively. Blood values determined in this study can be considere d reference data for health control and disease diagnosis.