**1. Introduction**

Tiger (*Panthera tigris tigris*) population in their historic ranges is critically endangered owing to habitat destructions, ruthless poaching and retaliatory killing. The tiger population now remains in few thousands located in about 150 fragments in 13 countries (Karanth and Gopal, 2005). However, declination is also associated with health related problems such as nutritional deficiencies and infectious diseases (Prater, 2005). Therefore, health monitoring and scientific health management, disease diagnosis and treatment should be made mandatory for conservation of wildlife as the tiger is a key stone species and important member of forest ecology (Shrivastav, 2001).

Haematological and biochemical studies are important tool for health evaluation and their interpretations to know the status of physiological functions of various organs. The concentration of biochemical constituents in tissues as well as in body fluid is fixed and during adverse conditions, it may be elevated or decreased (Douglas and Nelson, 1991). However, qualitative and quantitative analysis of corpuscles and chemical constituents of plasma or serum are closely linked with functional unit of the cell and their assessments may reflect the physiological disorders (Harvey, 1997).

Nevertheless, several factors involved to transmit infectious diseases either mechanically or biologically through contaminated water, food or vectors (Lice, Flea, Ticks and Mites) and the pathogens may alter the normal physiology (Shah, 1983). Viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases are very common in tigers which can affect the haematological and biochemical normal values (Rao and Acharyjo, 2002). Types of anaemia and significant blood loss may be estimated through complete blood count (CBC) and physiological function of different organs by biochemical parameters (Jain, 1986). Qualitative and quantitative reduction in the blood commonly observed in captive felid particularly in cubs those maintaining on milk alone. The values of liver function test, elevated on repeated immobilization by sedative

© 2012 Shrivastav and Singh, licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2012 Shrivastav and Singh, licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2012 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

drugs. It has been experienced that the values of serum enzymes increased after 72 hrs interval of 2nd immobilization by Ketamine and Xylazine mixture (personal communication, Shrivastav 2012). Sign of anemia such as pale mucous membranes weakness, fatigue and tachycardia may be observed depending on the severity of anemia. A variety of abnormalities may be noticed by analysis of blood, bone marrow cytology, serum chemistry and urine analysis.

Tigers Blood: Haematological and Biochemical Studies 231

emotional state. Shrivastav et.al.(2011) have used Xylazine hydrochloride + Ketamine hydrochloride as sedative drugs with the help of Tel-inject projectile syringe to immobilize

Prior to collection of blood from immobilized animal, it is an essential protocol to obtain normal values only through free flow of the collected blood drawn from the animal either at rest or under conditions of least excitement to minimize the physiological variations in cell count (Jain, 1986). Normally the cephalic saphenous, femoral and jugular veins are used for collection of blood from dog, cat and non human primates while in tigers these sites are not convenient because the blood collector remained in front of face of the tiger. The caudal vein

From sedated free range tigers, 2-5 ml of blood is drawn by venipuncture of the caudal vein through 18 no gauge disposal syringe in a tube containing Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA at 2 mg/ml of blood) as the anticoagulant (Shrivastav et.al. 2011). The blood samples should be processed as soon as possible after collection. If a delay is anticipated, it should be refrigerated at 4oC (Jain, 1986).The blood sample should be mixed several times before a portion is removed for test procedure (Shrivastav and Sharma, 2000). Automatic devices providing a continuous rocking or circular motion have been found satisfactory, but prolonged mixing should be avoided, particularly on a device with circular motion, to prevent a mechanical trauma to various blood cells, especially erythrocyte. In any event, blood smear must be made immediately after blood collection, either directly from fresh blood or after anticoagulation. Blood films should be dried quickly and protected from dust and flies till stained (Shrivastav and Sharma, 2005). Blood films can be made on glass slides and on cover slips.The haematological analysis needs precautionary measures and blood smear is stained with Romanowsky stains and at least 200 white cells should be examined for the differential leukocytes count. Simultaneously, the blood smears must be screened for

The morphology of erythrocytes varies with 2 to 7.6, 7.3 ± 0.45 µm in size; appears circular, discoid, central pallor with slight anisocytosis whereas the rouleaux formation(Plate- 2) is common in tiger's blood. Chandranaik, et.al. (2006) also reported the mild anisocytosis in physically restrained tigers. However, the range and mean (with one standard deviation) of total erythrocyte count (TEC) was 4.66 to 9.15, 7.9± 1.42 million /µl. Likewise haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was obtained 9.8 to13.5, 12.8 ±1.65 mg/dl in male and 7.8 to11.5, 10.8±1.05

Jain (1986) defined that the rouleaux formation is associated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and useful for evaluation of the disease status. Shrivastav et. al. (2011) encountered ESR (14 to 26, 21 ± 4.21 /hour) and PCV (36 to 45, 38 ± 4.45 %) in free range tigers (Table 1). The consequences of ESR and PCV up and downs mostly confined to

the tigers of free range while Yohimbine hydrochloride was used as reversal drug.

is convenient and safer site for blood collection (Shrivastav et.al.2011).

parasitic blood protozoa, flagellates and rickettsial infections.

**3. Haematology of Tiger** 

mg/dl in female tigers (Shrivastav et.al. 2011).

**3.1. Erythrocytes** 

Wild felids are commonly injured in territorial fight or sometimes serious injuries and internal hemorrhages occur during hunting. If blood loss is above the 50% of total volume in short period may be fetal and tiger may die due to hypovolumeic shock. Information on haematology and blood biochemistry is meagre in wild animals. However, several studies on selected haematological parameters of exotic species of captive Felids have been reported. Currier and Russell (1982) studied the higher pack cell volume in wild and captive mountain lions (*Felis concolor*) and Fowler (1986) has reviewed the haematological and biochemical profile of Felids including captive tigers whereas Jain (1986) reviewed the information of the genera *Panthera, Felis, Uncia* and *Acinonyx* concluded that blood parameters were almost similar to that of domestic cat with exception of higher concentration of plasma protein and Pack cell volume (PCV). Seal et al. (1987) have studied the haematological and biochemical profile of captive Bengal tigers with emphasis of anaesthetic effect on blood parameters. Chandranaik et.al. (2006) also studied the haematology of physically restrained tigers that were kept in squeeze cages without using anaesthetics. However, the haematological and biochemical studies were made in twelve apparently healthy tigers in free ranges of Central India (Shrivastav et.al. 2011).

Health monitoring, assessment of health during treatment and disease diagnosis in free range tigers needs baseline data on haemato-biochemical parameters. This baseline data is important especially for comparative health assessment of felids during out breaks of diseases between sylvatic and domestic cycle vice versa. It is also required, as the tiger is on top of the sylvatic food chain and to be protected for maintaining balances in ecosystem (Gopal, 1993).
