Blood coagulation parameters in clinically normal intensively farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama)

Abstract

Reference ranges for five parameters of blood coagulation were established in clinically normal farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus). Storage of plasma at −15 °C resulted in small increases in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) for both species, and in the one stage prothrombin time (OSPT) of fallow deer, between days 1 and 30. These times were then stable between days 30 and 60. The fibrinogen levels of fallow deer plasma showed a small apparent increase over 60 days. These storage artefacts were not of sufficient magnitude to preclude the use of such plasma for diagnostic purposes although they could limit its use in research. Levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were not affected by storage at −15°C. Rabbit brain thromboplastin appeared adequate for OSPT determination in both species. The activated clotting time (ACT) is recommended as a field test for screening the intrinsic and common pathways of blood coagulation in deer.