Effect of lairage time on the physiological and hematological parameters of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

In slaughterhouse, many stimuli such as lairage time can influence animal welfare during the pre-slaughter period and subsequent physiological and homeostasis parameters. The present study aimed to determine the effect of three different lairage times (L0: at arrival; L1: after 3 h; and L2: after 10 h) on the physiological and hematological parameters of 28 healthy male dromedary camels aged 6 years. Rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were determined in each lairage time. Furthermore, blood samples were collected for hematological examination [red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, hematocrit level, white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocyte count and lymphocyte and granulocyte percentages]. Results showed that all physiological parameters were higher (p< 0.05) in L0 than in L1 and L2. Meanwhile, the red blood cell count, hemoglobin level and lymphocyte count significantly increased in L2. Moreover, numerous correlations were observed between the different parameters assessed. In summary, a lairage time of 3 h is ideal, and it may reduce the amount of stress exhibited by camels.