Hematologic Parameters of the Spanish Ibex (Capra pyrenaica)

Thirteen hematologic parameters were measured in 52 Spanish ibexes (Capra pyrenaica) from Sierra Nevada Natural Park, southern Spain. The animals were captured, maintained in captivity, and physically restrained for blood collection. We compared hematologic values for healthy ibexes with animals infected with sarcoptic mites and animals treated for scabies and recovered. Ibexes with scabies showed a decreased number of erythrocytes, a higher mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and increased numbers of band neutrophils. The number of lymphocytes was significantly higher in animals that had recovered from scabies as compared with infested ones. The only difference observed between healthy and recovered animals was in the number of monocytes, which remained significantly higher in animals that had recovered from scabies. No hemoparasites were found in this study.