Vol. 7, Issue 10 (2018)

Author(s):
Koundinya U, George Chandy, Jacob Alexander, Sumanth BM, John Martin KD, Sooryadas S and Harshad Patki Sudhir

Abstract:
A study was conducted on 12 captive Indian Spectacled Cobras (Naja naja) which underwent routine health screening procedures. The snakes were physically restrained and 2 ml of blood was collected aseptically from ventral coccygeal vein. Haematological examination was performed by manual counting method using Natt and Herrick’s dilution fluid and using a blood gas analyser. The values of total erythrocyte count, volume of packed red cells, haemoglobin and differential leukocyte count values were similar to those obtained in other species of cobras. The data obtained may be useful as reference values for haematological parameters of Indian Spectacled Cobras.