Nantaporn Chooruang

Accurate health assessments are vital for the performance and welfare of fighting bulls. Existing hematological and biochemical reference intervals (RIs) for cattle may not adequately reflect the unique characteristics of fighting bulls due to breed, age, and geographical differences. This study aimed to develop and apply region-specific RIs for hematological and biochemical parameters in fighting bulls from southern Thailand. A retrospective analysis of laboratory records was conducted on 1,460 healthy fighting bulls enrolled in an annual health check program at the Livestock Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, from January 2016 to December 2023. Blood samples were analyzed for hematological and serum chemistry profiles using automated analyzers. Statistical evaluations identified significant geographical, seasonal, and age-related variations. Region-specific RIs were established, revealing slight elevations in red blood cell (RBC) indices, including RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrate (MCHC), as well as serum chemistry parameters such as blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total protein (TP), compared to previously reported values for other cattle breeds. Older bulls exhibited lower RBC indices and leukocyte counts (P<0.05), while western coast bulls showed distinct variations in MCV, leukocyte counts, neutrophils, eosinophils, and ALP compared to eastern counterparts (P<0.05). Seasonal effects included higher MCHC, monocyte counts, and TP during the rainy season, whereas red cell distribution width and neutrophil counts increased significantly during summer (P<0.05). These RIs provide valuable benchmarks for health assessment, disease diagnosis, and physiological monitoring, enhancing the management and welfare of fighting bulls in southern Thailand.

Background and Aim: Indigenous beef cattle engaged in bullfighting in Southern Thailand represent a distinctive and valuable breed. Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, which are recognized as important pathogens, have a negative impact on the overall health and physical performance of these fighting bulls. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of GI parasitic infections and identify factors associated with these infections in a fighting bull population in Southern Thailand. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples (n = 4,244) from fighting bulls were submitted to the Laboratory and Diagnostic Centre of the Teaching Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya. We examined the samples using simple flotation and centrifugal sedimentation methods. Individual animal profiles and demographic data were collected. Results: The overall prevalence of GI parasitic infections was 93.2%. Nine GI parasites were identified as Paramphistome spp. [PP]. being the most prevalent (93.2%), and the highest annual prevalence occurred in 2019 (97.9%). The infection rates of various parasite species were significantly related to the years of study, geographic area, season, and age group (p < 0.05). The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher on the west coast (98.6%) than on the east coast (98.0%). PP, Eurytrema spp., Strongyles spp., and Buxtonella spp. infections differed significantly among the seven provinces of Southern Thailand (p < 0.05). The prevalence of GI parasitic infections was higher during the rainy season (98.5%) than during the summer (97.7%). Bulls aged 7.0–7.9 years and 8.0–8.9 years had the highest parasite infection rate (99.2%) compared with those aged 8.0–8.9. Conclusion: GI parasitic infections continue to be a significant health concern among fighting bulls in Southern Thailand. Regular epidemiological investigations are crucial for developing effective preventive programs and control strategies and providing basic knowledge for bull farmers. Keywords: bullfighting, gastrointestinal parasites, geographical areas, prevalence, Thailand. Keywords: bullfighting, gastrointestinal parasites, geographical areas, prevalence, Thailand.