Abstract

Accurate health assessment of wild, semi-captive, or domesticated animals is essential for their well-being. Despite this necessity, limited studies have been conducted on deer species, and there is a paucity of information on the hemato-biochemical parameters of different deer species globally. Present study aimed to fill this gap by determining the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of fallow deer (Dama dama) maintained in semi-captivity within zoo environments for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Present research involved six healthy male fallow deer, aged 2 to 5 years. The deer were immobilized using xylazine hydrochloride and ketamine hydrochloride, and blood samples were collected from the external jugular vein. The hematological parameters measured included RBC, PCV, HGB, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, RETIC, WBC, WBC differential, PLT, MPV, PDW, and PCT. Biochemical parameters included glucose, urea, creatinine, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and enzymes (AST, ALT, ALKP, and GGT) activities. The results showed the higher glucose and urea concentrations and the same values for creatinine, triglycerides, and enzyme activities when compared to some previous reports. These findings highlighted the importance of considering handling methods and environmental conditions when interpreting biochemical parameters, contributing to improved health assessments and management practices for deer in captivity. © The Author(s) 2025