Plasma concentration of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) immediately following capture

Blood samples were obtained from clinically normal aviary housed houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) sampled promptly (<10 min) after capture in order to establish reference values for creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Plasma CK and LDH values (mean +/- SEM U/l (range)) were 335.9 +/- 24.2 U/l (134-684 U/l) and 493.3 +/- 24.1 U/l (273-793 U/l), respectively in this group. These values were compared with levels in clinically normal birds sampled at different time intervals following capture and translocation. Plasma CK and LDH concentrations were markedly elevated in bustards following routine capture, handling and translocation at 0.5-1, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h, but had returned to normal ranges after 14 days. Maximum CK and LDH levels occurred in samples collected 24 h after capture and they were 15 and 3.5-fold higher than the reference levels, respectively. These results show that a significant amount of muscle damage may occur during routine capture, handling and translocation procedures of bustards. They also indicate that consideration should be given to previous episodes of handling or translocation when interpreting plasma CK and LDH values in bustards.