Haematological and serum biochemical alterations associated with peste des petits ruminants virus infection in West African Dwarf goats in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) remains an important constraint to small-ruminant production in Nigeria. This study evaluated haematological and serum biochemical alterations associated with naturally occurring PPR virus (PPRV) infection in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in Ondo State, Nigeria. A comparative clinical study was conducted from February to May 2026 at the Veterinary Hospital, Ondo City. Seventy-four WAD goats comprising 59 PPRV-infected animals and 15 clinically healthy controls were evaluated. Case classification used compatible clinical criteria, exclusion of gastrointestinal parasites, haemoparasites and relevant concurrent infections, rapid antigen detection with ID Rapid® PPR Antigen, and N-gene-targeted molecular confirmation. Infected goats had significantly lower packed cell volume (22.6 ± 0.7 vs 30.2 ± 0.8%), haemoglobin (7.2 ± 0.2 vs 10.1 ± 0.3 g/dL), red blood cell count (8.1 ± 0.3 vs 11.4 ± 0.4 ×10⁶/µL) and total white blood cell count (8.4 ± 0.5 vs 13.8 ± 0.6 ×10³/µL) than controls (P < 0.001). Lymphocyte percentage was reduced, whereas neutrophil, monocyte and eosinophil percentages were increased. Total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose and cholesterol were lower in infected goats, while urea and creatinine were higher. These findings demonstrate substantial erythrocytic, leukocytic and metabolic disturbances associated with clinical PPRV infection. Haematological and serum biochemical profiling can complement clinical and virological assessment of affected goats but should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic tool.