Status of serum vitamin C, β-carotene and α-
tocopherol concentrations was evaluated in 17 camels
suffering from pneumonia. The grossly affected lungs were
collected for histopathological examination from camels at
slaughterhouses, and serum samples were processed for
measuring β-carotene (micrograms per decilitre), vitamin C
(milligrams per decilitre) and α-tocopherol (micrograms per
decilitre) levels. Based on histopathological examinations,
camels under investigation were classified as acute bronchopneumonia
(N=3), chronic bronchopneumonia (N=4),
chronic pleuropneumonia (N=3), interstitial pneumonia
(N=3), embolic pneumonia (N=3) and control group
(N=4). The results revealed significant decreases in serum
vitamin C and α-tocopherol concentrations in all investigated
types of pneumonia. However, serum β-carotene
showed insignificant changes. Results of the present study
clearly demonstrated the importance of supplementing
camels suffering from pneumonia with sources of vitamins
along with the conventional systemic treatment to overcome
the oxidative stress and to avoid the possible
complications of α-tocopherol and vitamin C deficiencies.