RELATIONSHIP OF CERTAIN BLOOD CONSTITUENTS WITH ILL THRIFTINESS IN WEANER SHEEP

Abstract

The animals used were part of a flock of 200 native breed sheep on new reclaimed areas at Salhyia desert, in Eastern of Nile-Delta, Egypt. The flock grazes on improved pasture have been created by application of lime and superphosphate fertilizer followed by reseeding with elephant grass. Loss of health and of economic efficiency of livestock were the main complain described by the owner. The health of the flock had been subnormal for 6 months and consequently the sheep stock had been reduced. Three visits to the affected flock were carried out where clinical examination and samples collection for laboratory studies were adopted. Examination of animals included, general body condition, demeanour of diseased sheep, inspection of visible mucous membrane, examination of the eye, nose and mouth cavities, examination of skin and wool coat. Examination extended for the other cardinal signs of health including pulse, respiratory rates ad body temperature. Faecal matters were tested both macro and microscopically. The case was difficult to diagnosis, however the appearance of pathological clinical signs in sheep announced the suspicious of nutritional deficiency specially copper deficiency. Necessity for definite diagnosis, is important to be able to be undertaken laboratory examination of biological samples included whole blood, blood serum, liver samples, skin scraping, and herbage for monitoring and confirming of copper deficiency disease and syndrome among sheep stock. In addition an experiment to study the effect of copper deficiency and supplementation on lamb performance in this situation is described.