CLINICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL STUDIES IN SHEEP WITH SUBCLINICAL AND CLINICAL KETOSIS

Abstract

The investigation was performed on 136 ewes, 106 (Lacaune) and 30 (Mouton Charollais). The ewes were divided in three groups: pregnant; recently lambed and lactating. Sheep of the three groups, we performed a chemical blood test to determine the level of β-hydroxybutyrate. Clinical examination was performed on all animals by routine methods of clinical diagnostics. In haematological studies were monitored parameters of red and white blood count. The investigation of the sheep from the three groups with subclinical ketosis (SCK) showed that clinical parameters varied within the reference ranges. The studied red and white blood cell indices in Lacaune sheep with SCK and clinical ketosis (CK) indicated erythropenia, oligochromemia, reduced haematocrit, leukocytosis and lymphocytosis. The meat breed Mouton Charollais did not exhibit any changes in studied haematological parameters. The sheep from the dairy breed Lacaune were affected with SCK and CK during the pregnancy, parturition and lactation while those from the meat breed Mouton Charollais did not suffer.