Plasma free fatty acid concentration in control and lame sheep
Ley, S.J.; Waterman, A.E.; Livingston, A.
Veterinary Record 133(18): 450
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8291177 Document Number: 416314
A study to examine the physiological effects of chronic lameness was carried out in 29 flocks varying in size from 100 to 700 animals. The pathology of the lesion and the severity of the lameness was assessed and the foot rot treated regularly by conventional means. Blood samples were taken from 5-10% of the control sheep and weekly for 3 weeks from animals lame as a result of foot rot (4-8 flocks). A further blood sample was taken from some lame sheep 3 months later when the lesion had healed and the foot was sound. The plasma was analysed for various physiological parameters and, as an indication of nutritional status, for free fatty acids. There was no significant difference either between control and lame animals from the same flock, between untreated lame and treated lame within the same flock or between control and lame groups from different flocks. 48% of the lame animals showed an increase in plasma free fatty acid concentration, 41% a decrease and 11% no change when compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in free fatty acid concentrations when the values were broken down on a seasonal basis, and values fell within normal ranges, indicating that no flock had an inadequate food supply. It is interesting to note that the lame animals did not appear to be nutritionally compromised despite the severity of their condition.