Ovine ketosis

OVINE KETOSIS
  • A disease of intensive farming system and relatively rare in grazing units.
  • Ketosis in goats - identical with ovine ketosis

Etiology

  • Increased plasma cortisol due to environmental and nutritional stress, failure by liver to metabolize the cortisol.
  • Decline in plane of nutrition during last 2 months of pregnancy.
  • Exposure to inclement weather
  • Worm load Eg. Haemonchus contortus.

Epidemiology

  • Highly fatal, may occur as out break, mostly during last month of pregnancy
  • Ewes carrying more than 1 lamb are more susceptible
  • Precipitating factor - fall in plane of nutrition precipitated by sudden short periods of starvation up to 48 hours (by management), cold inclement weather.
Last modified: Friday, 20 January 2012, 5:22 AM