Effects of clinically occurring chronic lameness in sheep on the concentrations of plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline

Ley, S.J.; Livingston, A.; Waterman, A.E.

Effects of clinically occurring chronic lameness in sheep on the concentrations of plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline

1992

Ley, S.J. | Livingston, A. | Waterman, A.E.

Plasma adrenaline (AD) and noradrenaline (NA) concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in blood samples from control and lame sheep. The lame sheep suffered from naturally occurring foot rot and showed behavioural characteristics normally associated with chronic pain. The lame sheep were scored both for impairment of gait and pathology of the foot and divided into mild and severely affected groups. Both the mildly and severely lame group showed a significant increase in plasma AD and plasma NA which tended to persist even after clinical resolution of the condition. The measurement of plasma AD and NA may provide information which can be used to assess animals experiencing chronic pain, when taken in conjunction with other parameters, such as nociceptive thresholds and plasma hormone levels.

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