CHRONIC COPPER POISONING OF SHEEP AT BASRAH GOVERNORATE, IRAQ

Chronic copper poisoning had been detected in sheep of Basrah governorate . The study wasconducted on (52) local sheep breeds. Forty two (42) local sheep breeds of different ages and ofboth sexes with the indoor system of feeding at Basrah governorate, Iraq, show different clinicalmanifestations belong to chronic copper poisoning. Ten clinical healthy local sheep breeds ofsame ages were considered as controls. Complete clinical examinations have been applied to allanimals in the study. Diseased sheep show different clinical manifestations such as complete lossof appetite (90.4%), depression, Weakness and Lethargy (78.5%), Increase abdominal respiration(78.5%), Moreover, Pale and / or icteric mucous membranes were registered in (71.4%) ofanimals when examining the vaginal mucous membranes, conjunctiva and nictitating membrane.Furthermore, discolored urine of coffee like appearance was detected in (66.6%), salivation(52.3%) and grinding of teeth (28.5%). Furthermore, clinical examinations of diseased animalsshow a significant increase (P<0.05) of respiratory and heart rate. However ruminal contractionsand capillary refill time were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Evaluation of hemogram ofdiseased sheep and controls indicated a clear anemia of macrocytic hypochromic type, whichoccur due to a significant decrease (P<0.05) of the total erythrocyte count, hemoglobinconcentration and packed cell volume. However, total and differential leukocyte count valueswere all within normal limit when compared with controls. A significant difference of copperconcentration in plasma, liver and kidneys was also indicated. Cross examinations of dead sheep reveal that the blood of dead animals was more darker than thenormal. Moreover, autopsied sheep show clear enlargement of the liver, which appear yellow,fragile and brittle. However, gallbladders was distended and contain a dense, dark bile.Furthermore, the little enlargement has been detected on both kidneys with dark appearancewhich become a gun like. In addition, The histopathological results of autopsied animalsrevealed a mild atrophied glomerulus with thickening of glomerular basement membrane.Moreover, there is an accumulation of inflammatory cells near the glomerulus and between renalcortical tubules. Additionally, a cystic like dilation in the renal interstitium was also detected.Furthermore, a coagulative necrosis appeared in some renal tubules, as well to present of hyalinelike cast in the kidney. It has been concluded that chronic copper poisoning of sheep was adangerous type of disease with both high morbidity and mortalities as well as it's considered asan economic loss.