Malignant theileriosis of sheep is a highly fatal, acute or subacute disease is caused by the tick-borne protozoan parasite, Theileria hirci. In this investigation ten healthy male lambs aged 5-6 months were randomly divided into two groups, A and B and were kept in isolated tick-proof pens. They were treated for internal and external parasite before commencement of the experiment. The lambs were experimentally infected with T. hirci by placing ticks Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum infected with T. hirci on them. The ticks used in this survey had originally been isolated from sheep and colonies of them were established in an insectarium. Before and after infection rectal temperatures and clinical signs of the lambs were recorded, blood and prescapular lymph node smears were prepared and examined to determine the extent of the parasitaemia, and blood samples were analyzed to evaluate their haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) rates. Three days after the commencement of a febrile reaction and appearance of the schizonts in the lymph node smears, treatment of the lambs in Group A with an extract containing the alkaloids of Peganum harmala (wild rue) was commenced. Group B lambs were kept untreated controls. Before treatment there were no significant differences in the rectal temperature, parasitaemia rate, and the Hb and PCV values between animals in the two groups but after treatment significant differences in these values was detected (P < 0.05). After treatment, the clinical signs and parasites in the lymph node smears of the animals in Group A disappeared and they all animals recovered. These parameters in the animals of Group B progressed until their death. Pathological studies showed the characteristic lesions of theileriosis in lambs in Group B, but not in Group A. The results indicate a therapeutic effect of the alkaloids of P. harmala for treatment of ovine malignant theileriosis.

Acute and long-term effects of a single, relatively high oral dose (0.25 and 0.30 mg/kg) of sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) on the survival and productivity of sheep were evaluated to establish a better understanding of 1080 poisoning and identify more specific changes diagnostic of toxicosis. In survivors, clinical signs of acute 1080 toxicosis such as salivation and lethargy were generally very mild. Fasted animals were more prone to 1080 toxicity. In animals that died, more severe signs, including tachypnoea, dyspnoea, and tremors occurred for 15-20 min prior to death. 1080 concentrations were highest in the blood > heart > skeletal muscle > liver. 1080 could not be detected in any of these organs of the animals that survived. Serum citrate concentrations were elevated for 4 days after dosing. No clinical or biochemical abnormalities were found in any animal after 4 days. Histopathological lesions were most marked in the heart and lung with inflammation, necrosis, and scattered foci of fibrous tissue in the myocardium, pulmonary oedema and inflammation of the lung. No adverse long-term effects on general health or reproductive performance were observed in any sheep that survived the first 4 days following exposure to 1080. The most reliable diagnostic indicators of 1080 exposure in sheep were measurement of its residues in blood, skeletal muscle and ruminal contents, increased serum citrate concentration, elevated heart rate, and characteristic electrocardiograph changes (up to 4 days after exposure). Death from 1080 is most likely to occur within 96 h, and animals that survived this period appeared normal.

In three trials conducted on two separate farms the production of sheep treated for naturally acquired haemonchosis using the FAMACHA© system of targeted selective treatment (TST) (i.e. to treat only those animals unable to manage unaided in the face of heavy Haemonchus challenge) was compared to that of suppressively drenched sheep in the same flock. As expected by the research team who developed and evaluated the FAMACHA© system, TST did result in some loss in production. However, despite high levels of worm challenge in two of the trials and the fact that the comparison was with suppressive drenching which is not sustainable, the total effect was relatively small in relation to the important advantage of using the TST as regards reduced selection for anthelmintic resistance (AR). Concerning the sustainability of worm control, it is concluded that the development of drug resistance to anthelmintics leaves sheep and goat farmers in South Africa no choice but to use methods of TST such as FAMACHA©. The FAMACHA© system can also be a useful clinical aid for early on-farm detection of AR by farmers; the degree of improvement in the colour of the ocular mucous membrane from pale to red in individually drenched anaemic animals over a period of 7-14 days can give a good indication of the efficacy of the compound(s) used.

Research of the peculiar features of correlation parameter of production indices of 870 mongrel inbred sheep with the various inbreeding coefficients was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. In course of study there was stated the one-sided influence of inbreeding on phenotypic indices of pair, individual and cumulative pair correlation genetic correlations of sheep productivity. The majority of them were the statistically authentic values with P less than 0,1 - 0,001. It was stated that coefficient variability of genetic correlation of wool productivity rendered influence on sheep inbreeding degree among which there were marked off animal units with inbreeding in degree of consanguinity with the coefficients of higher statistical confidence (with P less than 0,01 - 0,001) than animal units with degrees of close or low relationship and outbred animal units - (P less than 0,1 - 0,01). The majority of ewe productive quality correlation factors with a different inbreeding degree proved to be positive and authentic and could be used for an estimation of correlations between traits in selection process for population perfection

Due to Herbal medicine it is possible to use cheap and ecological clean preparation. Studied medicinal forms of wormwood bitter (the wormwood bitter extract, fluid extract, Artemizitan) in therapeutic dose stimulate the factors of natural resistance beside animals. Results of studying of lysozyme activity in blood serum have shown that preparations of wormwood bitter have caused authentic increase of this indicator in comparison with control animals, both in pigs, and at sheep. Bactericidal activity of blood serum was authentically more than in control group, both at pigs, and at sheep after introduction of infusion of wormwood bitter. Studying of influence of wormwood bitter on phagocytosis indicators has shown, that all medicinal forms of plant have made stimulating impact on phagocytal activity of neutrophils and phagocytal number both in experiences on pigs, and on sheep. Artemitizan has caused authentic increase and phagocytal index. Thus, the research will be coordinated with literary data, that preparations of wormwood bitter make stimulating impact on indicators of natural resistance of animal blood | Благодаря фитотерапии возможно использование дешевых и экологически чистых препаратов. Изученные лекарственные формы полыни горькой (настой полыни горькой, жидкий экстракт полыни горькой, артемизитан) в терапевтических дозах стимулируют показатели естественной резистентности у животных. Результаты изучения лизоцимной активности в сыворотке крови показали, что препараты полыни горькой вызвали достоверное повышение этого показателя по сравнению с контрольными животными, как у свиней, так и у овец. Бактерицидная активность сыворотки крови была достоверно больше, чем в контрольной группе, как у свиней, так и у овец после введения настоя полыни горькой. Изучение влияния полыни горькой на показатели фагоцитоза показало, что все лекарственные формы растения оказали стимулирующее влияние на фагоцитарную активность нейтрофилов и фагоцитарное число как в опытах на свиньях, так и на овцах. Артемизитан вызвал достоверное повышение и фагоцитарного индекса. Таким образом, наши исследования согласуются с литературными данными, что препараты полыни горькой оказывают стимулирующее влияние на показатели естественной резистентности крови животных

There were studied the veterinary-sanitary indicators of sheep slaughter products in the conditions of application of microcelements in various forms. Studying of the influence chelate forms of microelements on quality of cattle-breeding production is spent in comparison with preparations in which microelements are in a kind of salts. As a model preparation, for studying of chelate influence on quality of cattle-breeding production used of the chelate zinc form - Tsinkovet. Results of research show, that use of chelate and inorganic forms of zinc does not reduce high quality of received production. Meat of sheep of trial groups on organoleptic, bacteriological and physical and chemical indicators, and also biological value and harmlessness is characterized as good-quality and corresponds to veterinary-sanitary requirements. In tables results of physical and chemical researchs of meat, its biological value and harmlessness are presented. | Целью исследований явилось изучение ветеринарно-санитарных показателей продуктов убоя овец при назначении им микроэлементов в различных формах. Изучение влияния хелатных форм микроэлементов на качество животноводческой продукции проведено в сравнении с препаратами, в которых микроэлементы находятся в виде солей. В качестве модельного препарата, для изучения влияния хелатов на качество животноводческой продукции использовали хелатную форму цинка - Цинковет. Результаты исследований показывают, что использование хелатных и неорганических форм цинка не снижает доброкачественности получаемой продукции. Мясо овец опытных групп по органолептическим, бактериологическим и физико-химическим показателям, а также биологической ценности и безвредности характеризуется как доброкачественное и соответствует ветеринарно-санитарным требованиям. В таблицах представлены результаты физико-химических исследований мяса, его биологическая ценность и безвредность.