Comparative Study on Haematobio chemical Alterations in Sheep with Respiratory Afflictions Reared under Organized and Unorganized Farming Systems

Abstract

Respiratory diseases are among the major health problems affecting sheep production worldwide leading to significant economic loss due poor growth and reduced productivity. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare hematobiochemical alterations in sheep suffering from respiratory afflictions reared under organized and unorganized farming system. The present study was conducted in five organized and ten unorganized farms comprising healthy and respiratory affected sheep. Clinical examination was carried out based on respiratory signs such as coughing, nasal discharge, dyspnoea, pyrexia and abnormal lung sounds. Blood samples were collected for hematobiochemical analyses for different hematology and biochemical parameters. Respiratory disease affected sheep exhibited significant alterations in hemtobiochermical parameters characterized by decreased Hb, TEC and PCV values along with increased TLC and neutrophil counts compared to healthy controls. Biochemical analysis revealed hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated globulin levels and increased AST and ALT activities in affected animals. The alterations were more pronounced in sheep reared under unorganized farming systems, indicating the influence of poor housing, inadequate nutrition, improper ventilation and higher environmental stress on disease severity. The study concluded that respiratory afflictions markedly affect haematological and biochemical profiles in sheep, with greater severity observed in unorganized farming systems. Hematobiochemical parameters may serve as valuable indicators for diagnosis, assessment of disease severity and formulation of effective management strategies for respiratory diseases in sheep.