Study on Abomasal Ulcer in Sheep in Iraq

Background: Abomasal ulcers are an erosion of the lining of the abomasum that can result in a variety of clinical signs. The exact underlying cause is still unknown, but abomasal ulceration has been associated with stress, proliferation of bacteria within the gut, abrasions of the abomasum due to roughage, and trichobezoars. This study was conducted at Al-Diwaniyah Abattoir, Al-Diwaniyah city, south of Iraq, with the objectives of to assess the presence of abomasal ulcer in sheep, identifying types of abomasal ulcer. Material and methods: The investigation was carried out in the abattoir and examination of 56 abomasum of sheep to detect the ulcers. Abomasal fluid pH was measured immediately post cut of abomasal And study the gross lesions with histopathological changes Results: From total of 56 (46 male and 10 female) sheep were examined, 17.85% were found abomasal ulcer at slaughter. There was no significant difference (P?0.05) between sex of sheep in the prevalence of the abomasal ulcers. No-significant differences(p?0.05) in the pH values were observed between ulcerated and non-ulcerated abomasal. The abomasal ulcers were showed as a single 7 (70%) and multiple 3(30%) ulcer were found in abomasal. Gross observations of ulcer was differed between the ulcer and other. Histological study of ulcer revealed deposition of granulation tissue with extended through of mucosa, metaplasia of gastric mucosa and atrophy of gastric glands, with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Conclusion: It is concluded that the detection of this level of prevalence of abomasal ulcer in sheep is the most not only because of its mortality and morbidity but also it contributes a lot for reduced production, productivity and complications associated with it.