Investigations on Some Biochemical Parameters in Lambs with Pica and in Healthy Lambs

Authors: TEKİN ŞAHİN, İBRAHİM ÇİMTAY, GÜRBÜZ AKSOY

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine zinc, copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus and total protein levels in the blood serum of lambs with pica and in healthy lambs. This study was performed on 58 Ivesi lambs (38 lambs with pica and 20 healthy lambs), aged 1-1.5 months. Blood samples were collected twice (first and second periods) at five day intervals. The findings showed that concentrations of inorganic phosphorus (p<0.001), copper (p<0.05) and total protein (p<0.01) were significantly lower in lambs with pica than in healthy lambs. In addition, zinc and iron levels were slightly lower in lambs with pica. However, there were no significant differences in calcium and magnesium values between the two groups. It was concluded that the supplementation of phosphorus, copper and protein could be beneficial in the treatment of lambs with pica.

Keywords: Pica, biochemical parameters, lambs

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