Seasonal metabolic factors may be responsible for deaths in sheep exported [live] by sea

Inappetant sheep transported from Australia to the Arabian Gulf in May successfully mobilised fat and generated ketones and few died. In August, such sheep failed to mobilise fat for more than a few days and the death rate was much higher. The causes of death were similar on each voyage, about 65 pe...

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Published inAustralian journal of agricultural research Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 215 - 226
Main Authors Richards, R.B, Hyder, M.W, Fry, J, Norris, R.T, Higgs, A.R.B. (Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, Perth. Animal Health Div.), Costa, N.D. (Murdoch Univ. (Australia). School of Veterinary Studies)
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 1991
Subjects
animal transport
anorexia
CORPS GRAS
DIGESTION
EXPORTACIONES
EXPORTATION
exports
GRASAS
Merino
metabolic diseases
MORTALIDAD
MORTALITE
mortality
OVIN
OVINOS
seasonal variation
sheep
ships
TRANSPORT D'ANIMAUX
TRANSPORTE DE ANIMALES
TRASTORNOS ALIMENTICIOS
TROUBLE ALIMENTAIRE
Middle East
Western Australia
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Summary:Inappetant sheep transported from Australia to the Arabian Gulf in May successfully mobilised fat and generated ketones and few died. In August, such sheep failed to mobilise fat for more than a few days and the death rate was much higher. The causes of death were similar on each voyage, about 65 percent inanition. It is postulated that in May sheep came off dry pastures at the end of a period of liveweight loss and were metabolically adjusted to mobilising energy reserves. In August by contrast they had entered a period of liveweight gain and were less able to respond to demands for energy when inappetant.
Bibliography:L74
9101402
J13
ISSN:0004-9409
DOI:10.1071/AR9910215