Clinical and Haemato-biochemical Changes in Alkaline Indigestion in South down Breed of Sheep in Kashmir Valley

The present study was conducted with an objective to determine clinico-haematobiochemical changes in alkaline indigestion affected South Down sheep (n=28) in Kashmir valley. Ruminal fluid, urine and blood were examined for microscopic examination, pH and other haemato-biochemical changes. There was a significant increase in heart rate, respiration rate, ruminal pH, urinary pH, sedimentation activity time, methylene blue reduction time while as the ruminal motility was found to be significantly decreased in alkaline indigestion affected sheep. The motility and iodophillic activity of the ruminal protozoa were -/+ (absent/slow) and – (absent), respectively in sheep affected with alkaline indigestion. Haemato-biochemical studies revealed that blood pH, packed cell volume, haemogloblin, total erythrocyte count and serum potassium showed a significant increase in sheep affected with alkaline indigestion.