engleski

Diseases of sheep on Croatian islands

According to the Croatian Livestock Centre’ s data (2006) over 100.000 sheep are bred on the islands for the purpose of producing meat (lambs) and milk (cheese). The majority are raised on the islands of Krk, Cres, Rab, Pag and Brač. Autochthonous (island) breeds predominate on these islands while Istrian and crossbreed sheep are represented in smaller numbers. The sheep are kept extensively and feed on the numerous types of Mediterranean plants there. During the winter period, they are fed on hay, concentrats and pelleted alfalfa. The aim of our research was to establish which diseases affect the health of sheep on Croatian islands. The study was carried out on 40 flocks on the islands of Cres, Krk, Rab, Pag and Brač from 2004 to 2007. The following diagnostic methods were used: clinical examination, necropsy, serological blood tests and coprology tests. It was established that they most frequently suffered from parasitical, infectious and digestive system diseases. The following internal parasites were found: gastrointestinal nematodes, Eimeria sp., Protostongylus sp., Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Fasciola hepatica, Paramphistomum sp., Nematodirus sp., Moniezia sp, Haemmonchus contortus. and Trichuris sp.. As far as external parasites are concerned, the presence of Rhipicephalus and Ixodes ticks were established. Invasion of Melophagus ovinus was identified on the island of Rab. The parasites most frequently affect the health of lambs and young sheep. The presence of abscesses caused by puncture wounds was also established in the sheep. Clinical mastitis was diagnosed on all islands indicating the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus as the major causative agent. The following infectious diseases were found: enterotoxemia, actinobacillosis, contagious ecthyma, footrot and the Brucella ovis infection. As far as diseases of the digestive system are concerned, bloat was found, as well as various forms of indigestion, which are a consequence of overfeeding on green grass, figs or acorns. Diarrhoea widely occurs in sheep since they lick sea salt the so-called posolica drifted by a north-eastern wind to the areas where sheep are bred. Most diseases identified in the study can be prevented and controlled by implementing elaborate safety precautions. When choosing precautions, both breeders and veterinarians have to take account of the size of a flock, objective and stage of production, breeding area, epizootiological situation, diseases identified in the flock so far and season.

diseases; sheep; Croatian islands

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