Chronic copper poisoning in a sheep

Abstract

Clinical History: A one-year-old female Texel sheep had anorexia and jaundice. After one day, the clinical condition progressed to lethargy, lateral recumbency, and death within hours. The sheep was part of a flock of 20 housed indoors and received an increasing amount of feed (specific for sheep) for the last two months. Gross Findings: The sheep was in excellent body condition. The carcass was discolored by marked icterus. In the subcutaneous tissue, there was multifocal petechiae and ecchymosis. The kidneys had a deep red-brown discoloration. The urinary bladder was distended and filled with dark red to black urine. The liver was slightly soft and swollen, with a deep orange hue. The gallbladder was distended and filled with dark grumous bile.