Abstract :
A total of 1385 sheep slaughtered in different abattoirs were screened. The overall prevalence
of lung affections was found to be 24.18%. Age was taken as a risk factor for the
occurrence of infection. The prevalence was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher in sheep less
than 2 years of age (25.40%) as compared to the sheep greater than 2 years of age (19.01%).
Assessment of different lung affections in association with body condition of the animals
revealed that lung affections were more frequent and severe in animals whose general
body condition was weak. Patho-morphological characterization of the lung affections
included acute bronchopneumonia, fibrinous bronchopneumonia, chronic bronchopneumonia,
suppurative pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, verminous pneumonia, bronchitis
and bronchiolitis, haemorrhage, congestion and emphysema/atelectasis. It was concluded
that lung affections were highly prevalent in the sheep destined for slaughter in Kashmir
valley owing to multiple factors, viz., adverse climatic conditions during winters, poor management
and lack of proper feeding regimen leading to substantial economic losses due to
reduced lamb growth and decreased carcass value
