An abattoir investigation of the subclinical abomasal ulcers in cattle and sheep in Urmia, west Azerbaijan

Frequency, percentage and types of abomasal ulcer in different ages and genders were investigated in 326 cows and 569 sheep in Urmia abattoir in 2011-12. The males and females cows and sheep were 212, 114, 178 and 391, respectively. Overall, 29.2% of cows and 13.3% of sheep showed ulcer in the abomasum (P<0.01). The percentage of age distribution in abomasal ulcers with 1, 2, 3, 4 and >4 years in cows was 35.8%, 11.6%, 17.8%, 25.3%, 9.5% and sheep was 3.5%, 12.8%, 33.9%, 34.1% and 54.1%, respectively. Abomasal ulcers increase significantly by the age of cows and sheep (P<0.01) mainly in females more than in males. Overall, cows and sheep aged at 1 and 3 years old, respectively, revealed the highest ulcer in the abomasum. Female and male cows at 1 and 4, ewes and rams at 3 years old, respectively, have had the greatest ulcers in their abomasums. The abomasal types of ulcer in cows were greater than in sheep mainly by increase in the age of cows (P<0.01). Over 24% of cows showed 2 and 3 types of ulcer but sheep revealed only one type of ulcer. The majority of ulcers were in the fundus and the least in pylorus. The histopathological findings confirmed all macroscopic lesions in the abomasums. Type 1 was accompanied by cystic form of abomasal crypts. In type 2 a slight serofibrinos and destruction of abomasal crypt was observed. In type 3 a copious serofibrin around the ulcer and complete destruction of abomasal crypts was seen. Based on the incidence of over twice abomasal ulcer in cows, age outbreaks and various types of ulcers in comparison with sheep, it is concluded that the subclinical types of abomasal ulcers in cows is more common and serious than in sheep and prophylactic programs are recommended.