Subclinical laminitis in captive female Esfahan mouflon (Ovis orientalis isphahanica): gross and light microscopic pathology

Abstract

The herd consisted of 25 captive Esfahan mouflons and theiroffspring. The mouflons were wild and originated from theirnatural habitat in Esfahan province. They had been kept in smallenclosures with rough concrete floors. The diet consisted ofalfalfa hay, corn silage, and a commercial concentrate. Themouflons showed severe claw overgrowth and detectablesubclinical form of laminitis such as sole hemorrhage and yellowwax discoloration. Both prevalences were unexpectedly high(73.9%). The majority of foot lesion samples included in thisstudy were taken from mouflons examined in the course ofveterinary practice over a period of 4 months in a farm for clinicaland histopathological purposes. Pseudocarcinomatous epidermalhyperplasia which are characterized by extreme proliferation ofepithelial cells with large amounts of whorl-like structures thatshow no specific pattern, like dyskeratosis or central keratinization.Our findings were supportive of researchers who havesuggested that subclinical laminitis is a multifactorial diseasethat involves a complex interaction between nutrition andmanagement. Feeding management, proper design of facilitiesand routine trimming seems to prevent subclinical laminitis ispredisposed for more serious lesions in Esfahan mouflons.