Chronic copper toxicosis in sheep

Some spontaneous cases of chronic copper toxicosis, that occurred in ewes of about 3--4 years of age during the period 1974--1976, were investigated. The diagnosis based on clinical and pathoanatomical alterations was substantiated further by demonstration of considerably elevated copper and iron content in the liver andkidneys of the affected sheep. Texel being a heavy breed seems to have suffered most possibily on account of having ingested relatively high amount of copper by way of consuming much more food at one time as compared to sheep of mixed breed. Besides breed predisposition and other possible contributing factors like stress, the possibility of increased use of commercial feed with supplementary copper and concentrates in sheep ration resulting in high risks of cummulative poisoning is discussed.