Plasma constituents of "downer" sheep slaughtered at an abattoir

Haematocrit values and plasma glucose, calcium and magnesium concentrations were determined in blood samples collected at slaughter from 105 sheep that were prostrate, comatose, and unable to stand (downer sheep) on arrival at a Queensland meatworks. These values were compared to published normal concentration ranges of these plasma constituents and to values from blood samples taken from 107 apparently normal animals at slaughter. Eleven per cent of the "downer" sheep were considered hypocalcaemic, 13% showed varying degrees of hypoglycaemia and 22% were considered hyperglycaemic.