Elevated temperature predisposes to impacted oil gland in sheep

Abstract

Impacted oil gland is one of the commonest problems which cause transient lameness in sheep. The inter-digital oil gland is normal structure of sheep feet, sheep farming has an economic importance around the world, therefore it's very important to consider sheep welfare in order to develop sheep husbandry. One of the common issues that faces sheep welfare is lameness, sheep lameness is very common around the world with variety of causes which include foot root, foot injury and impacted oil gland. Foot root is very rare in southern Libya as the climate in sub-Saharan area is dry, however impacted oil gland is one of the major causes of lameness in southern Libya, this study has speculated that the occurrence of impacted oil gland in sheep is correlated with increased climate temperature. Despite impacted oil gland causes lameness in animal, it has not had a bad effect on animal health as foot root and spontaneous recovery was observed within few days. Squeezing and evacuation of the affected gland was enough for recovery of sheep from lameness without administration of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs within1-3 days. Good management including good sheltering and watering during hot seasons could reduce incidence of impacted oil gland in sheep.