Prevalence of Subclinical Ketosis and Evaluation of Clinical Findings in Sheep from the Şanlıurfa Province: Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical ketosis in Ivesi sheep in the Şanlıurfa province. Material and Methods: A total of 122 Ivesi sheep were selected using the flock sampling method from 7 different farms in the region. Following clinical examinations and body condition scoring (BCS), blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) levels were measured. Blood BHBA concentrations between 0.5 mmol/L and 1.6 mmol/L were classified as indicative of subclinical ketosis, levels between 1.6 mmol/L and 7 mmol/L as clinical ketosis, and values below 0.5 mmol/L as normal. Results: The results revealed a subclinical ketosis prevalence of 82.8%. In terms of clinical findings, a statistically significant increase in heart rate (p<0.05) and BCS (p<0.01) was observed in sheep with subclinical ketosis compared to healthy ones. Based on correlation analyses of intergroup differences, a strong negative correlation was found between pregnancy and lactation (r=-0.787), while moderate positive correlations were identified between pregnancy and BCS (r=0.376), and between pregnancy and BHBA levels (r=0.353). Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings indicate that the prevalence of subclinical ketosis in ewes is significantly higher than reported in previous studies. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to reduce the incidence of subclinical ketosis. In this context, the development of region-specific feeding programs and increased awareness among producers are of critical and immediate importance.