RESUMO
This investigation was conducted on 13 lambs [2-4 months of age] and 17 adult sheep [3-5 years of age]. Out of them, 8 lambs and 12 adults showed alopecia with varying severity, wool abnormalities and emaciation. No ectoparasites were detected in any of the examined skin scrapings. A hematological picture revealed normocytic normochromic anemia in the clinically affected animals. Serum zinc levels were severely decreased in clinically affected animals. Furthermore, serum cobalt concentrations recorded lower levels than normal in both affected and non-affected herd mates. Serum copper and iron concentrations were nonsignificantly changed. Hyperkeratosis and moderate to serve acanthosis were histopathologically observed in affected adults, while mild hyperkeratosis with degeneration of the matrix cells and atrophy of the dermal papillae of the wool follicles were prominent in young lambs. The clinical signs disappeared within 21 days of treatment by trace element and vitamins mixture