Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Dorper Sheep: Case Report

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a rare condition in sheep, characterized by insulin deficiency and consequent hyperglycemia. This report describes a 3-year-old, 57 kg, male Dorper sheep presenting with progressive weight loss, hyporexia, polyuria and jaundice. The diagnosis of DM was confirmed through a glucose tolerance test. Insulin treatment proved challenging in terms of both economic viability and management, leading to the euthanasia of the animal. Necropsy revealed multifocal granulomatous inflammation in the pancreas and the presence of trematode eggs compatible with Eurytrema spp. within the pancreatic ducts. Although no direct causal relationship could be established, these findings suggest a potential link between parasitic lesions and pancreatic endocrine dysfunction. This case emphasizes the diagnostic value of the glycemic curve, the complexity of managing Diabetes Mellitus in production animals, and highlights the importance of further studies on pancreatic parasitoses in small ruminants.