Review

Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing

Volume: 15 Number: 3 September 28, 2026
EN TR

Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing

Abstract

Sheep production in Türkiye is predominantly conducted under extensive farming systems where weighing scales are often unavailable. This limitation frequently leads to empirical drug dosing in Veterinary Internal Medicine, increasing the risk of both therapeutic failure due to underdosing and systemic toxicity due to overdosing. This study evaluates the role of morphometric measurements (heart girth, body length, and withers height) in predicting live weight, with a focus on clinical risk management and rational pharmacotherapy. Previous biometric studies in Karya sheep have demonstrated that age significantly influences morphometric growth patterns, characterized by a rapid growth phase between 2–4 years and a plateau after 5 years, with heart girth being the most reliable independent predictor of live weight. From a pathophysiological perspective, accurate weight estimation is critical in conditions such as ketosis, hepatic lipidosis, and acute ruminal acidosis, where dosing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and fluid therapy is strictly weight-dependent. Inaccurate weight estimation in animals with compromised hepatic function may result in reduced drug clearance, leading to prolonged half-life, coagulation disorders, and fatal gastrointestinal complications. Therefore, morphometric standardization should be considered not merely a zootechnical tool but a clinical decision-support system that reduces empirical bias and subclinical toxicity in field conditions. Integration of these models into mobile applications and digital imaging systems may ultimately eliminate empirical dosing practices in veterinary field medicine.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

September 28, 2026

Submission Date

July 14, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 3

APA
Turgut, S. (2026). Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing. Animal Health Production and Hygiene, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1994349
AMA
1.Turgut S. Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026;15(3). doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1994349
Chicago
Turgut, Sedat. 2026. “Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15 (3). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1994349.
EndNote
Turgut S (September 1, 2026) Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15 3
IEEE
[1]S. Turgut, “Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing”, Animal Health, Prod and Hyg, vol. 15, no. 3, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.53913/aduveterinary.1994349.
ISNAD
Turgut, Sedat. “Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15/3 (September 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1994349.
JAMA
1.Turgut S. Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026;15. doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1994349.
MLA
Turgut, Sedat. “Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene, vol. 15, no. 3, Sept. 2026, doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1994349.
Vancouver
1.Sedat Turgut. Clinical Value of Morphometric Measurements in Sheep: From Live Body Weight Estimation to Rational and Safe Drug Dosing. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026 Sep. 1;15(3). doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1994349