This study reports seven rare cases of non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep.
The sheep were slaughtered in abattoirs of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
but originated from India, Iran, Oman and Sudan. The prevalence of infection
with non-cerebral coenurosis was 0.008%. The locations of the cysts were
the triceps brachii muscle, the diaphragm, the infraspinatus muscle of the
shoulder, the muscles of the thigh and the abdomen, and the ommentum.
The Coenurus cysts were surrounded by a fibrous, semi-opaque membrane,
cloudy white in colour. Altogether, 12 cysts were recovered and all contained a
single bladderworm. Cysts had a volume of 7.3 ^ 1.30 cm3 (ml), with 7.3 ^ 4.0
clusters of scolices, and an average number of scolices 75.3 ^ 24.4. These
features in sheep were similar to those reported for non-cerebral Coenurus cysts
in goats. No cysts were found in the brain or spinal cord of any of the infected
sheep. No clinical evidence of non-cerebral coenurosis had been recorded during
the antemortem veterinary inspection of the infected sheep.