Abstract
In the present study, a pathomorphological diagnosis ofsarcocystosis in sheep slaughtered between January and March 2025 was conducted under the conditions of East Kazakhstan, including the Abai region. The study material consisted of 25 sheep carcasses aged 1 to 4 years, originating from private farms where animals had previously shown signs of emaciation, reduced productivity, and clinical manifestations of chronic parasitic infection. The investigation included macroscopic evaluation of striated musculature, compressor (squash) microscopy, histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and morphometric analysis of the identified sarcocysts. Macrocysts of Sarcocystis spp. were detected in 18% of animals, predominantly in the muscles of the tongue, diaphragm, and esophagus. The compressor technique proved highly effective in revealing oval-elongated, spindle-shaped, and cylindrical intramuscular cysts, even in the absence of visible macroscopic changes. Histologically, moderate inflammatory reactions were observed in the surrounding tissue, including signs of myositis, muscle fiber destruction, and lymphohistiocytic infiltration around the sarcocysts. The findings confirm a high prevalence of ovine sarcocystosis in the region and emphasize the importance of a comprehensive morphological diagnostic approach. Such methods are essential for ensuring both veterinary control and food safety in the production of meat from small ruminants