A condition resembling ovine white liver disease in lambs

Authors: Clark RG, McKnight LJ, Cornforth IS, Jones BAH, Oliver J
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 26, Issue 12, pp 316, Dec 1978
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Cobalt/vitamin B12, Trace elements, Farm/farm management, Liver/hepatic disease, Water, Pasture/crop, Vitamins
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Ovine white liver disease (WLD) is a recognized entity in Northland and other partsofthe North Island. In Northland, the disease occurs sporadically as a flock problem, mainly in lambs, during the warmer time of the year. Affected animals may show a failure to thrive, sometimes with anaemia, photosensitivity and a pale, swollen, fatty liver with characteristic histological changes. The disease is often associated with low liver vitamin B₁₂ levels and intestinal nematode parasitism. It has been suspected that a fungal toxin may be involved. We now report a similar disease in lambs grazing irrigated pasture in the Morven area of South Canterbury during the summer of 1975-76…

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