Goitre and Iodine DeficiencyAgdex 400/652
A goitre can be detected as a swelling in the neck by passing the thumb and finger down the windpipe starting just below the throat. In severe cases the enlargement can actually be seen as a swelling in the neck. However, goitre should not be confused with a swelling of the head in newborn animals that results from dystocia, a prolonged or difficult birth.
Congenital goitre occurs most commonly in lambs, less frequently in calves and very occasionally in foals, fawns or piglets. Goat kids are particularly susceptible.
Lambs may be stillborn or weak at birth because of iodine deficiency yet show no visible enlargement of their thyroid gland. Newborn lambs with normal thyroid activity are better able to survive cold wet conditions. A mild deficiency of iodine, causing minimal outward signs of goitre, could be a major contributing cause of young lamb deaths.
Stock owners are urged to submit dead lambs for veterinary examination or to seek veterinary advice when lamb losses are high even if bad weather seems to be the cause.
When pasture is lush and plentiful after a good growing season do not run pregnant stock on these pastures at low stocking rates. In good seasons iodine dosing is a wise precaution in known goitre areas.
Sodium iodate is more stable in salt mixtures but, as with all licks, not all animals in a herd or flock will use them.
Painting the teats of sows, ewes, goats and cows with tincture of iodine or an iodophor teat dip once each day for a fortnight, will allow the suckling young to obtain enough iodine to limit development of most goitres.
Remember that a deficiency of iodine, causing a lack of thyroid hormone, can contribute to deaths of newborn young even though there is no visible swelling of the thyroid gland to suggest an iodine deficiency.
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