Goitre in new-born lambs

Abstract

Extract In New Zealand, goitre in calves and lambs was first described by Gilruth ( 1901 Gilruth, J. A. 1901. Ann. Rep. Dep. Agric. N.Z., : 214–216. [Google Scholar] ). Since that time, experience has shown that, although goitrous adult horses, cattle, and sheep are sometimes found, the most serious effect is upon new-born lambs. Thyroid glands are often grossly enlarged, and many lambs may be born dead or die within a few days. A feature of the disease is that it does not recur regularly from year to year. Serious outbreaks with heavy mortalities can occur on farms having little or no previous history of goitre.