A condition resembling ovine white liver disease in lambs on irrigated pasture in South Canterbury

Abstract

Extract

Sir,— Ovine white liver disease (WLD) is a recognized entity in Northland and other parts of the 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 h'stological 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 involved5.