White liver disease in goats

Abstract

Three field cases of ill-thrift, hepatic lipodystrophy and low tissue levels of vitamin B₁₂ in young angora cross goats are reported. The cases meet the criteria for the diagnosis of white liver disease (WLD) described for sheep. The hypothesis that WLD is a metabolic consequence of cobalt/vit B₁₂ deficiency in sheep and goats on a diet rich in propionate is developed, together with possible reasons for its occurrence in these species but not in cattle or red deer.