Copper Deficiency in Dairy Goats and Kids

    January 2022 in “ Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ”
    Valdir M. Almeida, Telma de Sousa Lima, Givaldo B. Silva Filho, Hisadora A.S.C. Bom, Silvio Miguel Castillo Fonseca, Joaquim Evêncio‐Neto, Francisco de Assis Leite Souza, Franklin Riet‐Correa, Fábio S. Mendonça
    TLDR Copper deficiency in goats and kids caused health and reproductive problems due to excess iron intake.
    The study described an outbreak of copper deficiency in dairy goats and kids in Pernambuco, Brazil, highlighting clinical, pathological, and reproductive issues. Ten adult goats and four kids with symptoms were examined, revealing low copper and high iron serum levels. Affected goats showed signs like anemia, emaciation, and alopecia, while reproductive issues included prolonged anestrus and retained placenta. Kids exhibited weakness and ataxia. Necropsies showed small ovaries with reduced viable follicles in goats and neuronal damage in kids. The study suggested that excess iron intake without proper mineral supplementation might have contributed to the copper deficiency.
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