Zinc Deficiency in Sheep and Goats: Three Field Cases

    June 1984 in “ Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association ”
    Dennis R. Nelson, William A. Wolff, Dennis J. Blodgett, B. Luecke, Rachel Ely, James F. Zachary
    TLDR Zinc supplements quickly improved health issues in sheep and goats.
    Zinc deficiency was identified in 2 flocks of sheep and a herd of goats, leading to symptoms such as alopecia, wool eating, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, abnormal hoof growth, and a closed stance with arched back and bowed hindlimbs. The animals also exhibited anorexia, depression, and foot soreness. These symptoms improved rapidly following zinc supplementation, with skin lesions healing and hair and wool growth resuming. The cause of the zinc deficiency was not determined.
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