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Story: Diseases of sheep, cattle and deer

Iodine deficiency in lambs

Iodine deficiency in lambs

Iodine deficiency or goitre characteristically causes a swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck. It could have been prevented by adding iodine to the diet of the pregnant ewe.

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Reference: D. M. West, A. N. Bruere and A. L. Ridler, The sheep: health, disease & production. Palmerston North: Veterinary Continuing Education, Massey University, 2002, fig

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How to cite this page

Gary Clark, Neville Grace and Ken Drew, Diseases of sheep, cattle and deer – Bush sickness and other mineral deficiency diseases, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/17538/iodine-deficiency-in-lambs (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Gary Clark, Neville Grace and Ken Drew, published 1 March 2009.

Comments

Vitthalrao B. Khyade
02 November 2016
Occasionally, the iodine requirements of sheep are not met in the natural diet and thus iodine supplements must be fed. Goitrogenic substances are found in many types of plants (eg, Brassica spp) and interfere with the use of iodine by the thyroid. Regions naturally deficient are found throughout the western USA, in the Great Lakes area, and in other parts of the world. A deficiency of iodine (manifested as goiter in the adult and as lack of wool and/or goiter in lambs) can be prevented by feeding stabilized iodized salt to pregnant ewes. The young of iodine-deficient ewes may be aborted, stillborn, or born with goiters. Diets containing iodine at 0.2%–0.8% ppm are usually sufficient, depending on the animals' level of production (maintenance/growth, lactation, etc).