A Case of Concurrent Molybdenosis, Secondary Copper, Cobalt and Selenium Deficiency in a Small Sheep Herd in Northern Germany.

To the author's knowledge this paper describes the first proven report of a combined primary molybdenosis, secondary copper (Cu) deficiency, Ovine White Liver Disease-Cobalt (Co) deficiency, and selenium (Se) deficiency in a small pedigree herd of White Horned Heath sheep in Germany (8 ewes, 2 rams, 3 yearling ewes, 17 lambs) for decades. Clinical signs associated with these mineral deficiencies in a group of pastured ram lambs included emaciation, conjunctivitis, anaemia, growth retardation, discolouration of the wool and photodermatitis. Morbidities and mortalities arose in 4-6-month-old lambs despite intensive veterinary treatment in the summer of 2014 and 2015 ( = 13, 23% died).

[Painful procedures in small ruminants - castration of rams and bucks. - An overview].

The castration of farm animals is practiced routinely throughout the world and the procedure is subject to different levels of regulation in different countries. In Germany, painful procedures in animals are regulated by the animal welfare act. However, the indications for acceptable methods of lamb and kid castration are still under discussion.