Changes in blood chemistry were examined in
vitamin B12 deficient lambs which developed ovine
white-liver disease (OWLD), and were compared with values of
cobalt/B12 supplemented lambs on the same pastures, as well as clinically healthy, but sometimes B12 deficient, lambs on other pastures (H). In the OWLD group, signs of hepatic damage were seen concurrently with reduction in
weight gain, or 1-3 weeks before, and comprised elevation of serum
glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and decrease of
phospholipid and
cholesterol. Drop of plasma
glucose and elevation of gamma GT also came in the earlier phase of the disease. All other blood changes developed later, and were partly regarded as reflections of the inappetence or hepatic injury. The changes included a drop in packed cell volume (PCV) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), elevation of serum
iron, and reduction of total
serum protein and
urea. Generally Co/B12 supplementation prevented hepatic damage and normalized blood values. The clinically healthy H lambs also showed signs of hepatic damage, especially one year when they were B12 deficient, indicating that simple B12 deficiency causes a moderate liver damage as well. For diagnostic purposes, clinical pathology is recommended mainly on a flock basis.