Prevalence and possible causes of subcapsular liver rupture in dead, newborn lambs
Green, L.E.; Morgan, K.L.
Veterinary Record 135(14): 334-335
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7825274 Document Number: 434832
During a 2-year prospective study of diseases of early born, housed lambs from 3 flocks in south west England, 4413 lambs were born. 48 (1.1%) lambs died with subcapsular liver rupture (SLR); 50% of these had atelactic lungs. Of those that had breathed all died within 4 to 5 h of parturition. When lambs which died with SLR were compared with all births, lambs with SLR were lighter at birth, more likely to be triplets than singles or twins and more likely to have subcutaneous oedema of the neck. When SLR deaths were compared with other parturient deaths all these significant factors became non-significant. Possible risk factors for SLR are discussed.