Goats are highly susceptible to copper toxicity from mineral supplementation products intended for sheep and cattle, causing acute haemolytic crises and death.
Goats experiencing copper toxicity haemolytic crisis suffer acutely from the rapid destruction of red blood cells causing anaemia, jaundice, and kidney failure. The sudden onset of crisis in animals that appeared healthy creates diagnostic challenges and limits treatment windows. The suffering during haemolytic crisis includes extreme weakness, laboured breathing, and rapid deterioration before death. Prevention through ensuring all mineral supplements, licks, and medicated feeds are appropriate for goats is entirely effective at preventing this welfare emergency.