Vertebral Absence in a Lamb with Vitamin A Deficiency

A single female lamb aged 2 days was submitted to the Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece as it was unable to stand. At clinical examination, the lamb was found alert and was in sternal recumbency. External palpation across the spinal column revealed absence of the dorsal vertebral bodies. Hematology and blood biochemical profile were within the normal limits, except for serum vitamin A level that was below the detectable limit. Postmortem examination revealed absence of cervical, thoracic (1st to 7th), lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae while the 8th -13th thoracic vertebrae with the corresponding ribs appeared normal. Abdominal dissection showed swelling and congestion of kidneys and liver. Abnormal malformations were not observed in the urogenital and gastro-intestinal system of the lamb, as well as concomitant soft tissue defects. Liver copper was within normal range while liver vitamin A levels were below the detectable level.