Archives of Current Research International

Background: Goitre can affect all domestic mammals, birds, and other vertebrates; it is most commonly reported in goat kids, particularly in endemic areas. The pathogenesis of goitre involves multiple etiological factors, including primary iodine deficiency, secondary goitrogen exposure, excessive dietary iodine, and, rarely, inherited enzymatic defects affecting thyroid hormone synthesis.

Aim: The present study was conducted to determine the incidence, clinical features, diagnostic findings, and therapeutic response of congenital goitre in goats.

Study Design: The goats that were presented to C.V.Sc, Rjendranagar and referred from various dispensaries in and around Hyderabad with swelling at ventral neck formed the material for the study. The incidence of goitre based on breed, age and gender was analyzed.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in goat populations presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, from April 2024 to April 2025.

Methodology: A total of 1,762 goats were screened for thyroid enlargement. Clinical examination, fine needle aspiration, haematological and serum biochemical analyses, thyroid hormone assays (T₃, T₄, and TSH), radiography, ultrasonography, and histopathology were performed in affected animals. Goitrous kids were treated with sodium levothyroxine (20 µg/kg body weight orally, once daily) and potassium iodide (0.2 mg/kg body weight orally, once daily) for 10 days, and the therapeutic response was evaluated.

Results: Out of 1,762 goats examined, 18 were found to be affected with congenital goitre, yielding an incidence of 1.02%. The condition was more frequent in males (61.11%) and in goats below 6 months of age (66.67%). Breed-wise, Malabari goats showed the highest occurrence (38.89%). Clinically, all affected animals exhibited bilateral thyroid enlargement, with common signs including failure to thrive (61.11%), dyspnea (50%), weakness (38.89%), sparse hair coat (33.33%), alopecia (27.78%), and myxedema (5.55%). Haematology revealed significantly lower haemoglobin and erythrocyte counts, while serum cholesterol levels were significantly elevated. Thyroid function tests showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum T₃ and T₄ with elevated TSH levels, indicating hypothyroidism. Radiographs revealed increased soft tissue opacity in the ventral neck, and ultrasonography demonstrated bilateral thyroid enlargement with heterogeneous echotexture, hypoechoic areas, and increased vascularity. Histopathology confirmed hyperplastic changes with multilayered follicular epithelium, colloid depletion, papillary projections, and hyperchromatic columnar cells. Therapeutic management with levothyroxine and potassium iodide resulted in marked clinical and hormonal improvement in 16 out of 18 (88.89%) treated animals.

Conclusion: Congenital goitre in goats is primarily associated with iodine deficiency leading to hypothyroidism. Comprehensive diagnosis based on clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings along with histopathology is essential for confirmation. Combined therapy with sodium levothyroxine and potassium iodide proved effective in restoring thyroid function and reversing clinical signs in the majority of affected goats.