Are Sheep and Goat Animals Relatively More Tolerant to Fluorosis? - Abstract
Fluorosis disease in domestic animals is a worldwide health problem and is endemic in areas where fluoride is found in the environment, such as in water, soil, food, and air. Fluoride-related disease in animals is usually caused by consumption of vegetation and water contaminated with fluoride. Fluorosis, caused by prolonged exposure to fluoride, is found not only in various species of wild and domestic animals but also in humans. Clinically, the disease is characterized by tooth and bone lesions that are permanent and irreversible and easily visible. In its severe form, bone lesions eventually cause severe pain and develop lameness that may persist
throughout the animal’s life. Endemic fluorosis in different species of domestic animals, such as water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), cattle (Bos taurus), horses (Equus caballus), donkeys (E. asinus), dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius), sheep (Ovis aries), and goats (Capra hircus) living different geographical provinces has been well documented. To determine which species have more and less tolerance to fluorosis, comparative studies will be needed in these animals living in areas with approximately similar fluoride exposure or in areas with approximately similar fluoride levels in drinking water sources. Recent studies conducted on these animals living in areas where fluoride levels in drinking water sources are almost uniform have reported variations in the prevalence and severity of fluorosis among these animal species. Among these domestic animals, the lowest prevalence and severity of fluorosis was observed in sheep and goats living in areas with low and high fluoride levels in drinking water sources. This may be because these ruminants have greater tolerance or less susceptibility to fluorosis than their counterparts. However, more solid research is needed in different species of animals to unanimously accept or prove it. Current communications focus on the diverse factors or determinants responsible for high tolerance to fluorosis in small ruminants, sheep and goats. Along with this, the research gaps are also highlighted for the researchers to do some advance research work on fluorosis in different species of domestic animals.