Indian Journal of Small Ruminants (The)

The present study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of fluoride toxicity in goats from Purulia district of West Bengal. A total of 109 Black Bengal goats were randomly selected from Balakdih and Akhara villages with high (6.45 mg/L) and low (0.32 mg/L) levels of fluoride in ground water respectively. Animals were clinically examined for teeth and skeletal systems. It was revealed that prevalence of fluoride toxicity (dental mottling and skeletal deformities) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in goats from Balakdih village (88.7%) where fluoride level in ground water was above the permissible limit. In the present study, dental form of fluorosis (65%) was the most common disorder. Older goats (>3 years of age) were significantly (P<0.01) more affected than the younger ones. The present study confirms the prevalence of fluoride toxicity in goats from Purulia district of West Bengal and recommends for safer options of drinking water for the animals.