The Department of Pathology at Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH UGM) collected blood samples from dairy goats owned by residents of Kayumas Village, Jatinom District, Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday (Oct. 14). The activity aimed to measure mineral levels in the animals’ blood and evaluate the use of Iodine-Rich Nutrition Blocks (Nubokai) as a supplement to support livestock health.
The sampling followed reports from farmers who had found cases of goiter in Etawah crossbred (PE) dairy goats. Residents had also reported cases of abortion, or miscarriage, among female goats.
“Farmers have found a disease in their dairy goats, specifically Etawa crossbred goats, known as goiter, which is caused by a deficiency in one of the minerals,” said Afif Muhammad Akrom, a veterinarian and lecturer in FKH UGM’s Department of Pathology, on Friday (Oct. 16).
To address these cases, Afif said his team collected blood samples from dairy goats belonging to local residents. He explained that the sampling would be conducted in two stages: before and after administering mineral blocks.
The initial examination aimed to establish baseline mineral levels, while the follow-up examination would take place after the animals had received the supplement for one to two months.
“Blood samples are collected to determine mineral levels before the mineral blocks are given. Blood will then be collected again after one to two months of supplementation to determine whether mineral levels have changed,” he explained.
In addition to testing mineral levels in the blood samples, other FKH UGM team members, Sugiyono and Yanuartono, provided Iodine-Rich Nutrition Blocks (Nubokai), a mineral supplement containing iodine. The supplement was provided because iodine levels in the area surrounding Kayumas Village may be low.
Iodine is an essential mineral that supports thyroid function. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate various metabolic processes and are also associated with hormonal balance in female animals.
“This nutrition block contains iodine because the soil in this area is suspected to be low in iodine. Iodine primarily supports thyroid function, which indirectly also affects hormonal balance in female animals. Therefore, it is provided as a supportive supplement,” explained Muhammad Baihaqi Prakuso, a member of the veterinary clinical rotation student team.
By collecting blood samples before and after Nubokai supplementation, the FKH UGM team aims to assess changes in the animals’ blood mineral levels. The test results are expected to help evaluate the animals’ condition and support efforts to address the health problems reported by farmers.
Afif hopes that this community service activity will mark the beginning of sustained collaboration between the village government and FKH UGM. Such collaboration would enable continued assistance and the development of livestock health interventions tailored to the community’s needs.
Author/Photo: M. Aidil Syahputra
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyananda