DOWN GOAT! Today we will be discussing Polio in goats. Causes, symptoms and treatment.
Disclaimer: The information available in this video is intended for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitution for consulting a veterinarian or obtaining veterinary advice, diagnoses and/or treatment.
Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) has no relation to the Polio virus found in humans and can be successfully treated at first sign of symptoms.
Cause: The most common cause of Polio in ruminants is Thiamine (B1) deficiency. B1 is a water-soluble vitamin that is crucial in the role of glucose metabolism. The brain is a high consumer of energy, which comes from glucose. Any disruption in this process can quickly cause issues as the brain is the central command center. Sheep and goats get their thiamine not from cells, but from microbes within the rumen.
Most often Polio symptoms are seen in lambs and kids as they transition from milk to forage as it will often take time for their rumen microbiome to become established. Other things that can affect the production of thiamine is stress, change in diet, poor diet, sulfer-rich diets (grains from distilling), as well as thiamine robbing organisms like coccidia and it’s treatment.
Symptoms: Catching symptoms early directly correlates to how effective treatment will be. So knowing these signs could save your lamb or kids life! Since the brain is our highest consumer of glucose symptoms first materialize as neurological.
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- Droopy ear, head tilt
- Involuntary eye movement
- Blindness
- Dilated pupils
- Weak gait, inability to stand and seizures
- Advanced stages an animal will have the “death arch” to their head and neck
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Symptoms can be very similar to Listeriosis and early treatment is key Treatment: Since Thiamine treatment is rather benign, starting treatment at early symptoms is recommended. Having access to a vet to provide you with prescription Thiamine, Antibiotics, and pain/inflammation medication is ideal. But, if it’s a holiday weekend and a vet isn’t available (like what happened to me) there is a way to treat with over the counter medications as well. The following video will follow the timeline of symptoms and treatment course that I followed over a long holiday weekend.