Nutritional Disorders in Sheep & Goats (Polioencephalomalacia)
DR.ASHOK KUMAR VALUPADASU
Deputy Director ( V&AH) Telangana
8500404016 / sathya0grazing@gmail.com
Thiamine (B-1), a water soluble B-Complex Vitamin is normally produced by bacteria in Rumen, if well balanced Roughage diets are offered.
Thiamine deficiency reduces energy availability to the brain, which leads to a type of brain degeneration called Polioencephalomalacia ( PEM )
PEM is known as Cerebro Cortical Necrosis (CCN) also
PEM is relatively a common nutritional disorder in Sheep and Goats.
Though all ages of S/G are affected, most common in young lambs and kids transitioning from milk to solid diet, and especially in those fed a high-grain diet.
PEM outbreaks are sporadic
As it is nutritional, there is no season for OB
Mortality may be upto 10% of affected
Death may occur 2-6 days after onset of symptoms
Rarely may find sudden deaths within 12 hours
Causes: Low Roughage diets & High Grain diets
Signs of disorder :
Looks nervous and exaggerated
Difficult to handle
Muscle twitching
Holding the head abnormally high
High-stepping gait
Blindness
Head pressing (the animal stands with its head pushed up against a solid object)
lying down
seizures
Paddling ( legs thrashing back and forth on the ground )
Drawing the head back stiffly so it is pressed against the spine
unilateral (uneven) Ear droop
Pupils dilated & Nystagmus may be seen
Tearing of Eyes
Death, if unattended
Confirmation : 1. Microscopic examination a dead animal’s brain.
- Measuring levels of thiamine in the blood
Differential Diagnosis : from listeriosis and ketosis.
Treatment : If treated in the early stages with Thiamine Injection @ 10 mg per Kg Bwt , may respond within six hours, but may take up to 48 hours for full recovery. Along with B-1, anti-inflammatory drugs shall be used to reduce brain inflammation Treatment needs to be repeated three times a day for up to five treatments May recover even if attended late, but may be left with nervous problems including blindness.
Prevention :
1. Adults @ Providing Roughages not less than 55% in daily Ration 2. Lambs / Kids @ finishing diets should contain not less than 15 % dietary Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF)
