Bovine Flash Notes - Polioencephalomalacia Flashcards
what is the classic presentation of a ruminant with polioencephalomalacia?
fast growing calf or lamb, neurologic signs, blind/staggering/down
what is the presumed pathogenesis of polioencephalomalacia?
poorly understood nutritional disease of ruminants - thought to be associated with altered thiamine status and/or high sulfur intake
what clinical signs are often seen in ruminants with polioencephalomalacia?
bilaterally symmetric clinical signs of cerebral dysfunction especially in calves/kids/lambs - staggering, recumbent, opisthotnos, cortical blindness, & pathognomic dorsomedial strabismus
how is polioencephalomalacia diagnosed?
clinical signs & history of diet change, poor pasture, or other disease causing anorexia, dorsomedial strabismus, rotten egg smell in rumen gases with high sulfur, & response to treatment with vitamin B1
response to treatment with what is suggestive of a diagnosis of polioencephalomalacia?
B1 (thiamine) treatment
what neurologic sign is pathognomic for polioencephalomalacia in ruminants?
dorsomedial strabismus
how is polioencephalomalacia treated?
THIAMINE!!!! vitamin B1: 10-20mg/kg TID dosing, first IV, then IM, then SQ - continue for days past improvement
what is the prognosis of early stage polioencephalomalacia? what is the last clinical sign to disappear?
reversible with early treatment - blindness is the last sign to disappear
what is the prognosis of advanced/prolonged cases of polioencephalomalacia? why?
grave prognosis - permanent brain damage is possible
what is the treatment of choice for an afebrile, recumbent, blind, sheep suspected of having polioencephalomalacia? what route is the treatment given? how long do you give it?
thiamine (vitamine B1): 10-20mg/kg TID dosing - initial dose IV, then IM, then SC - continue vitamin B1 for days past improvement!!!
what are two key etiologies thought to be most commonly associated with development of polioencephalomalacia in ruminants?
altered thiamine status and/or high sulfur intake
