Polioencephalomalacia in Small Ruminants

Question 1

What is the main cause of polioencephalomalacia in ruminats?

Answer 1

Thiamine deficiency

Question 2

What feed predisposes a ruminant to polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 2

High concentrate diets, corn/sugar cane byproducts, high grain intake

Question 3

What are clinical signs of acute polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 3

Blindness, seizures, recumbency

Question 4

What are initial clinical signs of subacute polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 4

Decr. appetite, ear/face twitching, separation from herd, staggering

Question 5

What are later clinical signs of subacute polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 5

Cortical blindness, head pressing, teeth grinding

Question 6

How do you dx polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 6

Clinical presentation, blood thiamine levels

Question 7

What enzyme activity can you measure to assess thiamine?

Answer 7

Transketolase activity

Question 8

What are post-mortem findings assoc. w/polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 8

Gyral flattening, brain swelling, brain tissue fluoresce under UV light

Question 9

How do you tx polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 9

Thiamine 10-20mg/kg IM

Question 10

How do you treat cerebral edema assoc. w/polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 10

1-2mg/kg dexamethasone