Porcine neurology Flashcards
What are the most common signs of neuropathy seen in pigs?
- Paddling, twitching
- Head tilting, uncoordinated, circling, staggering, goose stepping
- Change in squeak
- Pigs depressed, lying down
- Anorexia
Outline a generic approach to neurological cases in pigs
- Thorough history
- Walk through farm and assess disease prevalence, assess staff, chek pen equipment, feed, water
- Clinical examination of pigs
- PM of 2 or 3 pigs
- Serum from 10 pigs
- Clinical assessment involving full clinical and neurological exam and lesion localisation
How will cerebral lesions present in pigs?
- Altered mental state
- Depression
- Stupor
- Hyperaesthesia
How will cerebeller lesions present in pigs?
- Intention tremor
- Dysmetria
- High stepping gait
In pigs, what is a common cause of spinal cord lesions?
Tail bite injuries
What do conscious responses on skin sensitivity tests indicate?
Spinal cord and peripheral sensory nerves are in tact
Discuss the use of the panniculus, pedal withdrawal and patellar reflex in neurological examination of pigs
- Panniculus: not very useful in older pigs
- Pedal withdrawal: exaggerated responses = UMN, reduced respond = LMN
- Patellar: only in sedated pigs
What are the main differentials for neurological disease in piglets?
- Bacterial meningitis (strep)
- Viral infections (Aujesky’s, CSF, Teschen etc.)
- Congenital tumours
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from heating devices
Outline the cause and presentation of congenital tumours in pigs
- Common as outbreaks, viral or genetic cause
- Shaking piglets
- Many recover with nursing
List the differentials for neurological disease in growing pigs
- Streptococcal meningitis
- Water deprivation
- Oedema disease
- Aujesky’s disease
- Teschen disease
- Poisonings e.g. lead, organophosphates
List rare causes for neurological disease in pigs
- Spinal abscesses
- Toxicities e.g. selenium
- Nutritional deficiency e.g. vit A, pantothenic acid
Describe the epidemiology of porcine streptococcal meninigitis
- Universal problem in pig farms
- Strep suis types 1, 2, 14 most associated with neurological presentation
- Strep also causes arthritis, serositis
- Most common diagnosis at PM
- Survives in farm surfaces
- Zoonotic (risk at PM)
Describe the transmission and prevalence of Streptococcus suis type 1
- Carried in tonsils of carrier sows and enters piglet’s body through tonsilar crypts
- Most common in piglets aged 10-14 days
Describe the clinical signs of Streptpcoccus suis type 1 meningitis
- Pyrexia
- Sudden death
- Swollen joints
- Recumbency
- Convulsions
- Nystagmus
Outline the diagnosis of Streptococcus suis type 1
- Clinical signs and culture from PM
- If joints affected can culture from joint fluid
- On PM, may see small amounts of pus in meninges but few other lesions, confirm diagnosis by histology and bacteriology
Describe the treatment of Streptococcus suis type 1, 2, 14
- 3-5d penicillin or TMS
- NSAIDs
- Prognosis poor if meningitis, consider euthanasia
Describe the control of Streptococcus suis type 1
- Hygiene of farrowign accomodation (all in all out management, cleaning between litters)
- Prophylactic antibiotics poor choice
- Depopulation in severe outbreaks
How can Streptococcus suis type 2 and 14 spread to humans?
Via abrasions/oropharynx
Outline the occurrence of Streptococcus suis type 2 and 14
Usually growing pigs 3-7 days after stresses e.g. moving groups