Polio or Listeriosis? Signs and Treatment!

Because of the increase of members dealing with Polio or Listeriosis I have decided to post some general info about both diseases along with symptoms and treatments for each, for reference in an emergency. Please use this information at your own discretion. I have tried to find as much accurate info as possible. Please consult your veterinarian when possible about your own goats individual needs and treatments.

Polioencephalomalacia(Polio)-
Signs and symptoms- Stargazing, Weaving, staggering, diarrhea, muscle tremors, twitching or bouncing eyes, head bent back over body, circling, blindness

Treatment- Thiamine ASAP. 10mg/2.2lbs of body weight every six hours for 24 hours. The first dose of thiamine should be IV if possible.

Polio is caused by a thiamine deficiency which can be brought on because of feeding moldy grain or hay. Or by feeding too much grain and not enough hay. It can also be brought on by stress or anything that would interrupt normal rumen flora. Thiamine is produced in the rumen, so once the rumen is compromised and isn’t making enough thiamine things just spiral downhill. Kids are more susceptible to polio than adults.

Because this is a deficiency of a vitamin it is NOT contagious.

Listeriosis-
Signs and symptoms- Depression, fever, staggering, facial paralysis on one side, drooling, abortions, blindness.

Treatment- HIGH doses of Pen G every 6 hours until all symptoms has disappeared. 1cc per 10-20lbs. Higher than normal dosages of Pen g are needed to cross the blood brain barrier. Dexamethasone can also be given to reduce brain swelling. Please consult your vet on the dosage of Dex and please be aware that dex will abort kids.

Listeriosis can be brought on by feeding silage, parasites, weather changes and abrupt changes in feed. All of these things change the PH of the rumen which makes the goat more susceptible to the disease. This bacteria does not do well in an acidic environment, so when the PH of the rumen turns towards a base the bacteria can grow.

Listeriosis is a bacteria that can live pretty much anywhere and invades the brain and brain stem. Adult goats are more likely to come down with listeriosis.

Since this is a bacteria it CAN be contagious.

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As you can see both Listeriosis and Polio have a lot of the same symptoms. Tests are available to figure out which your goat has, but by the time you got results back the goat would be dead. So it is advisable to treat for both when in doubt.

 

The temp thing is not entirely true, if they go into septic shock from Listeriosis then they would not have a temp.

 

Thiamine is B1 usually comes in a 200mg/ml bottle. Needs to be injected IV, IM, or SQ This medicine needs a script.

B-complex injectable solution. Has multiple b vitamins in it and depending on the bottle differn't concentrations of b1(Thiamine). Some are 12.5mg/ml and others are 100mg/ml. It is preferable to have the 100mg/ml bottle. This is also given IV, IM or SQ. This should be available at your local grain store.

For thiamine and b-complex it is important to give the first dosage IV if possible when you are treating for polio.

Pen G is procaine Penicillin. There are several differn't names. What the label should read for active ingredients is 300000 units of Penicillin G Procaine per ml. This medicine is IM or SQ ONLY. Do not give it IV or you could kill your goat. This should be available at your local grain store.

Dexamethasone should only be used by someone experienced in it's administration and only under a vets supervision. Your vet will give you the correct dosages if it is needed. It is an injectable and needs a script.