Listeriosis and Polio (polioencephalomalacia) share many of the same symptoms. Its best to treat for both when you suspect one or the other...Listeriosis can be Zoonotic. Please wear gloves when handling the animal and animal waste ect..keep isolated from other animals.
Polio
“Because of the brain’s reliance on thiamine, the central nervous system is affected and symptoms such as staggering, muscle tremors, apparent blindness and/or other eye abnormalities, and odd-posturing can be seen. In severe cases, animals will be lying on their sides with their heads pulled back and rigid limbs. Seizures, coma and eventually death in 1-2 days follow if treatment is not given”
Listeriosis also known as circling disease
“Listeriosis is most prevalent during spring and winter months, which suggests that the prevalence of L. monocytogenes on ruminant farms is seasonal. Listeriosis in goats is transmitted via the oral-fecal route, usually when animals ingest contaminated water or feed, or by fecal shedding of L. monocytogenes. Infection can also occur by inhalation. Infected animals could die if improperly treated.”
There are two forms of Listeriosis
Encephalitic form: Characterized by encephalitis or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain). This form contributes to the highest mortality rate. The bacterium enters the body through an opening in the mucosa of the oral cavity and migrates to the brain where it multiplies and causes inflammation. Early clinical signs are depression, decreased appetite, www.aces.edu/urban Your Experts for Life decreased milk production, and fever. Signs progress to neuromuscular incoordination where animals circle in the same direction. Other progressive signs include seizures, facial nerve paralysis (on one side), ear droop, salivation, lack jaw, impaired swelling, and death. This form is most common.
Septicemic form: The bacteria enter through the mouth and reach the bloodstream where they multiply and spread to other organs. In this form of the disease, diarrhea, abortion, and death are frequent. This form seems to be most prevalent in monogastric (humans, swine) species of all ages.
Treatment
Thiamine , 500 mg of thiamine is needed with dealing with polio/listeriosis
500 MG thiamine is 1 cc regardless of weight
250 mg thiamine is 2 cc regardless of weight..
100 mg/ml thiamine 5 cc regardless of weight
First shot IM all others can be SubQ every 4-6 hours on a 24 hour clock
Penicillin
procaine penicillin (300,000 International Units)
10 cc per 100# sub q every 4-6 hours on a 24 hour clock...
Dexamethasone is best, but will cause abortion in pregnant animals...
Banamine maybe used in bred does or if Dex is unavailable..
Per Tennessee Meat goats article on Dex, use in the following way
“Dexamethasone dosage is 6 cc per 100 pounds bodyweight given IM in decreasing amounts daily. Example: Goat is 100 pounds liveweight. Dosage is 6 cc into the muscle on Day One, 5 cc IM on Day Two, 4 cc IM on Day Three, 3 cc IM on Day Four, 2 cc IM on Day Five, one cc IM on Day Six, nothing on Day Seven. If the goat is over 100 pounds, drop dosages daily in increments of two or three cc's. Example: Dose a 200 pound goat at 12 cc IM on Day One, 10 cc IM on Day Two, 8 cc IM on Day Three, 6 cc IM on Day Four, 4 cc IM on Day Five, 2 cc IM on Day Six, 1 cc IM on Day Seven, nothing on Day Eight. Dexamethasone must be tapered off rather than stopped abruptly. I would be reluctant to use Dexamethasone on young kids six months of age or less except under the direction of my veterinarian.”
-OR-
Banamine is 1 cc per 100# sub Q once daily for 3 days..then assess case by case. Treatment needs to be done for a full 24 hours after all symptoms disappear. I would not stop treatment cold turkey but taper it off by reducing frequency of medication..ex: go to every 8 hours a few days, then every 12 hours a few days, then once a day for a few days....its harder to treat a relapse, so go slow...I know its hard to inject a goat so many times..we feel bad..but keep in mind its to save their life.
Vitamin C is a good addition to any long term treatment.
Be sure the goat is getting plenty of food and fluids. You may need to feed a smoothy of nutrients, tube or give IV fluids..but must keep up the goats strength with food and fluids..
If the goat is down, move the goats often, from side to side, massage muscles..make a sling to get her up for a few supervised hours then down a bit to rest, repeat..keeping the body active even with help with serve the goat well once recovered. loss muscle is hard to regain. NEVER allow the goat to lay flat on he side...prop her up with hay bales, bl0cks or what every you have.
Once you have the goat well on her way in treatment, check your grounds for mold or other causes for polio/listeriosis
Polio
“Because of the brain’s reliance on thiamine, the central nervous system is affected and symptoms such as staggering, muscle tremors, apparent blindness and/or other eye abnormalities, and odd-posturing can be seen. In severe cases, animals will be lying on their sides with their heads pulled back and rigid limbs. Seizures, coma and eventually death in 1-2 days follow if treatment is not given”
Listeriosis also known as circling disease
“Listeriosis is most prevalent during spring and winter months, which suggests that the prevalence of L. monocytogenes on ruminant farms is seasonal. Listeriosis in goats is transmitted via the oral-fecal route, usually when animals ingest contaminated water or feed, or by fecal shedding of L. monocytogenes. Infection can also occur by inhalation. Infected animals could die if improperly treated.”
There are two forms of Listeriosis
Encephalitic form: Characterized by encephalitis or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain). This form contributes to the highest mortality rate. The bacterium enters the body through an opening in the mucosa of the oral cavity and migrates to the brain where it multiplies and causes inflammation. Early clinical signs are depression, decreased appetite, www.aces.edu/urban Your Experts for Life decreased milk production, and fever. Signs progress to neuromuscular incoordination where animals circle in the same direction. Other progressive signs include seizures, facial nerve paralysis (on one side), ear droop, salivation, lack jaw, impaired swelling, and death. This form is most common.
Septicemic form: The bacteria enter through the mouth and reach the bloodstream where they multiply and spread to other organs. In this form of the disease, diarrhea, abortion, and death are frequent. This form seems to be most prevalent in monogastric (humans, swine) species of all ages.
Treatment
Thiamine , 500 mg of thiamine is needed with dealing with polio/listeriosis
500 MG thiamine is 1 cc regardless of weight
250 mg thiamine is 2 cc regardless of weight..
100 mg/ml thiamine 5 cc regardless of weight
First shot IM all others can be SubQ every 4-6 hours on a 24 hour clock
Penicillin
procaine penicillin (300,000 International Units)
10 cc per 100# sub q every 4-6 hours on a 24 hour clock...
Dexamethasone is best, but will cause abortion in pregnant animals...
Banamine maybe used in bred does or if Dex is unavailable..
Per Tennessee Meat goats article on Dex, use in the following way
“Dexamethasone dosage is 6 cc per 100 pounds bodyweight given IM in decreasing amounts daily. Example: Goat is 100 pounds liveweight. Dosage is 6 cc into the muscle on Day One, 5 cc IM on Day Two, 4 cc IM on Day Three, 3 cc IM on Day Four, 2 cc IM on Day Five, one cc IM on Day Six, nothing on Day Seven. If the goat is over 100 pounds, drop dosages daily in increments of two or three cc's. Example: Dose a 200 pound goat at 12 cc IM on Day One, 10 cc IM on Day Two, 8 cc IM on Day Three, 6 cc IM on Day Four, 4 cc IM on Day Five, 2 cc IM on Day Six, 1 cc IM on Day Seven, nothing on Day Eight. Dexamethasone must be tapered off rather than stopped abruptly. I would be reluctant to use Dexamethasone on young kids six months of age or less except under the direction of my veterinarian.”
-OR-
Banamine is 1 cc per 100# sub Q once daily for 3 days..then assess case by case. Treatment needs to be done for a full 24 hours after all symptoms disappear. I would not stop treatment cold turkey but taper it off by reducing frequency of medication..ex: go to every 8 hours a few days, then every 12 hours a few days, then once a day for a few days....its harder to treat a relapse, so go slow...I know its hard to inject a goat so many times..we feel bad..but keep in mind its to save their life.
Vitamin C is a good addition to any long term treatment.
Be sure the goat is getting plenty of food and fluids. You may need to feed a smoothy of nutrients, tube or give IV fluids..but must keep up the goats strength with food and fluids..
If the goat is down, move the goats often, from side to side, massage muscles..make a sling to get her up for a few supervised hours then down a bit to rest, repeat..keeping the body active even with help with serve the goat well once recovered. loss muscle is hard to regain. NEVER allow the goat to lay flat on he side...prop her up with hay bales, bl0cks or what every you have.
Once you have the goat well on her way in treatment, check your grounds for mold or other causes for polio/listeriosis