Intracranial lesions in the central nervous system in sheep and goats

Intracranial lesions in sheep and goats

The term “intracranial lesions” refers to any injury, inflammatory process, mass, or damage located within the skull—that is, in the brain, meninges, or cerebral blood vessels.

These lesions often cause significant neurological disorders due to pressure on sensitive tissues or direct impairment of their function.

Types of Central Intracranial Lesions

1) Brain Infections and Infections (Encephalitis / Meningitis)

Those that cause the formation of inflammatory lesions in the brain.

Common causes:

   •   Bacteria such as: Listeria monocytogenes, Pasteurella, Streptococcus

   •  Viruses (less common in sheep and goats)

   •  Ingress of contaminants through mouth, dental or gastrointestinal wounds

   •   Ingress through tetanus disease rarely

Signs:

   •   Head tilt

   •   Vertigo

   •  Depression

   •  Unsteadiness

   •  Partial or complete paralysis

2) Brain abscesses

Caused by bacterial infections that come through the blood or from nearby areas of inflammation.

Causes:

   •   Eye injuries

   •  Ear infections

   •  Throat/dental infections

   •  Infiltration from the sinus area

Signs:

   •  Ataxia (lack of coordination)

   •  Paralysis on one side of the body

   •  Behavioral changes

   •  Decreased appetite

3) Intracranial trauma

Includes brain hemorrhage, skull fractures, and damaged brain tissue.

Causes:

   •   Blows in fights between interfaces

   •   Falls

   •  Attack by predators

   •  Blow during handling or transfer

Signs:

   •  Loss of consciousness

   •   Spasms

   •   Cerebral edema

   •  Bleeding from the nose or ears

4) Brain tumors (Neoplasia)

Less common in sheep and goats, but do exist.

For example:

   •   Lymphoma

   •   Meningioma

   •   Neural tumors

Signs:

Slowly developing:

   •  Behavioral changes

   •   Weight loss

   •  Ataxia

   •   Visual disturbances

5) Parasitic lesions

Both in lambs/kids and adults.

Parasites for example:

   •   Coenurus cerebralis (“Gid” disease) — one of the best known lesions

Signs:

   •   Typical head deformity

   •  Walking in circles

   •   Loss of vision on one side

   •  Progressive damage over weeks

6) Vasculitis

Can cause local necrosis or bleeding.

Causes:

   •   Certain toxins

   •   Immune reactions

   •  Viral or bacterial diseases

Diagnosis

Diagnosis relies on a combination of:

   •   Full neurological examination

   •  Assessment of posture, reflexes and head orientation

   •  Blood tests (infections)

   •  Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aspiration

   •  Imaging:

     •  CT / MRI (in large suits or veterinary universities)

      •  Ultrasound through the fontanelle in young animals

   •  Autopsy in cases of death to obtain a definitive diagnosis

Prevention

Prevention depends on the type of lesion, but in general:

Listeria prevention

   •   Avoid feeding spoiled silage

   •   Storage of high-quality dry food

   •   Cleaning the abscess

Prevention of abscesses and infections

   •   Proper treatment of wounds

   •   Safe horn trimming

   •   Timely treatment of dental and ear diseases

   •   Vaccination according to the farm plan (e.g. tetanus, clostridia)

Prevention of parasites (Coenurosis)

   •   Control of dogs around the herd (they are the definitive host of the parasite)

   •  Deworming of dogs living near the herd

   •  Preventing eating placentas or heads of slaughtered animals

Trauma

   •  Reducing the burden on the herd

   •  Preventing fights between males

   •   Proper fences without dangerous protrusions

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.