Spinal cord problems in sheep and goats

Spinal Cord Problems in Sheep and Goats

Diseases and injuries to the spinal cord are more common than you might think, and can cause paralysis, weakness, difficulty walking, and changes in posture.

1. Trauma and external injuries

Causes:

   •   Kicking between animals

   •   Falls

   •   Injuries from pressure or trampling

   •   Entanglement in fences

Signs:

   •  Sudden posterior paralysis

   •  Inability to stand

   •  Severe pain in the spine

   •  Poor or absent reflexes

Diagnosis:

Neurology test + sensitivity along the back. Sometimes an X-ray.

Treatment:

Complete rest, anti-inflammatories, and rarely surgery (not common in the country).

2. Infectious diseases affecting the spinal cord

A. Listeriosis

Usually affects the brainstem, but in some cases spreads to the spinal cord.

Signs:

Dizziness, head tilt, partial paralysis.

B. Abscess / abscesses in the spinal cord

Especially following injuries or blood infections.

Signs:

   •  Worsening weakness

   •  Asymmetrical signs

   •  Local pain

3. Parasitic diseases

Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (rare outside America, but present in some places)

A worm in the nervous system.

Signs:

   •   Progressive posterior paralysis

   •   Ataxia (lack of coordination)

Coenurus cerebralis

Usually affects the brain, but rarely affects the spinal cord.

4. Degenerative diseases

Less common but especially present in older goats:

Cervical vertebral stenosis

Narrowing of the vertebral canal → pressure on the spinal cord.

Signs:

   •   Wide stance

   •  Lack of coordination

   •   Falls

5. Inflammation of the vertebrae or discs

Diskospondylitis

Infection of the disc between the vertebrae → pressure on the spinal cord.

Causes: Bacteria in the blood, trauma.

Signs:

   •   Severe back pain

   •  Fever sometimes

   •   Difficulty getting up

   •   Partial paralysis

6. Poisoning

Copper solutions and organophosphates

can cause general nerve damage including the spinal cord.

Typical neurological signs of spinal cord injury

   •   Unsteadiness in walking

   •   Shuffling

   •   Partial/complete paralysis

   •  Loss of reflexes in the extremities

   •  Loss of sensation in certain areas

   •   Difficulty standing or repeated falls

   •   Pain when palpating the spine

Diagnosis

   •   Complete neurological examination

   •  Identify the level of injury (cervical / frontal / lumbar)

   •  Blood tests for infections

   •  Spine X-ray (high importance)

   •  Sometimes a spinal ultrasound

   •  Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling in cases of suspected infection

General Treatment

Treatment varies by cause, but general principles:

   •   Complete rest 2–4 weeks

   •  Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs / steroids — very cautious and vary between breeders)

   •  Antibiotics in case of infections

   •  Nutritional support

   •  Keep the animal on a soft surface to prevent pressure sores

   •   In cases of paralysis – reversibility depends on the time of diagnosis and treatment

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.