STRESSED STEEDS

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Another cause of disease affecting the nervous system (causing head tilting) in small ruminants is parasite infection. Parelaphostronglyus tenuis is a parasite that matures in snails and mollusks but is easily ingested by deer, goats, and sheep while they graze. Once ingested, the larvae start migrating through the central nervous system where they cause a great deal of damage and various signs of incoordination, stumbling, loss of muscle tone, and nerve dysfunction. There are many dewormers that can kill the parasite prior to its entry into the central nervous system (ivermectin, fenbendazole, and levamisole). Once it enters the brain or spinal cord, destroying the parasite is much more difficult, and controlling the signs of inflammation is paramount to treatment. Tapeworm cysts in the brain or spinal cord, as well as penetration of the brain through the nose by the larva Oestrus ovis, although not as common, are also causes of central nervous system disease and the subsequent head tilting in goats and sheep.

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) virus can cause neurologic disease, along with pneumonia, mastitis, and arthritis. Young kids get the disease usually prior to five months of age, since it is spread primarily through milk and colostrum. Paralysis and incoordination are a com mon sign, but this disease rarely causes a head tilt alone. Likewise, abscesses can happen inside the animal just as easily as they occur on the skin. Bacterial organisms gain entry to the central nervous system through abrasions in the oral cavity mucosa and throat area. An abscess at the base of the brain or anywhere in the sensitive coverings (meninges) of the brain could result in a head tilt, although it is reasonable to think that other signs like fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite would appear in an animal with abscesses. Infection with CAE and abscesses are extremely difficult to treat, let alone cure. However, it is worthwhile having some blood work done to diagnose either of these if the animal worsens, as the virus (CAE) is highly contagious and may be something you can prevent other animals from getting.

One more cause of a head tilt worth mentioning in any farm animal is rabies. Considering the zoonotic potential (threat or risk of disease spreading to humans), it would seem reasonable to have a vet take a glimpse at your goat just to rule this out. Also, examine your feeds, dewormers, pesticides, or any chemicals used in and around the goat shed to make sure poisoning isn't the cause. Feeds frequently have variable amounts of vitamins and minerals, and imbalances may result in the symptoms you are describing.

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