Goat Polio

Polioencephalomalacia in Goats

(Polio)

1. Thiamine. Given to goats with what is commonly referred to as goat polio (it has absolutely no relationship with the infectious viral disease found in humans). It is a metabolic condition associated with a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency or disruption in thiamine metabolism. It can be successfully treated if detected early in the disease course, making recognition of early symptoms a critical issue. Polio is a common nutritional disorder especially in kid goats that leads to mortality without intervention.  
2. Goat Polio can also be triggered by amprolium therapy for coccidiosis.  Amprolium competes with thiamine for uptake into the brain which therefore can induce Polio.  Therefore, kids on amprolium therapy should be watched carefully for polio and given 2.5 cc of Vit. B-1 or B-complex orally, as a precaution when treating coccidiosis or when giving coccidiosis prevention medication.
3. Also, introduce & increase dietary fiber as a preventative measure for kids, before starting them on grain. Have hay available to kids from birth on. Goats on high-concentrate diets (by products of corn or sugar beets) or excessive sulfur intake are at higher risk of getting polio. 
4. Symptoms are manifest as neurological, with early symptoms being partial to complete blindness with the head held erect and an  unusual/exaggerated gait. It is common for the pupils to be dilated and for the eyes to tear, an inability to stand, and seizures. In more advances states, animals commonly arch their heads back as far as possible.  Polio symptoms may present itself similarly to listeriosis and even ketosis.  However, thiamine therapy is relatively benign, so it is best to treat with thiamine as a precaution, if you are not sure which it is. 
5. What to expect with treatment: Animals occasionally respond rapidly to the initial dose, although slow recovery to standing may take up to 5 days with full recovery evident after 2-3 weeks.  Work with your DVM to specify a treatment plan and to be sure to have a bottle of concentrated thiamine (prescription) on hand at all times.The recommended dosage should be given twice per day for 2 days followed by once daily injection for 3-5 days or according to your DVM instructions.  Vitamin B complex formulations can be purchased containing thiamine, but it is highly recommended that producers have a bottle of concentrated thiamine on hand (250 to 500 mg/mL) at all times.   Concentrated formulations of thiamine are a prescription product, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to get it. 
6. Dosage/Treatment for Goat Polio: The treatment of choice is thiamine administration (10 mg/kg, slowly IV or IM for the initial dose, then every 6–8 hours, IM or SQ, for 3–5 days). Treatment must begin early in the disease course to achieve benefits. If brain lesions are particularly severe or if treatment is delayed, full clinical recovery may not be possible. Beneficial effects are usually evident within 24 hours; however, if there is no initial improvement, treatment should be continued for ≥ 3-5 days.          
7. Preventative oral dose when no illness is yet evident (given to kids shortly after their birth): 2cc. orally of B-Complex.