Clinical propaedeutics and rumen fluid changes in polioencephalomalacia of goats

Abstract

A study on Polioencephalomalacia was conducted in the Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, for a period of two years (1998 and 1999). The epidemiology, clinical findings, changes in rumen fluid, haematology and serum biochemical changes were studied in PEM affected goats. Six goats affected with Polioencephalomalacia and that responded to thiamine therapy were utilised for this study. Detailed history was collected. Samples of rumen fluid and whole blood from the healthy and diseased animals were collected and analysed. Rumen liquor parameters, viz. , physical characters, microbial activity, total volatile fatty acids, total acidity, lactate and ammonia levels were recorded. Haematological parameters like Hb, PCV, ESR, TEC, TLC and DLC were recorded. Glucose, total protein, albumin, lactate, pyruvate, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels in the serum were estimated. The disease occurred throughout the year with maximum occurrence in the monsoon and post-monsoon period. Occurrence was more in females and in the age group of six months to five years. History suggested carbohydrate rich diet as one of the predisposing factor for the development of Polioencephalomalacia in Kerala. The clinical symptoms noted were nystagmus, lateral deviation of head, circling and lying only on one side. A highly significant increase in the lactate content of rumen fluid, was noted in goats affected significant neutrophilia and with Polioencephalomalacia. Haematology revealed lymphopaenia indicating stress condition. Biochemical changes in the serum revealed significant increase in glucose, lactate and pyruvate levels. Th~ increase in lactate level in the rumen fluid was not enough to induce marked lowering of the rumen pH. Detailed cultural studies are needed to detect the changes in rumen microbial flora in diseased goats. Increased blood lactate and pyruvate levels indicated thiamine insufficiency.