Neurological problem in young sheep
Jeffrey, M.; Holliman, A.
Veterinary Record 126(16): 408
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2368267 Document Number: 350977
Three of 24 seven-month-old sheep weighing 25-30 kg, showed clinical signs of dullness and lethargy 48 hours after they were housed for the first time in a shed with automatic drinkers. By 96 hours the affected sheep were recumbent. Excess salivation, blindness and teeth grinding were also seen. Several other sheep did not resist handling but otherwise appeared normal. Gross PM examination of the three worst affected sheep revealed no significant changes. Histological examination of the brain revealed a severe laminar cerebrocortical necrosis, gliosis, capillary endothelial prominence, perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration and severe generalised vacuolation of white matter throughout the brain. Mildly affected sheep showed no clinical improvement following treatment with thiamine. It is concluded that the histopathological findings, in conjunction with a history of recent housing, suggest a diagnosis of salt poisoning/water deprivation syndrome.