Sulphur-induced polioencephalomalacia in lambs

Vet Rec. 1996 Apr 6;138(14):327-9. doi: 10.1136/vr.138.14.327.

Abstract

An outbreak of polioencephalomalacia affected 16 of 46 Swaledale lambs and five of 25 Scottish blackface lambs 15 to 32 days after they were introduced to an ad libitum concentrate ration containing 0.43 per cent sulphur. The clinical signs were acute and included depression central blindness and head-pressing, but no hyperaesthesia, nystagmus, dorsiflexion of the neck or opisthotonos were observed. Treatment of the affected lambs with vitamin B1, dexamethasone and antibiotics was associated with a prolonged recovery period, though no further cases were identified after vitamin B1 had been given parenterally to all the lambs at risk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed / adverse effects
  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animals
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary*
  • Encephalomalacia / drug therapy
  • Encephalomalacia / physiopathology
  • Encephalomalacia / veterinary*
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Sheep Diseases / drug therapy
  • Sheep Diseases / physiopathology
  • Sulfur / adverse effects*
  • Thiamine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Sulfur
  • Dexamethasone
  • Thiamine