The following is Finales case history from OSU.
PATIENT RELEASE FORM OSU Case Number: 000717273 Client: Hamric, Barb
Patient: Finale Referring Veterinarian: Sallee Digonno Clinician: Bruce Hull DVM, MS
Date Admitted:
12/26/02 Date Released: 1/10/03
Diagnosis:
Posterior ataxia presumably due to Meningeal worm.
History and Clinical
Problems:
Finale is a 6 year old female dairy goat who
is due in February. She was
presented to OSU on 12/26/02 for posterior ataxia of 5 day duration. The owner found her leaning.
At first she would walk, but she would lean to the left.
At times she was holding her right rear leg up and putting weight on it.
She continued to eat hay and grain, but is not drinking as much as
normal. The skin condition started
before November with scratching on her neck, but has since spread to her neck.
The owner has used Blue Kote topically with some success.
Diagnostic procedures and
Findings:
Initial physical exam had an elevated temperature of 103.8 degrees F. Her heart rate and respiration rates were slightly elevated at 180 bpm and 36 bpm respectively. She was down on presentation and was not able to rise. Her front legs would move and she was also ataxic (uncoordinated). Skin lesions were present on the body and neck, but the lesions on Finale are older and crusty. At this time no fresh lesions were available to create skin scrapes.
Blood work (CBC and profile) showed
mild dehydration, anemia, neutrophilia (indicating inflammation or infection
within the body), and elevated creatinine kinase ( a muscle enzyme which
elevated with trauma, muscle exertion, or muscle damage – example due to
migrating Meningeal worms).
Cerebrospinal Fluid was collected and
analyzed. It showed elevated white
blood cells. The white blood cells
were 33% Eosinophils which are consistent with a Meningeal worm infection within
the spinal column. Thoracolumbar
radiographs did not show any bony abnormalities of the spine.
Treatment:
While hospitalized she was treated with the following:
-Nuflor (antibiotic)
-Dexamethasone (steroid)
-Banamine (anti-inflammatory)
-Thiamine (treatment for polioencephaolmalesia – a possible diagnosis for her clinical signs
-Panacur (Parasite control used to treatment for Meningeal worms – the primary differential diagnosis in this case)
-Ivermectin (parasite control)
Physical therapy using a sling was used until Finale was able to stand and walk with only tail support.
Recommendations and
instructions:
Food Animal Precautions:
Residue from drugs given at OSU require a withdrawl time for meat or milk. Milk should not be consumed until: 2/15/03. The animal should not be slaughtered for human consumption until: 2/15/03 Thank you. We appreciate your patronage. Your support of our programs is important. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our evaluation or instructions.
Release form notes