Pharangeal Paralysis

valcwby01 · #1 04/18/12, 12:10 PM

I have a Cotswold ewe who is having trouble swallowing. I noticed her coughing while eating about two weeks ago and thought she was just being a pig, which is normal for her. I seperated her, and put her by herself. She has continued having trouble swallowing, but eventually gets it down. Then two days ago, when I went to feed, she couldn't get up. When I went to pick her up, she was skin and bones. On a condition score of 1-5, she is a negative 2!!!!
I rushed her to the vet, who diagnosed her with Pharangeal Paralysis, with the cause unknown. He tubed her and got about 3 liters of sugar water down her, which I had been giving her, but only about 100cc's every 4-6 hours, thinking she was drinking. He also gave a "recipe" of karo syrup, 3 raw eggs, Multi-B vitamin, and salt to be mixed together and given 120-150 cc's three times per day. Shockingly, she takes it with NO fight whatsoever. She seems to be getting more energy, but still not standing on her own. She is eating better, but still coughing up more than she swallows, unless I sit there and only give her small amounts by hand. I let her chew and swallow, and then give her a bit more. I have had a several head exhibit these symptoms, both sheep and goat, and have only been able to save one churro ewe and a couple of my angoras. Most just stop eating and die shortly after.
Does anyone know what might be causing this? Is there any chance of recovery? Any other suggestions on how to get weight back on her and on her feet while she is still eating on her own?
This has affected both my sheep and goats. Only one sheep previously has been brought back. Three of my angora goats have "recovered". None of them though has gotten back to "normal" though. Hard to put on weight, and rough fleece quality.
HELP!!!!!

**mygoat** · #2 04/18/12, 12:58 PM

This is really unusual. It is usually neurological in cause, due to rabies or injury. If that diagnosis is right, there must be a cause as to why multiple animals have it.

My first guess is a toxin - either mold or something they're grazing on. Since it's pretty widespread I'm wondering if talking to someone at a veterinary toxicology lab and perhaps submitting samples would be beneficial. Either necropsy, blood, or perhaps even feed sampls.

valcwby01 · #3 04/19/12, 12:57 AM

If she doesn't make it, I will probably be taking her to the state vet diagnostics lab, if I can afford it. I am sick of not knowing. I guess that is the nurse in me. I need to know so I can fix it!!

CaliannG · #4 04/19/12, 08:06 PM

When was the last C,D,&T vaccinations they had?

The closest I can come to your symptoms is either enterotoxemia, which is very, VERY difficult to treat once they have it, and is caused by Clostridium perfringens type D... or Johnne's Disease, which since you have had some recover, is unlikely.

Pharangeal Paralysis isn't contagious, unless it is caused by rabies. I think you may have a mis-diagnosis. If your sheep and goats are not up to date on their C, D, & T vaccines, I'd have tests done to see if that is the problem.

CaliannG · #5 04/19/12, 08:07 PM

When was the last C,D,&T vaccinations they had?

The closest I can come to your symptoms is either enterotoxemia, which is very, VERY difficult to treat once they have it, and is caused by Clostridium perfringens type D... or Johnne's Disease, which since you have had some recover, is unlikely.

Pharangeal Paralysis isn't contagious, unless it is caused by rabies. I think you may have a mis-diagnosis. If your sheep and goats are not up to date on their C, D, & T vaccines, I'd have tests done to see if that is the problem.

**mygoat** · #6 04/20/12, 08:25 AM

The 'skin and bones' thing didn't happen overnight. Was this a common symptom to all that you lost or had affected (even if they survived?) Johnes is a chronic wasting disease, incurable. However, if you had some struggling you might be able to get them to rally a little, but it is not 'cured'.

Enterotoxemia could be secondary to another issue, but I doubt they lived long enough with entero to get skinny. Entero is known as the sudden death disease - fine at PM milking, dead at AM milking for example.