Three cases of paresis due to vertebral abscess in Shiba goats in Japan

Abstract

Three Shiba goats aged 1 to 7 years kept in Ibaraki prefecture in Japan were presented with chief complaint of lumbar paralysis or gait abnormalities. As cerebrospinal setariasis were suspected in all cases at the first stage, ivermectin was administered to treat, but the response was insufficient. Necropsy revealed abscess formation on the ventral side of the spine at T5 in Case 1, T5–6 in Case 2, and C7–T1 in Case 3, causing compression of the spinal cord in all three cases. In addition to cerebrospinal setariasis, vertebral abscess should be considered as a cause of paresis or gait abnormalities in goats in Japan. Computed tomography was a useful for diagnosing vertebral abscess.