Meningeal Worm Infection in Central Iowa Goat Herds II: Individual Cases and Treatment Using a Camelid Therapeutic Protocol

Abstract

Summary and ImplicationsMeningeal worm (Paralaphostrongylus tenuis) infection, also known as cerebrospinal nematodiasis, is a common parasitic infection in New World Camelids in the United States. There is also a considerable risk for this disease in the Boer goat population. Despite the rapidly increasing size of the national goat herd, there are no treatment protocols reported in the literature for goats with this disease. This study describes a successful clinical approach and treatment of 3 Boer goat cases with therapy previously reported for use in New World Camelids. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and long-term outcome of P. tenuis infections in these goats presented to ISU Food Animal and Camelid Hospital (FACH) is reported here within. Practitioners should be aware that clinical presentation and diagnosis are similar for goats as reported for camelids with cerebrospinal nematodiasis. Additionally, the described treatment protocols for camelids appear to demonstrate a comparative efficacy in goats.

Epidemiological Investigation of Meningeal Worm-Induced Mortalities in Small Ruminants and Camelids Over a 19 Year Period

“…Given the challenges in diagnosis and the fact that treatment of this disease in small ruminants is not always effective ( 9 ), attention has been directed toward reduction of risk related to contact with the intermediate hosts or overlapping landscape with white-tailed deer. Treatment consists of multiple doses of an anthelmintic, often accompanied by anti-inflammatory drugs ( 11 ). Environmental risk factors that have been suggested to increase P. tenuis transmission by gastropods include increased moisture and temperature, factors which are associated with increased gastropod activity ( 8 ).…”