What are the prevention and treatment methods for sheep lumbar paralysis?
Sheep lumbar paralysis is caused by the larvae of a species of Setaria nematode, which are transmitted to sheep through mosquito bites and then parasitize the cerebrospinal cavity of sheep, clinically producing symptoms characterized mainly by lumbar paralysis or hindquarter paralysis. This disease mostly occurs in the 8th, 9th and 10th months of the Gregorian calendar.
1. Symptoms
When a sheep is infected with Setaria nematode larvae, hindquarter movement disorders suddenly appear. In the early stage, the sheep walks unsteadily and sways, and falls easily; after falling, it cannot stand up on its own. It cannot make sharp turns or back up. Later, the affected sheep lies on the ground unable to rise, assuming a sitting-like posture with the forelimbs spread apart, the head bent to one side, and nystagmus. In severe cases, neurological symptoms may also appear. Tonic paralysis may be seen, with sudden tonic falling, paddling of the limbs, and no major changes in body temperature, respiration or heartbeat. Some affected sheep eat grass while lying down.
The difference between this disease and rheumatism. Rheumatism has a relatively slow onset, is mostly seen during continuous rainy weather and in damp pens, and body temperature is generally somewhat elevated. Treatment with analgin, salicylic acid preparations, prednisone and anti-rheumatic Chinese medicines is markedly effective. In contrast, the onset of this disease is relatively sudden. It also mostly occurs in the 8th, 9th and 10th months, there is no history of rheumatism, and treatment with anti-rheumatic Chinese and Western medicines is ineffective, so this disease should be considered first.
2. Treatment
1. Diethylcarbamazine. Sheep are given 10 mg per kg body weight orally each time, 3 times a day, for 2 consecutive days; alternatively, a single dose of 20 mg may be given, continued for 2-8 days. Diethylcarbamazine is not only effective against the microfilariae and adults of Setaria nematodes, but also has a significant effect on the larvae.
2. Antimony potassium tartrate: sheep are given 3-5 mg per kg body weight by intravenous injection or intramuscular injection.
3. 0.1% dimecazine injection, administered by subcutaneous injection at 0.2 mg per kg body weight, has a good effect.
3. Prevention
During the epidemic season of this disease (the 8th, 9th and 10th months of each year), one of the above three drugs may be administered once every 3-4 weeks at the therapeutic dose.