Official Journal of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul
Abstract
In this study, thiamine-responsive polioencephalomalacia (PEM) has been detected in sporadic cases of 8 adult dromedary breeding camels at different farms around Tripoli. Clinical cases showed variable signs including disorientation, aimless walking with a high stepping gait due to blindness, anorexia, opisthotonus or head retraction (star gazing), muscle tremor, convulsion and recumbency. Post mortem was carried on one recumbent camel, with particular attention to examine brain tissue for evidence of the disease gross and histopathological lesions which shows positive results of PEM. The result of the study of clinical cases treated by parenteral injection of thiamine preparation showed a good response within 6 hours after initial treatment. The immediate response to the specific treatment was diagnostic for PEM and can differentiate it from other neurological conditions based on the animal’s response to injection of thiamine beside specific clinical findings and necropsy lesions in the brain of sacrificed camel.
)
