ABSTRACT
A good understanding of the nervous system and a methodical approach to examination is essential to pinpoint the lesion to a particular part of the system, thereby narrowing down the multitude of differential diagnoses. Goats present with progressive ataxia in the hind legs and proprioceptive deficits, circling, vestibular syndrome and eventually recumbency, but with normal appetite. Cerebrospinal nematodiasis is reported in goats in Switzerland, occurring mainly in winter. Cerebrospinal fluid collection and analysis is useful in most cases with neurological signs or suspected spinal trauma. Clinical signs typical of encephalitis develop within 2–3 days of disbudding, usually followed by death. Tetanus is a well-documented condition affecting many animal species and humans worldwide, causing tetanic muscular spasms, convulsions and death. Differential diagnoses for the encephalitic signs include bacterial meningitis, brain abscesses, polioencephalomalacia, coenurosis and early rabies. For septicaemic cases presenting with haemorrhagic diarrhoea consider enterotoxaemia, salmonellosis and yersiniosis.
