Goat breeders usually use “goat polio” and “thiamine deficiency” interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. For years, the two terms were used interchangeably because goats with symptoms of polio responded to treatment with thiamine, leading people to believe thiamine deficiency was the cause of the symptoms.
There are a number of causes for goat polio, however, such as lead poisoning, sulfur poisoning, salt poisoning, moldy hay, too much grain, and not enough water.
Thiamine deficiency in goats
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is produced in a healthy rumen, so it is not a vitamin that goats need to consume. Thiamine deficiency can happen whenever the rumen is upset by any number of things, including ingesting excessive grain, which is why it is most often seen in feedlot cattle and sheep.
It can happen on the homestead, however, when a goat gets into the chicken grain one time too many. Administration of white dewormers, levamisole, or amprolium can also upset the rumen and cause a thiamine deficiency, especially when used long term.
“Stargazing” is the most often cited symptom of thiamine deficiency, and I’ve seen more than a few new goat breeders start giving their goat vitamin B injections for days or even weeks simply because a goat was tipping its head back and moving it from side to side as if it was looking at the sky.
If the goat is otherwise healthy, the stargazing could just be a habit of the goat. Also, some goats with horns will appear to be stargazing when they scratch their back with their horns.
Goat polio
Polio is a disease of the brain, so there will be multiple symptoms, and the goat will be very sick. It will be depressed, off feed, and often have diarrhea. Unfortunately, these symptoms are very similar to enterotoxemia and listeriosis. And as the list of possible symptoms gets longer, it just gets more confusing. A goat with polio may also be blind or start circling, which are also symptoms of other diseases. As you have probably realized, a quick trip to the vet is your best bet.
A goat with polio can die within a day or two if left untreated. Because diagnosis is so challenging and treatment for polio is most likely to be effective if started early, the vet usually gives an injection of thiamine, which is by prescription, if polio is suspected.
Over-the-counter injectable B vitamins do not contain enough thiamine to treat polio. If treatment is going to be effective, it will work within a day or two. In the worst cases of polio, treatment may save the goat’s life, but it will never completely recover and will be partially blind or mentally impaired forever.
So, why is a goat with polio treated with thiamine if polio isn’t the same thing as thiamine deficiency? Thiamine often works to reverse symptoms, although no one knows exactly why.
Studies have shown that a goat suffering from lead poisoning or sulfur toxicity will also respond positively to treatment with thiamine, even though it is not thiamine deficient. This is important to know because the treatment of a goat with thiamine injections is not supposed to be long term. If the goat continues to relapse or if other goats are having the same symptoms, there is something in the diet or the environment that is causing the problem, such as a diet with too much grain, which upsets the rumen balance. You may also want to test your water for the presence of lead.
This is an excerpt from Raising Goats Naturally: A Complete Guide to Milk, Meat, and More by Deborah Niemann.
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We had a baby with goat polio for the first time, that I know of, this year. I found her early one morning, splayed and crying. I thought she’d fallen off something and broken a bone or some such. I spoke to my vet who diagnosed it likely as polio and so we treated with twice daily doses of Multivitamin, and dex. She seemed to rally, but her brain had already clearly been affected. She did the circling, appeared to be blind or sight impaired. We kept her going for about 2 weeks, but sadly she finally succumbed.
I am so sorry to hear that. If a goat has polio, it needs prescription thiamine. A multivitamin or even injectable B-complex would not cure a goat with polio. Sounds like it had just enough thiamine in it to keep her going for a bit.
There are OTC injectable B Complex vitamins available that do have the appropriate amount of thiamine (100mg/ml). It just requires reading the label and purchasing the correct one.
Prescription thiamine has 5 times that much. The most common B-complex — really the only one I’ve ever seen — has what you said, and it is not enough for a goat that’s really sick. Plus if a goat has a very severe case, it may need intravenous thiamine, which a person can’t do at home.
The circling sounds more like listeria but I’m not a vet and didn’t see her. I had one with listeria years ago. There were many small pools of standing water, low spots in the pasture that my vet suspected. The circling was sad to see but it was the inability to eat that was the worst. Even syringe feeding her was tough as she couldn’t swallow, like she’d had a stroke on one side.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
You’re welcome! Hope you found it helpful.
I’ve seen recommendations that a goat with symptoms of polio also be treated with high dose penicillin for listeriosis because the symptoms are so similar and the outcomes so severe if left untreated. What think you?
If you want to get into differential diagnoses, you can’t leave meningeal worm out of that list. In 2004 I had a goat with severe neurological symptoms, and I rushed her to U of I, and they treated her simultaneously for listeriosis and meningeal worm. They never had a definitive diagnosis, but after having 3 goats and 4 llamas with m-worm, I feel like she definitely had listeriosis because none of those 7 animals recovered like she did. You never would have known she had any illness. The animals with m-worm all ended up dead or paralyzed except for one.
Knowing the animal’s history can help to figure out which one is most likely. If they got into the chicken grain, it’s probably goat polio. If they’ve been eating silage, it’s more likely to be listeriosis. If nothing about their diet has changed and they’re not eating silage, and it’s fall or winter, then meningeal worm is a big possibility. But if you are really at a loss at which one it could be and the symptoms are murky, then treating for “all of the above” may be the best option.
I have a goat how hasn’t walked in 18 days.. 3 vets and no definite diagnosis so I’ve been treating him how I please. He has regained some use of his back legs but still none in the front. He was overweight & somewhat spoiled & lazy being he was a bottle baby. He’s a year and a half old now. I’m still trying everything to save him. He has been eating fine, as long as it’s taken to him.
Oh my goodness 🙁
I’m curious what possible causes they have discussed with you and what they have treated for and/or completely ruled out.
Tammy
My Nigerian Dwarf is ten years old. She has been experiencing the same symtoms that Ali P. mentioned. My goat won’t stand up on her front legs. She scootches around on her front elbows. Eating and drinking just fine. Seems in good spirits. Just won’t stand on her front legs yet. I’ve been doing injectable High Level Vitamin B Complex. Thiamine 100 mg level. I also am putting a Maxi B 1000 in carrots and bananas for her. She gobbles them up. I am doing four injections or so a day. 3.5mm. I am for every 5 hours or so, although at night, I am just letting her rest. Vet is trying to schedule us, but no luck yet. Wondering if you think there is anything else I can do? I am taking her fresh leaves and blackberry bush cuttings too…on top of her regular hay and clean water. Thank you. I have her twin sister here at my home too, and she isn’t have any symptoms.
Hi Terri
This does NOT sound like thiamine deficiency.
It is more in line with degenerative joint issues, such as arthritis. Especially considering your goat’s age.
Thiamine deficiency will cause neurological issues and proceeds very quickly with loss of appetite, staggering uncoordinated movements, head pressing on fixed objects, walking in circles, etc.These animals are in obvious distress.
Hopefully your vet can get to her soon to do a thorough exam and figure out what is going on with her legs.
Tammy
Hi there. I have a ten year old Nigerian Goat lady. She is having the symptoms you described. She can move around on her front elbows, but won’t stand completely up. I’ve been giving her Vitamin B1 injections and lost of spoiling with veggies and seeds. What ended up happening with your goat? I am on day 12. Thank you. Terri
Hi Terri
This does NOT sound like thiamine deficiency.
It is more in line with degenerative joint issues, such as arthritis. Especially considering your goat’s age.
Thiamine deficiency will cause neurological issues and proceeds very quickly with loss of appetite, staggering uncoordinated movements, head pressing on fixed objects, walking in circles, etc.These animals are in obvious distress.
Hopefully your vet can get to her soon to do a thorough exam and figure out what is going on with her legs.
Tammy
My little goat was diagnosed with polio and has been at the vet for 4 days with no signs of improvement. Should I wait or go ahead and have him put down ?
That’s pretty unusual for a goat not to respond quickly to thiamine injections if that’s the problem. I would be thinking that it’s something else. What are the symptoms? What exactly has been done so far? Is this a goat vet?
My girl was diagnosed with Goat polio 2 days ago, she has had 3 doses of Thiamine. She is belly is very descended and hard, not peeing or pooping, drinking, he said 2 days ago her rumen isn’t working, now she can’t stand, making grunting noises. Should I consider putting her down. Vet says stay the course, I feel like I am not doing all I should be doing.
Hi Pamela
It sounds like you may have something else either going on, or in addition to the original diagnosis.
Has the vet seen her today with these new symptoms. The fact that she is down, without the ability to relieve herself, and a hard distended belly is very concerning.
She needs to see a vet again asap.
Tammy
I agree she needs to be seen again by a vet today, but if the vet is aware of her current condition and saying to stay the course, I’d look into the possibility of bloat. Check out this article and see if it sounds like this is what could be going on. https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-bloat/
My Nigerian Dwarf is ten years old. She has been experiencing the same symtoms that Ali P. mentioned. My goat won’t stand up on her front legs. She scootches around on her front elbows. Eating and drinking just fine. Seems in good spirits. Just won’t stand on her front legs yet. I’ve been doing injectable High Level Vitamin B Complex. Thiamine 100 mg level. I also am putting a Maxi B 1000 in carrots and bananas for her. She gobbles them up. I am doing four injections or so a day. 3.5mm. I am for every 5 hours or so, although at night, I am just letting her rest. Vet is trying to schedule us, but no luck yet. Wondering if you think there is anything else I can do? I am taking her fresh leaves and blackberry bush cuttings too…on top of her regular hay and clean water. Thank you. I have her twin sister here at my home too, and she isn’t have any symptoms.