Paralytic rabies in a goat.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathology

Background:

• Paralytic rabies is common in cattle but rare in goats in Latin America.
• Clinical reports on furious rabies in goats are scarce, and surveillance data often lacks detailed clinical information.
• Cerebrospinal fluid findings in rabid livestock are infrequently documented.

Observation:

• A Saanen goat farm in Brazil experienced six deaths within a week, with a history of bat bites.
• A 1-year-old buck exhibited non-specific signs progressing to neurological symptoms within 12 hours.
• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed mononuclear pleocytosis, hyperproteinemia, and elevated glucose.

Findings:

• Histopathology revealed lymphoplasmacytic cuffing, neuronal necrosis, neuronophagia, and ganglioneuritis in the brainstem and spinal cord.
• Immunohistochemistry confirmed widespread rabies virus antigen distribution in the central nervous system.
• Direct fluorescent antibody test (dFAT) and mouse intracerebral inoculation test (MIT) positively identified rabies virus.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering rabies in goats presenting with neurological signs, even if uncommon.
• Definitive diagnosis requires a combination of clinical, laboratorial, and pathological findings.
• Recommendations for exposed livestock include immediate vaccination, isolation, and booster vaccinations.