An outbreak of cerebrocortical necrosis (polioencephalomalacia) in goats

In a herd of 30 Boer goats, 3 young goats developed nervous signs including apparent blindness. In 2 of the goats a diagnosis of cerebrocortical necrosis was confirmed by the demonstration of lesions typical of the disease on histopathological examination. Lead concentrations in the renal cortex were well below the level regarded as indicative of lead poisoning in ruminants. The reason for the outbreak was not clear, but the feeding of concentrate and poor quality roughage may have been contributory factors. Cerebrocortical necrosis appears to be unusual in goats, compared to cattle and sheep, but it should be entertained in the differential diagnosis of caprine nervous diseases.