Enzootic ataxia of lambs in the coastal area of Piauí

Abstract

A disease in newborn or young lambs which is known localy as "escancho" was studied in the coastal area in the Stale of Piauí in North Eastern Brazil. The disease is found in areas of light sandy soils bordering the atlantic coastline. Clinical observations, postmortem examinations, histopathological studies of internal organs and chemical analyses of copper levels in the liver were made of diseased animals. Incoordination of the hind quarter is the most characteristic symptom of the disease. In severe cases paraplegia is observed. The disease is non-febrile, apetite remains unimpaired. The evolution of the disease is variable, from acute to chronic. Most of the affected animals die. Postmortems were primarily negative, histopathological studies revealed symmetrical demyelination of the spinal cord. Chemical analyses of copper levels in the liver were low. The authors compare their findings with those of authors in other countries, who studied diseases in newborn or young lambs with incoordination of movement and demyelination of the spinal cord, associated with copper deficiency. They conclude that "escancho" is equally a disease associated with a deficiency of copper, and that it probably can be checked successfully by the administration of copper to the ewes.