Presumptive Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in a 4 year old Boer Goat
A 4 year old Boer-cross doe was presented to Cornell University's Equine and Farm Animal Hospital with the complaint of being recumbent for one day and possibly pregnant. On physical examination, the doe was recumbent but alert. She was evaluated by the Theriogenology Service, who performed an abdominal ultrasound and found live fetuses, which were delivered by Caesarian section. The following day she remained recumbent with increased paresis which was worse in her hind limbs. She also had hyperextension of her left limbs and occasional opisthotonus. Sampling of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed pleocytosis with over 20% eosinophils, so a presumptive diagnosis of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis was made. The doe was treated with dexamethasone, fenbendazole, and ivermectin. She recovered gradually over the course of a week and was able to stand and walk on her own with minimal gait deficits.