FieldDxListeriosisClinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in goats and sheep.
Overview
An acute, often rapidly fatal neurologic disease of ruminants, classically linked to poor-quality silage. Listeria monocytogenes, causing an asymmetric brainstem infection. Marked emergency in FieldDx. Zoonotic: this condition can pass to people.
Clinical signs
- Anorexia, depression, disorientation; animals may lean against objects or circle toward the affected side.
- Asymmetric neurologic signs: ataxia, head pressing, facial paralysis on one side (drooping ear, deviated muzzle, lowered eyelid, flaccid lip), absent menace response, drooling.
- Rapid course; death can occur 24-48 hours after signs begin in severe cases.
Predisposing factors
- Listeria monocytogenes, classically linked to feeding poorly fermented or spoiled silage.
Look-alikes to rule out
Treatment
High-dose, prolonged antibiotics (e.g. penicillin) started early, plus supportive nursing care; prognosis is guarded once recumbent.
Drugs mentioned: Penicillin G Penicillin V
Prevention
Avoid feeding spoiled or poorly fermented silage; discard visibly moldy or soil-contaminated feed.
Source
MSD Veterinary Manual — Listeriosis in Animals (accessed 2026-08-11)
A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER — Listeriosis
Condensed and attributed, never reproduced whole. Open the full entry in the app.