VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

CLINICAL SIGNS

• Stiff gait and the tail may be raised.
• Incoordination and tetany.
• Sweating in profuse manner
• Rapid and labored respiration with wide dilatation of pupils which may be accompanied by a distinct thumping sound from the thorax due to spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm.
• Muscular fibrillation esp. of the masseter and shoulder region and trismus without prolapse of membrana nictitans unlike in tetanus disease.
• Reduced peristalsis and suspended urination and defecation.
• May attempt to drink but unable to swallow.
• Lowered calcium diet during the pre-stress period may help to avoid the excess gastro-intestinal absorption of calcium.