Archive Case #87: Ovine Listeriosis

Clinical Clues

1. A sheep develops depression, unilateral facial droop, and progressive circling behaviour.
2. The flock has recently been fed poorly preserved silage.
3. Examination reveals a head tilt and reduced menace response on one side.
4. The ewe tends to lean and circle in one direction.
5. The pattern localises to the brainstem rather than the spinal cord.
6. A bacterial meningoencephalitis associated with spoiled silage commonly causes circling disease in sheep.

Diagnosis

Ovine Listeriosis

This case is most consistent with Ovine Listeriosis because the sheep has asymmetric cranial nerve deficits and circling behaviour after silage exposure. The most important clues are the brainstem localisation and feeding history, which make a simple vestibular ear disease less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.