Keywords
Abstract
The purpose of the present report was to describe the occurrence of leukoencephalomalacia in a mule resulting from the ingestion of corn derivatives with an aspect of fungal contamination, emphasizing the importance of disease prevention. A female mule was taken to the Veterinary Hospital “Roque Quagliato”, with a major complaint of motor incoordination, blindness, anorexia and “head pressing”. One of the components of the food provided was corn bran, which was moldy, and after the emergence of clinical signs, it was immediately removed from the diet. In the clinical evaluation, involvement of the cranial nerve pairs II (optic), V (trigeminal), VII (facial) and XII (hypoglossal) was observed. As it is a herd disease and the impossibility of treatment, the owner chose to euthanize it. At necropsy, cerebral congestion, areas of malacia at the height of the right parietal cerebral cortex and multifocal hemorrhagic areas in the white matter of the brain were found. Based on clinical manifestations and necropsy findings, leukoencephalomalacia was diagnosed. It is concluded that the recognition of the disease is important for our country, due to the growing corn supply and typical climate. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis in equines showing neurological signs. Prophylactic knowledge and guidance are essential, because there is no specific treatment.