This document discusses gid disease, which is caused by the tapeworm Taenia multiceps infecting the brain and spinal cord of intermediate hosts like sheep and goats. It describes the lifecycle and epidemiology of T. multiceps between dogs as the definitive host and herbivores as intermediate hosts. The clinical signs in infected animals include circling, blindness, and head raising. Diagnosis can be made based on history, clinical signs, and radiography. The only effective treatment is surgical removal of the coenurus cysts from the brain, with post-operative care including antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

1. DVM, VAS, HSTU, Dinajpur-5200
Dept. of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics
HSTU, Dinajpur-5200

2. Introduction
Gid disease is the disease caused by
the invasion of the brain and spinal
cord by coenurus cerebralis which is
the intermediate stage of the
tapeworm taenia multiceps, which
inhibits the intestine of dogs and wild
canidae. The syndrome produced is
one of the localized, space occupying
lesions of the CNS.

3. Etiology
 Caused by the larval stage of T.
multiceps from the genus Taenia.
 The adult worms are whitish, dorso-
ventrally flattened and segmented
 The larval stage is developed into a
round to oval shaped cyst which is a
white translucent structures, filled
with fluid and protoscolices attached
to inner surface of the cyst.

4. Epidemiology
 Distribution: world wide
 Occurrence: 72% infection
occurred when the animals
are between 6-24 months of
old.
 Susceptible age: young
lamb/kids aged 6-8 weeks are
highly susceptible

5. transmission andpathogenesis
 The transmission of infection by T. multiceps take place between the dogs
(definitive host) and the domestic herbivores (intermediate host)
The dogs get infected when they ingest animals infected with T. multiceps.
The eggs are expelled into the feces of infected dogs which acts as the source
of infection
The eggs are ingested by the herbivores during grazing and infect them.
The onchospores come out from the intestine and localize into the brain
through blood circulation where the ochospores form cyst.

7. Clinical findings
Circling movement based on
the site of cyst
Blindness
Head raising
Anorexia and salivation
Softness of skull bone found
at advanced stage
Skin become wrinkled over
softer bone

8. Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be made based on,
1. History: of regular deworming or
last anthelmintic treatment
2. Clinical signs: the characteristic
clinical signs of circling movement
3. Diagnosis by radiography

9. Differential diagnosis
Polioencephalitis
Hydatidiosis
Tumors and Abscess of brain

10. Treatment
There is no effective medicinal treatment for this condition. The only way
of treating it is surgery.
Surgical anatomy:
Blood supply: cornual artery and part of auricular artery
Nerve supply: branches of cornual nerves.
Site of operation: 1 cm behind the respective horn or around 1-1.2 cm
left to the midline plane

11. Anesthesia: about 4-5ml 2% lignocaine HCl (jasocaine) should be infiltrated
by SC injection
Surgical procedure:
1. The operative site should be clipped, shaved and washed with
tincture of iodine
2. Place the animals on lateral recumbency.
3. A cross' incision of 2.5-3 cm diameter is made right down the bone
and the edges are hold out with artery forceps to open the site.
4. Then a small incision is made over the bone just to hold the
periosteum with the rat tooth forceps. The bone should be broken
with rat tooth forceps (sometimes trephining may be necessary).

12. 5. The meninges may need to incise with handle and blade very carefully. The
brain tissue is to be damaged little by little to bring out the cyst, the superficial
cyst may come out immediately.In case of little bit deep seated cyst the probe
should be introduced and careful circling movement of the probe is essential
for releasing the cyst from brain tissue, If cysts is more deep seated, keep
moving the probe and damage more brain tissue for successful operation,
however, haemorrhage must be encountered.
6. When cyst is appeared allow the animal to move its head, hold the cyst
with dry cotton and try to pull out the cyst
7. After delivery of the cyst, extra fluid in the brain should be removed
Surgical procedure (Cont…)

13. 8. Sulphanilamide powder may be used before suturing the wound with
nylon thread.
9. A benzoin seal is necessary and oil of turpentine should be used
around the wound.
10. If bleeding is more 5% dextrose-saline about 500 ml should be
infused intravenously...
Surgical procedure (Cont…)

14. Post-operative care and management
1. Antibiotics should be given like streptopenicillin (inj. Streptopen-
2.5g, @ 1ml/10kg body weight)
2. Anti-inflammatory drugs should be given like meloxicam @
0.5mg/kg, single dose
3. Fluid therapy up to oral feeding like DNS-5% @ 500ml/day.
4. Advice to keep the animal in clean house and not allowed to rub
its head against any objects.
5. Stiches should be removed after 8-10 days