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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Ante-mortem diagnosis of the disease is difficult because changes are confined to the gastro-intestinal tract. However the combination of a supportive history and clinical signs strongly suggestives grass sickness, definitive diagnosis is made on ileal biopsy or post mortem exam.
Ante-mortem diagnosis of the disease is difficult because changes are confined to the gastro-intestinal tract. However the combination of a supportive history and clinical signs strongly suggestives grass sickness, definitive diagnosis is made on ileal biopsy or at post mortem exam.
===Clinical signs===
===Clinical signs===
====Acute====
*Depression
*Depression
*Abdominal pain, episodes of colic
*Abdominal pain, episodes of colic
*Hypersalivation
*Hypersalivation
*Patchy sweating
*Patchy sweating
*Tachycardia
*sudden death
Rectal examination reveals dry faecal balls, large colon impaction and distented loops of small intestine. Gut sounds are reduced or absent due to gastrointenstinal atony. Passage of a stomach tube often results in gastric reflux of up to 20L.
====Chronic====
*Progressive eaciation
*Dehydration
*Depression
*Anorexia
===Biopsy===
===Biopsy===
A definitive diagnosis is obtained by taking an ileal biopsy and inspecting the intrinsic myenteric plexus. A 1-2cm eliptical biopsy should be taken from the anti-mesenteric border of the ileum at the level where the ileocaecal ligament ends. Degenerative lesions and necrosis are seen in the autonomic nerve ganglia and enteric nervous system.
A definitive diagnosis is obtained by taking an ileal biopsy at laparotomy and inspecting the intrinsic myenteric plexus. A 1-2cm eliptical biopsy should be taken from the anti-mesenteric border of the ileum at the level where the ileocaecal ligament ends. Degenerative lesions and necrosis are seen in the autonomic nerve ganglia and enteric nervous system.