Hereditary cerebellar degeneration in three full sibling kittens

Hereditary cerebellar degenerative disease (cerebellar cortical abiotrophy) in rabbits

A pair of rabbits gave birth to a set of littermates (F1) with symptoms of early-onset ataxia. Microscopic examination revealed cerebellar degenerative disease in 5 of 6 littermates. Light microscopy was used to compare the thickness of each cerebellar layer in affected animals in contrast to a normal control. Affected animals showed narrowing of the molecular layer of the vermis, reduced density of Purkinje cell dendrites and irregular thickness in their branchlets, and reduced density of granular cells and scattered pyknotic cells in the granular layer. Pyknotic cells were apoptotic granular cells, confirmed by positive staining using the TUNEL method. Electron microscopy confirmed the thinning of the molecular layer seen by light microscopy and also showed a reduced number of parallel fibers, which indicate granular cells axons, and a reduced number of synaptic junctions between Purkinje and granular cells. Purkinje cells had electron-dense, irregularly shaped cytoplasm with irregularly shaped nuclei, and some of these cells had a central chromatolysis-like region. These findings support a diagnosis of cerebellar cortical abiotrophy, a hereditary condition that causes nerve function impairment leading to early-onset progressive degeneration of the cerebellar cortex.

Late onset and rapid progression of cerebellar abiotrophy in a domestic shorthair cat

A two-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was seen because of sudden onset of incoordination and tremors that had rapidly worsened over five days. Neurological examination revealed severe cerebellar ataxia, intention tremors and bilaterally decreased menace response. Blood work evaluation included a complete cell blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry profile, urinalysis, faecal flotation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and retroviral testing. Except for testing positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies, all other results were within the normal range. The patient was euthanased two days later because of progression of clinical signs, and a necropsy was performed. Histologically, lesions were limited to the cerebellum and consistent with cerebellar abiotrophy. No secondary diseases that could explain the rapid development of clinical signs were found. It was considered unlikely that cerebellar degeneration was related to FIV positivity, as virus invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) is mainly limited to the cerebral cortex. This case report is the first to describe late onset and rapid progression cerebellar abiotrophy in a cat.

Late onset cerebellar cortical degeneration in a koala

A 10-year-old male koala started to fall from the tree while sleeping. Subsequently, the koala often fell down while walking and showed a gait abnormality, abnormal nystagmus and hypersalivation. At 12 years of age, the koala became ataxic and seemed blind. At 13 years of age, the koala exhibited signs of dysstasia and was euthanased. Necropsy revealed marked symmetrical atrophy of the cerebellum. Histopathologically, a severe loss of Purkinje and granule cells was evident in the cerebellum, while the molecular layer was more cellular than normal with cells resembling small neurons, which were positively stained with parvalbumin immunohistochemistry. Reactive Bergmann glial cells (astrocytes) were present adjacent to the depleted Purkinje cell zone. The very late onset and slow progression of the cerebellar cortical degeneration in this case is particularly interesting and appears to be the first report in the koala.

Neuropathology of italian cats in feline spongiform encephalopathy surveillance

Feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy associated with the consumption of feedstuffs contaminated with tissue from bovine spongiform encephalopathy-affected cattle and characterized by the accumulation in the central nervous system of an abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP(sc)). Clinically, it presents as a progressive fatal neurologic syndrome that is not easily distinguished from other feline neurologic conditions. Most cases of FSE have been reported in England, where it was first detected in 1990, but a few cases have been reported from other European countries. To identify possible cases of FSE in Italy, the Italian Ministry of Health funded a 2-year surveillance project during which the brains from 110 domestic cats with neurologic signs were evaluated histologically for spongiform encephalopathy and immunohistochemically to detect PrP(sc). Although no cases of FSE were found, the study proved useful in monitoring the Italian cat population for other neurologic diseases: neoplasia (21.8%), toxic-metabolic encephalopathy (18.2%), granulomatous encephalitis (15.5%), suppurative encephalitis (4.6%), trauma (3.6%), circulatory disorders (3.6%), degeneration (2.7%), nonsuppurative encephalitis (2.7%), and neuromuscular diseases (1.8%). No histologic lesions were found in 20% of the brains, and samples from 5.5% of the cats were rejected as unsuitable.

Pediatric Neurology of the Dog and Cat

The neurologic examination in the puppy or kitten can be a challenging experience. Understanding the development of behavior reflexes and movement in puppies and kittens enables us to overcome some of these challenges and to recognize the neurologically abnormal patient. Subsequently,we can identify the neuroanatomic localization and generate a differential diagnosis list. This article first reviews the pediatric neurologic examination and then discusses diseases unique to these individuals.

Neurodegenerative diseases in domestic animals: A comparative review

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by selective damage to specific neurons in the nervous system. Interest in such diseases in humans has resulted in considerable progress in the molecular understanding of these disorders in recent decades. Numerous neurodegenerative diseases have also been described in domestic animals but relatively little molecular work has been reported. In the present review, we have classified neurodegenerative disease according to neuroanatomical criteria. We have established two large groups, based on whether the neuronal cell body or its axon was primarily affected. Conditions such as motor neuron diseases, cerebellar degenerations and neuroaxonal dystrophies are discussed in terms of their clinical and neuropathological features. In the most studied disorders, we also present what is known about underlying pathomechanisms, and compare them with their human counterparts. The purpose of this review is to re-kindle interest in this group of diseases and to encourage veterinary researchers to investigate molecular mechanisms by taking advantage of current diagnostic tools.

Purkinje cell neuroaxonal dystrophy similar to nervous mutant mice phenotype in two sibling kittens

Three 4-month-old kittens from the same litter were presented, two of which were exhibiting cerebellar signs. Euthanasia was requested. No cerebellum atrophy was disclosed on necropsy. General cerebellar anatomy was normal, including the thickness of the cortical layers, myelination, and neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei. In the ataxic cat vermis, Purkinje cells were lacking along broad parasagittal bands symmetrically disposed relative to the midline. Many Purkinje cells were also lacking in the hemispheres. The nodulus and the flocculus were normal. Surviving Purkinje cells had frequent main dendrite swellings visible with anti-calbindin and anti-microtubule associated protein. In affected regions, calbindin and phosphorylated neurofilaments immunesera stained numerous axonal torpedoes located in the granular layer and the folial white matter. They were also present in processes of the deep cerebellar nuclei and lateral vestibular nucleus. Loss of synaptic endings onto the neurons of these nuclei was evident. Hypertrophied Purkinje cell recurrent axons and enhanced retrograde synaptic endings were present in the granular layer. Bergmann glia was strongly labeled by anti-GFAP, but no abnormal supplementary fibers were seen. None of these alterations were present in the normal sister. However, abnormal vacuolation of the Purkinje cell main dendrites was evident in all three cats, but not in six unrelated control cats that were 3-6 months old. The inferior olive and pontine nuclei were also normal. The two ataxic cats had a primary Purkinje cell degeneration that shared many common features with the abnormal Purkinje cells of the nervous mutant mouse.