Congenital defects of the ruminant nervous system

Lissencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia in a goat

“…In Irish Setters and Wire Fox Terriers dogs, lissencephaly has been reported to occur with cerebellar hypoplasia (GREENE et al, 1976); in cats, this condition has been reported to be accompanied by microencephaly and hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and cerebellum (HERRMANN et al, 2011). Studies reporting congenital nervous system defects in goats are rare (WASHBURN & STREETER, 2004). In this case report, the pathological and clinical fi ndings of lissencephaly accompanied by cerebellar hypoplasia are reported in a kid goat.…”

Neuropathology and Diagnostics in Food Animals

“…In utero copper deficiency (congenital swayback) is a noninfectious cause of hydrancephaly in lambs and kids. 17,18,20 Congenital hydrocephalus occurs in all food animal species and can be inherited as an autosomal recessive defect in multiple breeds of calves and possibly pigs. 17,18,20 Other causes of congenital hydrocephalus include the viral causes of hydranencephaly, ingestion of Veratrum californicum by pregnant sheep and cattle, and vitamin A deficiency in cattle because of defective absorption of CSF by the arachnoid.…”

“…17,18,20 Congenital hydrocephalus occurs in all food animal species and can be inherited as an autosomal recessive defect in multiple breeds of calves and possibly pigs. 17,18,20 Other causes of congenital hydrocephalus include the viral causes of hydranencephaly, ingestion of Veratrum californicum by pregnant sheep and cattle, and vitamin A deficiency in cattle because of defective absorption of CSF by the arachnoid. 17,18,20,21 Postnatal hydrocephalus can result from vitamin A deficiency in cattle and CNS inflammation in all species.…”

“…17,18,20 Other causes of congenital hydrocephalus include the viral causes of hydranencephaly, ingestion of Veratrum californicum by pregnant sheep and cattle, and vitamin A deficiency in cattle because of defective absorption of CSF by the arachnoid. 17,18,20,21 Postnatal hydrocephalus can result from vitamin A deficiency in cattle and CNS inflammation in all species. 17 Vitamin A deficiency in fetal and growing animals, especially calves and piglets, also impairs growth of membranous bones that can result in compression of the brain and optic nerves leading to stillbirths, blindness, ataxia, and seizures.…”

“…The most important causes are BVD virus in calves, BD virus in lambs, and classical swine fever (CSF) virus in piglets. 17,18,20 Hypomyelination of the CNS frequently accompanies cerebellar hypoplasia caused by both in utero viral infection and exposure of pregnant sows to trichlorofon, and it is manifest as muscular tremors referred to as congenital tremors or myoclonia congenital. 17,18,23 Congenital tremors in pigs can also be caused by pseudorabies virus and be inherited in a few breeds.…”