Facial paralysis and vestibular syndrome in feedlot cattle in Argentina

Abstract

This paper reports 6 outbreaks of neurological disease associated with paralysis of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves caused by intracranial space occupying lesions in feedlot cattle. The clinical signs observed were characterized by head tilt, uni or bilateral drooping and paralysis of the ears, eyelid ptosis, keratoconjunctivitis, and different degrees of ataxia. Morbidity and mortality rates ranged from 1.1 to 50% and 0 to 1%, respectively. Gross lesions observed included yellow, thickened leptomeninges, and marked enlargement of the roots of cranial nerves VII (facial) and VIII (vestibulocochlear). Histopathologically, there was severe, chronic, granulomatous meningitis and, in one case, chronic, granulomatous neuritis of the VII and VIII cranial nerves. Attempts to identify bacterial, viral, or parasitic agents were unsuccessful. Based on the morphologic lesions, the clinical condition was diagnosed as facial paralysis and vestibular syndrome associated with space occupying lesions in the meninges and the cranial nerves VII and VIII. Feedlot is a practice of growing diffusion in our country and this is a first report of outbreaks of facial paralysis and vestibular disease associated with space occupying lesions in Argentina.

Genotyping KIF1C (c.608G>A) Mutant Reveals a Wide Distribution of Progressive Ataxia in German Charolais Cattle

“…However, no myelin loss was found in the brain or spinal cord [22]. In a further case with ataxia and urinary incontinence in Angus cattle, a sorghum poisoning was issued [23]. A survey of the Angus breeders and further studies with larger sample sizes can clarify if this mutation segregates in the German Angus population and whether it triggers the same signs at the same age.…”

Facial paralysis in feedlot cattle associated with otitis caused by Mycoplasma bovis: first report in Argentina

“…This organism should be added to the other etiologies described to cause facial neuritis or neuropathy in cattle, such as other bovine bacteria (T. pyogenes, P. multocida), parasites (8), Prosopis spp. poisoning (20), traumatic head injuries (21), cerebral listeriosis (3), and facial and vestibular paralysis syndrome of unknown etiology (17,23,25). In Argentina, this last condition is relatively common in beef (23) and dairy (25) calves and is clinically very similar to otitis caused by M bovis.…”

“…poisoning (20), traumatic head injuries (21), cerebral listeriosis (3), and facial and vestibular paralysis syndrome of unknown etiology (17,23,25). In Argentina, this last condition is relatively common in beef (23) and dairy (25) calves and is clinically very similar to otitis caused by M bovis. In the veterinary diagnosis service of INTA Marcos Juarez (unpublished information), we have had four reports of this syndrome in the last ten years.…”