Scrapie: a clinical assessment
Clark, A.M.; Moar, J.A.
Veterinary Record 130(17): 377-378
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 1604786 Document Number: 402845
From 1985 to 1991, as part of a scrapie monitoring and control programme, a total of 325 sheep brains from suspected cases of scrapie were submitted from the Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK; a positive scrapie diagnosis was made in 203 cases. 200 positive cases were female and 3 were male; their average age was 3.7 years. 154 cases were Shetland (the predominant breed on the Islands) or Shetland cross, 24 were Cheviots, 19 Cheviot cross, one Suffolk and 5 were other breeds. Analysis of the clinical signs of the positive cases showed that 79 showed pruritus and emaciation, 36 had pruritis, emaciation and hyperaesthesia and 1 had all these 3 signs and ataxia. Five of the found dead sheep had evidence of pruritus and 4 were emaciated. Of the 325 submissions 125 were found dead and 26% (33) of these were positive scrapie cases; it is concluded that scrapie cannot consistently be diagnosed on clinical signs alone. In the Shetland Islands control programme the progeny of positive cases and any descendents of female progeny are culled; a reduction in the number of positive cases recorded is expected and total eradication may be possible.