Cerebellar hypoplasia and degeneration in the young Arab horse: clinical and neuropathological features
Palmer, A.C.; Blakemore, W.F.; Cook, W.R.; Platt, H.; Whitwell, K.E.
Veterinary Record 93(3): 62-66
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 4748678 Document Number: 61500
Six Arab foals and yearlings with a neurological syndrome characterized by ataxia, head tremor and defective blink reflex were investigated. Five of these horses were submitted for P.M. examination, and cerebellar hypoplasia was diagnosed histologically; there was no significant gross abnormality. Lesions were confined to degenerative changes in the cerebellum, and consisted of widespread loss of Purkinje cells, and neurones of the granular layer. The syndrome was also reported in three more Arab foals, though these were not presented for examination. All nine horses had a close familial relationship. Preliminary results of a genetic analysis suggest that a hereditary factor is associated with the aetiology, but infective and other factors cannot yet be excluded. This disease of the Arab horse in England is compared with accounts of cerebellar defects in the American Arab, the Gotland pony and the Oldenberg breed.