FAMILIAL CONVULSIONS AND ATAXIA IN AN ABERDEEN ANGUS CALF

A 6-week-old Aberdeen Angus calf with a history of convulsions since b irth was presented to the Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A clinical diagnosis of cerebellar disease was made. Cerebrospinal flu id analysis and computed tomography of the head were normal. Convulsiv e episodes did not resemble true seizure activity. Histologic lesions were confined to the granular layer of the cerebellar cortex and consi sted of axonal dystrophy (abiotrophy). Clinical signs and lesions were consistent with a condition known as bovine familial convulsions and ataxia. The latter is characterized by convulsions and residual cerebe llar ataxia, is inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder with incom plete penetrance and has an uncertain pathogenesis. The condition has been reported in the United Kingdom but this appears to be the first c ase reported in the US.