A STUDY OF THE PATHOLOGY OF A BOVINE PRIMARY PERIPHERAL MYELINOPATHY WITH FEATURES OF TOMACULOUS NEUROPATHY

Cases of a bovine neuropathy are reported in which peripheral nerves s how ''sausage-shaped'' thickenings of the myelin sheaths at different sites of the internode. Clinical signs of dysphagia and chronic rumena l bloat developed after weaning which were attributable to bilateral v agus nerve degeneration. Trunks of the sciatic nerves and brachial ple xuses were similarly affected with the animal adopting a weak shufflin g gait. Affected animals were the progeny of sire-daughter matings, Th e lesions are similar to those seen in the tomaculous neuropathies of man. The present study is believed to be the first report of this lesi on occurring in domestic animals.