ENCEPHALOMYELOPATHY IN YOUNG CATS

Nineteen cats, aged three to 16 months, developed neurological signs i ncluding hindleg paralysis, head shaking, nystagmus, defective vision and reduced proprioception. Most of the animals were in cat colonies i n research centres; and were derived from specific pathogen-free stock . One was referred from veterinary practice. Over 40 per cent of litte rs could be affected constituting a serious commercial loss. Wallerian degeneration affected long tracts in the spinal cord and variously in the brain stem and cerebral white matter. In seven animals there was loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and in eight there was neuron al loss in the spinal cord. Gliosis accompanied all changes. Although no viral agent was isolated the clinical pattern of the disease and ev idence from other cases reported in the literature suggest an infectio us cause.