Pheasant ataxia: a new condition in pheasant poults

Between 1995 and 1997 a neurological condition in pheasant poults from 24 s ites in England and Scotland was investigated. Affected birds showed varyin g degrees of ataxia and incoordinated movements and, in severe cases, recum bency, but generally remained alert with their heads held upright. The cond ition characteristically affected poults from seven weeks of age and the in cidence on any one site was low. No significant bacteria were isolated cons istently from brain tissue. The condition was characterised histologically by a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, in which lesions were found predo minantly in the cerebellum in 61 of 81 samples examined (75.3 per cent). A non-suppurative myelitis was recorded in 16 of 20 spinal cords examined. No lesions were recorded in peripheral neural tissue and lesions were rare in other tissues. The condition appeared not to have been recorded previously in pheasants. A viral aetiology was suspected but Newcastle disease virus was not involved.