Exam 1 - FA Neurology - Cerebellar Disease

Question 1

what disease causes cerebellar signs at birth?

Answer 1

BVD

Question 2

what days of gestation must the dam be infected with BVD to cause cerebellar hypoplasia in the offspring?

Answer 2

days 100-200

Question 3

other than cerebellar hypoplasia, what other signs may be seen at birth in a calf infected with cerebellar hypoplasia?

Answer 3

cataracts & micro-ophthalmia

Question 4

how is BVD diagnosed?

Answer 4

it’s difficult - need to do virus isolation

ear notches, pre-suckle serology on herdmates

Question 5

what are cerebellar signs seen at birth in a BVD calf?

Answer 5

hypermetria, head tremors, whole body tremors, & ataxia without weakness

Question 6

T/F: a pre-suckle titer if positive just indicates exposure to BVD

Answer 6

true

Question 7

what breeds of cattle are typically affected by the storage disease alpha-mannosidosis?

Answer 7

angus, simmental, galloway, holstein, & murray gray

Question 8

why are these breeds: angus, simmental, galloway, holstein, & murray gray, susceptible to alpha-mannosidosis?

Answer 8

they have a deficiency in alpha mannosidase enzyme

Question 9

when do animals show clinical signs for alpha mannosidosis?

Answer 9

signs develop after birth

Question 10

how is alpha-mannosidosis diagnosed?

Answer 10

blood!!! measure the concentration of alpha mannosidase in plasma

heterozygotes vs. homozygotes

Question 11

what is the acquired form of alpha mannosidosis?

Answer 11

swainsonine

Question 12

what cow breed is susceptible to beta-mannosidosis?

Answer 12

saler breed

Question 13

what are the clinical signs associated with beta-mannosidosis?

Answer 13

can’t stand at birth - cerebellar signs

domed calvarium & narrow palpebral fissures

Question 14

should you suspect alpha-mannosidosis or beta-mannosidosis before BVD? why?

Answer 14

no!!! both alpha-mannosidosis & beta-mannosidosis are very uncommon

rule out BVD first

Question 15

how is beta-mannosidosis diagnosed?

Answer 15

blood test for enzyme

Question 16

what is the etiology of grass staggers?

Answer 16

fungus that attacks the ovary of various grass species

Question 17

what grass species are commonly affected by grass staggers?

Answer 17

dallis grass (claviceps paspalum)

canary grass

bermuda grass

rye grass

Question 18

what is the toxin involved in grass staggers?

Answer 18

tremorogenic toxin that acts on GABA receptors

Question 19

how is grass staggers treated?

Answer 19

remove the animal from the offending pasture

mow grasses to remove seed heads

offer the animals something else to eat

Question 20

what are the clinical signs of grass staggers?

Answer 20

resemble a cerebellar disorder because of tremors of the head/whole body

ataxia, shaking, neurological derangement

otherwise BAR - usually continue to eat & drink normally