Suspected hereditary cervicothoracic vertebral subluxation with cervical myopathy in Poll Merino sheep

Title
Suspected hereditary cervicothoracic vertebral subluxation with cervical myopathy in Poll Merino sheep
Publication Date
2019-12
Author(s)
Cronin, N
Loukopoulos, P
Brown, D
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4786-7563
Email: dbrown2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:dbrown2
O'Rourke, B A
Morrice, G
Windsor, P A
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1111/avj.12877
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/29485
Abstract
Background Cervicothoracic vertebral subluxation in sheep presents as a postural and locomotor disorder, and has been described in several breeds in Australia and overseas. Cervical myopathy may also be present in these cases.
Case report A New South Wales sheep producer reported a postural and locomotor disorder with a low prevalence in his Poll Merino stud flock, affecting neonate, weaner and adult sheep. Animals with postural abnormalities, variable degrees of ataxia and proprioceptive deficits involving both fore and hind limbs were described. Abnormalities of the cervicothoracic vertebral column were identified grossly during necropsy, with misalignment and consequent narrowing of the posterior cervical spinal canal. Lesions ranging from pallor (cellular degeneration) to white streaky lesions with pinpoint haemorrhage (necrosis) were identified in the cervicothoracic paravertebral musculature of affected animals. Boney abnormalities were further characterised by imaging studies. Pedigree analysis of the very extensive breeding and disease incident records available for this flock suggested that the disease was inherited. A similar case recognised in a separate New South Wales Poll Merino flock is also described.
Conclusion This report describes an entity of cervicothoracic vertebral subluxation in two Poll Merino sheep flocks, with cervical myopathy also identified in one, with preliminary evidence in the primary case that there is likely to be a hereditary basis. The two cases outlined in this report resemble the findings of several historical investigations into ovine flock postural disorders in Australia and beyond.
Link
Citation
Australian Veterinary Journal, 97(12), p. 499-504
ISSN
1751-0813
0005-0423
Pubmed ID
31674019
Start page
499
End page
504

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