Central nervous system disorders in the brush-tail possum in Eastern Australia (abstract)

Authors: Hartley WJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 41, Issue 1, pp 44-45, Mar 1993
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Possum, Wildlife
Subject Terms: Nervous system/neurology, Reproduction, Pathology, Protozoa, Disease/defect, Zoonosis, Infectious disease, Viral, Public health
Article class: Abstract

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Abstract: In the pathological collection of native fauna diseases held at the Taronga Zoo, Sydney, there are materials from about 300 wild, free range brush-tail possums from the Sydney area. Thirty-five of these have neurologic lesions.
The two main entities encountered are:
A probable viral chronic severe meningoencephalitis associated often with retinal atrophy and inflammation of the visual pathways. These affected animals often have severe inflammatory lesions with atrophy of the cerebellar folia. Clinically affected animals show variable depression, loss of fear for dogs and humans, blindness and incoordination. Some may survive for weeks or months if cared for.
Toxoplasma encephalitis is also seen and is less common than the above. It is an acute, often focal necrotising encephalitis with minimal meningitis and is associated with free and/or clumps of Toxoplasma in or adjacent to the inflammatory lesions. Clinically, animals are found ataxic and depressed and may have convulsions.

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