An encephalomyelopathy in related Birman kittens

Authors: Shimada A, Jones BR, Lyon M, Alley MR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 40, Issue 4, pp 160-163, Dec 1992
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Locomotor, Disease/defect, Genetics, Inherited disease/conditions, Nervous system/neurology, Muscle/myology
Article class: Clinical Communication

---

Abstract: The clinical and morphological features of an encephalomyelopathy in five related Birman kittens are described. The five kittens showed hind limb paresis and ataxia which progressed to hind limb paralysis. Four of the kittens had bilateral nuclear cataracts. Histological examination revealed diffuse lesions within the brain and spinal cord, especially within the thoracolumbar spinal cord. The major changes were foci of spongy change and vacuolation along with Wallerian degeneration. All kittens were inbred and an inherited aetiology was suspected.

---