Equine motor neuron disease: report on the first cases in South America

Authors

  • Rogério Martins Amorim Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Botucatu, SP
  • Márcio Rubens Graf Kuchembuck Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Botucatu, SP
  • Roberto Calderon Gonçalves Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Botucatu, SP
  • Renée Laufer Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Botucatu, SP
  • Júlio Lopes Sequeira Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Botucatu, SP
  • Vitalino Dal Pai Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Botucatu, SP
  • Raimundo Souza Lopes Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Botucatu, SP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2318-3659.v33i1p47-52

Keywords:

Neurons, Equidae, Muscular atrophy, Denervation.

Abstract

The present paper aims to report cases of equine motor neuron disease in different breeds and ages. The main clinical signs were progressive weight loss, muscle atrophy, generalized weakness, muscle fasciculation and trembling, frequent shifting of support hindlimbs, feet under body, excessive recumbency and death. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological studies of the spinal cord, which revealed degeneration and loss of neurons in the ventral horn, particularly cervical and lumbar intumescence. Muscle biopsy
revealed neuromuscular disorders with denervation atrophy. The progressive muscle atrophy, weakness and motor neuron degeneration are similar to those in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, as described in human beings.

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Published

1996-03-01

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 1 (1996)

Section

ANIMAL PATHOLOGY

License

The journal content is authorized under the Creative Commons  BY-NC-SA  license (summary of the license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 | full text of the license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode) 

How to Cite

1.
Amorim RM, Kuchembuck MRG, Gonçalves RC, Laufer R, Sequeira JL, Pai VD, et al. Equine motor neuron disease: report on the first cases in South America. Braz. J. Vet. Res. Anim. Sci. [Internet]. 1996 Mar. 1 [cited 2024 Apr. 16];33(1):47-52. Available from: https://www.revistas.usp.br/bjvras/article/view/50278