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Vitaud, C.; Flach, E.J.; Thornton, S.M.; Cappello, R.
Clinical observations in four cases of feline spongiform encephalopathy in cheetahs _(Acinonyx jubatus)_
1998 Conference Proceeding
The clinical signs shown by four cheetahs which were diagnosed as having spongiform encephalopathy are presented. Chronic, progressive ataxia initially involving the hindlimbs, but later the forelimbs also was consistently seen. Some of the animals also had postural difficulties, hypermetria and muscle tremors. All showed some degree of central nervous involvement, but the pattern of signs varied. The signs observed included a change in behaviour, hyperaesthesia to sounds, ptyalism, prominent nictitating membranes and blindness. No abnormalities were detected on clinical examination, routine haematological and biochemical investigations. Radiography and myelography were carried out on three animals. Two showed no abnormalities and one had fused thoracic vertebrae, but these did not impede passage of contrast medium in the spinal canal.
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