Vol. 44, No. 3, 2000
BOVINE SPASTIC PARESIS: AN OLD BUT STILL POORLY UNDERSTOOD DISEASE
Gentile, A.
Veterinary Clinical Department
University of Bologna
Italy
This paper was originally presented at the 2nd Middle-European Congress for Buiatrics held in Stará Lesná, The High Tatras, from the 10th to 13th May 2000
Summary
Spastic Paresis is a sporadic neuromuscular disease of cattle, clinically characterized by the hyperextension of the rear limbs ("straight hock") due to a spastic contraction of the muscles which form the Achilles tendon (above all the gastrocnemius). Though this disease is relatively old (it was first described in the 1920's), both aetiology and pathogenesis are still not definitively known. The contracture of the muscles seems to be caused by the overactive activity of the myotatic reflex, an important mechanism which regulates the muscular tone and therefore the proprioception. In this context it was assumed that the g-pathway is primarily responsible for the disturbance. Regarding the aetiology, it seems that genetic factors are implicated, with a strong interaction between the genotype and various environmental or nutritional factors. There are two main types of surgical technique: gastrocnemius tenectomy and tibial neurectomy. "Corrected" animals should not, however, be used for breeding purposes.
Key words: spastic paresis; clinical findings; aetiology; pathogenesis; treatment
References
Folia Veterinaria / 2000