Naturally occurring scrapie-like spongiform encephalopathy in five domestic cats.
Naturally occurring transmissible spongiform encephalopathies have been recognised in sheep, man, mink, captive deer and cattle. Recently a similar disease was reported in a domestic cat. This paper describes the clinical and pathological findings in five cats with similar signs, including further observations on the original case. All the cats had a progressive, neurological disease involving locomotor disturbances, abnormal behaviour and, in most cases, altered sensory responses. Histopathological examination of the central nervous system revealed changes pathognomonic of the scrapie-like encephalopathies, including widespread vacuolation of the grey matter neuropil, vacuolation of neuronal perikarya and an astrocytic reaction.
Wyatt
J M
JM
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Science, Langford.
Pearson
G R
GR
Smerdon
T N
TN
Gruffydd-Jones
T J
TJ
Wells
G A
GA
Wilesmith
J W
JW
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000382:microbiology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012608:Scrapie / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012897:Slow Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*