(Angus, Murray Grey and Galloway cattle)

Affected Angus and Murray Grey calves either fail to survive the immediate postnatal period, or if they do, they show severe, progressive neurological disease characterised by tremors of the head, ataxia, and aggression. The phenotype in Galloways is more severe, with most affected cases aborted or stillborn.

Diagnosis

History, clinical examination, confirmed by DNA or histopathological examination.

Specimens required

See Collection of hair samples for DNA testing

Diagnosis of the disease

(in order of preference, breed of subject must be recorded).

1. 20 to 25 hairs, with roots attached, from the distal end of the tail.
2. Lymphoid tissue and/or whole brain in buffered formalin for histopathology.

Heterozygote detection

1. 20 to 25 hairs, with roots attached, from the distal end of the tail.