Cerebellar abiotrophy in a quarter horse foal.
Authors: Primo A L M, Assis D M, Santos V G S, de Melo L R B, da Nóbrega L D, Medeiros Dantas A F, Maciel T A
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Cerebellar Abiotrophy in a Quarter Horse Foal Cerebellar abiotrophy, a neurodegenerative condition characterised by progressive loss of Purkinje cells, has traditionally been associated with Arabian horses as an autosomal recessive inherited trait; this case report documents the first recognised presentation in a Quarter Horse foal, expanding our understanding of breed susceptibility. An 8-day-old foal presenting with ataxia, hypermetria, postural instability, and diminished menace response was hospitalised for 26 days and received multimodal therapy including broad-spectrum antimicrobials, dexamethasone, dimethyl sulphoxide, and vitamins B1 and C, initially showing clinical improvement before relapsing following treatment withdrawal. Postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis through histopathological identification of Purkinje neuron degeneration, necrosis, and secondary glial proliferation—findings consistent with cerebellar abiotrophy rather than other neonatal cerebellar syndromes. The emergence of this condition in a non-traditional breed raises important questions about whether Quarter Horses carry a similar genetic mutation to that identified in Arabians, or whether distinct genetic or environmental aetiologies may be responsible. Practitioners should maintain heightened clinical suspicion for cerebellar abiotrophy in Quarter Horse foals presenting with acute-onset ataxia and coordination deficits, whilst breed organisations should consider systematic investigation of affected animals to determine inheritance patterns and inform future genetic screening strategies.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Recognize cerebellar abiotrophy as a differential diagnosis in neonatal foals presenting with ataxia and incoordination, particularly those showing poor response to supportive care.
- •Quarter Horse breeders should be aware that cerebellar abiotrophy is no longer limited to Arabian horses; genetic screening and pedigree investigation may be warranted.
- •Supportive therapy with antibiotics, corticosteroids, DMSO, and vitamins may provide temporary clinical improvement but does not alter the progressive nature of this condition; euthanasia may be the humane endpoint.
Key Findings
- •Cerebellar abiotrophy was diagnosed in an 8-day-old Quarter Horse foal, expanding the known breed susceptibility beyond Arabian horses.
- •Clinical signs included ataxia, hypermetria, difficulty maintaining standing position, and decreased menace response with partial improvement during 26-day hospitalization.
- •Postmortem examination confirmed Purkinje neuron degeneration and necrosis with glial cell proliferation consistent with cerebellar abiotrophy.
- •Quarter Horse breed should be investigated for possible genetic mutation similar to the autosomal recessive inheritance pattern identified in Arabian horses.