Cerebellar abiotrophy

Veterinary advice should be sought before applying any treatment or vaccine.

Cerebellar Abiotrophy

Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) is a rare neurological disease characterized by intrinsic spontaneous degeneration of premature neuronal cells. CA most commonly affects Arabians and Arabian crossbreds but has also been reported in the Oldenburg horse breed and Gotland and Eriskay ponies. Most foals with CA appear normal at birth.

Symptoms

Head tremors
Ataxia
Excessively high-stepping gait in the forelimbs
Wide-based stance
Unable to rise from lying down
Hyperreactivity
Poor depth perception

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Clinical signs
  • Physical exam
  • Computed tomography

Support

Therapies

Most foals are euthanized or restricted to life as pasture pets.

Scientific Research

General Overviews

Age Range

Clinical signs tend to develop between birth and 6 months of age but have also developed later in life.

Commonly Affected Breeds

Arabian iconTrakehner icon