Bovine Spastic Paresis

1. Symptom #3

1.1. Gradually contracting gastrocnemius muscles

2. Veterinary Diagnostics

2.1. Pathology of this disorder can be distinguished as affecting the gastrocnemius muscles through the use of a femoral nerve block

3. Symptom #2

3.1. Animal may appear to be very emaciated and may try to limit its time on its feet, often eating while lying down

4. Symptoms of this disorder can appear in the first 6 months of life, and can gradually continue for years.

5. Symptom #4

5.1. Increasingly extended hock and stifle

6. Symptom #5

6.1. Eventually, hind limbs become so stiff that it may walk with short pendulum like steps.

6.2. If both hind limbs are affected, the animal may try to bear weight on its front legs, arching its back.

7. Many of the symptoms of Bovine Spastic Paresis are similar to that of White Muscle Disease and possibly Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

8. Symptom #6

8.1. Elevated tail head