Equine Juvenile Spinozerebelläre Ataxie (EJSCA)
Equine juvenile spinozerebelläre ataxia (EJSCA)*
General description
Affected foals developed ataxia, or incoordination, between 1 and 4 weeks of age. Most foals exhibited severely affected hind limbs and less severely affected front limbs. Within a few days, the affected foals were unable to stand without assistance and had to be euthanized.
Breeds
Quarter Horse
Order details
| Test number | 8942 |
| Sample material | mane/tail hair roots |
| Test duration | 21-28 working days |
Test specifications
| Inheritance | unknown |
Detailed description
A new neurologic disease of American Quarter Horse (QH) foals was identified in 2020. Affected foals developed ataxia, or incoordination, between 1 and 4 weeks of age. Glucose and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) concentrations were commonly elevated in blood tests. Most foals exhibited severely affected hind limbs and less severely affected front limbs. As the disease progressed, these foals would turn the hind limbs to one side, with the front limbs planted on the ground, causing them to appear to walk sideways. Within a few days, the affected foals were unable to stand without assistance and had to be euthanized. Postmortem examinations revealed distinctive lesions in their spinal cords.
