ACUTE BULBAR PARALYSIS 73 



ACUTE BULBAR PARALYSIS 



Under this head we undertake to discuss a patho- 

 logical condition in cattle which occurs quite fre- 

 quently and usually in a typical form. 



The exact nature of this condition from an etiolog- 

 ical standpoint is not known. In some instances it 

 assumes an enzootic character, having been described 

 by some authors in this form as an enzootic pharyn- 

 geal paralysis. As the symptoms are not by any means 

 confined to the pharynx, nor to the effects of a pharyn- 

 geal paralysis, this name is misleading. 



A disease which is prevalent in Europe in an en- 

 zootic and epizootic form and which has been named 

 the diseas,e of Aujesky, somewhat resembles what we 

 term acute bulbar paralysis in this country. Au- 

 jesky 's disease may be the same disease in a more 

 active form; the cases which he has described as 

 occurring in Europe have to be differentiated from 

 furious rabies. Acute bulbar paralysis as seen in the 

 United States may on occasions be taken for dumb 

 rabies. Under certain conditions, such as exist when 

 the disease occurs shortly before or after parturition, 

 it is also confused with parturient paresis. 



Acute bulbar paralysis seems to affect cattle of all 

 ages, although there is a slight preference on the part 

 of the disease for "animals which are not aged. As 

 a general rule it may be said to be sporadic in na- 

 ture ; in exceptional instances it is mildly enzootic. 



The inaugural symptom is a dullness, or an appear- 

 ance indicating general indisposition. The animal will 

 neither eat nor drink; rumination is suspended and 

 constipation exists. These symptoms the veterinarian 

 usually hears in the history given by the owner. The 



