Congenital spinal stenosis in beef calves in western Canada

Nineteen calves with a clinical history of posterior weakness or ataxia were examined at necropsy. Dorsoventral narrowing of the vertebral canal and myelopathy were found in the thoracic and lumbar areas of the spinal cord; vertebral metaphyseal growth plates had focal areas of premature closure. Malformation of the cranial base and hydrocephalus were also observed. Shortening of long bones and malformation of long bone epiphyses were prominent findings and were associated with focal premature closure of metaphyseal growth plates. The cause of these lesions is unknown; possible causes, including a maternal deficiency of manganese, are discussed.