Atlanto-axial malarticulation in Angora goats

Two male Angora goats presented with ataxia and weakness of the hind limbs. Both tired easily when exercised and often stumbled and fell. In both cases, post-mortem examination revealed focal areas of gliosis and diffuse Wallerian degeneration in the spinal cord at the level of the atlanto-axial joint. There were also two areas of myelomalacia in one of the goats. In the other, the caudal articular surfaces of the atlas were unusually convex and the odontoid process of the axis was laterally compressed. It is suggested that these vertebral anomalies resulted in excessive mobility of the joint leading to the development of a compressive myelopathy.