Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita in a male mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon) lamb

In March 2007 a few days old male mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon) lamb was found within an enclosure for fallow deer (Dama dama) and mouflon rearing, managed by the Rozhanovce Game Management Centre, Kosice University of Veterinary Medicine. Because of its severe limb malformations and consequent inability to stand up, the lamb was caught and euthanized. Following the euthanasia procedure the lamb was subjected to macroscopic and X-ray examination, necropsy and histopathological examination. Multiple alterations were observed and classified as arthrogryposis, kyphosis and deviation and reduced length of the left hind leg. Arthrogryposis is a term for constant contraction of joint/s found throughout the body at birth. It is generally associated with fetal akinesia due to different fetal abnormalities or maternal disorders. It can also be related to damage of the central nervous system (i.e. intrauterine infection with Akabane, bluetongue or some other viruses), ingestion of poisonous plants by the pregnant female, fetal inactivity or other anomalies such as scoliosis, torticollis or cleft palate. The combination of observed alterations along with nonspecific results of histopathology and the fact that this was a single case excludes an infectious agent as a cause of this condition.