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Summary: GM2 gangliosidosis (Tay–Sachs disease) was diagnosed in 6- to 8-month-old pedigree Jacob lambs from two unrelated flocks presenting clinically with progressive neurological dysfunction of 10 day's to 8 week's duration. Clinical signs included hindlimb ataxia and weakness, recumbency and proprioceptive defects. Histopathological examination of the nervous system identified extensive neuronal cytoplasmic accumulation of material that stained with periodic acid–Schiff and Luxol fast blue. Electron microscopy identified membranous cytoplasmic bodies within the nervous system. Serum biochemistry detected a marked decrease in hexosaminidase A activity in the one lamb tested, when compared with the concentration in age matched controls and genetic analysis identified a mutation in the sheep hexa allele G444R consistent with Tay–Sachs disease in Jacob sheep in North America. The identification of Tay–Sachs disease in British Jacob sheep supports previous evidence that the mutation in North American Jacob sheep originated from imported UK stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor dealing with polioencephalo-myelitis of unknown aetiology in a heifer.

Presents a letter to the editor on regarding outbreaks of ryegrass staggers in sheep in several parts of England.

The article reports on the presence of Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in alpaca herds in southwest England. The presence of the BVDV was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). BVDV-associated disease includes stillbirths, congenital neurological disease and stunted growth. A summary of the pathological, clinical and laboratory findings is also presented.

A letter to the editor is presented about a novel nonchemical method of pest control that may have been used illegally in England for the control of wild rabbits.

A letter to the editor is presented about hindlimb paralysis after epidural anesthesia in a Charollais cross ram.

Presents a letter to the editor about maedi-visna virus infection in Great Britain.

Comments on the types of differential diagnosis of congenital neurological signs in lambs citing the susceptibility of ewes to diseases and the potential causes of congenital laminar cerebrocortical neuronal necrosis, hypoxia and hypoglycemia.