Cerebrospinal fluid collection and analysis in suspected sheep neurological disease

Lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and subsequent analysis are particularly useful with respect to confirming the presence of an inflammatory lesion involving the leptomeninges, such as bacterial meningo-encephalitis, and investigating potential compressive lesions of the spinal cord. When correctly performed under local anaesthesia, lumbar CSF collection in sheep is a safe procedure. Familiarity with the technique aids high extradural injection of lidocaine and/or xylazine which has many applications in sheep clinical practice. There are no indications for cisternal CSF collection.