The collection and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid as an aid to diagnosis in ruminant neurological disease.

In ruminant species cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and analysis provides rapid and, in some situations, instant information to the veterinary clinician investigating a disease problem in the living animal. CSF analysis is particularly useful with respect to confirming the presence of an inflammatory lesion involving the leptomeninges such as bacterial meningoencephalitis. When correctly performed under local anaesthesia, lumbosacral CSF collection in ruminants is a safe procedure and there are no harmful sequelae. There are few indications for cisternal CSF collection in food animal practice.