Brain Conditions Flashcards
A dog presents with a history of circling and falling over to the left side. On exam you see that the dog has nystagmus, with the slow phase toward the left. You also note miosis and enopthalmus of the left eye. No paresis or CP deficits are detected. What are the differentials for these signs?
(Peripheral Vestibular Dz)
DDx: Otitis media/interna
Canine idiopathic vestibular disease
Congenital (GSD, Beagle, Doberman, Siamese/Burmese @ 3m)
Although vestibular disease resolves with time, and there is no treatment, what medications can be used to alleviate vertigo and nausea?
Antihistamines
A dog presents to your clinic for sudden onset of circling and tilting his head to the right. You note hemiparesis on the right side, and the dog seems depressed. Vertical nystagmus is present and can be ilicited by head movement. Is this a peripheral or central problem?
Central Vestibular Dx
*Rotary/horizontal/vertical nystagmus. Hemi or tetraparesis. Eyes can move in different directions.
What are the MAIN causes of central vestibular disease?
Neoplasia
Encephalitis (distemper, FIP)
Infection with parvo virus in utero causes what pathology in cats and dogs?
Cerebellar hypoplasia
A 4 year old Maltese presents for tremors of the head and limbs that seem to come on when he gets excited, but never happen while he’s sleeping. What treatment is appropriate for this dog?
Prednisone @ 2mg/kg
*Inflammation in the cerebellum causes shaking/shivering in small breeds
A 10 month old Scottish Terrier presents with a history of getting stiff and falling over into a ball when someone comes to the front door. What medication is most appropriate for this patient?
Prozac
*Serotonin deficiency causing collapse with exercise or excitement. Prozac is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Non-progressive condition.
You are seeing a 6 month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who has been stiffening up after playing in the yard. The dog remains conscious, so the owner doesn’t think he’s having seizures. What medication might help this dog?
Clonazepam
*Hypertonicity syndrome that usually resolves over a couple years
What are teh 2 mechanisms that lead to hydrocephalus?
Decreased flow of CSF
Increased production of CSF
An 8 week old Chihuahua presents to your clinic with a history of incoordination and apparent blindness. You note a large, dome shaped head and strabismus. What is causing signs in this patient?
Hydrocephalus
*Congenital in toy breeds. Just inherently dumb puppies/dogs. Progressive. Can lead to seizures, blindness, deafness, tetraparesis.
*Can be aquired from FIP or toxoplasma
The owner of the Chihuahua would like to treat the hydrocephalus. What are the treatment options.
Shunts!
Dexamethasone can be used for temporary relief
A dog presents for seizures, confusion, and hemiparesis on the left side. The owners say it’s like he doesn’t even know them anymore. While examining the dog, you notice that he is walking slightly toward the left. You suggest a CT of the brain and find a mass in the cortex. What side is the mass on?
Right side.
*Cortical masses show contralateral locomotor signs
A dog presents with a recent history of left side paresis. Intellectually the dog seems normal, however, there are some cranial nerve deficits. You order a CT and find a mass in the brainstem. What side is the mass on?
Left
*Brain stem lesions will cause ipsilateral locomotor problems
While German Shepherds, Boxers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Golden Retrievers are predisposed to meningiomas, brachycephalics are predisposed to ______.
Gliomas
T/F: Cats diagnosed with malignant meningiomas have a better prognosis than dogs with the same tumor.
TRUE
*MST for cats is 1-3 years. MST in dogs is 4-6 months.
You have just diagnosed a glioma in a Boston Terrier. What treatment is not indicated for these tumors?
Surgery. Since these are not superficial tumors, resection would destroy too much of the brain.
*MST for gliomas is 4-12m
After removing a meningioma in a canine patient, you suggest radiation therapy. How much survival time does radiation offer, in addition to the year provided by surgery?
1-3 years
In patients with intracranial space occupying lesions, why are CSF taps and volatile gas anesthetics contraindicated?
Risk of brain herniation.
Intracranial pressure is already high. Volatile gas anesthetics and CSF taps increase ICP further, increasing the likelihood of herniation.
You begin a CSF tap on a dog with neurological signs such as strabismus, weak jaw tone, and lack of pupillary response. The dog suddenly goes into respiratory arrest. Based on the clinical signs and procedure, what treatment is indicated to hopefully alleviate the underlying cause, if the dog survives?
Dexamethasone
*This dog was showing signs of increased ICP, and the CSF tap likely induced a brain herniation, sending the dog into respiratory arrest. Dexamethasone reduces brain edema and may reverse the herniation.
CT on a cat with a history of trauma. The patient lost consciousness and has been exhibiting ataxia and CP deficits since the incident. On the scan you see areas of focal hemorrhage and edema. What is the diagnosis?
Contusion
You arrive in the treatment room to find a dog recumbant and unconscious, with its fore and hind legs extended and stiff. The dog’s head and neck are extended dorsally. What part of the cerebral cortex do you suspect is affected?
The whole thing is destroyed. (Decerebrate rigidity)
Dog A is depressed and has left sided hemiparesis. Lack of menace response and no reaction to nostril stimulation on the left side are noted, but the rest of the cranial nerve tests are normal.
Dog B is stuprous and has multiple cranial nerve deficits. He also has periods of tachypnea followed by apnea.
Where is the lesion in each of these dogs?
Dog A: lesion in the cortex (right side)
Dog B: lesion in the brainstem. (More pronounced stupor and multiple cranial nerve deficits. Cheyne-Strokes respiration indicates decreased PaCo2 responsiveness in the diencephalon.)