Canine Top 10 Neurological Diseases - Part 1 Flashcards
what is the classic case presentation of a dog with IVDD?
pain in the neck/back (arched back & head down), ataxia, paraparesis/paraplegia, tetraparesis
what breed of dog is most commonly affected by IVDD?
can be any dog breed, but mostly chondrodystrophic breeds
what is the best way to diagnose IVDD? what other options are available & what are their disadvantages?
MRI is the safest & has the best quality - CT is second best but not as great of quality, & myelograms are out of favor because many dogs have seizures during recovery
when is medical management appropriate for a dog with IVDD?
if they are only painful with no neuro signs!! strict cage rest & analgesia with opioids or NSAIDS
what treatment is indicated for a IVDD dog that is non-ambulatory or unresponsive to medical treatment?
surgical decompression, ventral slot for cervical discs & hemilaminectomy for thoracolumbar discs
why are steroids controversial for treating a dog with IVDD? what is used instead?
numerous adverse effects & poor efficacy - NSAIDS are used instead
hansen type I IVDD occurs in what breeds? what about hansen type II?
chondrodystrophic breeds for type I & any other dog breed for type II
what is the difference between hansen type I & hansen type II IVDD?
type I is rupture of the nucleus pulposus & type II is hypertrophy or bulging of the annulus
what is the classic case presentation of a dog with epilepsy?
1-5 year old dog with a history of seizures & are normal on presentation
how is epilepsy diagnosed in dogs?
rule out other causes of seizures using CBC, chem, bile acids, cholinesterase, lead levels, MRI, & CSF analysis
how is epilepsy treated in dogs?
anticonvulsants - phenobarb, levetiracetam, zonisamide, etc used to reduce seizure & spaying females
what must be monitored if you put a dog with epilepsy on phenobarbital?
must monitor phenobarb levels & bile acids!!
what is the classic case presentation of a dog with a traumatic CNS injury?
history of trauma/contusions/lacerations/paraparesis/paraplegia/tetraparesis/pain/altered consciousness/seizures
what diagnostics should be done for a dog that presents with evidence of a traumatic CNS injury?
spinal survery rads, CT, +/-MRI
what treatment is recommended for a dog with a traumatic CNS injury?
check the airway for breathing/circulation, administer fluids & O2, surgical decompression/stabilization, cage rest, external splint
what drug is highly controversial & detrimental for dogs with traumatic CNS injuries?
steroids!!!
what is the classic case presentation of a dog with a brain tumor?
dog that is older than 5 years
what clinical signs are associated with a brain tumor in a dog?
depends on the tumor location, but - seizures, altered consciousness, pacing, head pressing, turning towards the side of the lesion, loss of conscious proprioception, hypermetria, head bobbing, ataxia, intention tremors, head tilt, nystagmus, etc
how is a brain tumor diagnosed in a dog?
MRI is the safest with the best quality, but can also do a CT
what is the purpose of doing a CSF tap for a dog with a brain tumor? what are the associated risks?
it may show elevated protein, but tumor cells are rarely found - risk of brain herniation!!
what definitive treatment is used for a dog with a brain tumor? what about supportive treatment?
definitive - surgical resection, radiation, chemotherapy & supportive - prednisolone & anticonvulsants
what is the most common brain tumor type seen in dogs? specifically what breeds?
meningiomas - doliococephalic breeds
what dog breeds are more commonly affected by gliomas?
brachycephalic breeds - especially boxers
what is the number one cause of seizures in dogs older than 5 years old?
brain tumors!!!
what is the classic case presentation of geriatric vestibular disease?
geriatric dog with acute onset head tilt towards the lesion, horizontal nystagmus with the fast phase away from the lesion, ataxia, circling towards the lesion, +/- rolling in the direction of the head tilt, but NO loss of conscious proprioception & normal mentation
how is geriatric vestibular disease diagnosed?
all other tests are negative, rule out other causes of peripheral vestibular disease, thyroid testing, otoscopic exam, MRI/CT, +/- CSF tap
how is geriatric vestibular disease treated?
nursing care - well padded bedding, physical therapy, & sedatives if flailing
what is the prognosis for geriatric vestibular disease?
excellent prognosis - resolves within a few days/weeks, but may have a persistent head tilt - can relapse
what other condition can have a similar appearance to geriatric vestibular disease? what clinical signs are seen?
cerebellar strokes - acute onset, paradoxical head tilt away from the lesion, nystagmus, circling/rolling, normal mentation, & ipsilateral loss of conscious proprioception
