Canine Top 10 Neurological Diseases - Part 1

Question 1

what is the classic case presentation of a dog with IVDD?

Answer 1

pain in the neck/back (arched back & head down), ataxia, paraparesis/paraplegia, tetraparesis

Question 2

what breed of dog is most commonly affected by IVDD?

Answer 2

can be any dog breed, but mostly chondrodystrophic breeds

Question 3

what is the best way to diagnose IVDD? what other options are available & what are their disadvantages?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

when is medical management appropriate for a dog with IVDD?

Answer 4

if they are only painful with no neuro signs!! strict cage rest & analgesia with opioids or NSAIDS

Question 5

what treatment is indicated for a IVDD dog that is non-ambulatory or unresponsive to medical treatment?

Answer 5

surgical decompression, ventral slot for cervical discs & hemilaminectomy for thoracolumbar discs

Question 6

why are steroids controversial for treating a dog with IVDD? what is used instead?

Answer 6

numerous adverse effects & poor efficacy - NSAIDS are used instead

Question 7

hansen type I IVDD occurs in what breeds? what about hansen type II?

Answer 7

chondrodystrophic breeds for type I & any other dog breed for type II

Question 8

what is the difference between hansen type I & hansen type II IVDD?

Answer 8

type I is rupture of the nucleus pulposus & type II is hypertrophy or bulging of the annulus

Question 9

what is the classic case presentation of a dog with epilepsy?

Answer 9

1-5 year old dog with a history of seizures & are normal on presentation

Question 10

how is epilepsy diagnosed in dogs?

Answer 10

rule out other causes of seizures using CBC, chem, bile acids, cholinesterase, lead levels, MRI, & CSF analysis

Question 11

how is epilepsy treated in dogs?

Answer 11

anticonvulsants - phenobarb, levetiracetam, zonisamide, etc used to reduce seizure & spaying females

Question 12

what must be monitored if you put a dog with epilepsy on phenobarbital?

Answer 12

must monitor phenobarb levels & bile acids!!

Question 13

what is the classic case presentation of a dog with a traumatic CNS injury?

Answer 13

history of trauma/contusions/lacerations/paraparesis/paraplegia/tetraparesis/pain/altered consciousness/seizures

Question 14

what diagnostics should be done for a dog that presents with evidence of a traumatic CNS injury?

Answer 14

spinal survery rads, CT, +/-MRI

Question 15

what treatment is recommended for a dog with a traumatic CNS injury?

Answer 15

check the airway for breathing/circulation, administer fluids & O2, surgical decompression/stabilization, cage rest, external splint

Question 16

what drug is highly controversial & detrimental for dogs with traumatic CNS injuries?

Answer 16

steroids!!!

Question 17

what is the classic case presentation of a dog with a brain tumor?

Answer 17

dog that is older than 5 years

Question 18

what clinical signs are associated with a brain tumor in a dog?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

how is a brain tumor diagnosed in a dog?

Answer 19

MRI is the safest with the best quality, but can also do a CT

Question 20

what is the purpose of doing a CSF tap for a dog with a brain tumor? what are the associated risks?

Answer 20

it may show elevated protein, but tumor cells are rarely found - risk of brain herniation!!

Question 21

what definitive treatment is used for a dog with a brain tumor? what about supportive treatment?

Answer 21

definitive - surgical resection, radiation, chemotherapy & supportive - prednisolone & anticonvulsants

Question 22

what is the most common brain tumor type seen in dogs? specifically what breeds?

Answer 22

meningiomas - doliococephalic breeds

Question 23

what dog breeds are more commonly affected by gliomas?

Answer 23

brachycephalic breeds - especially boxers

Question 24

what is the number one cause of seizures in dogs older than 5 years old?

Answer 24

brain tumors!!!

Question 25

what is the classic case presentation of geriatric vestibular disease?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

how is geriatric vestibular disease diagnosed?

Answer 26

all other tests are negative, rule out other causes of peripheral vestibular disease, thyroid testing, otoscopic exam, MRI/CT, +/- CSF tap

Question 27

how is geriatric vestibular disease treated?

Answer 27

nursing care - well padded bedding, physical therapy, & sedatives if flailing

Question 28

what is the prognosis for geriatric vestibular disease?

Answer 28

excellent prognosis - resolves within a few days/weeks, but may have a persistent head tilt - can relapse

Question 29

what other condition can have a similar appearance to geriatric vestibular disease? what clinical signs are seen?

Answer 29

cerebellar strokes - acute onset, paradoxical head tilt away from the lesion, nystagmus, circling/rolling, normal mentation, & ipsilateral loss of conscious proprioception