Cerebellar and vestibular disease - problem solving - neurology videos Flashcards
How easy is it to differentiate ataxia and weakness in horses?
very difficult: weakness in horses short shuffle steps, knuckling over and toe dragging but can be seen with ataxia too. For ataxia look for hypermetria.
How common are cerebellar diseases in horses?
rare
Which regions do you test for facial sensation?
- palpebral
- in ear
- nasal planum
- upper lip
How do dogs and cats differ in the lesions that cause them to hop? Versus hrse?
In cats, you need quite large lesions to cause hopping defects unlike dogs where these defects are more obvious with smaller lesions. Hopping in horse – testing strength, in small animals you are looking more for proprioceptive dysfunction.
Which species is usually tested for extensor postural thrust most commonly?
cats - d/t size
How do you detect a headache in dogs/ cats?
you press head down and press on area where you would take CSF. If headache, this makes pain worse.
What might cause a feline CSF tap to have increased protein, increased TNCC and neutrophilic pleocytosis?
• VIRAL o Coronavirus (FIP) • PROTOZOAL o Toxoplasma • BACTERIAL • FUNGAL o Cryptococcus o Phaeohyphomycosis o Hyalohyphomycosis
How do you test for Toxoplasma gondii?
- ELISA
- serology
- PCR
How can you test for FIP coronavirus?
test for abnormal spike protein – new more specific test (for mutated virus which causes FIP versus the normal coronavirus which doesn’t cause FIP)
CS - FIP
- other neuro signs common (seizure, cerebellar signs)
- systemic and ocular involvement
Pathogenesis - FIP
•
Dx - FIP
- FCoV Ab titre > 128-
- Albumin: Globulin (A:G) ration raised to globulin to over 40g/L. Ratio of >0.8 rule out FIP, if between 0.4-0.84 consider other parameter
- Acid glycoprotein level (AGP): this is an APP, usually >1500 in FIP
- Haematology
- MRI or CT imaging
- CSF (+PCR)
Haematology findings - FIP
Classically lymphopaenia, a non-regenerative anaemia with a haematocrit of 30% or less and often a neutrophilia with a shift to the left.
MRI or CT imaging of FIP
meningeal and ependymal enhancement
CSF - FIP
neutrophilic pleocytosis
Tx - FIP
SUPPORTIVE ONLY:
- steroids
- IFN
- prognosis: tx only offers a short prolongation of life
If a horse likes having all 4 feet on the ground, does this suggest it is most likely ataxic or weak?
weak
If a horse doesn’t look in the direction of being turned, what does it suggest?
the horse doesn’t like turning
Are you more likely to get a nystagmus with an acute or chronic onset of brainstem problem?
acute - more likely to have nystagmus
How common is it to have a vascular lesion causing an acute onset neuro disease in horses?
Rare
Where does facial nn exit skull?
stylomastoid foramen
Which CN controls soft palate?
CN 9
Tx - equine head trauma causing haematoma in GP
- steroids contraindicated
- drugs to limit oedema formation (hypertonic saline much more economical in horses than mannitol)
- NSAIDs
- euthanasia (realistic)
Which skull bones are most commonly fractured in head trauma in horses? 2
Basisphenoid and basioccipital bone
