Diagnostic Tests

Question 1

brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test

Answer 1

• Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing is a specialist technique that requires electrophysiological equipment.
• It is only available in a few centres (such as RVC) and would not be something done in practice.
• The BAER is a way of evaluating the auditory pathway from the ear to the brainstem and to the midbrain. It can be helpful sometimes in determining whether a lesion is peripheral or central
• The BAER detects electrical activity in the cochlea (inner ear) and auditory pathways in the brain in much the same way that an antenna detects radio or TV signals

Question 2

CSF Tap

Answer 2

• CSF might be helpful though to determine whether the horse has a central or peripheral problem, and whether there is evidence of inflammation, infection or degeneration in the CNS.
• This test is similar to a blood test, in which a needle is inserted into an artery to collect blood for testing