Diseases of the nervous system Flashcards
2 branches of the nervous system
central nervous system and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS)
2 branches of PNS
autonomic nervous system (heart muscle, smooth muscle, glands) and somatic nervous system (skeletal muscles)
2 branches of autonomic nervous system
parasympathetic (rest and digest) and sympathetic (fight or flight)
parts of CNS
brain and spinal cord
diseases of the brain
trauma, seizures, and neoplasia
etiology of trauma
literally anything, very common in vet med
clinical signs of trauma
aural, oral, oculonasal hemorrhaging, seizures, abnormal behavior, shock, cardiac arrhythmias, altered RR
Dx trauma
clinical signs, Hx, CT, MRI
Tx trauma
varies, supportive care, control seizures, monitor O2 levels, steroids
Px trauma
varies on severity
What does trauma do to the brain
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
the brain in encased in ____ and there is no room for ____
bone; swelling
meds for seizures
diazepam, propofol, phenobarbital
acute disorder of middle aged dogs and cats
idiopathic vestibular diseasec
clinical signs of vestibular disease
loss of balance, nystagmus, disorientation, ataxia, vomiting, anorexia
Dx vestibular disease
clinical signs, rule out inner ear infection, metabolic disorder, infectious or inflammatory response, neoplasia
Tx for vestibular disease
Cerenia for motion sickness, supportive
recurrent seizures with no demonstrated cause
Idiopathic seizures
breed disposition for seizures
GSD, poodle, cocker spaniels, beagles, goldens, irish setters
seizures begin around what age?
1-3 years
clinical signs leading up to seizures
pre-ictal phase
period after seizure where animal is still disoriented/obtunded
post-ictal phase
cause of seizures
extracranial and intracranial
Tx for seizures
try to find underlying cause and control the clinical signs
Dx for seizures
CBC, UA, MRI
seizures must be distinguished from____
syncope (falling asleep)
seizure lasting for over 5 minutes
status epilepticus
why are prolonged seizures a true emergency?
can lead to coma and death
Tx for epilepticus
diazepam, phenobarbital IV, established airway, monitor, supportive care
etiology of neoplasia
unknown
signalment for neoplasia
older patients
clinical signs for neoplasia
altered mentation, seizures, head tilt, vestibular disease, ataxia
Dx for neoplasia
advanced imaging
Tx for neoplasia
chemo is an option, mostly supportive
disease of cartilage formation of middle aged chondrodystrophic animals
intervertebral disc disease (IDD)
breed disposition of IDD
dachshund, bulldog, corgi, pug, french bulldog, basset hound, Pekinese, beagle, poodle
what is IDD
herniation of intervertebral disc into spinal cord causing inflammation of the spinal cord
clinical signs of IDD
acute pain, tense abdomen, hunched appearance, paresis or paralysis, proprioceptive deficit, +/- deep pain, +/- incontinence