Equine neurology Flashcards
where can a lesion of the brain be localised to?
forebrain
brainstem
cerebellum
vestibular system
where do the sympathetic nerves exit the spinal cord?
thoracolumbar region
where do the parasympathetic nerves exit the nervous system?
craniosacral region
what is assessed from a distance on the neurological exam?
mentation
behaviour
posture
what are behaviour abnormalities of horses?
aggression
compulsive walking/circling
loss of learnt behaviour
vocalisation
what postural abnormalities is looked for when observing the horse?
head turn/tilt
wide base stance
how can the optic nerve be assessed?
sight (compensate well)
menace
pupillary light response
how can the oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nerve be assessed?
eye position
how is the trigeminal nerve assessed?
atrophy of masticatory muscles
palpate/tap face (sensation)
how is the facial nerve assessed?
facial symmetry
facial expression
how can the vestibulocochlear nerve be assessed?
head posture
hearing
normal nystagmus
normal gait
when assessing the vestibular system of a horse, what should be done?
blindfold the horse
how are the glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory nerves assessed?
watch the horse eat
how is the hypoglossal nerve assessed?
pull tongue to the side (should retract)
what is assessed at the back end of a horse?
anal tone
tail clamp (shouldn’t be easy to lift)
perineal reflex
how can proprioception be assessed in horses?
walk them and stop to see if they place there legs in a normal position when stopped
what is ataxia?
subconscious proprioceptive deficits seen as irregular or unpredictable movement
when will ataxia be exaggerated?
when turning tight circles
where can ataxia be localised to?
cerebellum
vestibular
spine
what ataxia is associated with the cerebellum?
hypermetric (no weakness)
what are the signs of ataxia associated with the vestibular system?
loss of balance
hypometric
wide base
(other vestibular - head tilt, nystagmus…)
what ataxia is associated with spinal lesions?
dysmetric (possible weakness)
how can ataxia be classified?
subtle - barely detectable
mild - detected normally and exaggerated on certain manoeuvres
moderate - buckle and fall with certain manoeuvres
severe - trip and fall spontaneously
what are the two types of weakness?
extensor (buckling)
flexor (toe drag)
