Exam 1 - FA Neurology - Spinal Cord Disease Flashcards
what are the big 5 differentials that can lead to spinal cord disease that is either focal or multifocal?
trauma
vertebral body abscess
epidural abscess
parasites
neoplasia
what are the clinical signs of trauma causing spinal cord disease?
acute onset
localization to area of the cord
may or may not see erythrophagocytosis in CSF
what is a common cause of a vertebral body abscess?
actinomyces pyogenes via the hematogenous route
what are the clinical signs of a vertebral body abscess?
alert, afebrile, good appetite, & localized to a cord segment
how is a vertebral body abscess diagnosed?
radiographs & CSF
what is a common cause of an epidural abscess?
ascending myelitis from tail docking, epidural injections, trauma, & infection
what are the clinical signs associated with an epidural abscess?
febrile, inflammatory leukogram
what is the treatment for trauma related spinal cord disease?
salvage if you can - no drugs
dex, banamine, & phenylbutazone
what is the treatment for an epidural abscess?
….these calves die
maybe antibiotics?? prognosis depends on duration
T/F: larvae of parelaphorastrongylus tenuis migrate in the spinal cord of the white tail deer but do not cause clinical signs
true
what are the intermediate hosts for parelaphorastrongylus tenuis?
snails & slugs
what is the natural host of parelaphorastrongylus tenuis?
white tail deer
what are the clinical signs of parelaphorastrongylus tenuis?
asymmetrical cord signs, recumbency, but remain BAR
how is parelaphorastrongylus tenuis treated?
ivermectin
fenbendazole (5mg/kg)
dexamethasone & banamine are beneficial
why does parelaphorastrongylus tenuis carry a guarded prognosis?
treatment may arrest progression of disease but animal may have permanent damage
some early ones may recover
what neoplasia in cows commonly invades the lumbar area?
bovine lymphosarcoma
what are the signs of bovine lymphosarcoma?
recumbent, ataxia, & history - older cow, >4 years old
how is bovine lymphosarcoma diagnosed?
rectal palpation - enlargement of internal lymph nodes (sub-lumbar)
positive for BLV
what is the treatment for bovine lymphosarcoma?
another plot in the cemetery
what are the sources for tetanus?
wound - deep puncture that sets up anaerobic environment
uterus - post partum prolapse
what is the cause of tetanus?
clostridium tetani - 3 exotoxins
inhibit release of GABA & glycine, tissue necrosis which favors multiplication, & overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system
what are the common clinical signs of tetanus?
elevated 3rd eyelid, pump handle tail, off feed, sardonic grin, bloat, stiff gait
what is the treatment for tetanus?
keep the animal in a quiet/dark place
debride wound/flush uterus
tetanus antitoxin
diazepam for seizures
how is tetanus prevented?
tetanus toxoid vaccine
