Feline Neurology Flashcards
Degenerative causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in Felines
Storage diseases
Anomylous causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in Felines
Hydrocephalus and Lyssencephaly
Metabolic causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in Felines
Hepatic Encephalopathy, Hypoglycemia, Electrolyte Disorders, Polycythemia
Nutritional causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in Felines
Thiamine Deficiency
Causes of Focal Encephalopathies in Felines
Neoplastic: Primary Meningioma or Metastatic
Vascular: Feline ischemic encephalopathy
Immune-mediated, non-infectious causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in Felines
Polioencephalomyelitis
Infectious causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in Felines
Viral: FIP**, FeLV?, FIV?
Bacterial
Fungal: Cryptococcus, Toxoplasma
Toxic causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in Felines
Toxins
Traumatic causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in Felines
Hit By Car, Dog Attack
Neoplastic causes of Focal Encephalopathy in Felines
Meningioma***
Most likely causes of Generalized Encephalopathies in a 4yo DSH
Metabolic: Hepatic Encephalopathy (head pressing and salivating), Hypoglycemia (weak)
Immune-mediated: Polioencephalomyelitis
Infectious: Viral (FIP*) or Fungal (Toxo or Crypto)
Trauma: HBC
How does hydrocephalus present usually?
younger cats, 4yo is a bit old for it
How do storage disease usually present?
more tremors and ataxia than anything
How do hepatic encephalopathies usually present?
Seizures, head-pressing, ptyalism, disorientation, blindness, stupor/coma
How does FIP usually present?
Dry form has diffuse neuro signs: dementia, ataxia and CN deficits, Wet form not so much neurologic signs.
Elevated liver enzymes (ALT and ALP), BUN and creatinine, and TP (polyclonal gammopathy)
CSF Neutrophilic pleocytosis and inc. protein
Titers and PCR are useless
What is treatment of FIP?
No effective treatment. If you catch early enough, steroids can be palliative against the inflammation.
How does cryptococcus present?
Roman Nose. 80% will have respiratory signs. 50% will have cutaneous lesions
DX by capsular antigen test
How do you treat cryptococcus?
Amphotericin B + Fluconazole and treat until antigen tests are negative
Prognosis of cryptococcus?
Fair to good so keep your head up!
Vascular causes of Focal Encephalopathy in felines
Feline ischemic encephalopathy
How do brain tumors present?
Focal encephalopathy.
DX by CT or MRI
TX Surgical removal +/- radiation, steroids, and anticonvulsants!
Steroids are great at removing peritumoral edema and reduce CSF production and lower ICP