Food Animal Neuro Exam

Question 1

Important difference in the neurological assessment of food animals vs small animals?

Answer 1

food animals = prey species -> will hide clinical signs if possible (prey animals will pretend health) (exception = pigs, carnivores)

Question 2

What are the 4 parts of the neuro exam?

Answer 2

Sensorium
Gait
Postural reactions (size of animal dictates tests performed)
Cranial nerves

Question 3

ARAS abnormalities (ascending reticular activating system)

Answer 3

depression, lethargy, obtundation, semicoma, coma

Question 4

Behavioral changes due to prosencephalic disorders

Answer 4

propulsive pacing, head-pressing, licking, mania

Question 5

What are aspects of cranial nerve exam examined?

Answer 5

1. head position
2. eye position & movement
3. menace response
4. pupillary symmetry & light response
5. face stimulation

Question 6

What consists of the face stimulation aspect of the cranial nerve exam? (8)

Answer 6

• moving head side-to-side for normal physiologic nystagmus
• holding head to each side in extension, looking for development of positional nystagmus
• palpebral reflex
• lip tone
• flicking nose for nostril flare (external nasal meatus)
• jaw tone, mastication muscles
• tongue pull for strength and size
• ability to swallow (IX and X pharyngeal brr.)