Forebrain - General Flashcards
Rigid extension of all four limbs
Mental status = stupor or coma
Decerebrate Rigidity
*rostral brainstem lesion
Extension of thoracic limbs; pelvic limbs flexed at hip
Normal mentation
Decerebellate Rigidity
*rostral cerebellar lesion
Extensor hypertonicity of thoracic limbs; paralysis of pelvic limbs
Schiff-Sherrington posture
*T3-L3 acute spinal cord lesion
Normal sensory function bilaterally; just unaware of one side
Examples:
- eating from half of bowl
- response to sounds from opposite side
- tactile responses from one side only
Hemineglect
What does the Hypothalamus control?
Lots!
- appetite
- thirst
- pain
- sleep pattern
***Lesions here can affect these areas
Prioritizing DDx
- Generalized, symmetric signs
- Focal, lateralized signs
- Multifocal signs
- metabolic, toxic, degenerative, congenital
- neoplastic, vascular, infectious, traumatic
- metastatic neoplasia, infectious, vascular
Prioritizing DDx
- Acute = “flip like a lightswitch”
- Gradual = slow in onset (days to wks)
- vascular, traumatic, others
2. neoplasia, degenerative, others
Prioritizing DDx
- Progressive
- Static
- neoplasia, infectious, degenerative
2. vascular, congenital anomaly
Diagnostics for Intra-cranial dz
pretty straightforward
- CBC, Chem, UA
- Others: bile acids, ammonia, endocrine, tox, serology for infectious dz, thoracic/abdominal imaging
- MRI, CT brain
- CSF analysis
Hydrocephalus
Congenital
- Blockage w/in ventricular system –> impaired absorption via arachnoid villi
- Domed “apple-shaped” head
- Seizures, altered mentation, etc
Hydrocephalus:
Dx and Tx
Dx:
- definite dx via imaging (MRI, CT, transcranial US)
Tx:
- reduce CSF production (omeprazole)
- improve drainage (sx)
Three types of metabolic encephalopathies
- Hepatic
- fix underlying liver problem - Hypoglycemic
- restore normal glucose levels - Osmotic
- correct electrolyte imbalance (SLOWLY!!!)
Feline Ischemic Encephalopathy (FIE)
Acute onset, unilateral signs
*assoc’d with cuterebra migration
Global ischemia/hypoxia
Diffuse, symmetric signs
*assoc’d with generalized poor cerebral perfusion
anesthesia, dystocia, post-resuscitation, inc ICP
Intracranial hemorrhage/infarction
Focal or diffuse, depending on location of insult
