Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Dog & Cat Medicine and Surgery > Gaitero - Neurology > Flashcards

Gaitero - Neurology Flashcards

1
Q

Neurological Exam (6 steps)

A
  1. Mental status
  2. Gait / posture
  3. CN exam
  4. Postural reactions: Proprioception/Hopping
  5. Spinal reflexes
    • PL: Patellar / Withdrawal (flexor)
    • TL: Withdrawal
    • Cutaneous trunci, perineal
  6. Palpation (back / neck pain)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

3 goals of the neuro exam

A
  1. Identify/confirm presence of a neurological problem
  2. Localize the lesion within the nervous system
  3. Others
     Assess severity/extension lesion  Prognosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

VITAMIN D stands for…

A 
VASCULAR
INFLAMMATORY / INFECTIOUS
TRAUMATIC / TOXIC ANOMALOUS (congenital) METABOLIC
IDIOPATHIC
NEOPLASTIC / NUTRITIONAL
DEGENERATIVE
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Spinal Cord Enlargements

A

There are two regional enlargements of the spinal cord for the innervation of the limbs:
· cervical intumescence C6-T2
composed of cord sections C6, C7, C8, T1, (T2)
· lumbosacral intumescence L4 to S3
composed of cord sections L4, L5, L6, L7, S1, S2, S3 (some say L5 to S1)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Intervertebral disc disease

A

Degenerative changes increase with repetitive compression (e.g. heavy lifting in flexion) or trauma (e.g. fall); degenerative changes may be asymptomatic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Where does the spinal cord terminate in large breed/small breed dogs & cats?

A

Large breed - L6
Small breed - L7
Cats - L7/S1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Canine Vertebral Formula

A

C-7, T-13, L-7, S-3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Spinal cord segmentation

A 
Spinal cord divided in segments:
8 cervical
13 thoracic
7 lumbar
3 sacral
>= 2 caudal
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

3 types of ataxia

A

Proprioceptive
Cerebellar
Vestibular

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where is the LMN Cell body? Axon?

A

Ventral Grey horn
From PNS to muscle
Reflex motor activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

UMN Clinical signs

A

Paresis (weakness)
Decrease of inhibitory LMN reflex so spinal reflexes are increased or normal
Disuse mucle atrophy, increased muscle tone.
Usually proprioceptive ataxia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

LMN Clinical signs

A

Paresis/paralysis
Decreased or absent reflex
Loss of muscle tone
Neurogenic muscle atrophy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Functional classification of the spinal cord (segments)

A

C1-C5
C6-T2
T3-L3
L4-S3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Extradural
Intradural-Extramedullary
Intramedullary

A

Outside the dura matter, but pushing pressure on the spinal cord
Inside the dura matter, but not in the actual cord
In the actual spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Clinical signs of spinal cord compression

A
  1. Back/neck pain
  2. Proprioceptive losses
  3. Loss of motor/paresis
  4. paralysis
  5. loss of nociception (deep pain)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Differentials for acute myelopathies

A

Febrile cartilagonis embolism myleopathy
Spinal trauma
Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation: extrusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Annulus fibrosus

A

fibrous ring of intervertebral disk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation: Extrusion vs. protrusion

A

Extrusion of mineralized nucleus pulposus into the vertebral canal (hansen type 1)- usually acute
Protrusion - usually chronic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Chondrodystrophic breeds/ages (w.r.t IVD herniation)

A

Daschunds, beagles, cockers, shih tzu (3-6 years old, rare < 2)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Location for IVD extrusion herniation

A

T11 - L3, cervical (uncommon to be T1-10;inter capital ligament)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

IVD Extrusion diagnosis

A

Thoracic rads

Myelogram (CT)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

IVD Extrusion treatment (surgical/when to use)

A 
Surgical: 
Thoracic: 
Hemilaminectomy
Pediculectomy
Cervical: Ventral Slot
Use surgical if pain or neurological deficits
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Hemilaminectomy

A

Remove part of a lamina of the vertebral arch in order to decompress the corresponding spinal cord and/or spinal nerve root.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

pediculectomy

A

surgical removal of portions of vertebral pedicles at the level of the intervertebral foramen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

IVD Extrusion emergency

A

Loss of deep pain
Quick onset
Non-ambulatory (thoracic)
Tetraplegia (cervical)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

IVD Extrusion treatment (conservative)

A 
Strict cage confinement for 3-4 weeks
Pain killers (NSAIDs Opioids) +/-
First episode of pain without deficits (50% get better)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

IVD Extrusion treatment (what not to use)

A

Never use NSAIDs + steroids
Never use anti-inflammatories without cage rest
Steroid use at all is controversial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

IVD Extrusion - prognosis

A

Deep pain present? Yes: 90%

No? < 50%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) - what is it?

A

Detachment of the IVD substance (nucleus pulposus) and lodging into a blood vessel - acute. Causes spinal cord ischemia due to the embolism in a spinal cord vessel
(thoracolumbar/cervical)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) - breeds

A

Non-chondrodystrophic large breed dogs

Miniature schnauzers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) - clinical signs

A

Acute / hyper acute onset
Non-progressive
Asymmetrical CS
Non-painful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Spinal cord arterial supply

A

10 pm, 2pm = upper spinal cord

6 pm = lower spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) - diagnosis

A

History/clinical signs
Rule out others
MRI - Intramedullary, focal, asymmetrical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) - treatment & recovery

A 
Treatment = supportive
Recovery = may do well if still have deep pain & start to get some recovery within the first 2 weeks
35
Q

Spinal trauma types

A

Endogenous (e.g. IVD Extrusion)
Exogenous (e.g. HBC)
(spinal cord contusion, vertebral fracture/luxation, traumatic IVD extrusion, hemorrhage)

36
Q

How do you deal with a life-threatening trauma injury

A
  1. Airway/Breathing/Circulation
  2. Minimal manipulation
    Physical/Orthopaedic exam
    Brief neurological exam (latera recumbency, localize severity, deep pain)
37
Q

Treatment for primary vs. secondary injury

A

primary: decompression/stabilization
secondary: maintenance spinal cord perfustion (BP, PO2), steroids?

38
Q

Acute, progressive, T3-L3 myelopathy

A
  1. IVD herniation/extrusion
  2. Inflammatory/Infectious (GME, infectious, spinal empyema
  3. Neoplasia
  4. Less likely: Spinal trauma, FCEM, others
39
Q

Differentials for hemiparesis, delayed proprioception on the same side, and decreased flexor reflex in the same side thoracic limb?

A
  1. FCEM (Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy)
  2. IVD herniation (extrusion)
  3. Others
40
Q

Myelopathies - chronic (5)

A

IVD herniation - protrusion
Atlantoaxial subluxation
Degenerative myelopathy (Genetic degeneration of the spinal cord white matter mainly from T3-L3)
Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (wobbler’s)
Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

41
Q

IVD herniation - protrusion: what is it?

A

A fibroid degeneration of the intact disc (hansen type II degenration); part of the normal aging process.
Progressive thickening on the dorsal annulus. A chronic, slow, compressive myelopathy

42
Q

IVD herniation - protrusion: Signalment & Clinical signs

A 
Chronic, progressive (weeks, years) 
Non-chondrodystrophic large dogs (or any)
Age > 5 years old (5-12 years)
Cervical/thoracolumbar
Spinal pain is mild/moderate vs. none
43
Q

IVD herniation - protrusion: Diagnosis

A

Spinal radiographys/myelogram
CT-myelogram
MRI

44
Q

IVD herniation - protrusion: Treatment

A

Restrict activity
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Steroids (useful for chronic spinal cord injury e.g. predinsone
Many can be controlled for a long time

45
Q

IVD herniation - protrusion: Surgical treatment - success rate, reasons

A

Less successful than IVD herniation - extrusion
Deterioration after surgery (temp or permanent), reperfusion injury
Lack of spinal cord functional reserve capacity: chronic compression, irreversible damage
(assume: Thoracic:
Hemilaminectomy
Pediculectomy
Cervical: Ventral Slot
Use surgical if pain or neurological deficits)

46
Q

Atlantoaxial subluxation - what is it?

A

Instability between C1-C2
Dorsal displacement of C2 (causes spinal cord compression)
Congenital & acquired forms

47
Q

Atlantoaxial subluxation - Clinical signs

A

C1-C5 myelopathy (can be chronic or acute)

progressive, severe neck pain, dyspnea

48
Q

Atlantoaxial subluxation - Congenital form

A

Small toy canine breeds (yorkshire terrier, chihuahua, miniature schnauzer)
< 1 year old
Failure of ligament support or failure of C2 dens development (hypoplasia/absence/dorsal angulation)

49
Q

Atlantoaxial subluxation - Acquired form

A

Traum -> acute; any dog/cat

50
Q

Atlantoaxial subluxation - Diagnosis

A

Spinal radiographs (usually diagnostic)
Increased space dorsal lamina atlas - dorsal spinous process axis (C2)
Extreme care manipulation - better if awake patient
Myelogram, CT, MRI

51
Q

Atlantoaxial subluxation - treatment

A

Stabilization +/- dens removal
High morbidity/mortality
Risk of respiratory arrest & death

52
Q

Atlantoaxial subluxation - conservative treatment

A

Young animals with mild signs
External splint >= 6 weeks
Risk or recurrences

53
Q

Degenerative myelopathy

A

Degeneration of the spinal cord white matter mainly from T3-L3 (genetic –> form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); genetic marker identified)
Pelvic limb ataxia, abnormal placement of the hind limbs, crossing over, reflexes are normal

54
Q

Degenerative myelopathy - signalment

A 
Large breed (german shepherd **, boxer, pembrokeshire welsh corgi, others
Age: > 5 years old (mean of 9)
55
Q

Degenerative myelopathy - clinical signs

A

Chronic & progressive
T3 - L3 (severe pelvic limb proprioceptive ataxia, paraparesis/paraplegia, sometimes decreased patellar reflexes)
No spinal pain

56
Q

Degenerative myelopathy - diagnosis

A

Rule-out other chronic T3-L3 myelopathies (IVD protrusion, neoplasia; normal spinal imagine)
Genetic marker present (DNA)
For a definitive diagnosis -> histopathology

57
Q

Degenerative myelopathy - treatment & prognosis

A

Supportive/physical therapy
Vitamins/aminocaproic acid, steroids? (not proven)

Prognosis: poor -> euthanasia in 6-12 months (can progress to thoracic limbs if kept alive)

58
Q

Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM)

A

Wobbler’s syndrome (cervical stenotic myelopathy; cervical malformation/malarticulation)
Vertebral malformations/malarticulations affeting caudal cervical vertebrae & acssociated structures (liagments/facets/discs)
Deficits in the thoracic limbs may be less (at least initially) than the pelvic limbs

59
Q

Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) - pathogenesis

A
  1. Malformation/malarticulation
  2. Degenerative changes in the spine
    - hypertrophic ligaments
    - IVD protrusions (C5-C6, C6-C7)
    - stenosis vertebral canal
    - articular facets: DJD, cysts, hypertrophy
  3. Spinal cord compression
60
Q

Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) - name the 2 forms

A
  1. disc associated CCSM: large breed, middle aged 3-9 (IVD protrusion)
  2. Osseous-associated CCSM. Giant breed (great dane) < 3 years old, articular facets DJD, canal stensosis
61
Q

Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) - clinical signs

A

Chronic, progressive
C6-T2 more likely than C1-C5
Tetraparesis (pelvic limbs much worse -> severe ataia & paresis); thoracic limbs (short, stilted, choppy gait -> hypometria)
Neck pain in 50% of cases

62
Q

Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) - diagnosis

A

Spinal radiographs
Myelogram
CT-myelogram
MRI (identifies intramedullary lesions)

63
Q

Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) - treatment -> conservative

A

Surgical treatment is usually recommended
Conservative therapy:
Restricted exercise; physical therapy;anti-inflammatories (steroids are beneficial in chronic spinal cord compression)

64
Q

Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) - treatment -> Surgical

A

None are very successful

  1. Ventral approach: ventral slot; distration/stabilization; disc associated CCSM
  2. Dorsal approach: dorsal laminectomy; osseous-associated CCSM; multiple ventral compressions (will deteriorate later)
65
Q

Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) - treatment -> Surgical prognosis

A

Surgical treatment - good 70-90% success
Recurrence rate >= 30%
can have domino-effect after surgical stabilization & long recovery period

66
Q

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

(DLSS) - what is it?

A

Compression cauda equine nerve roots due to degenerative changes at L7-S1
(Cauda equine syndrome/lumbosacral malarticulation, lumbosacral instability/lumbosacral spondylopathy)

67
Q

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

(DLSS) - pathogenesis?

A
  1. Chronic instability
  2. IVD protrusion between L7-S1
  3. hypertrophy of the ligaments (interarcuaate-flavum) & articular facets (DJD, synovial cysts)
  4. Subluxation of L7-S1
68
Q

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

(DLSS) - signalment?

A
  • large-breed dogs (german shepherds)
  • middle aged to older
  • males more likely than females (?)
    LMN lesion caudal to L7 (Sciatic, pudendal, coccygeal)
69
Q

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

(DLSS) - clinical signs

A

MAIN: Lumbosacral pain (reluctance to rise, sit, jump; lameness; PLs tucked under abdomen; low tail carriage)
Other clinical signs often not present

70
Q

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

(DLSS) - what is it?

71
Q

How do you detect lumbo-sacral pain?

A

Dorsal palpation of the LS joint, hyperextension PLs, raising up of tail, rectal palpation of the lumbosacral joint

72
Q

What neurologic signs do you expect with a lower motor lesion caudal to L7?

A

Paraparesis (short-stride gait, not ataxia or mild)
Mild proprioceptive deficits (pelvic limbs)
Tail paralysis (low tail carriage)
Pelvic limb muscle atrophy (sciatic innervated)
Decreased withdrawal reflexes (hock)

73
Q

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

(DLSS) - diagnosis?

A 
Spinal radiographs
Myelogram (but spinal cord ends at L6 in large dogs)
Epidurogrpahy, discography
CT
MRI
74
Q

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

(DLSS) - treatment?

A

Conservative: (if first episode & intermittent pain) -> restricted exercise, anti-inflammatory with success 70%

75
Q

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

(DLSS) - prognosis?

A

Surgery requires >= 12 weeks of confinement
Recurrences are more likely in active working dogs.
If only pain - good to excellent
If motor deficits - good to guarded
If incontinence - guarded to poor

76
Q

Spinal pain sources

A
  1. Meninges
  2. Nerve roots
  3. Vertebrae & associated structures (periosteum, ligaments, joints, muscles)
77
Q

Differentials for low head carriage, reluctance to walk, severe neck pain, pyrexic, lethargic, praying posture

A
  1. Inflammatory / Infectious
78
Q

Dyskospondylitis

A

Infectious disease in the spine & intervertibral disk & adjacent vertebrae.
Tends to be caused by bacteria more likely than fungal
Causes neck pain, systemic issues (fever, anorexia) and uncommonly neurological deficits
Can be diagnosed on spinal rads (CT/MRI)
Treatment is antibiotics (anti fungal, analgesics)

79
Q

Steroid-responsive meningitis-

arteritis (SRMA) - what is it? signalment? diagnosis? treatment? prognosis?

A

A non-infectious, immune-mediated disease causing neutrophylic pleocytosis in the CSF, neck pain, pyrexia, lethargy, anorexia that can be diagnosed on CSF and treated with corticosteroids with a good outcome. 8-18 month-olds, boxer, beagles, bernese mountain dogs, german pointers.

80
Q

3 types of peripheral nervous system or neuromuscular diseases

A
  1. Peripheral nerve
  2. Neuromuscular junction
  3. skeletal muscle
81
Q

How do you tell if there is peripheral nerve disease?

A
  1. Reflexes are decreased or absent
  2. Reduced or absent muscle tone
  3. Neurogenic muscle atropic
    Note: CNs can be affected
82
Q

How do you tell if there is neuromuscular junction disease?

A
  1. Reflectes are normal to decreased to absent
  2. There is a diffuse clinical signs or focal
  3. There can be exercise induced weakness (MG)
    Note: CNs can be affected
    (examples are myasthenia gravis, botulism)
83
Q

How do you tell if there is muscle disease (myopathy)?

A
  1. Reflexes are usually normal
  2. Can be focal or diffuse (exercise intolerance)
  3. Severe muscle atrophy
  4. Muscle pain is possible
    Note: CNS are usually normal (masticatory muscle atrophy)
    (examples are polymyositis, masticatory muscle myositis)
84
Q

Name some types of mononeuropathies

A
  1. Traumatic (brachial plexus avulsion, radial nerve, sciatic nerve damage)
  2. Neoplastic (peripheral nerve sheath tumour (PNST))
  3. Others (Ischemic, neuromyopathy, foraminal IVDD, inflammatory - abscess, brachial plexus neuritis)

Dog & Cat Medicine and Surgery (24 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions