Head & Spinal Trauma

Question 1

Head trauma

Answer 1

Put them on anti-bacterials

Question 2

Spinal lymphoma can be diagnosed how?

Answer 2

Can diagnose based on CSF tap, also would have lymphadenopathy (may see on pelvic exam)

Question 3

Most common brain disease in the neonatal ruminant

Answer 3

Bacterial meninoencepalomyelitis

Question 4

Bacterial meninoencepalomyelitis - presentation

Answer 4

diffuse central neurologic signs(includes brain & spinal cord); often accompanied by fever and evidence of septicemia

Question 5

Bacterial meninoencepalomyelitis - diagnosis

Answer 5

Physical findings, ‘meningial signs – hyperesthesia’, suppurative CSF

Question 6

Bacterial meninoencepalomyelitis - differentials

Answer 6

hydrocephalus, cerebellar hypoplasia(BVD), birth trauma, cerebral anoxia
Less likely: Vitamin A deficiency, other hereditary/congenital brain diseases

Question 7

Bacterial meninoencepalomyelitis - treatment

Answer 7

Often hopeless unless treated very early

Question 8

Rabies - presentation

Answer 8

Extremely variable but often ascending flaccid paralysis & anesthesia with either normal or abnormal behavior

Question 9

Rabies - diagnosis

Answer 9

Course of illness, usually 2 – 7 days; typical signs, especially if aggressive, mandibular or pharyngeal paresis, CSF non-suppurative

Question 10

Rabies - differentials
Abnormal behaviour
Paresis and CR. N. deficits
Paresis only

Answer 10

Abnormal behavior : lead poisoning, polio, TME, metabolic disease
Paresis and CR. N. deficits: Listeriosis, brain abscess, other encephalidites
Paresis only: spinal trauma, abscess, lymphoma

Question 11

Thrombotic Meningoencephalitis - Histophilus (Hemophilus )somnus - presentation & diagnosis

Answer 11

Presentation: Often sudden death or comatose; standing animal, febrile, stiff
Diagnosis: sudden coma/semi-coma, retinal hemorrhages, suppurative CSF; multi-focal hemorrhagic brain/s.c infarcts on necropsy

Question 12

Thrombotic Meningoencephalitis - Histophilus (Hemophilus )somnus - differentials, treatment & prognosis

Answer 12

Differential Diagnosis: Lead poisoning , polioencephalomalacia, Brain abscess, Listeriosis, rabies, head trauma
Treatment & Prognosis: early treatment with antibiotics while animal still standing often successful; very grave for downer animals

Question 13

Listeriosis - presentation

Answer 13

in early stages, often only unilateral vestibular or facial paresis with mild to moderate depression

Question 14

Listeriosis - presentation small ruminant

Answer 14

often rapid progression to severe depression or semi-coma & recumbency with asymmetric cranial n deficits

Question 15

Listeriosis - diagnosis

Answer 15

History of spoiled silage in diet, unilateral Cr. N. deficits, 7- 14 day course of illness(cattle), (2-3 days sheep), non-suppurative CSF

Question 16

Listeriosis - treatment

Answer 16

aggressive antibiotic and supportive treatment

Question 17

Listeriosis - prognosis

Answer 17

guarded to good depending upon severity of signs (poorer for small ruminants)

Question 18

Polioencephalomalacia - presentation

Answer 18

blindness, wandering, head elevation, head pressing; may progress to recumbency

Question 19

Polioencephalomalacia - diagnosis

Answer 19

Dietary history, physical condition, bilateral cortical blindness, symmetrical ataxia/paresis, normal CSF, response to treatment (standing animals)

Question 20

Polioencephalomalacia - differentials

Answer 20

Lead or salt poisoning, brain abscess, TME, (listeriosis in small ruminants)

Question 21

Polioencephalomalacia - treatment & prognosis

Answer 21

Treatment: thiamine
Prognosis: often excellent in cattle; guarded in any downer animal

Question 22

Diseases of the Peripheral Nervous System - name 8

Answer 22

Traumatic nerve injuries
Otitis media/interna
Spastic paresis
Spastic syndrome
Tetanus
Botulism
Organophosphate/TOCP poisoning
Lymphoma, Neurofibromatosis

Question 23

Distal Radial

Paralysis

Answer 23

ans

Question 24

Brachial Plexus Paralysis (high radial nerve injury posture)

Answer 24

Elongation of the triceps

Question 25

Sciatic paralysis

Answer 25

Very prone to this, often at the level of the sacrum, compression neuropathy common cause. Can recover from them but nursing care is important
Typical posutre
May have peroneal nerve involvement
Will luxate their fetlot with tibial nerve paresis
Weakness in the extensors of the digit

Question 26

Tibeal nerve paralysis

Answer 26

Causes a dropped hock & uniquely a forward luxation of the fetlock which we usually associated with a peroneal problem.

Question 27

Obturator paresis

Answer 27

OFten due to getting up after calving

Question 28

Sciatic/Oburator

Paralysis

Answer 28

Common, splayed legs

Due to pressure of calf on the pelvis.

Question 29

Spastic Paresis (Elso Heel)

Answer 29

Limbs swining off the ground, spastic extsnsion

Question 30

Spastic Syndrome

Answer 30

ans