idk emergencies Flashcards
Mentation change in which the animal has abnormal response to stimulus but still able to respond to their environment to some degree?
Obtunded
Mentation chance in which the animal appears comatose but will respond to noxious stimuli
Stuporous
Mentation change which the animal has HR, may or may not be breathing but is otherwise unresponsive
Comatose
Obtunded mentation change can be located to forebrain, brainstem or both?
Both, and forebrain injuries can extend to the brainstem as well
Stuporous and Comatose mentation can be located to forebrain or brainstem?
Brainstem
What are the 4 most common causes of mentation change?
Neoplasia, Toxin, Trauma and Infectious (MUE)
-vascular is less common than N, T, T or I
Important factors to consider when you see a mentation change
-HISTORY (rule out trauma, toxin or metabolic cause)
-Exam (forebrain, brainstem, multifocal or systemic)
+check temp, BP, BW and look for signs of increased ICP
-Do minimum database
What is the primary neurological cause of mentation change?
If the cerebral perfusion pressure is not maintained (CPP is directly related to cerebral blood flow)
What is the equation for Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)?
MAP- ICP = CPP
-normal MAP is 50-150mmHg
-normal ICP is 0-15mmHg
-normal CPP is 70-100mmHg
DANGER if CPP < 50mmHg
Causes of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
edema, inflammation, CSF, tumor or trauma
What needs to happen if ICP increases significantly and what are we protecting?
Need to increase MAP or decrease ICP to maintain perfusion to the brain. But you don’t want to increase MAP…
What will you see with the cushings reflex?
-severe hypertension! (MAP > 200mmHG)
-reflex bradycardia HR = 30(due to carotid baroreceptors causing vagal stimulation)
-increased PaCO2 in brain
-the brain’s protective mechanism has failed
Other than cushing’s reflex, what are other signs of increased ICP?
-pupil changes or asymmetry
+miotic (constricted pupil)–bad
+mydriasis (dilated pupil) –TERRIBLE
-tetraparesis and ataxia
-proprioceptive deficits
-cranial nerve deficits
-decerebrate postures (increased tone in all limbs)
How to decrease ICP (in general terms)?
-decrease edema with meds/fluids
-craniectomy
-remove space occupying lesion (tumor, granuloma, depressed skull fracture)
What treatment do you use to decrease edema (in order to decreased ICP)?
Acute:
-mannitol (1G/kg over 20 minutes)
+DON’T USE if the animal is dehydrated
-7.2% hypertonic saline (4mL/kg over 15 minutes)
Long-term:
-Corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory dose)
-diuretics (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor)
How do you diagnose a stroke?
-MRI! MRI! MRI!
-may be able to see on CT but not likely
-CSF analysis?
What are signs of a stroke?
Peracute/acute onset focal non-progressive or convulsive brain signs