Nervous System Diseases Flashcards
What is idiopathic vestibular disease?
Acute disorder in dogs and cats. Loss of balance & disorientation
What are the clinical signs of idiopathic vestibular disease?
Incapacitating loss of balance, disorientation, ataxia, vomiting, anorexia
How do you diagnose idiopathic vestibular disease?
Clinical signs. Bloodwork to r/o nervous system disease, otic exam to r/o inner ear issues
What is the treatment for idiopathic vestibular disease?
supportive
What is idiopathic epilepsy?
Seizures with no apparent cause
How do you diagnose idiopathic epilepsy?
Have owner video, diagnosis of exclusion
What breeds commonly gets idiopathic epilepsy?
GSD, mini/toy poodles, cocker spaniels, beagles, Irish setters, Golden retrievers
At what age do idiopathic seizures normally start?
1-3 years
What is the treatment for idiopathic epilepsy?
Treat is seizures more than once monthly, phenobarbital
What is status epilepticus?
Emergency!!! Prolonged, uninterrupted seizure activity
Grand Mal seizure
How do you diagnose status epilepticus?
Seizure hx, clinical signs
What is the treatment for status epilepticus?
Drugs (diazepam, propofol to anesthetize)
Establish airway w/ O2 therapy
IV catheter for fluids
Monitor body temp (can get high)
What does IVDD stand for?
Intervertebral disc disease
What is one of the most common disorders involving spinal cord in small animal?
IVDD
What are the two types of disc herniations in IVDD?
Type 1 - common in younger animals, acute rupture into spinal canal
Type 2 - common in older, large breed dogs. Extrusion occurs over long period of time. Less acute and less severe clinical signs
Clinical signs of IVDD
Apparent pain =/- motor deficit
Paresis or paralysis
Altered deep pain response
Decreased panniculus reflex 1-2 vertebral spaces caudal to lesion
How do you diagnose IVDD?
Age, breed, clinical signs, history
Complete neuro exam. Anesthetized radiographs
Treatment for IVDD
Medical - cage rest, corticosteroids
Surgical - deep pain should be present. Should be done ASAP
What intensive nursing care should be done for IVDD?
Padded cage, ucath or bladder expression, flipping to prevent bed sores, proper nutrition and hydration
What is wobblers syndrome?
Cervical spondylomyelopathy. Cervical spinal cord compression
What breed commonly gets wobblers syndrome?
Great danes and doberman pinschers
What are the clinical signs of wobblers syndrome?
Hx of progressive pelvic limb ataxia, abnormal wearing on dorsal surface of rear paws (dragging paws), swinging gait, gait worse on rising, =/- atrophy of scapular muscles
How do you diagnose wobblers syndrome?
Bloodwork to rule out other defects, radiographs, myelopathy, CT/MRI
What is the treatment for Wobblers syndrome?
Medical - antiinflammatories, neck brace, cage confinement
Surgical - high morbidity and post surgical complication
Decompression & stabilization
Which breeds are most commonly diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy?
German shepherds. Usually affects older dogs. Cause unknown
Clinical signs of degenerative myelopathy
Progressive hind limb paresis and ataxia. Muscle atrophy
How do you diagnose degenerative myelopathy?
Neuro exam, radiographs (looking for narrowed disc space), cerebrospinal fluid collection to look for increased protein concentration
Wobblers vs degenerative myelopathy
Wobblers - lack of coordination. Crossing over of legs, needing to back up to coordinate
DM - weakened back end. typically paw dragging first
What are the forms of laryngeal paralysis?
Hereditary - 4-6 mo
Acquired - 1.5-3.5
Idiopathic - middle-old age. Large and giant breed
T/F laryngeal paralysis only occurs in dogs
FALSE. Dogs and cats
How can a pet get acquired laryngeal paralysis?
Rabies, lead poisoning, trauma, inflammation of vagus nerve
T/F castrated male dogs& cats get laryngeal paralysis more often?
TRUE. Female & non neutered animal less often
How do you diagnose laryngeal paralysis?
laryngoscopy
What are the clinical signs for laryngeal paralysis?
Inspiratory stridor, respiratory distress, loss of endurance, voice changes, dyspnea, cyanosis, complete respiratory collapse
What is treatment for laryngeal paralysis
Surgical - unilateral arytenoid tie-back
What is megaesophagus?
Lack of esophageal peristalsis - dilation of esophagus & regurgitation
What are the 2 types of megaesophagus?
Congenital - usually evident around weaning. Chronic regurgitation, weight loss, respiratory signs, pneumonia.
Acquired - any age, linked to tick paralysis, distemper, lead poisoning, laryngeal paralysis
What animals most commonly have congenital megaesophagus?
Great danes, GSD, Irish setters, newfoundlands, shar-peis, greyhounds
How do you diagnose megaesophagus?
Radiograph looking for dilated esophagus
What is the prognosis for megaesophagus?
Guarded to poor. Not if, but when, they get aspiration pneumonia
How can you manage megaesophagus?
Elevated feeding via bailey chair
Provide soft of liquid high calorie diet
Several small meals throughout day
What are the clinical signs for tick paralysis?
Presence of tick on dog, gradual development of hind limb ataxia, altered voice and dysphagia, recumbency w/I 24-72 hours, reflexes lost (sensation remains)
What is the main concern with tick paralysis?
Respiratory paralysis = death
What is the treatment for tick paralysis?
Removal of tick. Supportive care, anti tick serum
How quickly do dogs typically recover from tick paralysis?
1-3 days after removal of ticks
