Neuro - All Limbs

Question 1

Who is predisposed to type1 and type2 of cervical disc disease?

Answer 1

type 1: chondrodystrophic breeds and poodles

type 2: dobermans and rottweilers

Question 2

What are the clinical signs of cervical disc disease?

Answer 2

• neck pain (scrunched neck)
• tetraparesis
• not eating/drinking
• UMN signs

Question 3

What is the treatment for cervical disc disease?

Answer 3

• if no deficits: cage rest, NSAIDs/prednisone

- surgery if no improvement (fenestration, modified slanted slot)

Question 4

What is cervical spondylomyelopathy?

What are possible causes?

Answer 4

• wobblers
• spinal cord compression
• stenosis: craniodorsal ridge thickens
• osteophytes from malformed articular processes
• hansen typ 2 disc
• hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum

Question 5

What are the clinical signs of cervical spondylomyelopathy?

Answer 5

pelvic: paresis, wobbling, scuffling
thoracic: can be normal, dysmetria, mild CP deficit, atrophy, neck pain

Question 6

What may be shown in radiographs of a dog with cervical spondylomyelopathy?

Answer 6

• tipping of cranio-dorsal vertebral body
• stenosis of vertebral canal
• rounding of cranio-ventral vertebral body
• decreased disc spaces
• degeneration in articular facets

Question 7

What is atlanto-axial subluxation?

Answer 7

spinal cord compression due to dorsal displacement of the axis

Question 8

What is the treatment for atlanto-axial subluxation?

Answer 8

hemilaminectomy + wiring/screwing

Question 9

What happens in caudal occipital malformation syndrome?

Answer 9

• malformed caudal occipital bone
• cerebellum can slip out of foramen magnum
• increased CSF pressure

Question 10

What are the clinical signs of caudal occipital malformation syndrome?

Answer 10

• neck/face scratching
• CP deficits
• vestibular signs
• spinal hyperesthesia

Question 11

What is the treatment for caudal occipital malformation syndrome?

Answer 11

• gabapentin and prednisone

- foramen magnum decompression

Question 12

What are the common signs in general myopathies?

Answer 12

• weakness
• stiff gait
• sometimes pain
• normal CP and reflexes

Question 13

What are the common signs of canine idiopathic polymyositis?

Answer 13

• weakness, stiffness, fatigue, atrophy

- head down due to weak neck muscles

Question 14

How is canine idiopathic polymyositis diagnosed?

Answer 14

• hyperglobinemia
• patchy lesions
• EMG
• multiple biopsies

Question 15

How is canine idiopathic polymyositis treated?

Answer 15

prednisone +/- azathioprine

Question 16

What are the clinical signs of masticatory muscle myositis?

Answer 16

• painful, swollen muscle
• pseudotrismus
• fever, enlarged lymph nodes
• atrophy if chronic

Question 17

Describe congenital vs. acquired myasthenia gravis

Answer 17

con: do not make Ach receptors
acq: autoantibodies to Ach receptors

Question 18

Describe the focal form of myasthenia gravis

Answer 18

• megaesophagus is major sign

- possible facial, pharyngeal, and laryngeal muscle weakness

Question 19

Describe the generalized form of myasthenia gravis

Answer 19

• widespread muscle weakness
• fulminating: acute onset of regurg, muscle weakness, respiratory distress
• chronic: megaesophagus, exercise induced

Question 20

How is myasthenia gravis diagnosed?

Answer 20

• tensilon test: increases Ach levels by blocking Ach esterases
• Ach receptor antibody test

Question 21

How is myasthenia gravis treated?

Answer 21

• support: gastrotomy + cisapride

- pyridostigmine

Question 22

What happens in botulism toxicosis?

Answer 22

• toxin blocks Ach presynaptically, so flaccid paralysis
• LMN signs to all limbs
• respiratory paralysis may cause death

Question 23

What happens in tick paralysis?

Answer 23

• block nerve conduction or decrease Ach
• tetraparesis/plegia
• LMN signs
• cranial nerves, sensation, and continence is normal

Question 24

What happens in coonhound paralysis? (acute canine polyradiculoneuritis)

Answer 24

• inflammation/demyelination of ventral roots
• ascending LMN paralysis
• spontaneous recovery in weeks/months