Neuro disease in small mammals and exotic species Flashcards
List 13 clinical signs of neurological conditions in small mammals
head tilt
weakness
paresis
exophthalmos
ocular discharge
mydriasis
swaying
nystagmus
tremor
urinary incontinance
seizures
loss of anal tone
circling
faecal impaction
List 10 clinical signs of neurological conditions in reptiles
loss of righting reflex
loss of withdrawel reflexes
loss of cloacal tone
limb paresis (hind is most common)
reduced grip in snakes
generalised or localised weakness
tremors/convulsions
blindness
circling
head tilt
stargazing
Describe the righting reflex
if they get stuck on their back, they should be able to right themselves immediately
List 8 clinical signs of neurological disease in birds
Loss of withdrawal reflexes
Loss of cloacal tone
Limb paresis
Reduced foot grip
Generalised weakness
Tremors and convulsions
Circling
Head tilt
List the clinical signs of central vestibular disease in small mammals
nystagmus (vertical or horizontal)
other CNS signs
List the clinical signs of peripheral vestibular disease in small mammals
nystagmus ( horizontal)
horners syndrome or facial nerve paralysis
List the possible differentials for central vestibular disease in small mammals
E. cuniculi
toxoplasma
neoplasia
List the differentials for peripheral vestibular disease in small mammals
otitis media
what type of rabbits are predisposed to otitis media
lop rabbits
describ how otitis media forms
infection penetrates through the tympanic membrane
List the clinical signs of otitis media
ataxia
circling
head tilt
+/- aural base abscess
why is otitis externa often not picked up in rabbits
they are prey animals and therefore hide their signs of disease
how can you prevent otitis media from occuring in lop rabbits
regular cleaning in order to prevent otitis externa
Describe how Encephalitozoon cuniculi is spread
is a fungi spread mostly in rabbit urine
List the clinical signs of E. cuniculi
CNS damage- hindlimb paralysis/ weakness, torticollis, urinary incontinence, tremors
Kidney damage: PUPD, weight loss, anorexia, cataracts/ uveitis
Describe how E. cuniculi travels through the body
- pathogen ingested in contaminated food/water
- pathogen moves via the blood stream into the kidneys
- is intermittently passed in urine
- pathogen moves into spine and causes hind limb paresis
- moves up the spine and into brain causing neuro signs
what is floppy bunny syndrome
this is flaccid paralysis due to muscular weakness - the exact cause is unknown
Describe how to treat floppy bunny syndrome
supportive care - most bunnies recover within 3-4 days
Describe how fipronil causes toxicity in rabbits
fipronil blocks GABA receptors in the CNS and stops chloride ion uptake, this causes excessive CNS stimulation and eventual death
List the clinical signs of fibronil toxicity in rabbits
seizures
tremors
hyperactivity
diarrhoea
hypersalivation
hypothermia
death
how soon after giving fipronil are clinical signs seen
around 9 days after
List 3 viruses causing neurological signs in reptiles
inclusion body disease (snakes)
ophidian paramyxovirus (snakes)
adenovirus (any reptile)
List the clinical signs of inclusion body disease in snakes
GI signs + neurological signs (head tremor, uneven pupils, muscle spasm, lethargy, etc)
List the clinical signs of adenovirus in reptiles
anorexia
diarrhoea
wasting
neurological signs (stargazing, twitching/seizures)
List the cliical signs of ophidian paramyxovirus in snakes
Respiratory signs + neurological signs (head tremor, uneven pupils, muscle spasm, lethargy, etc)