Neuro - Seizure Diagnosis Flashcards
What is a seizure?
Spontaneous electrical activity in the brain
What is the assumption for the pathophysiology of a seizure in animals?
There is a group of neurons that starts to spontaneously depolarize in succession (if in one part of the brain it is a seizure focus)
What happens if the seizure focus spreads?
It will affect the entire brain
What does grand mal seizure mean?
The entire cortex is involved
If the electrical activity remains in only one part of the brain, where will we see the manifestation of it?
We will see manifestation in the part of the body that the part of the brain controls
What are the clinical findings associated with seizures?
Spontaneous, uncontrollable, contraction or tremor like muscle movements, duration is 30-90 seconds, autonomic signs, and lack of consciousness
What autonomic signs are associated with seizures?
urination, salivation, and defecation
What are the classifications for seizures?
focal, generalized, and limbic/temporal/behavioral
What are the three general causes of seizures?
metabolic, structural, and idiopathic
What clinically important factors are vital for seizure classification?
age of onset of first seizure and if there are interictal neurologic deficits
What clinically important factors are associated with metabolic seizures?
The animal is less than 1 year of age or greater than 5 years old, and there are no interictal neurologic deficits
What are some metabolic causes of seizures?
Liver disease PSS, hypoglycemia, toxins, parasites, and anemia
What clinically important factors are associated with structural seizures?
The animal is less than 1 year of age or greater than 5 years old, and there are interictal neurologic deficits
What are some structural causes of seizures?
brain tumor, acquired hydrocephalus, encephalitis, cerebrovascular disease, and trauma
What clinically important factors are associated with an idiopathic seizure?
The animal is between 1 and 4 years of age and there are no interictal neurologic deficits
