Neurologic Exam Flashcards
Mentation
Depends greatly on owner input. Deficit implies damage to cerebrum or brainstem (reticular activating system)
Mentation can be normal, obtunded, stuporous, or comatose
Schiff-Sherrington Posture
T3-L5 Lesion- often severe or acute
Ascending “self” spinal pathway disrupted, leads to disinhibition of LMNs of neck and thoracic limbs. UMNs to thoracic limbs intact, voluntary movement is still possible
Opisthotonus at rest
Menace Response
Menacing gesture to eye to cause blinking
Afferent: CNII Optic
Efferent: CNVII Facial
Contralateral cerebrum and ipsilateral cerebellum also involved for recognition and coordination of movement respectively
Visual Tracking
Drop cotton in front of animal, see if if sees and react to object
Afferent: CNII Optic
Uses contralateral cerebrum for recognition and reaction
Pupillary Light Reflexes
Shine light in eye
Afferent: CNII Optic
Efferent: CNIII Oculomotor
Bilateral due to decussation at optic chiasm
Corneal Reflex
Touch damp cotton tipped applicator to corneal surface to draw blink or globe retraction
Afferent: CNV Ophthalmic
Efferent: CNVII & CNVI Facial and Abducens
Palpebral Reflex
Touch medial and lateral canthus of eye to draw blink
Afferent: CNV Ophthalmic and Maxillary
Efferent: CNVII Facial
Physiological Nystagmus (Vestibulo-ocular reflex)
Normal Response. Eyes should move conjugately to head movement (forced by clinician).
Afferent: CNVIII Vestibulocochlear
Efferent: CNIII, IV, VI Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducens
Pathologic Nystagmus
Slow eye movement in one direction with rapid snapback in the other
Lip Pinch
Afferent: CNV Maxillary and Mandibular
Efferent: CNVII Facial
Nasal Stimulation
Could just be q-tip in nostril
Afferent: CNV Trigeminal
Looking for animal to draw back/react (contralateral cerebrum)
Gag Reflex
Afferent: CNIX/X Glossopharyngeal and Vagus
Efferent: CNIX/X/XII Gp, Vagus, and Hypoglossal
Postural Reactions
Abnormality is sensitive for neurological disease (but patient can simply choose not to move limb back in place) but not specific for localization (many steps in pathways for proprioception, lesion anywhere can cause abnormality).
Include: Proprioceptive placing, hopping, Wheelbarrowing, Extensor postural thrust, and visual and tactile placing
Patellar Reflex
Test for femoral nerve (L4-6).
Percuss patellar tendon-> Quad should contract extending stifle
Gastrocnemius Reflex
Test for Sciatic nerve (L6,7,S1)
Percuss common calcaneal tendon-> contraction of caudal thigh
Flexion/Withdrawal Reflex
Mostly sciatic
Stimulate interdigital skin-> Flexion of limb
Perineal Reflex
Test for Pudendal nerve S1-3
Stimulate skin next butthole, contraction of anal sphincter
Crossed Extensor Reflex
Abnormal Reaction. Flexor/Withdrawal reflex during lateral recumbency
Biceps Reflex
Test musculocutaneous nerve
Percuss biceps tendon-> Contraction of biceps
Triceps Reflex
Test Radial nerve (main weight bearing)
Flex elbow then percuss triceps tendon-> contraction of triceps
Cutaneous Trunci Reflex
Test musculocutaneous
Afferent: T3-L3 cutaneous nerves
Efferent: Lateral thoracic nerves-> C8 and T1
Bilateral
Afferent Lesion: T3-L3 Myelopathy- absence of reflex caudal to lesion (high water mark)
Efferent Lesion: C6-T2 Myelopathy- Ipsilateral loss of cutaneous trunci contraction, regardless of side of stimulation
Flexion/Withdrawal Reflex
Stimulate interdigital skin-> Flexion of limb
Mostly musculocutaneous
