Neurological conditions (Yr4)

Question 1

how might a forebrain disease present?

Answer 1

seizures
blindness
altered state of consciousness (depressed/quiet)
disorders of behaviour/personality (aggression, compulsive walking, yawning…)
altered head posture (pressing, turning…)

Question 2

what are some possible causes of forebrain disease?

Answer 2

trauma
metabolic (hepatic encephalopathy, intestinal hyperammoniaemia…)
infectious menigoencephalomyelitis
neoplasia

Question 3

what causes intestinal hyperammoniaemia, that can lead to forebrain disease?

Answer 3

increased permeability of the intestines due to colitis/enteritis meaning more nitrogen compounds absorbed

Question 4

what age animals are seizures most commonly seen in?

Answer 4

younger animals (they have a lower seizure threshold)

Question 5

what clinical signs can be seen with brainstem disease?

Answer 5

vestibular signs (head tilt, nystagmus, ventral strabismus, ataxia)
facial nerve paralysis
laryngeal/pharyngeal paralysis
cranial nerve deficits
gait abnormaliites and coma (if severe)