Neurological Disorders

Question 1

Seizures

Answer 1

Change in electrical brain activity

Question 2

Epilepsy

Answer 2

Intracranial (in brain)

Extracranial (something outside the brain)

Question 3

Status spilepticus

Answer 3

Long seizure

Question 4

Idiopathic epilepsy

Answer 4

Unknown cause

Question 5

Paresis

Answer 5

Partial weakness

Question 6

Monoparesis

Answer 6

One limb weakness

Question 7

Hemiparesis

Answer 7

One side e.g. left front and back

Question 8

Paraparesis

Answer 8

Generally both back

Question 9

Tetraparesis

Answer 9

All 4

Question 10

Monoplegis

Answer 10

Paralysis of one limb

Question 11

Hemiplegia

Answer 11

Paralysis on one side

Question 12

Paralegia

Answer 12

Paralysis on both back legs

Question 13

Tetraplegia

Answer 13

Paralysis on all 4 limbs

Question 14

Hypermetria/dysmetria

Answer 14

Condition of cerebellar dysfunction. Ataxia by overreaching desired object/goal

Question 15

Intracranial possible causes of seizures

Answer 15

Trauma 
Bacterial or viral disease
Neoplasia
Encephalitis (inflammation of brain)
Epilepsy
Congenital conditions e.g. hydrocephalus

Question 16

Extracranial causes of seizures

Answer 16

Metabolic disorders e.g. hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, hepatic encephalopathy, uraemia (urea in blood)
Toxicity e.g. lead, choc, ethylene glycol

Question 17

Clinical signs of seizures

Answer 17

Preictal phase
- Restlessness, anxious, sense something
Ictal phase
- Collapse, salivation, jaw chomping, vocalisation, passing of urine/faeces, tonic/clonic activity
Postictal phase
- restlessness, confusion, anxiousness. May be single, cluster, status epilepticus

Question 18

Diagnostic tests for seizures

Answer 18

History and full physical examination 
Blood tests for haematology and biochemistry 
CSF tap and analysis 
EEG
MRI scan
CT scan

Question 19

Seizure treatment

Answer 19

Identify and correct underlying causes
IVFT
Medication e.g. diazepam, phenobarbital/propofol infusion, potassium bromide

Question 20

Seizure nursing care

Answer 20

Monitor vital and clinical signs
Observe, time and record seizures
Administer drugs and fluids as prescribed
Follow protocol if animal is seizuring

Question 21

Syncope

Answer 21

Temporary loss of consciousness

Question 22

Causes of unconsciousness

Answer 22

Airway obstruction, shock, head trauma, seizure, heat stroke, hypothermia, metabolic disorders e.g. hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia

Question 23

Clinical signs of unconsciousness

Answer 23

Sudden collapse with flaccid muscles or weakness, passing of urine and faeces, cyanosis(blue mm) or pallor(pale) of mucous membranes, may be associated with exercise, may have spontaneous recovery

Question 24

Treatment for unconsciousness

Answer 24

Identify and correct underlying causes
Oxygen/artificial respiration (CPR)
IVFT

Question 25

Nursing care for unconsciousness patient

Answer 25

Monitor vital and clinical signs Maintain clear airway, provide oxygen/artificial respiration Provide drugs and fluid as prescribed by vet Treat as recumbent patient

Question 26

Causes of spinal injury

Answer 26

Intervertebral disc protrusion, neoplasia, spinal fracture/luxation, fibrocartilaginous embolism, discospondylitis, wobbler syndrome

Question 27

Clinical signs of spinal injury

Answer 27

Pain, ataxia, paresis, paralysis, urinary and or faecal incontinence, flaccid tail

Question 28

Diagnosis of spinal injury

Answer 28

History and full physical examination Radiograph inc,using myelography MRI/CT CSF tap and analysis

Question 29

Treatment for spinal injury

Answer 29

Identify and correct underlying cause | Treatment and prognosis depends on underlying causes e.g. surgery, medication, U/F management, physio therapy

Question 30

Nursing care for spinal injury

Answer 30

Monitor vital and clinical signs, pain, progress Administer drugs prescribed by vet May need to treat as recumbent patient

Question 31

Cause of vestibular disease

Answer 31

Infection, inflammation, neoplasia, trauma, benign polyps, idiopathic, post-surgery Rabbits (pasturella spp or encephalitozoon cuniculi)

Question 32

Clinical signs of vestibular disease

Answer 32

Nystagmus, mental depression, nausea, ataxia, strabismus, head tilt, Horner’s syndrome

Question 33

Neurological examination

Answer 33

Consciousness e.g. fully depressed, stuporous, comatose Observe posture e.g. head tilt Trunk e.g. position of spine e.g. lordosis, scholiosis Limbs e.g. knuckling and scuffing of nails Observe gait Assess reflexes Assess muscle tone and atrophy Assess ability to urinate and defecate