Neurological Exam Dogs Flashcards
What is stuporous
State of unconsciousness with reduced responses to external stimuli but can be roused by a painful stimuli
What is confused and disorientated
Responding to environmental stimuli in an inappropriate manner
What is depressed
Drowsiness, inattention and less responsive to environmental stimulu
What is comatose
State of unconsciousness with absemce of reponse to any environmental stimuli including pain
If any animal is circling, how can you tell what side of brain is affected
They will most likely be circling towards the side of the lesion
How can you distinguish between a vestibular vs forebrain lesion
Head tilt- vestibular
Head turn- forebrain
What is ptosis
Dropping of upper eye lid.
What are the three main signs of horners syndrome
Ptosis
Meiosis
Enophthalmus
What is the main identification for horners syndrome in the cow
Ipsilateral dry nose
What regions of the brain does the menace response test
Conscious visual pathways
Contralateral visual cortex
Contralateral motor cortex
Ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere
What is the visual pathway
Retina
Optic nerve
Optic chiasm
Lateral geniculate nucleus
Primary visual areas of the occipital lobe
What is the pathway for the menace reponse
Optic nerve
Visual cortex
Motor cortex
Cerebellum
Facial nerve
How can you test lacrimal function and why
Use schmear tear test
For parasympathetic part of CN 7
What does the PLR test
Afferent; trigeminal And optic
What does the menace test test
Afferent; optic
Efferent; facial
What does the palpebral test test
Afferent; trigeminal
Efferent; facial
Why would you do a trunk examination
To identify focal points of pain
How can the panniculus response be stimulated
a gentle pinch to the skin resulting in a twitch of the cutaneous trunci muscle.
What are the four things you need to assess with limbs
Proprioception
Sensation
Segmental reflexes
Muscle mass and tone
What are the 6 different components of the proprioception exam
Knuckling
Hopping
Hemiwalking
Tactile placing
Paper slide
Extensor postural thrust
What is knuckling
If a weight bearing/pain free paw is placed with the dorsum on the ground then there should be a rapid return to normal positioning.
What is hopping
The dog is hopped sideways.
Once the limb goes outside the line of the body there should be a rapid and accurate sideways repositioning of the limb.
What is hemiwalking
The dog is hopped sideways on both fore- and hindlimbs.
This test is more dificult for the dog and may demonstrate more clearly subtle changes on single limb hopping.
What is tactile placing
The dog is brought up to the edge of a table whilst blindfolded.
When the limbs tounch the table they should be accurately placed onto the table.
What is paper sliding
The dogs limb is placed on a piece of paper which is then pulled laterally.
If a weight bearing/pain free paw is moved outside the body the limb should be rapidly and accurately returned to a normal position.
What is the extensor postural thrust
The dog is lifted off the ground and replaced on the table.
As the hindlimbs touch the table there should be a relfex extension of the hindlimbs which will also precipitate the dog to step backwards
What is the extensor carpus radial us reflex
Percuss the muscle belly of the ECR muscle.
Reflex extension of the carpus
How would you reflex for a biceps
Percuss a finger/thumb which is pressing onto the tendon of insertion of the biceps muscle.
Reflex contraction of the biceps muscle generating:
reflex flexion of elbow - not always seen
increased tension in tendon of insertion - felt with finger/thumb
movement of skin over muscle belly/visible contraction
How would you test reflex for triceps
Percuss a finger/thumb which is pressing onto the tendon of insertion of the triceps muscle
Reflex contraction of the triceps muscle generating:
reflex extension of elbow - not always seen
increased tension in tendon of insertion - felt with finger/thumb
movement of skin over muscle belly/visible contraction
How would you do patella reflex
Percuss the straight patellar tendon.
Reflex extension of the stifle.
How would you test reflex of cranial tibial muscle
Percuss the muscle belly of the cranial tibial muscle.
Reflex flexion of the hock.
Which receptor organ is used to initiate a myotatic reflex
Muscle spindle
How would you perform cranial tibial reflex
Percuss the muscle belly of the cranial tibial muscle.
Reflex flexion of the hock.
What are the signs of an UMR problem
Slow muscle atrophy
High tone
Increased/ normal reflexes
What are some signs of a LMN problem
Rapid muscle atrophy
Reduced reflexes
Less tone
What should stimulation of the perineal area cause
“winking” or constriction of the anal sphincter
How can you tell that the lesion is UMN
High tone
Slow muscle atrophy
Increased/ normal reflexes
How can you tell the lesion is LMN
Low tone
Decreased normal reflexes
Fast muscle atrophy
What is the peripheral vestibular system comprised of
comprises three semicircular canals, the utricle and saccule in each inner ear, and the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve [CN] VIII
What is the central vestibular system
eight vestibular nuclei in the brainstem , and the flocculonodular lobe of the cerebellum
Which way does head tilt in peripheral vestibular problem
Towards side of lesion
When would you get a paradoxical head tilt
The most common exception to this is a lesion affecting the cerebellum (cerebellar peduncle or flocculonodular lobe), which causes central vestibular signs with head tilt contralateral to the lesion
What is a nystagmus
A rhythmical, repetitive and involuntary movement of the eyes
If head is still eyes should be still, if you move head side to side eyes should move
How can you use a nystagmus to help you locate a lesion
There’s a fast and slow phase
Slow phase towards the direction of the lesion
How do you know if you have a peripheral vestibular problem
Head tilt
Nystagmus
Asymmetric ataxia
Circling
Where does a vestibular problem take place
In vestibulum, which is the organ of balance
What are the signs of a central vestibular problem
Proprioceptive ataxia
