Neurological exam - LA (equine) Flashcards
Approaches - 2
- systematic approach e.g. tests of unconscious proprioception
- anatomic approach - most appropriate for horses/ large animals
Distinguish white/ grey matter
WHITE: myelinated axons
GREY: unmyelinated cells and bodies of the axons
- Opposite organisation in brain vs. spinal cord
Important aspects of hx to obtain
- did horse look/act clumsy before it was found down?
- any evidence of respiratory dz on property?
- any other horses?
- descriptions of behavioural abnormalities
- client video
What does excessive yawning indicate?
forebrain disease (unknown why)
What does abnormal behaviour indicate?
= forebrain disease
- e.g. circling, hyperaesthesia, head turn, odd postures
What does the cerebellum conrol?
- ascending proprioceptive pathways
- descending motor pathways
CS associated with cerebellar dysfunction - 4
- spastic or exaggerated movements
- absence/ diminished menace response
- intention tremor (worse when horse doing something)
- ataxia without weakness
Brainstem contents —
- pons and medulla
- reticular formation
- ascending proprioceptive pathways
- descending motor pathways (–> weakness)
- CN nuclei
- when you find dysfunction of these modalities together, think brainstem *
What does ataxia, paresis and CN deficits together suggest?
brainstem disease
What does a wonky muzzle indicate?
left sided facial nn paralysis
Outline PLR
= true reflex
- afferent limb is in optic nn (CN 2)
- efferent is parasumpathetic fibres that run in the oculomotor nn (3) to constrict the pupil
- direct and consensual/ contralateral response. The latter is difficult to assess in horses so as long as you get good direct PLRs in each eye, then don’t worry
What does the menace response test?
= requires perception of stimulus
- optic nerve
- optic chiasm
- thalamus
- opposite occipital cortex (but an unconscious event)
- facial nn and nucleus
- (cerebellum)
How is vision best tested?
- walk horse around / between obstacles
- fundic exam
- afferent limb of menace response
Control of eye position
- oculomotor nn (3)
- trochlear nn (4)
- abducens nn (6)
Frequency of strabismus as a CS
uncommon in UK, more common in USA.
Method - retractor oculi reflex
= press on cornea through the eyelid, feel for reflex retraction of the globe
- afferent: trigeminal (5) - sensory
- efferent: abducens (6) - motor