Neurology Flashcards
How many dogs with portosystemic shunts display neurologic signs?
95%
Name 4 neurologic signs of hepatic encephalopathy
Decreased ability to learn, behavioral changes, head pressing, seizures, blindness
Are neurologic signs more common when shunts insert cranial to or caudal to the liver
Caudal
Name 3 endotoxins thought to be involved in the development of hepatic encephalopathy
Ammonia, amino acids (tryptophan), GABA, mercaptans
Hyperammonemia has been documented in young Irish Wolfhounds due to what deficiency?
Deficiency in urea cycle enzymes
What neurologic signs can be seen in hypothyroid dogs?
Acute or chronic, progressive central vestibular signs
Name 4 clinical signs of myxedema coma in dogs
Mentation changes due to brain edema, hypothermia without shivering, non-pitting skin edema, bradycardia
Name 3 mild CNS signs noted in cats with hyperthyroidism
Hyperactivity, changes in sleep/wake cycles, aggression, obtundation
How large are pituitary tumors before they result in neurologic signs?
Typically >1 to 1.5cm diameter
Pituitary tumors result in neurologic signs in what percent of dogs before or after diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism?
15-30%
Name 4 neurologic signs of a pituitary macroadenoma
Obtundation, pacing, circling, disorientation, ataxia, seizures
How does persistent hypoglycemia results in neurologic damage?
Leads to vasoconstriction and hypoxia
Name two tumors capable of resulting in hypoglycemia
Insulinoma, leiomyosarcoma
What drug can be used to treat insulin producing tumors because it inhibits insulin secretion, stimulates production of glucose by the liver, and inhibits uptake of glucose by cells?
Diazoxide
What role does thiamine play in the body?
Essential cofactor for carbohydrate metabolism - essential for utilization of pyruvic acid in the TCA cycle and pentose phosphate pathway. Absence of thiamine leads to excessive lactic acid buildup as anaerobic metabolism occurs
How can thiamine deficiency result in dogs and cats?
Fed meats preserved with sulfur dioxide, thiaminase-containing raw fish
What are the histopathologic findings associated with thiamine deficiency?
Polioencephalomalacia
Name 3 clinical signs of thiamine deficiency
Vestibular signs, spastic cervical ventroflexion in cats, vision loss, mydriasis without pupil light reflexes, incoordination, ataxia, and seizures
How does hypocalcemia alter membrane excitability?
Increases it
Name 3 neurologic signs of hypocalcemia
Facial rubbing, stiffness, muscle twitching, nervousness, tetany, and seizures
Severe hyponatremia results in what changes to the brain?
Cerebral edema, diffuse encephalopathy
Rapid correction of hyponatremia can result in what histopathologic changes in the brain? How long after correction do these signs manifest?
Central pontine myelinolysis; occurs 48 hours to days after correction
When correcting hyponatremia, the serum sodium concentration should not rise by more than ____ in 24 hours?
10 mEq/L
Acute hypernatremia can cause what changes to the brain?
Decrease in brain volume from osmotic shifts, leading to vascular rupture and focal hemorrhage
In chronic hypernatremia, the brain adjusts to hypertonicity by producing what substance?
Idiogenic osmoles
Rapid correction of hypernatremia results in what changes to the brain?
Cerebral edema