Neurology Problem-Based Studies Part III

Question 1

what are the top differential diagnoses for general proprioceptive ataxia in camelids?

Answer 1

focal spinal ataxia
multifocal disease
brain

Question 2

what is the most common neurological disease in US camelids?

Answer 2

Parelaphostrongylus tenuis
meningeal worm

Question 3

what is the definitive host of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis?

Answer 3

white tail deer
ruminants and camelids are aberrant hosts

Question 4

how is Parelaphostrongylus tenuis diagnosed?

Answer 4

CSF eosinophilia >17% high sensitivity and specificity

Question 5

what can you use to treat Parelaphostrongylus tenuis?

Answer 5

panacur/fenbendazole 40-50 mg/kg 5 days
NSAIDs or corticosteroids
supportive care

Question 6

what are the viral encephalitis causes in camelids?

Answer 6

equine herpesvirus
west nile virus
eastern equine encephalitis
rabies

Question 7

what is thee CSF like in camelids with west nile virus?

Answer 7

increased protein
increased nucleated cell count
predominance of macrophages and small lymphocytes

Question 8

how can you diagnose eastern equine encephalitis in camelids?

Answer 8

PRNT
hemagglutination inhibition
serum neutralization assay
ELISA for IgM

Question 9

in lower motor neuron weakness, which tail pull is weak?

Answer 9

both standing and walking

Question 10

how does dysfunction and death of motor neurons in equine motor neuron disease occur?

Answer 10

oxidative disorder

Question 11

how can equine motor neuron disease be diagnosed?

Answer 11

increased CSF protein in 50%: increased intrathecal production of IgG in many horses
pigment retinopathy: honeycomb mosaic fundic pattern

Question 12

what is botulism?

Answer 12

neuromuscular disorder associated with inhibition of acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junction
generalized symmetric lower motor neuron and parasympathetic dysfunction

Question 13

how can you test for botulism?

Answer 13

grain test
forage/sample analysis: GI content, feces, reflux, forage, wound discharge (no blood)

Question 14

what are the clinical signs of moldy corn disease (leukoencephalomalacia)?

Answer 14

profound dullness- cortical signs
blindness
multiple animals affected
+/- death presenting complaint

Question 15

what is the pathology of moldy corn disease?

Answer 15

severe liquefactive necrosis or malacia of white matter of frontal cortex, perivascular and vascular congestion in white matter of brain

Question 16

who is impacted by polioencephalomalacia, cerebrocortical necrosis?

Answer 16

ruminants
camelids

Question 17

what is CSF like in polyneuritis equi?

Answer 17

xanthochromia
mildly increased protein and cell count
nonspecific

Question 18

what does tetanolysin do?

Answer 18

damages viable tissue: creates favorable environment for expansion of infection
exotoxin

Question 19

what are the clinical signs of tetanus?

Answer 19

muscle rigidity
3rd eyelid prolapse with globe retraction of eye
hyperthermia
spasticity, “sawhorse” stance
stiff gait
sensitivity to sound
gas-bloat, colic
potentially autonomic response

Question 20

what are the causes of focal spinal ataxia in camelids?

Answer 20

trauma
suppurative discospondylitis

Question 21

what are the types of multifocal disease in camelids?

Answer 21

P. tenuis
viral encephalitis
listeria

Question 22

what are the causes of brain problems leading to GP ataxia in camelids?

Answer 22

PEM
hepatic encephalopathy
both cortical

Question 23

what is the definitive host of P. tenuis?

Answer 23

white tail deer

Question 24

how can you prevent P. tenuis?

Answer 24

host control
preventative use of avermectins

Question 25

how can you treat P. tenuis?

Answer 25

panacur/fenbendazolee
NSAIDs, maybe corticosteroids
supportive care

Question 26

what can EHV-1 cause in camelids?

Answer 26

irreversible blindness
some also neurological dysfunction

Question 27

how does WNV affect camelids?

Answer 27

higher mortality than in horses
acute onset
CSF changes: macrophages and small lymphocytes

Question 28

is there a familial or heritable predisposition to equine motor neuron disease?

Answer 28

not proven

Question 29

what is the chronic form of equine motor neuron disease like?

Answer 29

muscle atrophy generally symmetric
tail head held high

Question 30

what does equine motor neuron disease affect?

Answer 30

lower motor neurons of spinal cord grey matter

Question 31

how many toxins are identified in botulism?

Answer 31

8
horses commonly get type B toxin

Question 32

how can you treat botulism?

Answer 32

treat early- poor if recumbent
supportive care
antitoxin early
vaccination

Question 33

how can you treat polioencephalomalacia, cerebrocortical necrosis?

Answer 33

eliminate risk factors and underlying disease
thiamine hydrochloride

Question 34

what happens in polyneuritis equi?

Answer 34

progressive immun-mediated lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and demyelination of lumbosacral and sacrococcygeal nerve roots

Question 35

how is polyneuritis equi diagnosed?

Answer 35

exclusion

Question 36

what does tetanospasmin do?

Answer 36

binds irreversibly to presynaptic inhibitory interneurons
spreads hematogenously