Nueorologic Flashcards
Idiopathic vestibular dz clinical signs
▪ Incapacitating loss of balance
▪ Nystagmus
▪ Disorientation
▪ Ataxia
▪ Vomiting
▪ Anorexia
Idiopathic vestibular dz dx
▪ Clinical signs
▪ Bloodwork to r/o other nervous system diseases
▪ Otic examination to rule out inner ear problems
Epilepsy
Seizures —no apparent cause
Singly or in clusters for 1-2 mins
Epilepsy onset age
1-3 yrs of age
Epilepsy treatment
Drugs: phenobarbital (7-10days, pre/postpill), KBr, zonisamide
Intervertebral disk dz types
Type l + type2
Type l intervertebral disk
Acute rupture into the spinal canal
Type 2 intervertebral disk
▪ Common in older (>5yrs) large-breed dogs
▪ Extrusion occurs over a longer period
▪ Less acute and less severe clinical signs
Intervertebral disk dz clinical signs
▪ Apparent pain: +/- motor or sensory deficits
▪ Acute onset (type 1)
▪ Paresis or paralysis – unilateral or bilateral
▪ Decreased panniculus reflex 1-2 vertebral spaces caudal to the lesion
▪ Altered deep pain response
Types of intervertebral disk treatments
Medical
▪ Corticosteroids
Intensive nursing care
▪ Padded cage
▪ U-cath or bladder expression
▪ Prevention of bed sores
▪ Proper nutrition and hydration
Surgical
▪ Deep pain present
▪ ASAP to prevent further damage to spinal cord
Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (Wobbler Syndrome)
Cervical spinal cord compression
Cervical Spondylomyelopathy commonly affected vertebrae’s
Caudal vertebral (C5-C7) malformation or misarticulation
Wobbler syndrome commonly in what breeds
Great Danes and Doberman pinscher
Cervical Spondylomyelopathy clinical signs
▪ Abnormal wearing of the dorsal surface of the rear paws, nails, or both
▪ Swinging, wobbly gait – rear limbs
▪ Gait worse on rising
▪ Similar signs in front limbs
Wobbler syndrome medical treatment
▪ Antiinflammatories
▪ Neck brace
▪ Cage confinement
Cervical Spondylomyelopathy surgical treatment
▪ High potential for morbidity and postsurgical
complications
▪ Decompression and stabilization
Degenerative myelopathy clinical signs
▪ Slowly progressive hid limb paresis and
ataxia
▪ Muscle atrophy
Degenerative Myelopathy
GSD mixes
Older dogs
- bone degenerating, lack in spinal cord stabilization
Degenerative Myelopathy progression
progress until the animal is unable to support weight with the rear limbs
▪ Progressive incurable disease
▪ Degeneration of spinal nerves
Degenerative Myelopathy nuero exam
▪ Lesion in the region of T3-L3
▪ Decreased or absent proprioception
▪ Increased to normal patellar reflex
▪ Lack of pain
▪ Normal sphincter tone
▪ Normal panniculus reflex
Degenerative myelopathy diagnostics
Radiographs
▪ Narrowed disk spaces —Not always helpful
CSF collection
▪ May show ↑ protein concentration
Laryngeal paralysis occurs in what species
Dogs and cats
Laryngeal paralysis forms
Hereditary
Acquired
Idiopathic
Hereditary laryngeal paralysis age
4-6 months
Acquired laryngeal paralysis age
1.5-13 yrs
Idiopathic laryngeal paralysis happen in …
middle-age to old, large and giant breed dogs
▪ Castrated male dogs and cats > female and non-neutered animals
Laryngeal paralysis clinical signs
▪ Inspiratory stridor
▪ Respiratory distress
▪ Loss of endurance
▪ Voice change
▪ Dyspnea
▪ Cyanosis
▪ Complete respiratory collapse
Megaesophagus
Lack of esophageal peristalsis —>dilation of the esophagus and regurgitation
Megaesophagus forms
Congenital and acquired
Congenital Megaesophagus causes …
around weaning time
▪ Chronic regurgitation, weight loss, respiratory
signs, pneumonias
Congenital Megaesophagus commonly bc of…
▪ Great Danes, GSD, Irish setters, Newfoundlands, Shar-Peis, greyhounds
▪ Inherited – wire-haired fox terriers, mini schnauzers
Acquired Megaesophagus
Any age
▪ Linked to: metabolic neuromuscular disease, distemper, tick paralysis, lead poisoning, lar-par
Megaesophagus management
▪ Elevated feeding – Baily chair
▪ Provide liquid or soft diet – high calorie
▪ Several small meals throughout the day
Common ticks
Rocky Mountain wood tick – Dermacentor andersoni
Common dog tick – Dermacentor variabilis
Female ticks
- salivary neurotoxin
▪ Interferes with acetylcholine concentrations at the neuromuscular junction
Tick paralysis clinical signs
▪ Presence of ticks on the dog
▪ Gradual development of hind-limb ataxia
▪ Altered voice and dysphagia may be seen
▪ Recumbency w/in 24 – 72 hours
▪ Reflexes lost while sensation remains
▪ Respiratory paralysis —> death
Tick paralysis treatment
Remove all ticks from the animal
▪ Physical
▪ Drug
▪ Supportive care
▪ Ventilator if respiratory paralysis occurs
▪ Tick anti-serum
Length of tick paralysis
1-3 days
Erythrocyte disorders associated with
▪ Decreased production
▪ Increased destruction
▪ Inappropriate loss (hemorrhage)
Erythrocyte disorder causes
Anemia
Hemorrhage
▪ Hemolysis
▪ Blood parasites
▪ Iron deficiencies
▪ Immune-mediated disease
▪ Toxins
IMHA abbreviation
Immune mediated hemolytic anemia
IMHA common in
Dogs 2-8 years old
▪ 4x more prevalent in females
▪ Breeds: poodles, Old English sheepdogs, Irish setter, cocker
spaniels
Def. Of IMHA
RBCs coated with antibodies causing the immune system to destroy them
IMHA clinical signs
Anorexia
▪ Listlessness, weakness
▪ Depression
▪ Tachycardia, tachypnea
▪ +/- icterus
▪ +/- hepatomegaly, splenomegaly
▪ Pale mucus membranes
Ways to dx IMHA
Leukocytosis
▪ Absolute neutrophilia w/ a left shift
▪ Regenerative anemia
IMHA treatment
Aimed at improving tissue oxygenation and managing immune
response
▪ Glucocorticoids
▪ Drugs to prevent gastric ulceration
▪ Heparin to prevent thromboembolism
▪ Blood transfusions
IMTP abbreviation
Immune mediated thrombocytopenia
IMTP common in
2x more likely in females
▪ Dogs 5-6 years of age
IMTP def.
Platelets coated with antibodies causing the immune system to destroy them in the spleen, bone marrow or liver
IMTP clinical signs
As platelets drop to <30,000 thrombocytes/mm3 🡪 clinical signs
▪ Petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages on skin and mucosal surfaces
▪ Bloody stool or vomit
▪ Epistaxis
▪ Weakness, lethargy
IMTP treatment
▪ Steroids: prenisone
▪ Chemo: vincristine
▪ Platelet-rich blood transfusion
▪ GI protectant
Ehrlichiosis source
Rickettsial disease spread by the brown dog tick (bacteria)
- SE SW U.S
- Primarily on tropical and subtropical environments throughout the world
Ehrlichiosis acute clinical signs
depression, anorexia, fever, weight loss, ocular and nasal discharge, dyspnea, edema of the limbs, lymphadenopathy
Ehrlichiosis chronic clinical signs
bleeding tendencies, severe weight loss, debilitation, abdominal tenderness, anterior uveitis, retinal hemorrhages
Ehrlichiosis treatment
Antibiotics (Tetracycline or doxycycline)
vWF
Primary hemostasis
Sticks playlets until we get fibrin
BMBT on suspected cases prior to
surgery
vWF inherited disorder of hemostasis
- Most common breeds: Doberman pinchers, GSD, Labrador retrievers
▪ Affected animals should not be used for breeding
vWF clinical signs
▪ Easy bruising
▪ Prolonged bleeding during estrus
▪ Prolonged bleeding from venipucture
vWF treatment
Manage bleeding episodes with plasma or cryoprecipitate
Desmopressin acetate can be used to control bleeding during surgery
▪ Effects last about 2 hours
▪ Increases factor VIII in the blood
FIV abbreviation
Feline Immunodeficiency virus
FIV TREATMENT
FIV Stages
Acute FIV
Subclinical FIV
Chronic FIV
