SA Seziures

Question 1

Name the 3 seizure phases

Answer 1

1) preictal
2) postictal
3) interictal

Question 2

Defined as the period of time prior to the actual seizure and includes abnormal behaviors

Answer 2

Preictal

Question 3

This occurs IMMEDIATELY before ictus when the animal is showing stereotypic motor, behavior, or autonomic change

Answer 3

Aura

Question 4

Aura indicates what?

Answer 4

The start of ictus

Question 5

The most common type of seizure? Describe the signs.

Answer 5

Tonic-clonic
patient falls to the ground, has extensor rigidity, and opisthotonos; followed by uncoordinated jerking of limbs and paddling

Question 6

With this type of seizure, only extensor rigidity and muscle contractions occur

Answer 6

Tonic

Question 7

This type of seizure is characterized by limb jerking, paddling, and lip chewing with NO extensor rigidity

Answer 7

Clonic

Question 8

Describe an atonic seizure

Answer 8

loss of muscle tone and consciousness (no rigidity or jerking)

Question 9

Which seizure type shows the poorest response to anticonvulsants?

Answer 9

Myoclonic

Question 10

This type of seizure is rare and brief in nature; it involves an alteration in or loss of consciousness without motor movements

Answer 10

Absence seizure

Question 11

Define:

1) automatism

2) paroxysms

Answer 11

1) animal performs compulsive behavior without intention or consciousness
2) violent outburst of behaviors

Question 12

Which type of seizure involves the limbic system?

Answer 12

Complex partial

Question 13

How do simple partial and complex partial seizures differ?

Answer 13

Simple–no loss of consciousness or alteration of sensorium

Complex–consciousness or sensorium is altered

Question 14

Define:

1) 1 seizure every 24hr
2) 2+ seizures within 24 hr
3) any seizure lasting longer than 5mins

Answer 14

1) isolated seizure
2) cluster seizure
3) status epileptics

Question 15

Name 2 mechanisms of seizure generation

Answer 15

1) excess excitatory NT

2) decreased inhibitory NT

Question 16

Name the excitatory and inhibitory NT

Answer 16

E: Glutatmate, aspartate
I: GABA, glycine

Question 17

Name the 5 components of the neuronal environment

Answer 17

Dendritic zones and their synapses
neuron cell membrane and their ion channels
ionic environment
NTs
Adjacent neurons

Question 18

Reoccurring, unpredictable seizures

Answer 18

Epilepsy

Question 19

The most common cause of seizures?

Answer 19

Primary/idiopathic (breed associated/genetic epilepsy)

Question 20

Describe the signalment for primary/idiopathic seizures (age and breeds)

Answer 20

1-5 years old

German Shepherd, Border Collie, Lab, Golden, Beagle

Question 21

Classification when the seizures are due to an intracranial disease; unique signs?

Answer 21

Symptomatic (secondary/acquired)

ASYMMETRICAL neurological deficits

Question 22

Classification when seizures are due to an extracranial cause? appearance of signs?

Answer 22

Reactive;

SYMMETRICAL neurologic deficits

Question 23

Which classification of seizures is not considered a true epilepsy and why?

Answer 23

Reactive

Tx of the underlying cause with resolve the seizures

Question 24

A transient ISCHEMIC event that causes loss of consciousness and can be mistaken for a seizure

Answer 24

Syncope

Question 25

This event is characterized by lack of balance, rolling, and circling but no loss of consciousness

Answer 25

Vestibular event

Question 26

Best time to perform neurological exam?

Answer 26

Interictal period

Question 27

Goal of seizure therapy?

Answer 27

decrease frequency, severity, and duration (NOT seizure abolishment)