7b. Neurological Disorders

Meningitis

causes inflammation in the spinal cord and brain

debilitating

potentially life threatening

clinical signs -

• muscle spasms

• drooling

• pruritis

• stiff legs

• seizures

Treatment -

• antivirals

• steroids

• pain relief

• IVFT

Traumatic Brain Injury

can occur at any life stage

a type of skull fracture or soft tissue damage to the brain

causes - kick, RTA, fall etc.

clinical signs -

• depression

• epistaxis

• blindness

• head tilt

diagnosis -

physical examination

radiography

CT

Treatment -

• supportive care

• raised food and water

• IVFT

• padded accommodation

Epilepsy & Seizures

seizures can result from abnormalities within or outside the brain

causes within the brain - more managing than treatment

• idiopathic epilepsy

• brain tumours

• head trauma

• infection

causes outside the brain -

• metabolic - can correct these and wouldn’t expect them to continue seizing

• toxins

Diagnosis -

• monitoring

• blood test

• CSF tap

• CT

• MRI

Treatment -

• monitoring vitals and number of seizures

• keeping a diary

• stay calm

• IVFT

• O2

• lubricate eyes

Tetanus

• usually picked up through open cuts or dirty wounds

• rapid multiplication of bacteria to produce a toxin

• the aggressive toxin attacks the nerves that control the body muscles

clinical signs -

• loss of appetite

• third eyelid protusion

• muscle spasms

• respiratory failure

• convulsions

Diagnosis -

• stiffness usually Strats around the head and neck area or hind quarters

• signs of injury

• protrusion of third eyelid

Treatment -

• poor prognosis

• early treatment is vital

• antibiotics

• IVFT

• darkened, warm environment