AMC Unit 1

ataxia

without coordination, stumbling

depression

an awake animal that is unresponsive to the environment, obtundant

stupor

impaired consciousness with unresponsiveness to stimuli

coma

deep state of unconsciousness

paralysis

complete loss of motor function or loss of voluntary movement

paresis

partial loss of motor function or voluntary movement

flaccid paresis/paralysis

decreased or muscle tone

spastic paresis/paralysis

extra muscle tone, stiff

seizure/convulsion

suddenly involuntary contraction of muscles caused by a brain disturbance

ictus

actual seizure period

tremor

involuntary small, rapid movement

intention tremor

becomes worse with initiation of movement, can disappear at rest

myoclonus

coarse, jerky movement of muscle groups at rest

dysmetria

neurological sign marked by the inability to control the distance, speed, and range of motion of voluntary movement

hypertenisity

broad term for abnormally high muscle tone or tension at rest

trauma to the brain

• causes trauma to the head

• primary: direct damage to nervous tissue

• secondary: intensify/worsen neurological damage

• edema, hypoxia, seizures, loss of consciousness, blood in ears, nose, oral cavity, shock, coma

• Tx: osmotic agents to reduce cerebral edema, anti-seizure meds, steroids, oxygen therapy

idiopathic vestibular disease

• common in middle aged dogs and cats (late spring/early fall)

• idiopathic acute disease

• clinic signs: nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, nystagmus, disorientation, ataxia, anorexia

• DX: clinical signs, BW, otic exam

• TX: steroids, antibiotics, tx the inner ear problem, supportive care

neplasia

• tumors in brain cause tissue suppression, or tumor is replacing normal tissue

• common in older animals

• primary- singular tumor

• secondary- metastatic or multiple tumors

• clinical signs: seizures, endocrine derangement, +/- vestibular signs, tremors, ataxia

• DX: BW, rads, spinal tap, optic exam, CT/MRI

• TX: sx, radiation, chemo, anti seizure meds, steroids

idiopathic epilepsy

• related episodes of seizures

• common in younger animals, 1-3 y/o

• German shepherds, mini/toy poodles, saint Bernards, cocker spaniel, beagles, Irish setters, golden retriever, mixed breeds

• unknown cause, believed to be hereditary

• pre-ictal: hiding, needy, abnormal behavior, disoriented/blind

• post-ictal: disoriented, blind

• DX: BW, rads, CT/MRI

• TX: tx the disease if disease is the cause, phenobarbitol, keppra, zonisamide

status epilepticus

• prolonged, uninterrupted seizure lasting 5-10 mins

• DX: history, clinical signs

• TX: stop seizure first, establish airway, check BG and K, monitor temp

trauma to the spinal cord

• caused by HBC, gunshot, fights, etc

• clinical signs: paresis, paralysis, black peniculus reflex, schiff sharington sign, hypotenisity of hindlimbs

• DX: rads, Neuro exam

intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

• one of the most common diseases

• common in all dog breeds (bassett hounds, dachshunds, bulldogs), sometimes seen in cats

• ruptured disc will push into the spinal column, puts pressure on the spinal cord

• affects cervical, caudal thoracic vertebrae

• type 1- younger dogs, acute rupture

• type 2- older large breeds, chronic

• clinical signs: paralysis, pain along spine

• DX: signs, Neuro exam, rads, MRI

• TX: depends on severity

atlantoaxial subluxation

• mini breeds, under 1 y/o

• cranial portion of the axis is displaced into the spinal column

• can be congenital or through trauma

• clinical signs: reluctance to be petted, neck pain, +/- tetraplegia or tetraparesis, sudden death

• DX: signs, rads

• TX: neck splint and 6 weeks of strict confinement, sx

• do NOT breed!

wobbler syndrome

• cervical spinal cord compression

• C5-C7 malformation/misarticulation

• common in dobermans +2 y/o, male great dane

• clinical signs: progressive hindlimb ataxia, rear limbs cross, abnormal proprioception, gait is worse on rising

• DX: signs, rads, Neuro exam, myelogram, CT/MRI

• TX: NSAIDS, pain meds, neck brace with confinement, sx

degenerative myelopathy

• german shepherds +5 y/o

• unknown cause, possibly hereditary

• clinical signs: slow, progressive ataxia, paresis of rear limbs, muscle atrophy of rear limbs, decreased proprioception, falling down during BMs

• DX: rads, Neuro exam

• TX: none, EUTH!!

discospondylitis

• bacterial/fungi implanted in the bone

• through blood infections, wounds, and abscesses

Laryngeal Paralysis

• hereditary- do NOT breed— Bouvier Des Flandies and young huskies

• if acquired, can be caused by trauma, inflammation, and rabies (poss idiopathic in middle aged-old large breeds)

• more common in castrated males

• can be seen in cats

• clinical signs: inspiratory stridor, respiratory distress, loss of endurance, voice change, cyanosis, complete respiratory collapse

• DX: laryngoscopy

• TX: corrected with sx

megaesophagus

• lack of effective esophageal parastalisis

• results in dilation of the esophagus and regurgitation on undigested food

• can be congenital

• common in great Danes, german shepherds, Irish setters, newfoundland, shar peis, and greyhounds. can be seen in older fox terriers and mini schnauzers

• can be acquired, 50% of cases are idiopathic, 25% due to myasthenia gravis or addison’s

• also associated with distemper, tick paralysis, lead poisoning, and laryngeal paralysis

• clinical signs: regurgitation of undigested food, lack of growth, weight loss, respiratory signs due to aspiration

• DX: rads with barium

• TX: tx underlying disease, elevate feeding platform, feeding chair, small frequent meals, NO CURE

tick paralysis

• caused by common dog tick (dermacentor variabilis) and rocky Mtn tick (dermacentor andersoni)

• female tick produces a neurotoxin that interferes with acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction

• signs begin gradually, in coordination with rear limbs

• clinical signs: progresses to flaccid ascending paralysis, altered voice/bark, dysphagia, recumbent in 24-72 hrs, still some sensation, can cause death

• DX: see ticks, rule out other diseases

• TX: remove all ticks, usually recover in 1-3 days

coonhound paralysis

• exact cause unknown

• believed to be connected to raccoons or energy expended when hunting

• usually in coonhounds or hunting dogs, but can be any breed

• clinical signs: appear 7-14 days after exposure, begins with weakness in hind limbs, rapidly progresses to flaccid paralysis

• severe- loss of voice, labored breathing, completely paralyzed all over, poss death

• DX: rule out all other diseases, signs, and exposure to raccoons

• TX: corticosteroids, support respirations, supportive care

• can last 2-3 months

facial nerve paralysis

• unknown cause

• seen in dogs and cats +5 y/o

• common in cocker spaniel, pembroke welsh corgi, boxer, English setter, domestic long haired cat

• clinical signs: ear dropping on one side, lip paralysis on one side, poss deviation in nose, collection of food on paralyzed side of mouth, absence of Palpebral reflex, sialosis

• DX: evaluate cranial nerves (facial nerve)

• TX: corticosteroids, artificial tears for eyes, keep oral cavity clear of food

rabies

• occurs through bite of infected animal (bat, raccoon, skunk, fox)

• clinical signs: depends on individual, can be aggressive, can be paralyzed, begins with high fever, hindlimb ataxia, hyperesthesia, death within 3-10 days

• EUTH!

• DX: necropsy, fluoresce the antibodies in the brain tissue

• TX: none

• yearly rabies vx (2ml), booster after exposure if vaccinated and quarantine for 90 days

• ZOONOTIC

viral equine encephalitis

• sleeping sickness

• 4 strains- eastern, western, Venezuelan, west nile

• caused by mosquitos

• all strains are rapidly progressive and highly fatal

• clinical signs for 3: profound depression, fever, ataxia, head pressing, dementia, multiple cranial nerve abnormalaties, sensitivity around head and neck

• west nile signs: weakness, ataxia, muscle fasciculations (muscle twitching), cranial nerve deficits, sensitivity around head and neck

• DX: serology, necropsy, fluoresce of antibodies in brain

• TX: supportive care, hydration, nutrition, clean and dry environment

• there IS a vx for eastern, western, and west nile (2-3 times a year in the south)

• west Nile is ZOONOTIC

equine protozoal myelitits (EPM)

• common cause of neuro diseases in equines

• caused by Sarcocystis neurona (possums)

• infection by fecal-oral transmission

• signs depend on where protozoan goes in the CNS

• clinical signs: ataxia, weakness, muscle atrophy, cranial nerve deficits

• DX: signs, antibodies found in the cerebral spinal fluid

• TX: ponazeril, the sooner the better

herpes (EHV)

• respiratory disease

• can cause abortions, neonatal abnormalaties, and neurologic diseases

• very contagious, spread from nasal secretions (direct or indirect)

• clinical signs: neurologic form causes ascending paralysis of hindlimbs, urinary incontinence, poor tail tone, penile prolapse, recumbency, weakness, incoordiantion

• DX: PCR for the virus

• TX: anti-viral meds, 2-3 months to recover

• EUTH!! never go back to fully normal

wobbler syndrome

• spinal cord disease from compression of the cervical spinal column

• type 1- malformation of vertebrae (6m- 3 y/o)

• type 2- occur in older horses due to arthritic changes

• males are x4 more likely, thoroughbreds more common

• clinical signs: ataxia of hindlimbs, symmetric incoordination

• DX: rads, myelography

• TX: sx

botulism

• rapidly progressive, fatal

• caused by chlostridium botulinum- neurotoxin, or infected wounds or contaminated feed

• states like PA, OH, and KY

• clinical signs: profound weakness, muscle twitches, dysphagia, death

• DX: PE, rule out other diseases

• TX: supportive care, EUTH!

• vx in endemic areas

tetanus

• highly fatal

• caused by chlostridium tetani

• invades wounds or cuts

• clinical signs: stiff gait, hyperexcitability, seizure, coma, death

• DX: rule out other diseases

• TX: tetanus anti-toxin, tetanus toxoid vx given annually