Canine Top 10 Neurological Diseases - Part 2

Question 1

what is the classic case presentation of FCE?

Answer 1

acute, asymmetrical, non-painful, non-progressive paraparesis/tetraparesis/plegia - often a history of vigorous exercise before onset

Question 2

what dog breeds are over-represented with FCE?

Answer 2

usually large non-chondrodystrophic breeds - mini schnauzers & shetland sheepdogs

Question 3

how is FCE diagnosed?

Answer 3

MRI/myelography - normal or slight swelling of the spinal cord

Question 4

how is a dog with FCE managed?

Answer 4

bladder management if necessary, prevent decubital ulcers with frequent turning/well padded bedding, physical therapy, & NO STEROIDS

Question 5

what is an FCE?

Answer 5

embolization of a tiny amount of fibrocartilage into the spinal cord surrounded by edema

Question 6

what is a type III missile disc?

Answer 6

acute, non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion

Question 7

why do clinical signs differ on dogs with encephalitis?

Answer 7

depends on the area of the brain affected

Question 8

what are the classical clinical signs of a dog with encephalitis?

Answer 8

seizures, circling, pacing, abnormal behavior, head pressing, adipsia, tetraparesis, hypermetria, head bobbing, head tilt, ataxia, nystagmus, loss of conscious proprioception, +/- neck pain

Question 9

T/F: no specific etiology causing encephalitis is found in 30% of cases until necropsy

Answer 9

TRUE

Question 10

what diagnostics are run when working up a dog with suspected encephalitis?

Answer 10

CBC, CSF analysis - protein, cytology, c/s, & infectious disease titer +/- MRI

Question 11

what treatment options are used for a dog with encephalitis due to an idiopathic/non-infectious cause?

Answer 11

immunosuppression

Question 12

what treatment options are used for a dog with encephalitis due to a fungal cause?

Answer 12

antifungals

Question 13

what treatment options are used for a dog with encephalitis due to a rickettsial cause?

Answer 13

doxycycline

Question 14

what treatment options are used for a dog with encephalitis due to a bacterial cause?

Answer 14

antibiotics

Question 15

what treatment options are used for a dog with encephalitis due to a protozoal cause?

Answer 15

clindamycin or sulfonamides

Question 16

what treatment options are used for a dog with encephalitis due to a viral cause?

Answer 16

no treatment - just supportive

Question 17

what encephalitis type are maltese dogs predisposed to? what about yorkies?

Answer 17

maltese - necrotizing meningoencephalitis yorkies - necrotizing leukoencephalitis

Question 18

what is the most common non-infectious cause of encephalitis?

Answer 18

granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis

Question 19

what is the most common viral cause of encephalitis in dogs?

Answer 19

distemper virus

Question 20

T/F: for all cases of encephalitis in a dog, rabies should be on the differential list

Answer 20

TRUE

Question 21

what is the classic case presentation of myasthenia gravis?

Answer 21

episodic weakness, weakness with exercise, coughing/gagging/regurg, depressed or absent palpebral reflex upon repeated stimulation, but NO loss of conscious proprioception

Question 22

what breed of dog is predisposed to myasthenia gravis?

Answer 22

german shepherds

Question 23

what is the gold standard test of diagnosing myasthenia gravis?

Answer 23

acetylcholine receptor antibody test

Question 24

what may be seen on thoracic rads of a dog with myasthenia gravis?

Answer 24

megaesophagus & aspiration pneumonia

Question 25

how is myasthenia gravis treated?

Answer 25

acetylcholinesterase drugs, supportive care/antibiotics for aspiration pneumonia, elevated feedings, & immunosuppression (controversial due to high incidence of aspiration pneumonia)

Question 26

T/F: the highest morbidity due to myasthenia gravis is seen in german shepherds & golden retrievers

Answer 26

TRUE

Question 27

what is the prognosis of myasthenia gravis with megaesophagus/aspiration pneumonia?

Answer 27

guarded

Question 28

what is the classic case presentation of a dog with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis?

Answer 28

stridor, dysphonia, retching/coughing with ingestion of food or water

Question 29

what dog breeds are typically affected by idiopathic laryngeal paralysis?

Answer 29

old large/giant breeds - labs, chesapeake bay retrievers, irish setters, afghan hounds, st bernards, & rotties

Question 30

how is laryngeal paralysis diagnosed?

Answer 30

laryngoscopy under light anesthesia - rule out hypothyroidism & myasthenia gravis +/- electromyography

Question 31

how is laryngeal paralysis treated?

Answer 31

exercise restriction, stress avoidance, avoid obesity, & arytenoid lateralization (tie back surgery)

Question 32

what are the complications associated with corrective surgery for laryngeal paralysis?

Answer 32

aspiration pneumonia, coughing, gagging, & exercise intolerance