Nervous System Diseases

Question 1

What is idiopathic vestibular disease?

Answer 1

Acute disorder in dogs and cats. Loss of balance & disorientation

Question 2

What are the clinical signs of idiopathic vestibular disease?

Answer 2

Incapacitating loss of balance, disorientation, ataxia, vomiting, anorexia

Question 3

How do you diagnose idiopathic vestibular disease?

Answer 3

Clinical signs. Bloodwork to r/o nervous system disease, otic exam to r/o inner ear issues

Question 4

What is the treatment for idiopathic vestibular disease?

Answer 4

supportive

Question 5

What is idiopathic epilepsy?

Answer 5

Seizures with no apparent cause

Question 6

How do you diagnose idiopathic epilepsy?

Answer 6

Have owner video, diagnosis of exclusion

Question 7

What breeds commonly gets idiopathic epilepsy?

Answer 7

GSD, mini/toy poodles, cocker spaniels, beagles, Irish setters, Golden retrievers

Question 8

At what age do idiopathic seizures normally start?

Answer 8

1-3 years

Question 9

What is the treatment for idiopathic epilepsy?

Answer 9

Treat is seizures more than once monthly, phenobarbital

Question 10

What is status epilepticus?

Answer 10

Emergency!!! Prolonged, uninterrupted seizure activity
Grand Mal seizure

Question 11

How do you diagnose status epilepticus?

Answer 11

Seizure hx, clinical signs

Question 12

What is the treatment for status epilepticus?

Answer 12

Drugs (diazepam, propofol to anesthetize)
Establish airway w/ O2 therapy
IV catheter for fluids
Monitor body temp (can get high)

Question 13

What does IVDD stand for?

Answer 13

Intervertebral disc disease

Question 14

What is one of the most common disorders involving spinal cord in small animal?

Answer 14

IVDD

Question 15

What are the two types of disc herniations in IVDD?

Answer 15

Type 1 - common in younger animals, acute rupture into spinal canal
Type 2 - common in older, large breed dogs. Extrusion occurs over long period of time. Less acute and less severe clinical signs

Question 16

Clinical signs of IVDD

Answer 16

Apparent pain =/- motor deficit
Paresis or paralysis
Altered deep pain response
Decreased panniculus reflex 1-2 vertebral spaces caudal to lesion

Question 17

How do you diagnose IVDD?

Answer 17

Age, breed, clinical signs, history
Complete neuro exam. Anesthetized radiographs

Question 18

Treatment for IVDD

Answer 18

Medical - cage rest, corticosteroids
Surgical - deep pain should be present. Should be done ASAP

Question 19

What intensive nursing care should be done for IVDD?

Answer 19

Padded cage, ucath or bladder expression, flipping to prevent bed sores, proper nutrition and hydration

Question 20

What is wobblers syndrome?

Answer 20

Cervical spondylomyelopathy. Cervical spinal cord compression

Question 21

What breed commonly gets wobblers syndrome?

Answer 21

Great danes and doberman pinschers

Question 22

What are the clinical signs of wobblers syndrome?

Answer 22

Hx of progressive pelvic limb ataxia, abnormal wearing on dorsal surface of rear paws (dragging paws), swinging gait, gait worse on rising, =/- atrophy of scapular muscles

Question 23

How do you diagnose wobblers syndrome?

Answer 23

Bloodwork to rule out other defects, radiographs, myelography, CT/MRI

Question 24

What is the treatment for Wobblers syndrome?

Answer 24

Medical - antiinflammatories, neck brace, cage confinement
Surgical - high morbidity and post surgical complication
Decompression & stabilization

Question 25

Which breeds are most commonly diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 25

German shepherds. Usually affects older dogs. Cause unknown

Question 26

Clinical signs of degenerative myelopathy

Answer 26

Progressive hind limb paresis and ataxia. Muscle atrophy

Question 27

How do you diagnose degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 27

Neuro exam, radiographs (looking for narrowed disc space), cerebrospinal fluid collection to look for increased protein concentration

Question 28

Wobblers vs degenerative myelopathy

Answer 28

Wobblers - lack of coordination. Crossing over of legs, needing to back up to coordinate DM - weakened back end. typically paw dragging first

Question 29

What are the forms of laryngeal paralysis?

Answer 29

Hereditary - 4-6 mo Acquired - 1.5-3.5 Idiopathic - middle-old age. Large and giant breed

Question 30

T/F laryngeal paralysis only occurs in dogs

Answer 30

FALSE. Dogs and cats

Question 31

How can a pet get acquired laryngeal paralysis?

Answer 31

Rabies, lead poisoning, trauma, inflammation of vagus nerve

Question 33

T/F castrated male dogs& cats get laryngeal paralysis more often?

Answer 33

TRUE. Female & non neutered animal less often

Question 34

How do you diagnose laryngeal paralysis?

Answer 34

laryngoscopy

Question 35

What are the clinical signs for laryngeal paralysis?

Answer 35

Inspiratory stridor, respiratory distress, loss of endurance, voice changes, dyspnea, cyanosis, complete respiratory collapse

Question 36

What is treatment for laryngeal paralysis

Answer 36

Surgical - unilateral arytenoid tie-back

Question 37

What is megaesophagus?

Answer 37

Lack of esophageal peristalsis - dilation of esophagus & regurgitation

Question 38

What are the 2 types of megaesophagus?

Answer 38

Congenital - usually evident around weaning. Chronic regurgitation, weight loss, respiratory signs, pneumonia. Acquired - any age, linked to tick paralysis, distemper, lead poisoning, laryngeal paralysis

Question 39

What animals most commonly have congenital megaesophagus?

Answer 39

Great danes, GSD, Irish setters, newfoundlands, shar-peis, greyhounds

Question 41

How do you diagnose megaesophagus?

Answer 41

Radiograph looking for dilated esophagus

Question 43

What is the prognosis for megaesophagus?

Answer 43

Guarded to poor. Not if, but when, they get aspiration pneumonia

Question 44

How can you manage megaesophagus?

Answer 44

Elevated feeding via bailey chair Provide soft of liquid high calorie diet Several small meals throughout day

Question 45

What are the clinical signs for tick paralysis?

Answer 45

Presence of tick on dog, gradual development of hind limb ataxia, altered voice and dysphagia, recumbency w/I 24-72 hours, reflexes lost (sensation remains)

Question 46

What is the main concern with tick paralysis?

Answer 46

Respiratory paralysis = death

Question 47

What is the treatment for tick paralysis?

Answer 47

Removal of tick. Supportive care, anti tick serum

Question 48

How quickly do dogs typically recover from tick paralysis?

Answer 48

1-3 days after removal of ticks