Neuro/orto examination Flashcards
(31 cards)
ABC:s of neuro exam (6)
-Start evaluating the patient while taking the anamnesis
-If needed, take the animal outside, to the corridor, or use equipment to help you
-Have a system, make notes
-If needed, skip some tests
- With cats, be quick and alert. Usually you only have one possibility to do the test
-With exotics, do not overinterpret
Four categories for mental state
Normal - BAR/QAR
Depressive - Conscious, but lethargic, uninterested
Stuporous - Unconscious, reacts to strong stimuli, feels pain
Coma - Deep unconsciousness, does not respond, does not feel pain
Head tilt can be a sign of
Peripheral/central vestibular problem
Usually tilted towards the lesion
Head turn can be a sign of
Problem of brain or brainstem
Body might turn together with the head and there might be circle movement
Usually towards the lesion
Ventroflexation can be a sign of
Myasthenia gravis, thiamine deficiency, hypokalemia
What is opistotonus?
Full body hyperextension
What could a broad-base stance be a sign of?
Balance problem
Central/peripheral vestibular system problem
Different types of spinal curvature (3)
Cyphosis - upward hump
Lordosis - downward concave
Scoliosis - laterally curved
Can be caused by pain, malformation of vertebrae, syringomyelia
What is limping and what is the cause of it?
Lessened ability to support bodyweight on a limb
Problematic limb- short step, other side limb- long step
Caused by pain
What is ataxia and what can be the cause of it?
Unnormal coordination of movements
Spinal, vestibular or cerebellar
What is paresis?
Neurological weakness
Partial paralysis - some voluntary movement is left and also deep pain
What is plegia?
Paralysis. Total loss of voluntary movement. Deep pain might be present or lost
Differences in monoparesis, paraparesis, hemiparesis, tetraparesis
Mono - one limb is affected
Para - either both front limbs or both hind limbs
Hemi - limbs on one side affected
Tetra - all limbs affected
Dysmetria
Change in stepping pattern
Hypermetria
abnormally long steps, lifting legs unusually high
Hypometria
Tipping, short steps
4 types of tremors
Resting tremor - seen in resting
Intention tremor - animal is focusing on something (food, toy)
Action tremor - in physical action
Generalized tremor - during a seizure
Two types of epileptic seizures
Focal - affects only a part of body, animal is conscious
Generalized - whole body affected, animal can be conscious or unconscious
What is myoclonus?
Strong rhythmic contractions of a muscle or muscle group
What is menace reflex?
A threatening movement towards the eye, animal should close the eye. Is not present in young animals, <10-12 weeks.
Optic nerve, facial nerve
+ Retina, cerebral cortex, brainstem, cerebellum, facial muscles
What is pupillary light reflex?
Directing a strong light into the eye, pupil should react.
Indirect + direct
Optic nerve, oculomotor nerve
+Retina, optic junction, tract, brainstem, iris muscles
What is nystagmus?
Tested by turning the head, should also turn the animal on its back
Physiological - stabilizes the image on the retina when the head moves
Pathological - Horizontal, vertical, rotary, pendular
Fast phase is directed away from the lesion
Vestibular cochlear nerve, oculomotor nerve, block/trochlear nerve, abductor nerve + eye muscles
What is palpebral reflex?
A gentle touch to the inner and outer corner of the eye, eye should close
Trigeminal nerve, facial nerve
+sensory receptors on skin, brain stem, eyelid muscles
What is corneal reflex?
Gentle touch to the eyeball, eye should close
Only test if palpebral reflex is incomplete!
Trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, abductor nerve
+corneal sensory receptors, brainstem
