Neurological exam of Small animals

Question 1

what determines the clinical signs, the location or type of lesion

Answer 1

location

Question 2

8 parts to the neuro exam

Answer 2

mentation
posture
gait
postural reactions
spinal reflexes
cranial nerves
palpation
nociception

Question 3

levels of consciousness

Answer 3

alert
obtunded
stupor/semicoma
coma

Question 4

qualities of consciousness

Answer 4

appropriate

inappropriate - compulsion, dementia/delerium

Question 5

postures of the head

Answer 5

tilt (roll)

turn (yaw)

Question 6

what is a head tilt a sign of

Answer 6

vestibular disease

Question 7

what is a head turn a sign of

Answer 7

forebrain disease

Question 8

postures of the limbs

Answer 8

wide/narrow based stance

decr weight bearing

Question 9

postures of the body

Answer 9

decerebrate (head up, hind legs stretched)
decerebellate (hind legs crouched)
Schiff-Sherrington (forelimbs rigid, back straight)

Question 10

cerebellar ataxia - clinical signs

Answer 10

disorder of rate + range of movement
hypermetria
intention tremor
postural tremor

Question 11

unilateral vestibular ataxia - signs

Answer 11

falling/leaning/circling to one side

head tilt

Question 12

bilateral vestibular ataxia - signs

Answer 12

wide excursions of the head
+/- head tilt
crouched posture

Question 13

postural reactions

Answer 13

paw positioning (turning the paw over)
hopping
placing - tactile + visual
extensor postural thrust

Question 14

postural reactions - pathways

Answer 14

needs integration of proprioceptive + motor systems

similar pathways to gait

Question 15

spinal reflexes - tendon reflexes + spinal segments associated

Answer 15

biceps (C6-8)
triceps (C7-T2)
patellar (L4-6)
gastroc (L6-S2)

Question 16

spinal reflexes - flexor reflexes + spinal segments associated

Answer 16

thoracic limb (C6-T2)
pelvic limb (L6-S2)

Question 17

spinal reflexes

Answer 17

perineal (S1-3)

cutaneous trunci

Question 18

decr/absent reflex in spinal reflex - possible causes

Answer 18

lesion in the reflex arc
physical limitation of movement
excitement/fear

Question 19

exaggerated reflex in spinal reflex - possible causes

Answer 19

lesion to UMN cranial to spinal cord tested
excitement/fear
“pseudo-hyperreflexia

Question 20

pathway of the menace response

Answer 20

cranial nerve II - forebrain - cerebellum - brainstem - cranial nerve VII

Question 21

pathway of the PLR

Answer 21

cranial nerve II - brainstem - cranial nerve III

Question 22

horners syndrome

Answer 22

sympathetic denervation of orbit
miosis
ptosis
enophthalmus

Question 23

reflexes testing the trigeminal nerve (V)

Answer 23

facial sensation
palpebral reflex
corneal reflex

Question 24

signs of dysfunction of trigeminal nerve (V)

Answer 24

atrophy

inability to close jaw

Question 25

signs of facial nerve (VII) dysfunction

Answer 25

facial paralysis/paresis | facial asymmetry

Question 26

tests for the facial nerve

Answer 26

palpebral reflex menace response schirmer tear test (it innervates to lacrimal glands)

Question 27

signs of vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) dysfunction

Answer 27

ataxia head tilt strabismus nystagmus

Question 28

nerves tested by the gag reflex

Answer 28

glossopharyngeal (IX) | vagus (X)

Question 29

signs of hypoglossal nerve (XII) dysfunction

Answer 29

paresis/paralysis of tongue atrophy/asymmetry of tongue deviation of tongue

Question 30

limb withdrawal does not equal...

Answer 30

pain perception