Animal welfare + Neurological disorders

Question 1

what do neurological disorders affect?

Answer 1

they affect perception (receptors) and function (effectors)

Question 2

neurological can be primary or secondary - t/f?

Answer 2

true

Question 3

why do we need to differentiate between CNS and PNS disorders?

Answer 3

for treatment and prognosis

Question 4

neurological dysfunction may impact?

Answer 4

multiple organ systems

Question 5

give an example of how neurological issues can manifest as behavioural changes:

Answer 5

paroxysmal gluten-sensitive dyskinesia (PGSD) in Border Terriers

Question 6

mental status for animals with neurological disease?

Answer 6

excitation or depression

Question 7

involuntary movements associated with neurological disease?

Answer 7

seizures, tremors, dyskinesia

Question 8

how do neurological diseases affect muscles?

Answer 8

there are muscle tone abnormalities and atrophy

Question 9

impacts on the autonomic nervous system:

Answer 9

affects pupil size, salivation, digestion
hyper/hypothermia
sensory + cognitive issues reduce animal’s ability to navigate its environment and interact w/ others
issues w/ urination + defecation control - contextualised care

Question 10

contextualised care?

Answer 10

looking into the context that that animal is being kept, the owner can afford and the condition that the owner is living in, owner travelling? - look into the conditions - may change the management of the animal

Question 11

behavioural abnormalities from neurological disease?

Answer 11

change in behaviour responses - fear, frustration
unpredictable, unfamiliar behaviour can affect social behaviour
difficulty maintaining of social hierarchy in groups

Question 12

how does hip dysplasia affect nerves?

Answer 12

because of changing conformation - nerves get damaged

Question 13

epilepsy may be…

Answer 13

idiopathic, structural, metabolic or toxic

Question 14

repeated seizures lead to?

Answer 14

cumulative damage

Question 15

genetic origin in some breeds for epilepsy - so…

Answer 15

avoid breeding

Question 16

post-seizure effects can be more harmful than…

Answer 16

than the seizure

Question 17

seizures involve?

Answer 17

unconsciousness and loss of memory

Question 18

what can help reduce stress and seizure triggers for dogs?

Answer 18

modifying the environment

Question 19

what is the most common neurological disorder in dogs?

Answer 19

epilepsy

Question 20

which epilepsy is prevalent in certain breeds?

Answer 20

idiopathic epilepsy

Question 21

males or females more commonly affected by canine epilepsy?

Answer 21

males

Question 22

impact of seizures on welfare?

Answer 22

injury
possible aspiration pneumonia
pain from vascular inflammation

Question 23

why do you not feed or water an animal that has just woken up from an episode?

Answer 23

possible aspiration pneumonia
food/water may go into lungs

Question 24

longer seizures result in?

Answer 24

increased risk (status epilepticus)
higher mortality and post-ictal complications
includes electrolyte and behavioural disturbances

Question 25

behavioural changes after onset?

Answer 25

fear, anxiety and aggression like rise attention deficits + poor trainability

Question 26

QoL considerations?

Answer 26

seizure severity, frequency and post-ictal impact drug side effects and resistance behavioural and emotional well-being

Question 27

the poor welfare cycle?

Answer 27

seizures worsen behaviour, reduce interaction frequent hospital visits leads to a feedback loop of declining welfare less engagement from owners over time

Question 28

owner perception of QoL?

Answer 28

witnessing seizures causes emotional stress long-term financial and care burden medication side effects add complexity veterinarians support the animal and owner

Question 29

tools and metrics for seizures to monitor QoL?

Answer 29

use seizure logs and scoring systems track medication side effects and recovery time evaluate both physical and emotional aspects

Question 30

behavioural interventions that can be done?

Answer 30

stress reduction can aid seizure control trial using relaxation techniques non-invasive and cost-effective support

Question 31

what diagnostics can you use for the animal?

Answer 31

MRI, EEG, CSF

Question 32

treatment planning for these animals?

Answer 32

use diagnostics record seizure details and aim for reduction

Question 33

CSF?

Answer 33

spinal tap to see if cerebral fluid is inflammed

Question 34

EEG?

Answer 34

electrolyte...

Question 35

behavioural interventions?

Answer 35

stress reduction can aid seizure control trial using relaxation techniques non-invasive and cost-effective support