Chapter Outline:
Definitions
Classification
Pathophysiology
Etiology
Diagnostic Plan
- History
- Age and breed
- Physical examination
- Neurologic examination
- Minimum database
- Diagnostic tets for intracranial disease
Treatment Plan
- Status epilepticus
- Pharmacologic therapy for status epilepticus
Benzodiazepines
Barbiturates
Propofol
Chronic Seizure Disorders
References
Chapter Outline:
Seizures
Phenobarbital
Bromide
Zonisamide
Levetiracetam
Benzodiazepines
Gabapentin and Pregabalin
Felbamate
References
Read more about this Chapter
Practical relevance
Weakness is recognized somewhat infrequently in cats, but is an important manifestation of neurological disease. The clinician must perform a complete neurological examination to determine the neuroanatomic basis for the weakness. As for all species, the neuroanatomic diagnosis allows the clinician to generate an appropriate differential diagnosis, to design a diagnostic plan, to prognosticate, and ultimately to develop a treatment plan.
Clinical challenges
The cause(s) of neurological weakness in the cat may be difficult to determine without access to advanced imaging modalities, cerebrospinal fluid analysis or electrodiagnostics. However, an accurate neuroanatomic diagnosis allows the clinician to pursue preliminary anomalous (vertebral anomalies), metabolic (eg, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte abnormalities) and neoplastic differentials via blood work, vertebral column and thoracic radiography, and abdominal ultrasound. Subsequently, referral to a specialty veterinary hospital may be warranted to pursue advanced neurodiagnostics.
Audience
This review provides a framework for generating a neuroanatomic and differential diagnosis in the weak cat. It also discusses the pathogenesis and clinical signs associated with the most common neurological differentials for feline paresis. As such, it is aimed at both primary health care and specialty veterinarians.
Patient group
The neurological conditions discussed in this review cause weakness in cats of all age groups.
Article Outline
LOWER MOTOR NEURON
SPINAL NERVE: GSE-LMN
SPINAL CORD SEGMENTS: VERTEBRAL COLUMN
FUNCTION
PELVIC LIMB AND PERINEAL REFLEXES
THORACIC LIMB REFLEXES
LOWER MOTOR NEURON DISEASE: NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE
NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE: DISEASES OF THE GSE-LMN
REFERENCES
Article Outline
Intracranial Diseases
Peripheral Vestibular Diseases
Myelopathies
Neuromuscular Diseases
Miscellaneous Neurologic Conditions - Horner's Syndrome, Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome, Tetanus
References
Practical relevance
Neurological diagnosis in veterinary practice can be very challenging, especially as many animals with neurological signs present as emergencies. Nevertheless, even in the absence of specialist facilities for definitively diagnosing neurological disorders, a great deal of information can be gained with some basic knowledge and a logical stepwise approach.
Clinical challenges
A lack of initial consideration as to where exactly the problem might be localised within the nervous system, and what kind of disease processes may be in operation there, is the most common cause of failure in the diagnosis of neurological conditions in cats. Too often, this presents a hurdle that pushes the clinician into neglecting the neurological evaluation in favour of making the best guess at which diagnostic tests may achieve a diagnosis.
Audience
This article is aimed at all first opinion practitioners who see cats as, undoubtedly, whatever the presentation, the approach to a suspected neurological case can be daunting for even the calmest and most patient clinician. It will provide the necessary tools to perform and make the most of the neurological examination of the feline patient.
Login via Facebook?
| or Cancel | |
