40 UMN Vertebral malformation INITIAL PRESENTATION An acute onset of signs with chronic underlying pathology. INTRODUCTION Congenital vertebral malformations are commonly found in neurologically normal dogs. Do not presume a…
38 UMN Spinal empyema INITIAL PRESENTATION Inflammation of the spinal cord and its meningeal covering presents as ataxia, paresis and spinal pain along with less specific signs of lethargy, fever…
60 Ventroflexion of the neck INITIAL PRESENTATION Head droop, head drop, ‘dropped head’, chin on or close to sternum INTRODUCTION The major antigravity support for the head is supplied by…
53 Lameness Ischaemia INTRODUCTION Arterial thromboembolism produces limb ischaemia and either paresis or paralysis, depending on the degree of occlusion and amount of collateral circulation. This is most common in…
39 UMN Spinal cord infarction INITIAL PRESENTATION Sudden onset of asymmetrical weakness and proprioceptive deficits. INTRODUCTION Spinal cord disease may present with either upper motor neuron (UMN) or lower motor…
24 The control of pupil diameter Abnormal pupil function in the pet can lead the owners to report large ‘black’ eyes, a staring expression, or sunken eyes which have ‘disappeared’…
59 Truncal ataxia INTRODUCTION Inflammatory CNS disease is a very common cause of neurological signs in small animals, more so in the young to middle-aged. Peripheral leukocytes invade the brain,…
57 Balance – an introduction Balance is maintained by equal input from the vestibular receptors found bilaterally in the inner ears (see Fig. 57.1). The receptors detect a change in…
74 No attempt to urinate INTRODUCTION No attempt to urinate results in urine retention. Overflow of urine may occur but the bladder does not fully empty. In time, a sacral…
11 Loss of house-training INITIAL PRESENTATION Behaviour change: loss of house-training. INTRODUCTION Occasional urinating or defecating in the house by the pet is often excused by the owner as ‘having…
