Veterian Key

66 Bilateral atrophy of the masticatory muscles INTRODUCTION Atrophy of the masticatory muscles (MM) allows the skull shape to be more obvious and owners often report a ‘lump’ which is…

64 Hypocalcaemia INTRODUCTION Clinical signs of hypocalcaemia reflect calcium’s importance to the electrical stability of excitable tissue. Spasms, cramp and tetany are commonly observed. Handling and excitement typically induce or…

62 Tremor INTRODUCTION Tremor is an involuntary rhythmic oscillation of a body part. Oscillations are of large (coarse) or small (fine) amplitude. They may occur when the animal is recumbent,…

43 LMN paresis and paralysis – an introduction The motor functions of the CNS are expressed through the lower motor neuron (LMN) (Fig. 43.1), which consists of: • Cell bodies…

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’…