Idiopathic facial paralysis
29 Idiopathic facial paralysis INITIAL PRESENTATION Acute Dropped or drooping flaccid upper and lower lips, dropped ear, lopsided face, odd look to face, food collecting in the mouth between the…
Alteration in mental state – an introduction
4 Alteration in mental state – an introduction INTRODUCTION This is the most common reason for animals to be presented to the veterinarian. Owners remark that the animal is ‘not…
Muscle tone – an introduction
61 Muscle tone – an introduction Tone is the resistance of a muscle to stretch. It is generated by reflex circuits of muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs projecting onto…
Gait – an introduction
37 Gait – an introduction Weakness (paresis) or paralysis, ataxia, and lameness are the most commonly observed alterations in gait. PARALYSIS AND PARESIS Paralysis is the absence of voluntary movement….
Change in voice and swallowing
36 Change in voice and swallowing INTRODUCTION Dysphagia A difficulty or inability to swallow is called dysphagia and it presents as: gagging, retching, choking, extending or flexing the neck during…
Middle ear disease
31 Middle ear disease INITIAL PRESENTATION Initial presentation may include: facial paralysis, Horners syndrome, pain on opening the mouth. INTRODUCTION The middle ear lies beyond the tympanic membrane (ear drum),…
Lameness – an introduction
50 Lameness – an introduction Lameness is an abnormal gait caused by pain or mechanical dysfunction. The gait is predictably irregular (cf. ataxia). Proprioception pathways are not damaged so ataxia…
Idiopathic epilepsy
21 Idiopathic epilepsy INITIAL PRESENTATION Seizures. INTRODUCTION The definition of idiopathic epilepsy is the ocurrence of seizures for which an underlying cause has not been found. It is a diagnosis…
Behaviour change – an introduction
10 Behaviour change – an introduction Consciousness = alertness + awareness. • Alertness (the level of consciousness) is judged by reflex and behavioural responsiveness to stimuli and is governed by the ARAS and the…
Alteration in pupil function
25 Alteration in pupil function INTRODUCTION These two cases illustrate altered pupil function localized to different regions of the nervous system. SIGNALMENT 1 An 8.5-year-old male Staffordshire bull terrier. CASE…
