Tremor

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, weight-bearing at rest or during voluntary movement. Tremors often worsen with stressful or exciting stimuli such as play and disappear with sleep. The description of a tremor aids diagnosis.


Shake, quiver and shiver are synonyms.



SIGNALMENT


A 2-year-old neutered female Bichon Frise dog.



CASE PRESENTING SIGNS


Generalized tremor.



CASE HISTORY


A sudden onset of generalized tremor which was present at rest and which worsened when the dog was excited or stressed. The dog was lethargic.



CLINICAL EXAMINATION


Clinical examination revealed a fine generalized tremor of the head, trunk and limbs but sparing the eyeballs. There was no intention tremor. The dog was ambulatory and had normal proprioception and hopping responses. Cranial nerve function was normal.



NEUROANATOMICAL LOCALIZATION


A generalized tremor syndrome was diagnosed. No evidence of cerebellar disease was present.



DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS





Causes of tremor



• Weakness

• Pain

• Hypothermia

• Metabolic derangement: hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, pheochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism

• Intoxication:
• metaldehyde: slug and snail bait

• methylxanthines: chocolate, caffeine

• macadamia nuts

• mycotoxin: mouldy food

• organophosphates, pyrethrins: flea treatments

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Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Tremor

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