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Neurological Examination Initial Observation - Horse (view source)
Revision as of 16:00, 9 March 2011
, 16:00, 9 March 2011Created page with "==Signalment and History== ===Signalment=== * The term "signalment" describes the animal's age, sex and breed. * The horse's signalemt may be relevant to the neurological exami..."
==Signalment and History==
===Signalment===
* The term "signalment" describes the animal's age, sex and breed.
* The horse's signalemt may be relevant to the neurological examination.
** For example:
*** A 1 year old thoroughbred colt with ataxia is more likely to have cervical compression than a space occupying lesion.
*** An Arabian foal suffering seizures may have idiopathic epilepsy.
===History===
* History is a very important component of the neurological examination.
** An owner's description of the animal's behaviour or abnormality may both
*** Help direct the neurological examonation.
*** Suggest possible differential diagnoses.
* For example, a recumbent horse with a history of stumbling or knuckling that has recently fallen:
** May have underlying cervical vertebral malformation or stenosis, OR
** It is possible that the onset of pelvic limb weakness may have followed a spate of respiratory disease or an abortions, if the animal has [[Herpesviridae|EHV1]] myelitis.
==Demeanour/ Behaviour==
* The horse should be examined from a distance to assess behaviour and demeanour.
* Diseases associated with altered mentation or behaviour tend to involve the forebrain.
* Levels of consciousness are determined partly by the cerebrum and partly by the reticular activating system in the brainstem.
===What to Look For===
* Assymetrical changes.
** These include:
*** Circling
*** Head turning
** Horses usually circle or turn towards the affected side.
* Excessive yawning.
* Head pressing.
** This is often a sign of severe obtundation, which may be caused by:
*** Diffuse cerebral disease.
*** Metabolic problems, such as hepatic encephalopathy.
[[Category:Neurological Examination - Horse|B]]
===Signalment===
* The term "signalment" describes the animal's age, sex and breed.
* The horse's signalemt may be relevant to the neurological examination.
** For example:
*** A 1 year old thoroughbred colt with ataxia is more likely to have cervical compression than a space occupying lesion.
*** An Arabian foal suffering seizures may have idiopathic epilepsy.
===History===
* History is a very important component of the neurological examination.
** An owner's description of the animal's behaviour or abnormality may both
*** Help direct the neurological examonation.
*** Suggest possible differential diagnoses.
* For example, a recumbent horse with a history of stumbling or knuckling that has recently fallen:
** May have underlying cervical vertebral malformation or stenosis, OR
** It is possible that the onset of pelvic limb weakness may have followed a spate of respiratory disease or an abortions, if the animal has [[Herpesviridae|EHV1]] myelitis.
==Demeanour/ Behaviour==
* The horse should be examined from a distance to assess behaviour and demeanour.
* Diseases associated with altered mentation or behaviour tend to involve the forebrain.
* Levels of consciousness are determined partly by the cerebrum and partly by the reticular activating system in the brainstem.
===What to Look For===
* Assymetrical changes.
** These include:
*** Circling
*** Head turning
** Horses usually circle or turn towards the affected side.
* Excessive yawning.
* Head pressing.
** This is often a sign of severe obtundation, which may be caused by:
*** Diffuse cerebral disease.
*** Metabolic problems, such as hepatic encephalopathy.
[[Category:Neurological Examination - Horse|B]]