1. Nervous System Diseases

2. Common Signs and Symptoms
Ataxia
Loss of Control of Bladder
Seizures
Proprioception Deficits
Eyes Abnormal
Nystagmus
Pupils dilated or different sizes

3. Most Commonly Seen Diseases
Seizure Disorders
Cervical Disk Disease
Equine Protozoal Myloencephalitis
Botulism
Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Degenerative Myelopathy
Rabies

4. Seizure Disorders What is a seizure? 3 categories:
Generalized (most common)- Entire body involved, loss of consciousness, paddling, loss of bowel and bladder function
Partial- may involve part of the body and turn into generalized seizures
Psychomotor- involuntary circling, howling, snapping
Post-ictal phase- period following a seizure when the animal is extremely tired, disoriented

5. Care of a Seizing Animal
Make sure they can’t hurt themselves: move furniture, keep away from stairs
NEVER put your hands near the teeth
TIME the event- more than 5 minutes, you need to seek help
Cushion head if needed to prevent injury
Temperature can rise quickly- get help if needed
Clean up animal afterwards
Write time of seizure on calendar- keep track of how often they happen

6. Causes of Seizures
If animal is under 1 year: Infection or genetic defect
Animals 1-5 yrs old: Epilepsy- recurrent seizures, especially in Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Bassets and Collies
Animals over 5 years: Most commonly due to brain tumor
Toxins can cause seizures
Sometimes we don’t know….

7. Treatment of Seizures
If seizures happen more than once a month…or more than 5 minutes:
Immediate intervention: Valium IV or Phenobarbitol IV
Phenobarbitol- Pill given BID, has side effects, needs blood tests to prevent damage to liver
MUST be given same time of day, every day, indefinitely
Potassium Bromide and other drugs can work but not known to be as effective

8. Cervical Disk Disease
Spinal cord is compressed by cervical disk material, the dog or cat can experience
Mild (neck pain) to severe (complete paralysis of all four legs and with no pain perception).
Paralysis, pain, clumsiness
-Cause: Trauma, genetics- daschunds
- Treatment: Anti-inflammatories, STRICT crate rest, pain relief, possible surgery

9. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)
Signs/symptoms: Lameness, loss of muscle mass, can cause respiratory issue and seizures
Cause: Parasite carried in opossum feces, picked up by horses and it travels to the spinal cord
Treatment:
Anti-inflammatories,
pain relief, anti- protozoals
Difficult to treat, treatment
can cause worse symptoms

10. Botulism Signs/Symptoms: Paralysis of muscles, starts around the head
Eventually animals lose control of swallowing and respiration as well as complete loss of muscle control
Treatment: Antitoxin, Nursing care
Mainly happens in large animals
Is preventable
with vaccines!

11. Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Feline Disease
Cause: Cerebellum is damaged/destroyed in utero due to feline distemper virus
Signs/symptoms: Kittens that are uncoordinated, lean against walls
Treatment: None, these cats can have normal, full lives with correct care

12. Degenerative Myelopathy
Signs/symptoms: Progressive loss of feeling and use of hind limbs and tail
Cause: unknown, the nerves in the end of the spinal cord stop working
Treatment: None, limited exercise helps, can be life- limiting
At risk: German Shepherds and other large breeds
Genetically linked- blood test thru
OFA

13. Rabies
Signs: excessive salivation, foaming at mouth, lack of coordination, or stumbling
Vaccinations should be given to dogs, cats, ferrets, and livestock in order to prevent it

14. Previously Discussed Nervous System Diseases
Rabies
Distemper
Listeriosis

15. Wrapping it up…
Most Nervous System Diseases are difficult to treat and diagnose.
Specialist veterinarians: Neurologists- at specialty clinics and universities
Neuro exam: