Top 10 Canine Neurological Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment for the NAVLE

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Top 10 Canine Neurological Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment for the NAVLE

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Top 10 Canine Neurological Disorders: A Comprehensive Guide for NAVLE Preparation

Introduction

Understanding canine neurological disorders is crucial for veterinary professionals preparing for the NAVLE. This guide covers the top neurological conditions in dogs, highlighting classic cases, diagnostic methods, and treatment options.

1. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

Classic Case:
Dogs with IVDD often show signs of pain in the neck or back, such as an arched back or a head held down. Symptoms include ataxia, paraparesis, paraplegia, or tetraparesis. While any breed can be affected, chondrodystrophoid breeds like Dachshunds are most common.

Diagnosis:

• MRI: Safe, fast, and provides the best quality images.
• CT: Faster than MRI but with lower quality.
• Myelography: Invasive and may cause seizures during recovery.

Treatment:

• Pain only: Strict cage rest and analgesia with opiates or NSAIDs.
• Nonambulatory or nonresponsive: Surgical decompression by an experienced surgeon or neurologist is recommended.
• Steroids: Increasingly unpopular due to adverse effects; NSAIDs preferred.

Pearls:

• Hansen Type I: Nucleus pulposus extrudes through the annulus, common in chondrodystrophoid breeds.
• Hansen Type II: Hypertrophy or bulging of the annulus, seen in nonchondrodystrophoid breeds.
• Prognosis ranges from guarded to excellent.

2. Epilepsy

Classic Case:
Dogs aged 1 to 5 years with a history of seizure activity and otherwise normal presentation.

Diagnosis:
Rule out other causes of seizures through CBC, biochemistry profile, bile acids, cholinesterase, lead level, MRI, and CSF analysis.

Treatment:

• Anticonvulsants: Use phenobarbital, levetiracetam, or zonisamide to prevent or reduce seizures.
• Spay females to help control seizure activity.

Pearls:
Monitor anticonvulsant blood levels and bile acids if using phenobarbital.

3. Traumatic CNS Injury

Classic Case:
History of trauma with symptoms such as contusions, lacerations, paraparesis, paraplegia, tetraparesis, pain, altered consciousness, or seizures.

Diagnosis:

• Spinal radiographs
• CT and possibly MRI for detailed imaging.

Treatment:

• Ensure airway, breathing, and circulation are stable.
• Provide fluids and oxygen.
• Surgical decompression and stabilization may be necessary.
• Cage rest and external splinting are recommended.
• Steroids: Use is controversial and potentially detrimental.

4. Brain Tumor

Classic Case:
Dogs over 5 years old with signs like seizures, altered consciousness, pacing, head pressing, and loss of conscious proprioception, among others.

Diagnosis:

• MRI: Provides safe and high-quality imaging.
• CT: Useful for quick imaging.
• CSF analysis: May show elevated protein levels, but tumor cells are rarely found.

Treatment:

• Definitive: Surgical resection, radiation, or chemotherapy.
• Supportive: Prednisolone and anticonvulsants.

Pearls:

• Meningiomas are common in dolicocephalic breeds.
• Gliomas occur frequently in brachycephalic breeds, especially boxers.
• Brain tumors are the leading cause of seizures in dogs over 5 years old.

5. Geriatric Vestibular Disease

Classic Case:
Geriatric dogs with acute onset of head tilt, horizontal nystagmus, ataxia, and circling. Mentation remains normal.

Diagnosis:

• Rule out other causes of peripheral vestibular disease using thyroid testing, otoscopy, MRI or CT, and CSF analysis if needed.

Treatment:

• Provide nursing care with well-padded bedding.
• Physical therapy and sedatives may be used if the dog is flailing.

Pearls:
The prognosis is excellent, often resolving within days to weeks. Relapses may occur, and persistent head tilts are possible.

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Canine neurological disorders, intervertebral disc disease, epilepsy in dogs, traumatic CNS injury, canine brain tumor, geriatric vestibular disease, dog seizures, canine NAVLE preparation.