Illnesses in pets are just as common as human illnesses. different in that Pets cannot communicate with humans directly, with veterinarians and parents having to use methods of observing the symptoms. to understand the health problems that arise In some diseases, other symptoms must be considered, especially neurological diseases in pets.
When sick pets come in for treatment with a veterinarian The initial diagnosis often used by veterinarians is an indication of leptospirosis. Neurological disease in pets or not is to consider abnormal symptoms. together with the duration of the abnormality Most of the symptoms that the body usually shows are the normal posture. or movement
After finding abnormal movement or posture, the veterinarian will diagnose the disease in the next step. to find the cause of the abnormality that occurs by means of a neurological examination to determine the location of the abnormal point and choose a treatment method or further diagnosis and assess the disease that may occur in the future
Neurological diseases that are common in pets
1. Epilepsy or convulsions in pets
epilepsy in pets It is a common nervous system disease. and cannot predict when it will happen Seizures can occur in specific areas, such as facial muscle twitching. blinking eyes rhythmically, head trembling, and leg muscles twitching to dangerous levels of violence like convulsions of the whole body and loss of consciousness
The causes of epilepsy in pets are both possible.
– Genetics
In the past, veterinarians found that Heredity is responsible for approximately 60% of all pet epilepsy cases. In which pets with hereditary epilepsy will show symptoms in the age of 6 months – 6 years, with pets showing the same seizures every time. which cannot be expected when seizures will occur And each seizure will have an interval of about 1 month by examining the lesions of the veterinarian. Nervous system lesions are usually not found. and abnormalities of the body
– diseases affecting the brain
Pets with certain chronic diseases such as encephalopathy from liver disease and low blood sugar accumulation Seizures are often accompanied by physical abnormalities. In addition, diseases directly related to the nervous system, such as meningitis and brain concussion It is also a cause that can cause pets to have seizures.
– Seizures of unknown cause
If a veterinarian performs a neurological diagnosis and complete body But still unable to identify any abnormalities, the veterinarian will conclude that still unknown or say Current veterinary technology has not been able to determine the cause of seizures.
Treatment of epilepsy in pets There is currently no cure. Your veterinarian will prescribe medication that prevents seizures. And make an appointment to visit the veterinarian periodically to monitor the symptoms. In the meantime, the veterinarian will ask parents for cooperation to record the history of seizures as well. to assess future dosage adjustments
2. Herniated disc disease
Parents often bring their pets to the veterinarian. When you find that your pet has a sudden inability to walk which can be found in either the weakness in all 4 legs or only the 2 back legs
This is because most spondylolysis is caused by constant pressure on the spinal cord. causing pain to pets And there may be problems with nerve impulse transmission as well. resulting in paralysis or partial paralysis or complete paralysis Examples of common symptoms include:
– Pain in the neck or back causing problems with rotation or turn
– The hind legs do not work together. This is when one hind leg is crossed over and over while walking.
– loss of function of all 4 legs or only the 2 hind legs on both sides which, if severe, may have problems with urinary control and faeces together
– Loss of perception of pain It usually occurs in the most severe cases of spinal cord damage. which the prognosis is poor
diagnosis
The veterinarian will ask about the history of the illness from the parents. and general physical examination together with the pet’s neurological examination In addition, a myelogram can be performed or a contrast medium is injected into the spinal cord. After that, radiography was performed. To see the abnormal position of the intervertebral disc as seen in the color on the X-ray image. Another method is MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which is widely used in the veterinary industry. It is also the best method for neurological diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. The severity of paralysis/paralysis can be divided into 5 levels. Pets assessed in levels 1 and 2 may still be treated with antibiotics to help reduce pain. Together with the limitation of the area for 3-4 weeks, then doing various physical therapy such as laser, ultrasound, underwater treadmill, acupuncture, etc. After that, gradually stop taking pain relievers.
For level 3, the veterinarian may start with medication and localization. The pet also showed signs of pain. or unable to move may consider further diagnosis and further surgical treatment
Pets with grades 4 and 5 should be treated surgically. The effect of treatment depends on the degree of illness. The lower the level, the more chances to heal and walk again.
3. Tumors and infections in the nervous system
Symptoms of pets with melanoma and infection in the nervous system will show different symptoms It depends on which part of the nervous system is affected.
If a tumor occurs in the spinal cord may obstruct the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord Inflammation to the point that the nerve impulses cannot be transmitted further. Dogs may also come with paresis and paralysis.
There have also been cases Tumors in the part of the brain that controls movement and balance Causing the pet to lose balance of the body to the point that it is unable to walk or stagger or stand up and often falls on the same side always There are twitching eyes and strabismus, which must be diagnosed separately from other causes, such as aging pets that lead to deterioration of the body and brain. Middle and inner ear canal hyperthyroidism or have received too much of certain drugs
The treatment of brain tumors is usually a palliative form, such as a drug that encourages the pet to eat. Or pain relievers in case the pet is in severe pain.
or in case the pet can’t sleep and cry Your veterinarian may prescribe sleeping pills to improve the quality of life for both the person and the animal.
For pets with mild neurological symptoms And pain can be controlled with anti-inflammatory drugs. And the prognosis will be at a level better than the other group.
4. Birth defect
Diseases related to the nervous system that pets often have from birth, such as head disease, mostly found in dogs. The indications are a large head, strabismus eyes, and a dome-shaped roof on the head. And having symptoms of dizziness, drifting, behavior changes from normal and abnormal movements
Cerebellar prolapse, or cranial malformation, which commonly occurs in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, causes fluid retention in the spinal cord and ventricles. The dog may have an abnormal gait.
Thank you for the information from Dr. Narawan Nakthipwan, a veterinarian.Taling Chan Animal Hospital
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2023-07-06 07:06:35
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