Neurologic clues in thoracic limb lameness

It can be difficult to determine whether a patient with thoracic limb lameness has a musculoskeletal or neurologic disorder, especially since many patients, especially medium to large breed dogs, have concurrent musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders. Thorough neurologic and orthopedic exams are essential. This post lists the many clues from the neurologic exam that suggest the disorder is neurologic in origin.

Term: Torticollis

Torticollis Pronunciation: tor·ti·col·lis (tôr'tĭ-kŏl'ĭs) Etymology: 1811, Modern Latin, from Latin tortus (“crooked, twisted”) + collum (“neck”) Definition: cervical dystonia in which the neck is...

Quiz: IVDD in dogs

Today's quiz has 3 questions regarding intervertebral disc disease in chondrodystrophic dogs.

Pain…what’s in a name?

Many textbooks and instructors recommend testing patients for superficial and deep pain sensation in the limbs. However, we’re not actually testing our animal patients for pain sensation. Instead, we’re testing nociception and observing a behavioral response that we interpret as pain. Yesterday’s “neuro words for nerds” post on nociception explains the difference between nociception and pain. Today's post discusses superficial vs. deep "pain" and provides important tips for testing nociception in spinal cord patients.

Term: Nociception

This week's neuro word for nerds is nociception. In addition to the definition, this post also compares this term to pain and provide a historical perspective regarding the scientist that first coined the term nociception.

Quiz: Cerebellar hypoplasia vs. abiotrophy

This week's question: What are the clinical similarities and differences between cerebellar hypoplasia and cerebellar abiotrophy?

Bunny-hopping gait

Simultaneous advancement of the pelvic limbs ("bunny-hopping gait") is a relatively common gait abnormality. Do you know the 3 primary causes for bunny-hopping in dogs & cats?

Term: Pseudo-hyperreflexia

Pseudo-hyperreflexia is an exaggerated reflex due to...

Tips & tricks: If I had a hammer…

Obviously, it’s always best to use a reflex hammer when testing reflexes, but what to do when you don’t have a reflex hammer on you? Click on the post title to read more.

Term: Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia is a disorder of the spinal cord characterized by replacement of spinal cord tissue by a fluid-filled cavity. Read more at neuropetvet.com.

Localize: Acutely weak cat

The August case of the month is a 6-year-old cat that was brought in to the Emergency Department for evaluation following a sudden onset of inability to walk the day before.

Quiz: Cranial nerve function

Cranial nerve function. Which of the following pairs is CORRECT?