14.6 Pathologic conditions of the nervous system

uscular incoordination

disease primarily of pigs caused by a herpes virus; produces neurologic, respiratory and reproductive signs (also called pseudorabies or mad itch)

a prion disease of cattle, also known as mad cow disease, characterized by degeneration of brain tissue; thought to be transmissible to humans

bleeding into structure of cerebrum, usually caused by rupture of artery or congenital aneurysm; may be followed by destruction of brain tissue, with ensuing paralysis, sensory losses, and cognitive confusion and losses

commonly called a stroke; includes rupture or obstruction of artery of brain, producing severe headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, accompanied by localized and widespread neurologic deterioration

incoordination in dogs and horses associated with caudal cervical vertebral malformation or instability (also called wobblers)

repetitive, rhythmic contractons of a group of skeletal muscles; result of encephalitis or myelitis caused by distemper virus in dogs

inflammation of cerebral meninges with infiltration of choroid plexus by lymphocytes

stuporous condition of depressed responsiveness, with absence of response to strong stimuli

loss of higher mental functions because of bain damage

destructive, inflammatory process involing vertebral bodis, seen in dogs and pigs

inflammation of brain, with variety of types; associated with several viral agents including canine distemper virus

softening of brain tissue caused by reduced blood supply

inflammation of brain and spinal cord

any degenerative disease of brain

hereditary or idiopathic nervous system disorder, with or without convulsions, which may also result from infection or trauma; characterized by temporary disturbance of brain impulses, with several types: grand mal (loss of consciousness with convusions), petit mal (temporary loss of awareness and suspension of activity) and focal (seizure affects limited body area).

paralysis of one side of body

abnormal accumulation of fluid in cerebral ventricles, with thinning of cortex and enlargement of head resulting from separation of cranial bones

syndrome of pain and neurologic deficits resulting from displacement of part or all of nucleus of intervertebral disc; seen most often in dogs, particularly in dachshunds and beagles

infectious disease affecting all species, caused by Listeria monocytogenes; typically produces meningoencephalitis and syndrome of circling, facial paralysis and head pressing

excessively large size of head (also called megacephaly)

benign, encapsulated tumor originating in arachnoid

inflammaion of meninges of brain or spinal cord, caused by viral or bacterial infection

inflammation of brain and meninges; can be caused by feline infectious peritonitis

inflammation of brain and meninges; can be caused by feline infectious peritonitis

inflammation that involves brain, meninges and spinal cord

inflammation of spinal cord and its membranes

condition of excessively small head

inflammation of spinal cord (myel refers to both spinal cord and bone marrow, and context in which it is used determines which tissue is involved

any functional disturbance or pathologic change in spinal cord; often used to describe nonspecific lesions

uncontrollable urge to sleep or sudden attacks of sleep

pain in nerve or nerves

inflammation of nerve or nerves, caused by infection, toxicity, or trauma

any disease of muscles and nerves combined

neuritis with inflammation of corresponding muscles

substance that is poisonous or destructive to nerve tissue

tetanic spasm in which head and tail are bend upward and abdomen is bowed downward

loss of muscle function or loss of sensation

paralysis of posterior part of body and extremities

slight or incomplete paralysis

softening and necrosis of cerebrocortical gray matter

inflammation of gray matter of brain and spinal cord

inflammation of large number of spinal nerves at same time

inflammation of peripheral nerves and spinal nerve roots leading to progressive paralysis with slow recovery; condition follows raccoon bites in some dogs, hence the name coonhound paralysis

highly fatal infection of nervous system that affects all warm-blooded animal species; transmitted by bite of infected animal or existing wound coming in contact with infected saliva; furious and dumb forms are described

inflammation of spinal nerve root

sonorous respiration caused by air passing through stenosed larynx; most common cause in horses is laryngeal hemiplegia, caused by degeneration of fibers in left recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of vagus)

a chronic, fatal disease of sheep and goats with progressive degeneration of the central nervous system, possibly caused by prion infection. Named for the tendency of infected animals to scrape itching parts of the skin against objects

convulsion or attack of epilepsy

deterioration, both physical and mental, related to aging

developmental anomaly characterized by defective formation of body spinal canal through which spinal membranes or cord may protrude

highly fatal disease of all animal species caused by neurotoxin of Clostridium tetani; bacterial spores are deposited in tissues, usually by traumatic injury, and under anaerobic conditions vegetate; horses are particularly susceptable to this disease; lockjaw is popular synonym and symptom, along with generalized muscle spasms and seizures

several species of ticks elaborate neurotoxin that typically causes ascending paralysis in many species, including humans

continuous repetitive twitching of skeletal muscle that is usually visible; may be caused by degenerative disease of nervous system or by toxins.

sudden onset of head tilt, nystagmus, rolling, falling, and circling; seen in older dogs and in cats of all ages.