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1. Confirm the existence of a neurologic condition. 2. Localize the lesion (ie, make a neuroanatomical diagnosis). Repeat neurologic examinations are helpful to detect subtle changes or progression of signs. This article will discuss how to perform the neurologic examination.
The neurologic examination can be divided into 5 parts: mentation, posture, and gait observation; postural reactions; cranial nerve evaluation; spinal reflex evaluation; and spinal palpation. Mentation and General Observation
The spine should be palpated to detect any curvature, displacement, masses, swelling, paraspinal muscle atrophy, or pain. Focal spinal pain is localizing and is helpful in determining etiologic diagnosis. Spinal pain results from bone, disk, spinal nerve or root, vertebral, or meningeal involvement.
A conscious and positive deep pain perception response is defined as the animal turning around and making some form of behavioural response that indicates they have perceived the painful stimulus, for example, whimpering or trying to bite when a pair of haemostats is applied to a digit.
A neurologic examination evaluates 1) the head and cranial nerves, 2) the gait, or walk, 3) the neck and front legs, and 4) the torso, hind legs, anus, and tail. Your pet’s reflexes will also be tested to determine, if possible, the location of the injury in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves in the peripheral nervous system.
Spinal reflexes (myotactic reflexes) test the integrity of sensory and motor components of the reflex arc and the influence of descending motor pathways on the reflex.
7 kwi 2020 · The main components are evaluation of mental status and behavior, gait and postural reactions, cranial nerves, spinal reflexes, palpation, and pain perception. General observation of mental status, posture, attitude, and gait is performed while taking the history.
