TOP 10 NEUROLOGY QUESTIONS, PART II

摘要

The signalment, history, and neurologic exam dictate when to pursue further workup and what the likely differentials we will keep on the list. One of the most critical decisions is based on degree of spinal cord dysfunction. I usually use four gradesin dogs - 1) spinal pain only, 2) paresis/ataxia, 3) paralysis with deep pain, and 4) paralysis with absence of deep pain. Animals in category 3 are good candidates for further workup. If the etiology is an acute disc, the prognosis is excellent with 96% recovery. Animals in category 4 are always candidates to be worked up quickly (within 24 hours). Statistics vary, but many feel that prognosis is 50/50 if they have surgery within 24 hours and less than 5% this is delayed further.