Domestic Pets

Injury Guide

NEUROLOGICAL EMERGENCIES

CONVULSIONS

Convulsions are a series of rapid and repeated muscular contractions of sudden onset, usually transient

They are often accompanied by loss of consciousness

Although they are also called Epileptic fits, in practise this term refers to a specific Brain Disorder - True Epilepsy

CAUSES

There are many different conditions that can cause an attack of convulsions. The following are some of the principal and most frequent encountered ones

HYPOGLYCAEMIA: Here convulsions are due to a marked fall in blood sugar to an abnormally low level.They can be the result of serious metabolic disorders, though they may also occur in hounds or workingdogs during hard work

CALCIUM DEFICIENCY: Conculsions may follow giving birth during the early part of lactation

HEATSTROKE: As well as loss of consciousness, this can cause convulsions

DAMAGE TO THE BRAIN: This can affect the heart or lungs and temporarily diminish blood supply and oxygen to the brain - resulting in FAINTING and sometimes convulsions

POISONING

SKULL INJURIES

KIDNEY OR LIVER DISEASE OR INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN: Mainly viral

TRUE EPILEPSY (PRIMARY) - Characterized by bouts of convulsions not due to any specific cause. It occurs more often in dogs, and mainly in Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Irish Setters & St.Bernards - although it is not unknown in any breed or cross-bred dog

ASSESSMENT

SIGNS: Convulsive attacks usually come on suddenly. True Epileptic fits may be preceded by a phase known as an Aura, characterized by a state of fear and bewilderment

Animals in convulsion are often unconscious and lie on their side

First - the limbs may be stretched out in a long contraction of several seconds

Then they begin to move in rhytmic spasms or disjointed jerks. The animals often SALIVATES PROFUSELY and URINATES & DEFECATES INVOLUNTARILY

LENGTH OF ATTACK: An attack of convulsions will generally last a few minutes.The animal will then become conscious but remain disorientated and confused for a time lasting from several minutes to, exceptionally, several hours

It is important to observe carefully how the 'attack' develops, noting HOW LONG IT LASTS, so you can report the findings to the vet

Repeated convulsive attacks recurring at short intervals, or those that seems not to stop and last over 15min, THREATENS the animals life and must be PROMPTLY TREATED BY A VET

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION: It is also useful to tell the vet what the dog was doing beforehand what and how much food it last had and when

Also try to remember any possible injuries during previous weeks and inform him of any disease currently present or from which the animal has just recovered

TREATMENT

The only time you really effectively help the animal, is when the attack is due to heatstroke <<click here to see more on Heatstroke>>

However, certain measures should be observed in any case of convulsions to ensure the animal's health is not jeopardize any further

1. Do not move the animal during the attack,unless it is in a dangerous position

2. Do not try to open its mouth or prevent its movements

3. Remove any objects that the convulsing animal might knock into and break, causing itself an injury as a consequence

4. Dim bright lights and shut off sources of noises such as radios,televisions, record players and electrical equipment

PARALYSIS

Loss of the power to move is due to interference with the nerves controlling muscles

CAUSES

SERIOUS INJURIES: When the animal is seriously injured, the skull, spinal column, pelvis or limbs may be affected in such a way that the nerves and nerve centers that determine movements are damaged

HERNIA OR INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS: These discs link and articulate the Vertibrae. The inner part of a disc may protrude and compress the adjacent spinal cord, impending the transmission of impulses in the Nerve Fibres as a result

Sudden hind limb paralysis occurs especially in Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, Pekingese, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels and cross-bred dogs with short legs and a long body

ASSESSMENT

External inspection may be enough to see where and how severe the problem is. Radiography may be desirable later

SITE: Paralysis of a single limb is usually due to damaged Peripheral Nerves

If both hind legs are affected, the Spinal Cord is injured in the Chest or more usually in the Lumbar regions

If all 4 legs are involved the Neck or Skull is damaged

SEVERITY: To assess the severity, you should take into consideration the animal's Mobility, Muscle Tone, the Sensitivity of its Limbs and briefly examine the Spine

MOBILITY: Check whether the limbs retain some ability to move. In less serious cases, the animals still have some degree of movement, though without co-ordination

In more serious cases the limbs are completely paralyzed

MUSCLE TONE: Paralysis due to injury to the Limbs or the Lowest Part of the Spinal Column - affecting Hind Legs only)

If damage occurs in the Thoracic Part of the Spinal Column or in the Anterior Part of the Lumbar region - the muscles of the Hind limbs increase in tone and the limbs appear rigid and are extended - Spastic Paralysis

SENSITIVITY: The sensitivity of the skin can be tested by pinching the skin of the limbs at several points to provoke a pain reaction in the animal

If it can feel if - it will react by turning, whining or miaowing or trying to move away

The same procedure performed on the skin between the toes may cause the foot to be drawn away - pedal reflex

However this alone, without the animal turning or reacting similarly, does not show that the animal is aware of what is happening or is capable of any conscious voluntary movements, but only that the Involuntry Mechanism - Reflex Arc - which depends upon the Nerve Centers in the Spinal Cord and the associated Nerves, is intact

Lack of conscious sensitivity in the paralyzed area implies severe injury

EXAMINING THE SPINAL COLUMN: A gentle examination of the Spinal Column might detect conspicuous deviations of the Spine and identify the point of injury by observing reaction to pain

if there is possible severe injury, do not persist but consult a vet immediately

A case of partial paralysis is called Paresis

Other forms are distinguished by the area affected a single limb, legs only, all four limbs or the limbs of one side

A TRUE EMERGENCY situation is present only if paralysis arises SUDDENLY

TREATMENT

The only way to ensure a correct diagnosis and effective treatment in these cases is to call a vet. You should follow the recommended ways of moving the animal

<<click to see transportation methods>>

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