Sudden neurological problems in dogs: Neurological Disorders in Dogs: Signs and Symptoms

Neurological Disorders in Dogs: Signs and Symptoms

Neurological disorders are illnesses that affect three main areas of your dog, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurological disease causes sudden and very obvious changes in a dog’s behavior and mobility.

If your dog exhibits any signs of neurological distress note these three things:

1. When the symptom was first noticed
2. The frequency the symptom occurs
3. Immediately contact your Veterinarian

Neurological conditions show clear physical changes in a dog’s body, mobility, and behavior. Understanding the signs and symptoms of a neural disorder is important to helping your dog get the care they need.

Signs & Symptoms of a Neurological Disorder in Dogs

The symptoms of disease affecting the brain, spinal cord, or nerves have easily identified symptoms. The most common neural symptoms involve a change in your dog’s behavior or gait.

Loss of Balance or Stumbling

A neurological disorder in dogs can significantly affect their hind legs and leg strength. A sudden loss of coordination is typical with most canine neurological issues. Dogs that tumble suddenly struggle to stand or experience sudden mobility loss should immediately visit their Vet.

Persistent Head Shaking

A healthy dog shakes its head to remove water from its ears. However, a dog that shakes its head for no apparent reason without stopping may have an underlying medical condition that must be checked out. A head tilt can also be an indicator of a canine neurological disorder. 

Dragging Paws or Knuckling

Any change in your dog’s natural gait is a cause for concern. Dogs that drag their feet during walks or begin walking on the top of their feet may suffer from “knuckling.”  Knuckling paws lead to scrapes and other painful paw wounds and are usually the first sign of a neurological condition and eventually mobility loss.

Depending on the severity of the knuckling and the underlying cause, your dog’s knuckling may be treated through physical therapy or with a No-Knuckling training tool.

Vision Loss

Sudden loss of vision is a cause for concern. Dogs struggling to see will stumble into furniture or stare blankly at a wall. Dogs that appear disoriented or appear suddenly clumsy should immediately see their Vet.

Seizures

Although typically an inherited condition, sudden seizures may be an indicator of neurological problems as well. Depending on the diagnosis, canine seizures are usually managed with medication.

Pain

Many different factors can cause pain. Along with whimpering, uncontrollable shaking and trembling also indicate your dog is experiencing pain. Your dog must see its veterinarian if it exhibits any signs of pain or distress.

Loss of Appetite

Neurological conditions can cause persistent nausea. If your pet suddenly appears unwilling to eat, there may be a serious underlying condition requiring treatment.

There are many different neurological disorders, and as each disease can present itself differently, there is no definitive telltale sign you should watch for. Be your dog’s advocate. You know your dog better than anyone. If you notice a sudden behavior change and are concerned, contact your Veterinarian.

What Causes a Neurological Disorder?

There are countless neurological conditions, and the causes can vary greatly depending on the dog. A dog’s spinal cord, brain, and nerves are sensitive to force; when something impacts these areas, it can lead to neurological issues. The signs of a neurological disorder can come on quickly.

Common Canine Neurological Disorders

• Cerebellar Degeneration
• Vestibular Disease
• Wobbler’s Syndrome
• Inherited Polyneuropathy
• Epilepsy
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
• Parkinson’s Disease

Every case is different, and the care needed will vary. If diagnosed, your veterinarian will work with you to develop the proper course of treatment for your dog. Diagnosis of a neurological disease will be a significant life change for both you and your dog. Luckily, there are mobility tools that you can use at home to help make your pet (and your) life more manageable!

Mobility Assistance for Dogs with Neurological Disease

Dog Wheelchairs

Most dogs with a neurological condition will need a wheelchair at some point. Neurological disorders affect both your pet’s balance and mobility. Wheelchairs provide the necessary support and help your dog continue getting the exercise they need. An active dog is a happy dog.

Wheelchairs can be used as a part of your pet’s physical therapy session, during long walks, or on an as-needed basis. Dogs benefit from an early introduction to a wheelchair. An early introduction makes for a smoother transition to the time when your dog needs to fully rely on it.

Many neurological diseases are degenerative in nature. Your pet’s symptoms and mobility will worsen as their disease progresses. Their Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair can adapt with them as their needs change. A Walkin’ Wheels Rear Support wheelchair provides support and stability for pets with rear-end weakness. As the condition progresses, a front attachment can be purchased to convert any rear Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair into a full support cart. Providing support to both the front and hind legs.

Watch the video below to see how the Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchair can change your dog’s life!

Pet Boots

Due to the loss of balance and stability expected with most neurological disorders, boots can be helpful. With the additional traction provided by pet boots, you can prevent slip and fall accidents caused by slippery surfaces. Dog boots also help to protect your dog’s paws from scraping wounds caused by dragging feet.

Dog Lift Harness

Your pet’s symptoms may not be as severe during the early stages of neurological disease. Many dogs require only occasional assistance getting around. Your help and the use of a lifting harness can give your pet the boost they need to catch their balance, or a lifting harness can give your pet the boost they need to catch their balance or get them up onto their feet.

• Up-n-Go Rear Support Leash – this leash is designed to slide on from a laying down position. Offering light support in the rear end can be used to get your dog into a standing position or help them during quick bathroom trips.
• Walkin’ Lift Rear Harness – this harness offers great rear support for all-size dogs. It’s easy to use; simply pull up your dog’s rear legs like a pair of shorts, clip it over their back, and you’re ready to go. It also clips right into the Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchair when needed for a comfortable and supportive seat.
• Walkin’ Combo Harness – specifically designed to accommodate larger breed dogs. The front and rear Combo Harnesses can be purchased separately or as one unit. Allowing you to customize the lifting support needed for your dog. As a progressive harness system, the Combo Harness adapts to your dog’s ever-changing needs as their strength changes. Both the front and rear harnesses offer optional Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair compatibility.

No-Knuckling Training Sock

Dragging their feet when walking is a common side effect of most neurological conditions. A no-knuckling device is a corrective tool that, along with physical therapy, can help retrain your dog to walk correctly. The No-Knuckling Training Sock is used for two to five-minute walks to help correct your dog’s gait. This is a temporary training tool and should be removed after each session.

Before & After the No-Knuckling Training Sock

The training sock is designed to enhance proprioception and improve your dog’s paw placement. The sock’s cord stimulates the nerves between your dog’s toes and encourages your dog to pick its foot up higher when walking. This is a perfect addition to your dog’s rehabilitative training and can even be used during hydrotherapy sessions.

Learning your dog has a neurological condition is heartbreaking, but it’s not the end. Dogs can live happily for years after a diagnosis. Give your dog every opportunity to live a happy, active life, and know that there are options available to make the journey a smooth one.

Did we answer all your questions on “Neurological Disorders”?

Common Nervous System Conditions for Some Dog Breeds

Dogs are all about movement; they love walking, running, jumping, wiggling their tails, and more. All of this highlights the importance of their nervous system. Such a critical system within your dog’s body consists of the spinal cord and brain (the Central Nervous System or CNS) and all the nerves between them (Peripheral Nervous System or PNS).

This fantastic and intrinsic system allows our furry friends to control their movements and muscles. Both the CNS and PNS enable our pets to experience life and regulate their bodily functions. But as wonderful as it is, it can also create a variety of diseases when affected.

Still, the ailments may come from different sources such as congenital disabilities, familial disorders, inflammations and infections, nutritional and metabolic disorders, injuries, degenerative diseases, cancer, and much more.

The best veterinary neurologist Oceanside pet parents can find is here with the rest of the team to better explain how nervous system abnormalities affect various small breeds of dogs.

Recognizing Possible Nervous System Diseases Symptoms

Early detection of possible nervous system diseases can be vital to your dog. If you identify any of these symptoms in your dog, schedule an appointment with a Veterinary Neurology Center immediately:

Disorientation

When you see your dog confused or even panicking, this can be a sign of nervous system disease. Regardless of age or breed, disorientation, head tilt, and loss of balance might all be related to the vestibular system in dogs.

Excessive Circling

Again, problems with the vestibular system in control of a dog’s balance might be the cause of excessive spinning or circling in dogs.

Pain

Pain can change a dog’s behavior. Pay attention if your dog vocalizes its pain and is also very sensitive to touch.

Seizures and Idiopathic Epilepsy

This type of epilepsy causes seizures and trauma in the dog’s brain. It might also lead to liver disease, brain tumors, and kidney failure, among other illnesses. While the cause of Idiopathic epilepsy is unknown in most dogs, some might also inherit it.

Head Pressing

When a dog presses its head against a wall or any other object without any reason, it might be a sign of damage to the nervous system, specifically the forebrain and thalamus.

Inability to Use Limbs

Muscle weakness and lack of coordination are symptoms of possible degenerative myelopathy. Make sure that you get a proper diagnosis from a Veterinary Neurology Center, as sometimes the weakness and difficulty to move of the legs might look like arthritis when it can be a spinal cord problem.

Sudden Stumbling and Weakness

This symptom is very tricky, as a variety of conditions can cause it. So the better way to address it is to pay attention if your dog is lethargic, stumbling, falling over, weak, and consult your vet for a proper diagnosis. The doctor will refer you to a Veterinary Neurology Center if he finds anything suspicious.

Dog Breeds and Their Nervous System Diseases

Although the conditions that affect a dog’s nervous system do not have a propensity over smaller or larger dogs, we might find some conditions to be particularly aggressive in certain breeds.

For example, Canine Degenerative Myelopathy mainly affects German Shepherds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks, but we can also find it in smaller breeds such as Boxers and Corgis.

A similar situation happens with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), commonly reported by owners of Pugs, Dachshunds, Spaniels, and Pekes. In contrast, larger dogs might be affected with Lumbosacral, such as German Shepherd dogs.

Basset Hound

Floppy ears, say no more. Basset hounds are an adorable breed with their endearing features. These dogs can get away with anything just by looking into your eyes.

Unfortunately, a lot of basset hounds suffer from intervertebral disc disease. This condition can be painful if left untreated since it makes movement difficult.

Some warning signs to watch out for are the inability or unwillingness to jump, tense muscles or muscle spasms in the back or neck, loss of bladder control, anxious behavior, reduced appetite, and pain or weakness in their hind legs.

Dachshund

Due to their long bodies and short legs, Dachshunds are especially susceptible to back and spine problems.

Similar to basset hounds, dachshunds are also commonly diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease, a condition that involves herniated discs in the lower back. Some signs that your dachshund might have intervertebral disc disease are limping, reluctance to play, or signs of pain when getting pat or scratches.

Other medical issues to watch out for are obesity, hip dysplasia, eye issues such as cataracts, dry eye, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Chihuahua

These tiny pups, made famous by the Taco Bell commercials, are often at risk for developing tracheal collapse. This is a common cause of airway obstruction, resulting in an unusual ‘honking’ cough.

Other symptoms include intolerance for exercise, heavy breathing, and blue gums. Tracheal collapse is common in small, toy-breed dogs, and it is important to treat the condition as soon as possible by visiting your veterinarian.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is one of the most popular breeds in America. These little divas have such big personalities in such tiny bodies!

It’s not uncommon for a Yorkie to suffer from digestive issues, so owners should keep an eye on their diets. It’s also possible for Yorkies and other toy breeds like the Chihuahua to suffer from tracheal collapse. The main warning sign to watch out for is a bad cough.

Lastly, Yorkies can also suffer from congenital defects called Portosystemic Shunt (PSS). This condition can decrease liver function and result in behavioral and neurological problems. A dog’s liver filters blood, but for a dog with PSS, the portal vein bypasses the liver, and toxins from the intestines remain in the bloodstream.

Surgery can help correct the issue. Watch out for are vomiting, confusion, and seizures. If your Yorkie seems to be experiencing any of these symptoms, you may want to take it to see the veterinary neurologist.

Beagles

Another popular dog breed with adorable floppy ears. Beagles are an American favorite, portrayed by cartoon characters like Snoopy, Odie, and Mr. Peabody.

Although epilepsy is possible in any dog breed, it seems to be more common in beagles. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures, and dogs with this disorder will usually have their first seizure between 6 months and 3 years old.

Seizures in your dog will look like a twitch or uncontrollable shaking that can last for several seconds to a few minutes.

Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are a beautiful companion for any dog lover. For owners of Cocker Spaniels, it’s important to brush their coats and bathe them frequently to keep their long hair in good condition.

Unfortunately, Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to eye disorders, heart and liver disease, and epilepsy. Eye issues may include cherry eye, glaucoma, and cataracts. Their long floppy ears can also be at risk for ear infections and possibly deafness.

Pug/Boston Terrier

One of the main things that these dogs have in common is that they have incredibly cute noses. The problem with short-nosed dog breeds is that they have a combination of small nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and a narrow trachea. This can result in breathing problems and snoring.

Dogs that have short noses and flat faces are known as brachycephalic. They are susceptible to developing symptoms like an elongated soft palate, which means that the tissue between the mouth and nose covers the throat more than it should.

French Bulldog

These lovely dogs already have a tendency to suffer from respiratory problems because of their small nostrils, elongated soft palate, and a narrow trachea. All these genetic traits result from years of selective breeding. Furthermore, it’s not just problems with their respiratory system; their nervous system suffers as well.

According to this study, French Bulldogs are prone to intervertebral disk herniation, other spinal abnormalities, and brain tumors. Always consult with your pet’s veterinarian and get a referral for a veterinary neurology specialist if your small breed dog presents any worrying symptoms.

What Are Some Common Nervous System Conditions?

Brain Disorder

Our dogs’ brains are gifted with multiple cell types carrying on various functions. Therefore, when there is a problem in the neurological system, you might require help from a Veterinary Neurologist to reach a proper conclusion about the health issue and how to treat it.

An expert will be able to address the causes of the different diseases of the nervous system and find the appropriate multidimensional approach to take.

Shaker Syndrome

Shaker syndrome causes the dog’s body to shake uncontrollably. These generalized tremors can be very alarming but far from untreatable. Fortunately, many specialists have prednisone at their disposal to treat this condition.

Prednisone is a steroid that helps suppress your dog’s immune system. We will try to regulate your dog’s symptoms with the lowest possible dose of medication to avoid counterproductive side effects. If prednisone doesn’t work within an acceptable period, we may use other immunosuppressive drugs such as mycophenolate, leflunomide, and Cytosar.

This nervous system problem can also receive the name of “idiopathic cerebellitis,” as colleagues in the field have observed inflammation of the cerebellum -the region of your dog’s brain that coordinates and regulates voluntary movements.-

You may also hear others refer to this health problem as “little white shaker syndrome.” Even though this syndrome can potentially affect any dog breed, there’s a clear prevalence in small animals and small breeds of dogs with white hair coats.

If you have a Maltese, West Highland White Terrier, or Poodle, ask your veterinarian for guidance to watch out for developing symptoms.

Unfortunately, we can only diagnose this condition through a process of exclusion, meaning we must first rule out other physical examinations and in-depth analysis to determine if the disease originates with a problem in your dog’s liver or kidneys. Likewise, we’ll test for other known bacterial or viral infections. If all these results come back negative, we will begin a presumptive treatment for shaker syndrome and observe your pet’s response over the next couple of weeks.

Spinal Cord Diseases

Degenerative Myelopathy and other Spinal issues such as wobbler syndrome (Neck/Cervical spine disease) may affect pets at any age. Still, studies have found that wobbler syndrome usually affects older dogs.

Your vet neurologist will be able to help you with the best care depending on how advanced these conditions are and what type of treatment they need.

Lumbosacral Disease (LS)

Better diagnosed with a CT scan is a condition that compresses the nerves at the base of the spine. A variety of issues might cause spinal pressure, and it can come with or without neurologic dysfunction, so a proper clinical diagnosis is required.

What to Do If We Suspect Neurological Disorders

If you suspect that your dog might have any of the symptoms or conditions mentioned in this article, contact your vet or a veterinary neurology center right away.

Early detection of any disease is critical for the success of the treatment and recovery of the patient. Some treatments may include surgery, various therapies, and exercises.

Take a proactive approach and reach out to a veterinary neurological center or ask your vet for one near your area or look here for further information and request an appointment as soon as possible.

We will make sure to guide you and help your furry friend throughout the whole process. Keeping our dogs healthy and happy is our mission, and we are here for you.

90,000 diseases of the nervous system in dogs: species, diagnosis

Content of Article

• Types of nervous activity in dogs
• Diseases of the brain
• Spinal diseases
• Neurosis
• obsessive states
• Other diseases of the nervous system 9000
• Complications after injections
• Physiological changes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Risk factors
• Pet care at home
• Features of dog training, taking into account the type of higher nervous activity

Many people notice that dogs often “adopt” the behavior of their owners and are distinguished by extremely wide manifestations of individuality in character. Basically, these differences are due to different types of nervous activity, and sometimes the causes of deviations are diseases of the nervous system in domestic dogs.

In order to understand the causes of certain manifestations of the behavior of an animal, it is necessary to know the causes of the condition, to be able to detect the disease in the early stages and to understand when individuality ends and the disease begins. Elementary knowledge will help to detect the disease at the very beginning and quickly cure your beloved dog.

Types of nervous activity in dogs

Classification by types of behavior has existed for a very long time and can be correlated with similar observations of human behavior. According to the properties of character, it is customary to distinguish the following types:

1. Sanguine.
2. Cholerics.
3. Melancholy.
4. Phlegmatic.

This division, accepted for people, is also suitable for dogs. Academician Pavlov conducted scientific research in the field of nervous activity. He introduced the concept of reflexes and derived three main properties of nervous processes:

• strength;
• balance;
• mobility.

All types of reflexes were divided into unconditioned and conditioned. Unconditioned reflexes are also called innate, they are due to the reaction of the nervous system to environmental conditions. Conditioned reflexes are developed in response to certain influences, persist for as long as they are in demand, and fade away with the cessation of their need.

Not genetically transmitted. Conditioned reflexes are very important for dog training. The easier it is to develop a conditioned reflex in an animal, the easier and faster it can be trained.

According to the strength of nervous activity, dogs can be weak or strong, and this applies to both excitation of activity and its inhibition. This is a very important criterion, especially for service dogs. They must quickly respond to a change in the situation and calm down just as quickly.

Mobility provides a quick transition from one activity to another. Nervous processes of this type can be reactive and inert.

By balance, dogs are divided into balanced and unbalanced types.

It cannot be argued that all types of higher nervous activity in domestic dogs appear in their pure form. As with humans, there are often animals with mixed or transitional types of behavior. The most common dogs are the rampant type, which, according to the “human” classification, can be classified as choleric.

These are strong, sometimes even aggressive dogs that easily adapt to changes in the environment, easily form and fix conditioned reflexes, their inhibitory reflexes are difficult and are developed with effort.

If such an animal is overloaded, given too complex tasks, it becomes prone to neuroses. The excitable type of dog must undergo special training in order to develop adequate inhibition processes.
Dogs of the sanguine type – strong, energetic, very mobile, with sharp reactions, excellent sociable qualities.

They easily form conditioned reflexes, just as easily pass from strong excitement to concentration, they perfectly cope with difficult tasks that require a quick and error-free choice of a solution. Dogs with this type of nervous organization are better than others for performing official tasks.

Melancholics are shy, suspicious, have weak processes of excitation and inhibition. Such dogs are always alert, they behave this way even towards their own owner. Developed conditioned reflexes quickly fade away.

Phlegmatic people are even less suitable for the role of a service dog. They react slowly and just as sluggishly return to their original state, they do not absorb new information well and quickly lose the previously acquired skills. For them, rapid transitions from one type of nervous activity to another are practically impossible.

The behavior of a dog with abnormalities in nervous health can be pronounced or implicit, hidden. If a dog, at the sound of a bunch of keys unexpectedly falling on a tile, does not just flinch, but begins to bark hysterically or even rush at people, there are clearly disturbances in the work of its nervous system. A healthy dog ​​with a sanguine temperament will not even lead to the sound with his ear and will not “rage” himself.

Signs of a disease of the nervous system are seizures, sudden unmotivated mood swings, unreasonable aggression or complete apathy.

Diseases of the brain

Inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system in most dogs are most often manifested by such dangerous diseases as meningoencephalitis. This combined disease affects the meninges (meningitis) and the substance of the brain itself (encephalitis). Sometimes it “captures” the spinal cord. His lesion is called “encephalomyelitis”.

The disease has the following classification:

1. Primary or secondary meningoencephalitis by origin.
2. By nature – purulent and non-purulent.
3. Downstream – acute and chronic.

In dogs, this disease manifests itself as a complication of a number of other diseases, such as canine distemper, rabies, viral hepatitis, and even helminthiasis (toxascariasis).

The symptoms of the disease are varied and differ in different stages. At the onset of the disease, the dog’s pupils are dilated, convulsions, twitches occur, which are sometimes confused with a condition such as a nervous tic of the head in an elderly dog. There is also stiffness of the neck muscles, agitation, an acute reaction to any stimuli, including light and sounds.

With the further development of the disease, the animal becomes apathetic, indifferent, does not respond to stimuli and ceases to carry out the commands of the owner, his coordination of movements is disturbed, and paralyzes the limbs. If the inflammation is acute and purulent, the body temperature rises.

Diagnosis is confirmed by puncture with cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Treatment is associated with the elimination of the underlying cause of the disease. It is carried out in a complex, the basis is the appointment of specific antibiotics.

In addition to encephalitis and meningoencephalitis, dogs may exhibit the following diseases caused by disorders in the brain cells:

• tumors of a benign and malignant nature;
• hydrocephalus;
• idiopathic epilepsy and other diseases.

A brain disease problem can be caused by external influences, such as an animal being run over by a car, being beaten by a person or other animals, and falling. The resulting injuries of the skull can have serious consequences up to damage to the substance of the brain. If they do not lead to the death of the dog or make it disabled, then changes in the behavior of the animal may manifest themselves.

Diseases of the spinal cord

Diseases of the spinal cord in dogs are not caused by damage to the brain, but occur due to various effects on the spine and nerve endings. They can be caused by various reasons:

1. Injuries and fractures of the spine.
2. Heredity. Some breeds with a long body and short crooked limbs have a hereditary predisposition to such diseases (dachshunds, basset hounds, English and French bulldogs, pugs, and so on).
3. Displacement of the vertebrae.
4. Inflammatory processes.
5. Infections.

Herniated disc is most common in dogs with hereditary defects. In this condition, the disc is displaced and infringed between two vertebrae. Nerve endings are damaged, and the dog suffers from severe pain and impaired mobility.

Cauda equina syndrome may present with severe inflammation or injury to the lumbar and pelvic spine. With it, a disease of the limbs develops, which constantly progresses and leads to persistent paralysis, dysfunction of the pelvic organs, the genitourinary and excretory systems.
Unstable vertebrae syndrome develops due to a sharp movement of the head during degeneration of the cervical vertebrae.

This causes inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord, wobbly gait or development of paralysis. It is believed that dogs with a long cervical spine, such as Great Danes and Dobermans, suffer from this more often than others. Also, this condition is often observed as a result of an injury.

In case of injury and infringement with death of the ending, there is no sensitivity in the affected area of ​​the nerve, the animal cannot control the damaged part of the body, paresis or paralysis develops.

Depending on the size and depth of damage to the meninges of the spinal cord, symptoms may affect different parts of the body. With massive lesions, the animal can be completely paralyzed.

Neuroses

These diseases are caused by prolonged exposure of the animal to stress. Usually the impact is so deep and intense that it leads to the development of persistent lesions of the nervous system.

Difficulties in diagnosing neuroses lie in the fact that each dog reacts differently, the manifestations of pathology can differ dramatically. It is important to correctly define the disease and separate it from a behavioral disorder that can form in an animal with improper upbringing.

Neuroses are manifested by the following deviations in behavior:

1. Fear, panic states.
2. Apathy.
3. Aggression. This is a particularly dangerous deviation, since such an animal is capable of attacking absolutely any living creature, including a small child, a pet, or even its own owner.

Any neurosis is treated as advised by Professor Preobrazhensky from The Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov – “exclusively with love.” Since the cause of this condition is stress, you can cope with the condition of the animal by paying maximum attention to it. Feeling loved, it will be freed from the consequences of a stressful situation.

A striking and dangerous manifestation of the pathology of the nervous system is epilepsy in dogs. This disease is associated with seizures and convulsions, which can be provoked by external stimuli, for example, sound and especially light. The disease is provoked by damage to a part of the brain of a non-infectious nature.

Epilepsy is true and symptomatic. The present disease is characterized by a regularly recurring series of short, fixed-in-time seizures. The symptomatic form is associated with another disease, such as plague.

True epilepsy cannot be completely cured, symptomatic epilepsy can go away on its own after the elimination of the cause that caused it. With epilepsy, treatment will last the entire life of the dog. Proper diagnosis is important so that seizures are not mistaken for this disease by owners.

Hyperkinesia is a pathological sudden involuntary movement caused by a failure in the conduction of nerve endings. Individual muscles or their groups may be involved. Such manifestations are caused by organic or functional lesions of the nervous system, provoked by various factors.

Sometimes this condition occurs during treatment with neuroleptics due to harmful effects. In dogs, the disease manifests itself after traumatic brain injury, rheumatism, encephalitis or encephalopathy.

Various types of intoxication also play an important role, which is why it is not necessary to treat pets on their own, especially drugs for people. Also, poisoning can be caused by medicines, household chemicals and even cosmetics left in the reach of the dog.

A nervous tic, which is often mistaken for a seizure, is referred to as hyperkinesis.

The doctor prescribes treatment depending on the appearance and severity of the symptoms, as well as what caused the problem. Anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that improve cerebral circulation, antipsychotics, drugs to eliminate muscle rigidity, vitamins, restorative drugs, physiotherapy, massages are prescribed.

Compulsive states

Some of the behavioral abnormalities of the dog, which we often think of as oddities, are actually obsessive states, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many of them are well known to pet owners:

1. Circling behind your own tail.
2. Excessive, pathological neatness, when the dog literally licks himself for hours.
3. Attempts to gnaw out fleas that he does not actually have.
4. Sucking on paws or tufts of hair on one’s body.
5. Eating objects that are not edible, including one’s own or someone else’s droppings.
6. Unmotivated aggression.

The mechanism is triggered by factors that are strong irritants for the sensitive nervous system. It is possible to treat obsessive-compulsive states only in a complex way, using medications, substitute training and encouragement for the correct execution of commands and calm behavior.

Other diseases of the nervous system

Aggressive conditions are most often observed in dogs as a reaction of the nervous system to sudden changes. For example, an unexpected wave of the hand of a stranger or even a family member may be taken as a sign of an attack. The result can be twofold.

In dogs with a weak type of nervous constitution, this will cause fear and lead to a hasty flight and a desire to hide. But more often, another effect is observed: the dog suddenly bursts into hysterical barking, while it can rush to the person or hide behind the owner if it was frightened by a stranger.

Sometimes aggression is provoked by actions that are innocent from a human point of view – an attempt to stroke a dog, a desire to straighten his bowl of food, and so on. If an animal has deviations in the functioning of the nervous system, it is impossible to predict its reaction.

An abnormal dog is unable to adequately perceive ordinary actions, gestures or events. Such dogs are usually culled because they are a “time bomb” that can “explode” at the most unexpected moment.

Complications after injections

In the treatment of diseases of the nervous system, the dog often needs to receive injections. It is necessary to know the basic rules of injections and follow the rules of antiseptics, otherwise suppuration, abscesses, and in especially severe cases, sepsis cannot be avoided.

Intravenous injections can only be made by a specialist, intramuscular injections – and the owner himself. At the same time, he must comply with the following rules:

1. Treat a dog the way you would treat a person: check the expiration date of the drug, use disposable syringes and use antiseptics.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly before injecting, do not touch the syringe and ampoule.
3. Muzzle your dog or secure his face with wide bandages to prevent him from biting you.
4. Work in pairs – one holds the animal, the other stabs.

If a bump, soreness, or pus develops after an injection, go to your veterinarian or call home immediately. These phenomena cannot be ignored.

Damage to the nerve endings is even more dangerous. In most cases, they are temporary, but sometimes they can lead to impaired mobility of a part of the animal’s body. Veterinarians often have to deal with calls from frustrated pet owners like “I gave the dog injections, but the injections made to the dog hit the nerve plexus. ”

This will result in severe pain, numbness and dysfunction of the affected body part. It is especially dangerous if large nerve nodes are affected. This can cause mobility problems, lameness, limb drag, and a host of dangerous consequences.

If the owner is afraid or does not know how to give injections, it is better to entrust this to the veterinarian.

Physiological changes

Depending on the type of damage to the nervous system, changes in the dog’s body can have physical and psychological, behavioral changes:

1. Problems with the senses: the animal does not hear well, does not see well, cannot bark or makes slurred sounds.
2. Disorders of coordination of movements.
3. Ataxia.
4. When paralyzed, the dog may limp or drag its injured paw.
5. Seizures and convulsions. Often symptoms of a nervous tic in a dog appear, during a seizure there is no reaction of the pupils to light, which can be considered signs of epilepsy.
6. Violations of the body’s thermoregulation arising from damage to the nervous system lead to the fact that the limbs of the animal become cold, cyanosis may be observed.
7. The dog does not recognize or reacts inadequately to its owners, to people in general, apathetic or, on the contrary, overly excited, aggressive.
8. From the outside, it may seem that the animal has suddenly forgotten everything that it was taught before the injury or illness.
9. The reaction of the cerebral cortex in the first days after an injury or the development of an infection leads either to strong excitement or to a lack of interest in life.
10. The reason for the increased weakness of the animal may be a brain tumor of various origins.

The appearance of any incomprehensible signs, including a change in the habitual behavior of the dog, should alarm the owners and become a reason for an urgent visit to the veterinary clinic.

Diagnostics

Only an experienced veterinarian with special equipment can determine the type of central nervous system disease in a dog. It may be necessary to conduct encephalography, examination of the spine and skull bones by X-ray diagnostics to detect damage to them, the passage of computed or magnetic resonance imaging to detect changes in the brain or the presence of tumors.

In addition to these examinations, the veterinarian may order a series of tests, an ultrasound of the internal organs to find out possible damage to them.

Treatment

In all cases, treatment is always aimed at eliminating the cause, that is, the underlying disease. The appointment of a specific treatment is carried out by a veterinarian depending on the disease of the dog and may include injections, oral medications, massages and physiotherapy courses.

If damage to the nervous system affects the behavior of the animal, the help of a correction specialist, as well as an experienced trainer, will be required. These people know how to treat such deviations. Independent actions with such serious problems can greatly harm the health of a pet.

Risk factors

Any damage to the brain and / or spinal cord, nervous system as a whole can, at best, lead to individual disorders in the functioning of the dog’s body, and at worst, cause damage to the senses, impaired mobility, paralysis and mental problems.

Risk factors that can lead to pathologies of the nervous system include the following:

1. Congenital problems due to genetic pathologies or intrauterine developmental disorders.
2. Severe infectious diseases, eg plague.
3. Injuries of the brain and nerve endings.
4. Ill-treatment of people.

Such negative effects can have different effects on the animal’s body, depending on their intensity, frequency of repetition.

Helping your pet at home

After being examined by a veterinarian and receiving the necessary treatment, the dog must go through a long rehabilitation path. The task of the owners is to provide her with peace and competent treatment.

The animal should be provided with a quiet, shaded and warm place where it will not be disturbed. Pets should be warned not to disturb a sick animal. In case of severe injuries and paralysis, you will have to monitor the dog’s breathing rhythm, its hygiene and feeding.

Depending on the disease, the treatment time may vary: from several weeks to life. Owners will have to master the ability to make injections, massages and other manipulations that will be required for the rehabilitation of a pet.

Features of dog training, taking into account the type of higher nervous activity

The selection of dogs for service functions, hunting and protection is directly related to the type of their higher nervous activity. If inhibition predominates in the behavior of an animal, and reactions are slowed down, it is completely unsuitable for performing such specific actions as guarding the house, owner or herd, hunting game and animals, searching and tracking, and so on.

However, if properly trained, such a dog can become an excellent pet, a favorite of the whole family.

Authors of the articles: Belanta Clinic team

7 signs of neurology in a pet

An obligatory stage of preventive medical examination (scheduled examination of the animal) is to check the reaction of the pupil, the auditory reflex and pain in different parts of the body. An inadequate reaction or its complete absence in a pet may indicate a disease from the nervous system.

Such patients are referred to a highly specialized specialist – a veterinary neurologist. Diagnosis of diseases of the nervous system is difficult, therefore, for an accurate diagnosis, special research methods are prescribed:

• x-ray diagnostics;
• MRI, CT;
• electroencephalogram;
• dopplerography;
• specialized test systems (paw print strength, etc.).

This kind of pathology requires a quick response, sometimes exclusively surgical intervention to resolve the problem. The lack of sensitivity in itself is a danger to the animal, but it can also indicate to the doctor the primary source of the pathology (circulatory disorders, the presence of a hernia).

A whole complex of characteristic clinical signs serves as a kind of pointer for the doctor. They indicate damage or disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system. Owners, having discovered the following 7 symptoms, must quickly seek help from a veterinarian.

Tremor (trembling)

Sudden trembling occurs with excessive excitement, stress in a pet. Often this can manifest itself as poisoning, a number of infectious diseases (parvovirus enteritis, carnivore distemper).

May be adequate in animals of respectable age.

Seizures in dogs and cats

Tremor along with severe convulsions is a sign of epilepsy.

The best thing the owner can do in this case is to furnish the pet with soft things and pillows, securing the environment for the duration of the attack. The nature of seizures and their duration are considered diagnostically important.

Paresis, paralysis

These terms mean temporary (paresis) or permanent (paralysis) immobilization. In addition to the loss of motor function, the nerve no longer performs the task of conducting sensory impulses. A cat or dog in this state drags its limbs, does not lean on them and does not feel pain.

Urinary and fecal incontinence

Violation of nerve conduction, especially due to spinal injuries, is accompanied by incontinence of the pet’s natural sphincters. Urine and feces normally accumulate systematically, the animal has control over the external sphincters, but the violation of innervation in this area means constant relaxation of the muscles. Finding incontinence in a cat or dog, you need to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible!

Pupil dilation, constriction, nystagmus

Not always inadequate expansion or narrowing of the pupils indicates neurological problems.