Mental Status: |
Categorize overall mental status:BAR (bright, alert, responsive) / QAR (quiet, alert responsive) / Stuporous (only responsive to painful stimuli) / Comatose (non-responsive)
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Body Posture: |
Describe any abnormal body posture:Head Tilt (L/R) / Head Turn (L/R) / Circling (L/R) |
Gait: |
Describe any abnormalities in gait, specifying involved limb(s):Paresis (weakness of voluntary movement) / Paralysis (absence of voluntary movement) / Lameness (uneven gait caused by pain or stiffness)
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Ataxia: |
Describe any irregular or inconsistent movements:Proprioceptive (scuffing or dragging the paws on the ground, knuckling over, crossing over, or interference) / Vestibular (unable to walk in a straight line) / Cerebellar (undershooting or overshooting of intended position with paw)
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CRANIAL NERVES |
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Pupil (CN III): |
Record size, symmetry and shape of pupils |
Menace (CN II/VII): |
Make a threatening gesture at the eye to induce a blink |
PLR (CN II/III): |
Shine a light into one eye and look for pupil constriction in both eyes |
Strabismus (CN III/IV/VI): |
Eyes are not aligned due to lack of coordination between the extraocular muscles |
Corneal Reflex (CN V/VI): |
Gently touch the cornea with a moist soft cotton swab to induce global retraction |
Jaw Tone (CN V): |
Observe and palpate muscles of mastication for any swelling, atrophy, or asymmetry. Animal many not be able to close mouth if there is bilateral weakness |
Maxillary & Mandibular(CN V): |
Gently pinch the lips and look for retraction of the lips. Also, touch the medial nasal mucosa with a hemostat and look for retraction of the head |
Palpebral (CN V/VII) |
Gently touch the medial & lateral canthus of the eye to induce a blink response |
Nystagmus (CN VIII): |
Observe the eyes for nystagmus while moving the head slowly laterally in both directions, and up and down. |
POSTURAL REACTIONS |
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Proprioceptive positioning: |
With the animal standing, turn over one paw and place the back of the paw on the floor. The animal should quickly correct the position of the paw. |
Hopping: |
Hold the animal so that all of its weight is supported by one limb and move the animal forward or laterally. The animal should make a quick, smooth step in response |
Wheelbarrow: |
Lift the hind limbs off the ground and gently push the animal forward. The animal should make alternating steps with its forelimbs. |
Extensor Postural Thrust: |
Hold the animal leaving just the hind limbs on the ground and gently push the animal backward. The animals should make coordinated steps backwards. |
Placing Reactions: |
Cover the animal's eyes and move the animal towards the edge of a table. The animal should place their paws on the table as soon as there is contact |