Table 2.
Neurological testing template
| Mental Status: | Categorize overall mental status:BAR (bright, alert, responsive) / QAR (quiet, alert responsive) / Stuporous (only responsive to painful stimuli) / Comatose (non-responsive) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| CRANIAL NERVES | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |