BRAINS
A seizure is:
Bonus: What part of the brain do seizures come from? (cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem)
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Bonus answer: Cerebrum/forebrain/prosencephalon
What is the MOST COMMON breed to have a herniated disc?
Bonus: what is the genetic predisposition called for this breed (amongst others)?
Frenchies (obvi)
- Chondrodystrophy
What is the one seizure medication that we have reliable blood level monitoring for?
Phenobarbital
What is the most common brain tumor in cats? (this type of tumor is typically "ice cream scoop-able")
Meningioma
What is the definition of cluster seizures?
MORE than 2 generalized seizures in a 24 hours period.
Two things that come from OUTSIDE the brain that can cause seizures are...
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyperglycemia
- Hepatic encephalopathy (liver disease)
- Hypernatremia (increased sodium)
- Like a million other things
What is one important aspect to supportive/comfort care when a pet has a spinal fracture?
(I will accept multiple answers)
- Back brace for stabilization
- Pain control
- Sedation
What are the two common opioids that we use in our premedications?
Methadone and butorphanol (aka torb)
What is the most common viral cause of neurologic disease in cats (and should be on the differential list for literally any cat under 2 years old ever)?
FIP (feline infectious peritonitis)
What do the acronyms "EEG" and "EMG" stand for?
- Electroencephalography
- Electromyography
Name a breed that is predisposed to having idiopathic epilepsy.
- Border collie
- Labrador Retriever
- Beagle
- Saint Bernard
- Sheltie
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Australian Shepherd
How many legs of a patient should be affected if they have a big lesion in the middle of their cervical spine?
All four
Why can we not combine NSAIDs and steroids in our patients?
They can cause severe GI ulceration and death if given at the same time.
What is the name of the steroid medication that we use in cats?
PrednisOLone
What are the two delineations in the vestibular system?
Peripheral vs. central
Are pets more likely to have seizures when they are ACTIVE or when they are AT REST?
At rest
What are the two conditions that are commonly referred to by their acronym that cause mobility problems, but are NOT painful?
BONUS: What is the difference between the two?
Hint: Quinn the Rottie, and Arlo the American Eskimo
Fibrocartilagenous embolism (FCE)
Acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE)
What is the type of drug that the suffix -azole indicates?
Anti-fungal medication (ie fluconazole, ketoconazole)
Which common seizure drug is a BIG no-no with cats?
Potassium bromide
- Can cause serious pulmonary injury in cats
What are two things that clients may call seizures but are not actually seizures?
- Paroxysmal dyskinesia (movement disorder)
- Syncope
- Vestibular event
- Pain episode
- Narcolepsy/cataplexy
Name TWO things that are important to know to determine if a patient's "episodes" are true, generalized seizures.
- Are they unconscious?
- Did they urinate/defecate on themselves?
- How long did the episode last?
- Were they abnormal afterwards?
Name as many spinal cord segments (for lesion localization) as you can - 100 points for each correct segment.
Hint: they are based on the numbered vertebrae
C1-C5
C6-T2
T3-L3
L4-S3
S3-caudal
What is the official neuroanatomically CORRECT term for inflammation of the brain, spinal cord, AND meninges?
Bonus: What is the posterchild breed/signalment (breed and age) for getting autoimmune inflammatory disease?
Melatonin
Why are cats more likely to get ascending middle ear infections (from their respiratory system) as opposed to descending middle ear infections (from the external ear canal in) like dogs?
The placement of their eustachian tube makes communication from the nasopharynx to the middle ear easier for bacteria to travel.
*SECRET QUESTION TO BE REVEALED WHEN CHOSEN*
Tell me your favorite drug used in veterinary medicine and why.