Symptoms of nervous diseases in dogs. Neurological diseases in dogs and cats. Interview with a neurologist. About the gentle canine psyche

The dog's brain is round and short with a small number of clearly defined convolutions, in dogs different breeds differs in shape and weight. The mastoid body of the diencephalon includes two tubercles. The pyramids of the medulla oblongata are wide and convex. The pear-shaped lobes and olfactory bulbs are relatively large. The auditory colliculi are larger than the visual ones.

The falciform membrane of the brain, the fold of the dura mater (reaches the commissure of the hemispheres), and the membranous cerebellar tentorium are well developed.

The ratio of the spinal cord to the brain is 1: (4.5-9). Gray matter in the spinal cord makes up 61%, and white matter – 39%. The conus medullaris ends at the level of the 6th-7th lumbar vertebra.

The nerves - cranial and spinal - follow a typical path. Features are noted in the branching of the trigeminal and facial nerves; The musculocutaneous nerve of the brachial plexus runs independently, without connection with the median nerve.

Dogs have 13 pairs of thoracic nerves, 7 pairs of lumbar, 3 pairs of sacral and 5-6 pairs of caudal. The lumbosacral plexus, from which typical nerves emerge, forms the ventral branches of the lumbar and sacral nerves.

The average diameter of a dog's eye is 2-2.5 cm. The palpebral fissure is round and small: the eye is open only within the iris. The orbit is not closed. The ends of the frontal and zygomatic bones are connected by the orbital ligament, under which lies the lacrimal gland. The fold of the conjunctiva contains the cartilage and gland of the third eyelid. The eyeball is large, especially in small breeds, almost spherical. The color of the iris varies from yellow-brown to almost black, and can also be blue. The pupil is round. The lens is not very convex.

The outer ear consists of the pinna and the external auditory canal. The skin on the outer surface of the auricle has normal hair; internal - covered with hair that protects the entrance to the external auditory canal. The fatty body located at the base of the auricle is well developed, so the shell itself is very mobile; it has up to 20 muscles. The shell rotates only in the front sector of the circle.

The bony external auditory canal is short. The cartilaginous external auditory canal is formed by a ring-shaped cylindrical cartilage placed on the bony auditory canal. The tympanic cavity is large, with smooth walls. The auditory ossicles are relatively large. The cochlea of ​​the inner ear consists of three whorls.

Meningoencephalitis

Meningoencephalitis - inflammation of the membranes and substance of the brain; the disease is characterized by a disorder of the functions of the cortex, subcortical and autonomic centers.

With simultaneous damage to the brain and spinal cord, meningoencephalomyelitis is diagnosed.

¦ ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS

Damage to the brain and spinal cord in dogs is a complication of canine distemper, rabies, leptospirosis and listeriosis, the spread of inflammation along the spinal cord, and pneumonia. The disease is promoted by bruises, contusions and hypothermia of the head.

In the membranes of the brain, gray and white matter, neuroglial tissue swells and multiplies rapidly. The nerve cells of the cerebral cortex become rounded, the tigroid substance disappears in them; Subsequently, vacuolization of the protoplasm occurs, the nucleus is pushed out of the cell and the cell dies. Higher disorders are recorded nervous activity and subcortical centers, associated with irritation of meningeal receptors, increased intracranial pressure and loss of nerve cells.

¦ SYMPTOMS

IN initial stages meningoencephalitis with predominant damage to the meninges, the presence of meningeal syndrome is recorded: an increase in body temperature to 40 ° C and above, increased sweating, dilated pupils, limited mobility of the eyeball, rigidity of the muscles of the back of the head and neck, skin hyperesthesia, exacerbation of tendon reflexes, the appearance of clonic convulsions. In the future, vomiting, swallowing disorder, extinction of reflexes, impaired coordination of movements, and disorders of the autonomic regulation systems are noted. internal organs.

When the cerebral cortex is damaged in the first days, excitement, anxiety, aggressiveness, an uncontrollable striving forward, coupled with a weakening of conditioned reflexes (the animal rests its head against obstacles), a heightened reaction to light and sound, and convulsive muscle contractions predominate. Then comes depression, decreased response to the environment, weakened hearing and vision, impaired coordination of movements, paresis and paralysis of the limbs.

If the medulla oblongata is damaged, the animal may die due to paralysis of the respiratory center. The consequence of cerebellar and vestibular disorders are myoclonic convulsions, epileptic seizures, and sensory ataxia. Progressive polyencephalomatization of the temporal lobes of the brain causes tics of the lower jaw and hypersalivation.

¦ DIAGNOSIS

Cerebrospinal fluid examination reveals increased content cellular elements (pleocytosis) and protein with a predominance of globulin fractions.

The differential diagnosis excludes infectious diseases(rabies, canine distemper, leptospirosis, listeriosis) and intoxications occurring with symptoms of central nervous system damage.

Sick animals are isolated in separate rooms, warm and without drafts. Eliminate noise and bright light. Walking dogs is prohibited during treatment.

Frequent dietary feeding is recommended in the form of liquid mucous porridges, jelly, soups with the addition of boiled finely chopped vegetables and a small amount of boiled minced beef or meat. Indicated use of decoctions and infusions medicinal plants, disinfectants (potassium permanganate, furatsilin, rivanol, boric acid). The diet is enriched with vitamins, glucose and microelements.

In the acute stage of meningoencephalitis, it is necessary to use antibiotics (in maximum dosages), agents that improve metabolism in brain cells, and vitamins. The use of immune system stimulants is recommended.

To prevent epileptic seizures, anticonvulsants are prescribed.

Constant monitoring of the functioning of internal organ systems is mandatory.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a cerebral disease characterized by repeated stereotypical psychomotor seizures: seizures of tonic-clonic seizures with complete or partial loss of reflexes (consciousness). High-breed dogs are susceptible to the disease. Epilepsy is usually divided into two groups: true (genuine, primary, hereditary) and symptomatic (secondary, secondary, false, acquired). Epilepsy of the first type occurs in dogs much less frequently than symptomatic epileptioform seizures.

The concept of “real epilepsy” is between two meanings: epilepsy of unknown origin (cryptogenic, idiopathic) and genetically determined (hereditary, genetic).

¦ ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS

The causes of true epilepsy have not been fully elucidated. Metabolic disorders in the brain are suspected, as well as dysfunction of the diencephalotemporal synchronization system. It is likely that true epilepsy is genetic in nature. It has recently been shown that genotype forms are inherited in a recessive manner by an autosomal recessive gene with a sex-linked suppressor.

According to some data, endocrine and humoral regulation and water-salt metabolism are disrupted in dogs.

Violation of the coordination of excitation and inhibition processes in the cerebral cortex and subcortical centers is manifested by tonic-clonic convulsions and is accompanied by a disorder of cardiovascular, respiratory and other body functions.

Visible changes are detected in the brain: compactions and sclerotic areas, growth of neuroglial tissue, dropsy, hemorrhages.

Symptomatic epilepsy is a sign of brain damage due to canine distemper, listeriosis, trauma and brain tumors, and intoxication.

¦ SYMPTOMS

A characteristic symptom of the disease is the presence of tonic-clonic seizures. Their frequency, duration and strength vary. Typically, a few minutes before a seizure, dogs experience anxiety, increased fearfulness, and aimless wandering. The seizure begins with a short-term tonic spasm of the muscles of the limbs, back, neck, and jaws. Then, for 2-5 minutes, clonic twitching of the limbs, chewing movements with copious discharge foamy saliva.

During a seizure, the pupils are dilated, there are no reflexes, involuntary urination and defecation are possible, breathing movements and heartbeats increase sharply. After a seizure, general weakness and depression of the animal are recorded for 5-10 minutes.

Between seizures, the dog's clinical condition is usually normal.

Symptomatic epilepsy after intoxication is characterized by an increase in the frequency of seizures, increased respiratory and cardiovascular failure, until death from asphyxia after a seizure.

Symptomatic epileptiform seizures occur several times a week or a day in attacks lasting more than 5 minutes, after which the animal remains unconscious for up to 10 minutes.

IN clinical picture Seizures are divided into minor and major seizures and status epilepticus. A minor seizure is manifested by chewing spasms and slight drooling. Characterized by a wide open mouth, dilated pupils, movement of the neck to the side, convulsive shaking of the head, and raising of the front paw. In this case, the animal can move normally.

Idiopathic or functional epilepsy is common in dogs. In this case, the appearance of seizures is difficult to explain by the influence of any specific etiological factors, internal or external. It is believed that the disease is caused by the action of several genes, the expression of which is limited by sex.

Such an attack lasts tenths of a second and leaves no trace in the animal’s behavior, but after a few months generalized seizures develop.

Most often in dogs there is a large generalized seizure, consisting of four phases.

1. Partial – characterized by convulsive twitching of the facial and chewing muscles.

2. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

3. Running motion.

4. Rest phase.

The duration of phases 1, 2 and 3 in total is 92.4 s.

Status epilepticus most often involves several seizures immediately following each other.

True epilepsy with the development of status epilepticus does not lead to the death of the animal.

After a true seizure, there is usually an imbalance.

¦ DIAGNOSIS

Difficulties in diagnosing true epilepsy are due to the fact that the cause of the attacks is unknown. The first seizure in primary epilepsy is usually recorded between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, most often at 1-3 years.

The diagnosis is made taking into account the medical history after the appearance of seizures of tonic-clonic seizures with an interictal period.

The differential diagnosis excludes diseases accompanied by seizures of a non-tonic-clonic nature. These include catalepsy, myoplegia, chorea, nervous tics and canine eosinophilic myositis.

The main symptom of catalepsy is periodically recurring or constant tonic-type convulsions: the condition of the limbs resembles the picture of tetanus.

Myoplegia is characterized by paralysis or paresis-like relaxation of the tone of one or two limbs, repeated or constant.

With chorea, constant clonic muscle spasms of an erratic nature are observed.

Nervous tics are often a complication after the plague. A characteristic sign of this disorder is rhythmic twitching of the limbs, temporal and other muscles. This symptomatology can also appear while the animal is sleeping.

Eosinophilic myositis is more common in East European Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and some other dog breeds. Characteristic symptom– constantly increasing trismus of the masticatory muscles in combination with a decrease in the number or complete disappearance of eosinophils in the blood.

The sick animal is provided with comfortable conditions while maintaining peace and quiet.

Dietary frequent high-calorie feeding in small portions with limited salt intake is recommended. Antihistamines (antiallergic) drugs are used in combination with anticonvulsant and antiepileptic drugs used to weaken seizures of tonic-clonic seizures.

Some antispasmodic substances are effective in the treatment of epilepsy.

Parenteral administration of vitamin and multivitamin preparations is mandatory.

The use of dehydration agents is indicated.

In veterinary practice, a high therapeutic effect is achieved by using complex medications - Kvater and Bekhterev mixtures, Sereysky mixture, Karmanova tablets.

Sunstroke

¦ ETIOLOGY

The reason is the animals' prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (usually in hot summer weather). Contributing factors are lack of drinking water, keeping without active movements, instability of thermoregulation.

Sunstroke is a disease that occurs primarily in short-haired dogs due to direct effects on the cranial area. sun rays; is accompanied by overheating of the brain and disruption of its functions as a result of impaired thermoregulation of the body under conditions of reduced heat transfer.

¦ SYMPTOMS

Weakness, slight agitation, rapid breathing, sweating, decreased tone skeletal muscles, unsteadiness of gait. Body temperature is often elevated, and general weakness may persist for several days. The course of the disease is acute.

The state of hyperthermia in severe cases is characterized by the sudden onset of weakness, convulsions, loss of consciousness: fainting or coma with loss of reflexes, dilated pupils. Rapid death is possible due to progressive cardiovascular failure and asphyxia. If treatment measures are taken in a timely manner, the symptoms of the disease disappear within 2-3 hours.

¦ DIAGNOSIS

In differential diagnostic terms, acute infections, intoxication with poisons, bites by poisonous snakes and insects are excluded.

¦ TREATMENT AND MEDICINES

Immediately move the injured animal to a dark and well-ventilated area. Dousing the head is recommended cold water or applying ice packs. Cool drink.

Administration of adrenaline, cordiamine, sulfocamphocaine, lobeline is indicated - subcutaneously; cardiac glycosides (glucose with caffeine, digitalis preparations) and solutions containing calcium and sodium ions - intravenously.

For severe agitation - chloral hydrate, bromides, medinal, veronal.

When pulmonary edema appears (moist rales are recorded), moderate bloodletting at the rate of up to 5 ml of blood per 1 kg of body weight, followed by the administration of calcium chloride and glucose.

¦ POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Heatstroke

¦ ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS

Heat stroke occurs as a result of transporting animals in a confined space with insufficient ventilation: in stuffy, damp carriages, closed car bodies, transport bags (conditions of reduced heat transfer). Heat stroke is also caused by disturbances in the body's thermoregulation when kept in damp, stuffy rooms with insufficient ventilation, especially at high outside temperatures. Predispose to the disease by lack of walking, violation drinking regime, obesity, pulmonary diseases, history of cardiovascular failure.

¦ SYMPTOMS

Sudden onset of adynamia; general weakness; rapid increase in excitement; thirst, shortness of breath, convulsions, loss of consciousness. The course of the disease is acute. The dog's body temperature rises and the pupils dilate.

Heatstroke is characterized by a dysfunction of the central nervous system due to general overheating of the body. Dogs of any age are susceptible to the disease, with branch chiomorphic breeds especially susceptible.

In severe cases, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, fibrillary muscle twitching, weakened reflexes, decreased response to painful stimuli, loss of response to the environment, and convulsions are recorded. Against the background of a coma, death due to asphyxia is possible.

¦ DIAGNOSIS

It is necessary to exclude acute infectious diseases and intoxications.

Eliminate overheating factors and provide plenty of fluids. Cold enemas are indicated, dousing the head with cold water is recommended; ice compresses.

The use of drugs that normalize cardiac activity is indicated: glucose with caffeine, digitalis preparations, cordiamin, sulfocamphocaine, lobeline.

For pulmonary edema, moderate bloodletting is prescribed. Then cardiac glycosides and solutions containing calcium and sodium ions are administered intravenously. In severe cases, subcutaneous administration of adrenaline is indicated.

¦ POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Phenomena of cardiovascular failure, pulmonary edema, asphyxia.

Brain injuries

They are relatively rare.

¦ ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS

Brain injuries have been reported after blows or falls from a height. Accompanied by concussion and hemorrhages of varying degrees.

¦ SYMPTOMS

After a blow or fall, the dog does not get up immediately. Characterized by uncertainty and unsteadiness of gait, snoring breathing, dilated pupils, rapid, sometimes rare pulse, the mucous membrane of the mouth and conjunctiva are pale, vomiting and paralysis are possible.

With minor injuries, the symptoms of the disease gradually weaken and disappear.

With significant hemorrhages in the brain, the symptoms increase and end in death.

Cold treatments are prescribed on the head (urgently!) in the first hours after the injury.

To reduce cerebral edema, calcium chloride is prescribed orally.

The use of hydrocortisone is indicated.

Caffeine, lobeline - subcutaneously or intravenously.

Calcium chloride – 10% solution, intravenously.

Hydrocortisone in a 0.25% solution of novocaine – 3 mg/1 kg of body weight, subcutaneously.

The most common and dangerous diseases of the nervous system in dogs are meningoencephalitis, myelitis, paralysis, paresis, epilepsy, and congenital malformations of the central nervous system (CNS).

This is an inflammation of the brain and its membranes. Usually observed in infectious diseases of dogs: plague, leptospirosis, listeriosis, viral hepatitis, etc.

First, the temperature rises to 40-42 degrees, the pupils are dilated, the eyeballs are inactive, the muscles of the back of the head and neck are tense, the sensitivity of the skin is increased, the dog is excited, and convulsions may begin. Then vomiting appears, excitement gives way to depression, disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems are observed. Often the disease ends in death.

Treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian and consists of the use of glucorticoids, antibiotics and symptomatic medications.

Paralysis and paresis

Paralysis and paresis occur due to inflammation, damage, age-related atrophy of nerve fibers, and osteochondrosis. Paresis is characterized by decreased sensitivity and weakness of the muscles for which the damaged nerve is responsible. With paralysis, mobility and sensitivity are completely absent.

Treatment is most effective at the onset of the disease. Novocaine blockades, physiotherapy, warming are used, vitamin B1 is administered, and drugs that improve the conductivity of nerve fibers.

Epilepsy

Characterized by repeated loss of consciousness. Epilepsy can be primary (true) and secondary (symptomatic). The true one is inherited and manifests itself before the age of three years. It is incurable and accompanies the animal throughout its life.

Symptomatic epilepsy is a complication of an infectious disease, usually affecting the central nervous system: plague, viral hepatitis, literiosis, meningoencephalitis - or a consequence of injury or brain tumor. It can occur at any age. Its course depends on the course of the underlying disease. Therefore, when it is cured, epilepsy may disappear.

The main symptoms of the disease are recurrent epileptic seizures.

Minor seizures are suffered “on your feet” and last several seconds, without loss of consciousness. When they occur, dilation of the pupils, spasms of the masticatory muscles, drooling, twitching of the neck and paws are observed. After the seizure, the dog feels fine.

Before a major seizure, the dog usually becomes anxious, then convulsive twitching of the chewing and facial muscles is observed, the animal falls, loses consciousness, and convulsions begin. The seizure lasts several minutes. After this, the dog cannot get up for some time.

With status epilepticus, several large seizures follow each other almost without interruption, which can lead to the death of the animal.

With true epilepsy, seizures occur with a certain frequency, and with symptomatic epilepsy, their frequency depends on the course of the underlying disease. To prevent injury during seizures, the dog must be restrained. Anticonvulsants are prescribed to reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. In case of secondary epilepsy, it is important to cure the underlying disease

Prevention

To prevent diseases of the central nervous system in dogs, stressful situations should be avoided: rough handling, increased stress. Prevent, promptly diagnose and treat infectious diseases, osteochondrosis, discopathy. The diet of older dogs should be balanced

The nervous system of any animal regulates its activity with the help of many elements. At the same time, the body can work as a single whole only if all these components are healthy. As soon as something stops functioning correctly, the condition of the animal and its organs is at risk.
Correctly assess and diagnose neurological diseases in your pet pretty hard. However, they can be recognized in time and contact a specialist for qualified help.

Intervertebral disc pathologies

Most often, such problems arise in chondrodystrophoid dog breeds - dachshunds, French bulldogs, poodles, spaniels and others. Most dogs of these breeds already have chondroid changes in one or more intervertebral discs at the age of one year. The lumbosacral spine suffers most from pathologies.

Main symptoms:

• increased or decreased sensitivity to touch;
• lameness;
• refusal of outdoor games;
• limitation of mobility.

If the problem with intervertebral discs is neglected, it can lead to problems with defecation and urination, and even cause partial or complete paralysis of the lower extremities.

At an early stage, such diseases can be alleviated by conservative treatment. It involves limiting activity, taking anti-inflammatory and other drugs. Doctors also prescribe physiotherapy, massage and a swimming pool. The decision about surgical treatment is made individually.

Portosystemic shunts

This pathology is a circulatory disorder of the liver. As a result of the formation of an additional vessel, toxic substances filtered by the liver, bypassing it, enter the bloodstream.

Main symptoms:

• eating and urinary disorders;
• growth failure or weight loss;
• barking and displaying aggression for no reason or stupor with a look at one point;
• sudden blindness.

In parallel, with portosystemic shunts, ascites or abdominal hydrops may occur. Liquid flowing from a defective vessel accumulates in abdominal cavity and entails protrusion of the abdomen and an increase in the weight of the animal. It is important not to confuse this disease with obesity after sterilization of a dog, most often caused by poor nutrition.

The main treatment method for portosystemic shunts is surgery. The closure of the vessel occurs gradually, which eliminates a sharp increase in portal pressure and the death of the animal.

Epilepsy

This disease is characterized by seizures accompanied by convulsions. Epilepsy occurs in attacks that are weakly dependent on external factors and occur from time to time. Before an attack, the dog may become nervous, bark or whine for no apparent reason, or try to hide.

Signs of an epileptic seizure:

• loss of consciousness;
• muscle tension and trembling;
• rolling of the eyes with open eyelids;
• profuse salivation.

Epilepsy significantly reduces the quality of life of animals, but most often does not pose a great danger. The exception is when a sudden attack finds the pet in a life-threatening environment, for example, in water. Diagnosed epilepsy with good care most often allows the dog to live quite a long time. However, in all other cases, the occurrence of seizures is a great stress for both the animal and its owner, especially when it first appears.

Anticonvulsant medications prescribed by a doctor are used to treat epilepsy. Consultation with a specialist is also necessary to clarify the diagnosis, since epilepsy can also be a sign of other neurological diseases.

Hydrocephalus

Toy dog ​​breeds such as toy terriers, chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers most susceptible to hydrocephalus. In these breeds of dogs, the disease occurs more often and is more severe due to the small size of the skull. The resulting excess fluid volume begins to put pressure on the nervous tissue. However, the skull of a dog with hydrocephalus usually looks larger than normal.

Main symptoms:

• throwing back and tilting the head;
• running in circles;
• seizures;
• aggression and communication difficulties;

To make a diagnosis, MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis are most often performed.

The prescribed treatment is primarily aimed at reducing intracranial pressure. However, if the effect is weak, shunt surgery may be required to allow excess cerebrospinal fluid to drain through a drainage tube into the abdominal cavity.

Inflammatory diseases of the brain

Pugs and Yorkshire terriers have a congenital predisposition to these diseases.

Inflammations are divided into three categories:

• Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain itself).
• Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain).
• Myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord).

Manifestations of the disease depend on the duration and severity of the disease. The most common symptoms are:

• sudden change in state (depression or agitation);
• movement disorders;
• epilepsy attacks;
• chaotic eye movement;
• blindness.

X-ray examination of the dog, analysis of brain fluid and MRI scanning will help determine this or that inflammation.

Depending on the location of the inflammation and its cause, your veterinarian may prescribe steroids, antibiotics, and medications for symptomatic treatment.

Brain tumors

This is one of the most dangerous neurological diseases. It can occur in any dog ​​over 5 years of age, and in the initial stages the tumors do not make themselves felt. The first symptoms begin to appear when the tumor begins to grow.

Symptoms:

• anxiety or aggression;
• loss of control over movements;
• convulsions;
• other neurological disorders, depending on the location of the tumor.

If you have at least one of the signs of a neurological disorder, you should definitely consult a specialist, since such diseases only progress without treatment, and this can happen quite quickly.

In most cases, the problem can only be solved with chemotherapy or surgical intervention. In some cases, maintenance treatment may be prescribed aimed at relieving symptoms - epilepsy and increased intracranial pressure.

In any case, if you notice any of the symptoms listed in this article in your dog, it is better to see a specialist. The sooner your pet is examined by a doctor, the better. Our veterinary clinic can provide emergency assistance for your pets in Belgorod. We will find the cause of concern and prescribe the necessary tests. Based on the final diagnosis, a therapeutic or appropriate treatment will be prescribed for the specific case. surgery to treat your pet as effectively as possible.

Inflammatory diseases of the nervous system in dogs

Inflammatory diseases of the nervous system of dogs cover a fairly large group of diseases - meningoencephalitis/meningomyeloencephalitis of various etiologies (causality).

Meninitis is inflammation of the meningeal membranes of the central nervous system, myelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord, encephalitis is inflammation of the parenchyma (tissue itself) of the brain. Meningitis is characterized by inflammation involving the subarachnoid space, that is, inflammation of non-neuronal (containing nerve cells) tissue.

As a rule, one cannot talk about specific meningitis or encephalitis, because both processes occur simultaneously, because inside the skull, the tissues are anatomically located very close to each other, so it is more legitimate to use the term meningoencephalitis.

Meningoencephalitis, regardless of the cause, is not a widespread disease, but in general it makes up a significant percentage of the total number of neurological diseases.

Inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (meningoencephalomyelitis) according to etiology are divided into infectious and non-infectious.

When infected by fungi or rickettsia, signs of damage to both those and other formations may be observed (diffuse symptoms).

TO non-infectious include steroid-dependent meningitis, granulomatous meningoencephalitis, and several breed-specific meningoencephalitis.

It is assumed that the pathology is based on immunological disorders, since almost all animals respond to treatment with immunosuppressive doses of glucocorticoids.

Granulomatous meningoencephalitis(GME) - non-purulent inflammatory disease, in which limited (focal) or diffuse (multifocal) damage to the central nervous system occurs.

There are 3 forms: limited GME involving the brain stem; disseminated GME, in which the big brain, lower parts of the brainstem, cerebellum and cervical spinal cord; Visual GME is characterized by damage to the eyes and optic nerves.

The cause of GME is unknown, but the disease is believed to be immune in nature. Treatment includes administration of glucocorticoids; the prognosis is uncertain, especially in the long term. With rapid progression of the disease, it is always unfavorable.

Beagle pain syndrome - a severe form of steroid-dependent meningitis with polyarthritis causing pain in the cervical spine.

It is assumed that the disease is caused by immune disorders, since steroid therapy leads to complete remission.

Bernese Mountain Dog meningitis- this breed susceptible to necrotizing vasculitis and polyarteritis (aseptic meningitis). The cause of the disease has not been established, but clinical manifestations disappear in almost all animals when treated with steroids.

Pug meningoencephalitis– a disease of young and middle-aged dogs (9 months – 4 years), characterized, as a rule, by a rapid course and a poor prognosis.

At the onset of the disease, convulsions and a picture of diffuse damage to the central nervous system occur. Characteristic features include circling, ataxia (shaky, uncoordinated gait), “head resting” against the wall, blindness, and pain in the cervical spine.

Therapy with steroids and anticonvulsants does not give good results; animals usually die within a few weeks after the onset of symptoms.

Clinical manifestations of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system can be varied, depending on which area is affected and how severely; disorders can be limited (focal), diffuse (spread), and quickly develop from limited to diffuse.

Classic signs of meningitis are pain (usually in the neck) and fever. Animals resist being taken on a leash, they exhibit hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to touch and influence) and rigidity (tone) of the neck muscles. In severe cases, lateral positioning, opisthotonus and hyperextension of the front legs occur.

The nature of the clinical manifestations of encephalitis is due to damage to the brain parenchyma. Violations are usually asymmetrical. The severity of symptoms can increase gradually - impaired consciousness (depression) up to stupor, coma; changes in behavior; visual impairment (while maintaining the normal reaction of the pupils to light - so-called central blindness); impaired coordination of movements and voluntary motor functions; convulsions.

In the presence of encephalomyelitis, sensory ataxia (impaired gait and body position in space, impaired posing reactions), motor dysfunction and dysfunction of the cranial nerves are detected.

A diagnostic method for identifying meningoencephalitis and its cause is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. requires general anesthesia, and is associated with a certain risk (both anesthetic and surgical, since a puncture of the occipital cistern is performed). Non-invasive methods (however also performed under general anesthesia) are CT ( CT scan) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), however, based on these studies, it is not always possible to accurately make this diagnosis, because changes may be specific to pathologies of different causes (for example, autoimmune, fungal, bacterial cannot be verified).

Therapy depends on the cause - in most cases, the use of steroids in immunosuppressive doses, antibiotics and symptomatic therapy (anticonvulsants, infusion) is indicated. The prognosis depends on the cause, except in cases of steroid-dependent encephalitis, unfortunately the prognosis is guarded to poor.

A pinched nerve in a dog is a fairly serious disease. It is characterized by an acute onset - piercing shooting pains in the back, hindering movement. Alarming symptoms grow gradually, so the owner has enough time to take action and prevent the disease from moving into the acute phase, painful and difficult to treat.

Pinched spinal nerves are compression of the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord by adjacent vertebrae. The situation is complicated by the fact that the muscles surrounding the spine swell and reflexively spasm. Long-term compression leads to the death of nerve tissue, as a result of which the mobility of the dog’s limbs begins to suffer. Further development inflammation can lead to partial or complete paralysis of the animal.

There are several types of pinched spinal nerves. It depends on which part of the spine is involved in the pathological process:

• pinched nerve of the cervical spine;
• pinched thoracic nerve;
• pinched sciatic nerve (sciatica).

Pinching of the upper spine (cervical and thoracic) can cause paralysis of the entire lower part of the dog's body. Pinching of the sciatic nerve causes severe pain and autonomic disorders in the dog. hind limbs leading to gradual loss of sensitivity.

Difficulties in diagnosis

Diagnosis of this disease has its own characteristics. It can be difficult to determine exactly where the pathological process is localized, since the pain is diffuse. Only a competent specialist can identify this. Therefore, if any peculiarities appear in the dog’s behavior, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic. The owner should be alert to the following points:

• the dog protects his back and doesn’t let him get close to him;
• drags his hind legs;
• whines when changing position;
• reacts to weather changes;
• refuses active play during walks;
• spends a lot of time alone;
• there is stiffness of movement.

Main causes of the disease

The disease, as a rule, is a consequence of pre-existing pathologies of the spine that are not diagnosed and not treated in a timely manner. Provocateurs of a pinched nerve can be:

• spondylosis;
• radiculitis;
• intervertebral hernia;
• spinal neoplasms;
• injuries and damage to the back with displacement of the vertebrae;
• posture disorders;
• osteochondrosis;
• metabolic disorders;
• hypothermia.

Spondylosis

Spondylosis usually occurs in older dogs as a result of age-related changes in the vertebral segments. It is a degenerative-dystrophic process of the anterior sections of the intervertebral discs. The disorder is accompanied by the appearance of bone growths – osteophytes – on the anterior and lateral parts of the spine. Osteophytes can affect the nerve roots, narrowing the lumen of the spinal canal.

The disease actively progresses with spinal injuries, osteochondrosis, and decreased immunity. The risk group includes dogs with complicated heredity.

Spondylosis can affect the cervical or thoracic spine, but a particularly common location is the lower back.

The clinical picture of the disease is as follows: the dog’s movements become heavy and slow. She does not allow touching the back, much less using force during the examination. There is a deterioration in health depending on changes in weather conditions.

Spondylosis is diagnosed using an X-ray examination of the spine.

Radiculitis

A pinched spinal nerve can also cause radiculitis, an inflammatory lesion of the spinal cord roots. Its main symptom is severe pain. The disease can occur as a complication of osteochondrosis, as a result of hypothermia, injuries and infections. The risk group consists of dogs with developmental anomalies of various parts of the spine. Radiculitis can occur in chronic or acute form. There is also a complicated form of it – meningoradiculitis. It affects the membranes of the spinal cord.

Intervertebral hernia

Age-related changes in the spine or injury can lead to stretching or rupture of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, which has lost most its shock-absorbing properties. In this case, the gelatinous disc protrudes beyond its boundaries, compressing the spinal cord or its roots. Intervertebral hernia can be chronic or acute.

Spinal neoplasms

Spinal tumors sometimes cause damage to the spinal cord and major spinal nerves. This condition is irreversible and threatens severe paresis and even complete paralysis of the limbs. In this case, the dog will lose the ability to move independently. There are special wheelchairs for animals that replace the function of their legs and help them lead a fairly active life.

Symptoms of the disease

The severity and nature of the symptoms of the disease are determined by the degree of impairment of the sensitivity of the limbs:

1. A mild degree of the disease can be judged by moderate pain. The dog's behavior is relatively calm. Sensitivity is not impaired or slightly impaired. The animal is passive. Take care of your back, lie down carefully, avoiding sudden movements. Appetite is not impaired, body temperature is normal.
2. The average degree of the disease is characterized by fairly severe back pain, which the animal expresses with anxiety and plaintive whining. He rejects an attempt to examine his back with a growl. Muscle spasm is manifested by an unnaturally curved back and a tense abdomen (especially with sciatica).
3. Severe third degree of the disease is characterized by severe limitation of movements. The sacral spine and sciatic nerve are most often affected. At the same time, a “wooden” gait develops with unnatural tension in the legs. There is no appetite, body temperature may be elevated.

Treatment

A pinched nerve in a dog has painful symptoms, and therefore treatment should be aimed primarily at relieving the pain and only then treating the pinched nerve.

Symptomatic therapy

The main points of symptomatic therapy are:

• relief of pain using painkillers;
• stopping the inflammatory process in muscles and nerve roots using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Quadrisol and Rimadyl);
• prescribing sedatives that will help calm the pet and restore its nervous system;
• providing the dog with complete rest and limiting movements.

Treatment of a pinched nerve

In order to relieve a pinched nerve in a dog, complex treatment is prescribed:

1. Vitamin therapy has a good effect. Animals are prescribed vitamins B1, B6, B12, which affect the conduction of nerve impulses.
2. Neuromuscular conductivity is well restored by the drug “Proserin”.
3. Stop the destruction of neuromuscular tissue by early stages homeopathic remedies help diseases.
4. To dissolve osteophytes on the vertebral discs, absorbable agents (Lidaza) are prescribed.
5. Physiotherapeutic procedures (massage and warming up diseased segments of the spine with a blue lamp) help relieve muscle inflammation.
6. If conservative therapy does not have the desired effect, the sick dog may be indicated surgery. But you need to know that such interventions are not always successful. The operation is quite traumatic for the spine and surrounding tissues.

Spinal pathologies should be treated exclusively in a veterinary clinic under the supervision of a specialist.

The prognosis of the disease with a mild course is often positive. But, if the course is severe, the prognosis is cautious.

Prevention

Not a single signal about a violation of the health of the dog’s spinal system should be left unattended by the owner. Every day you need to take care of maintaining the health of your pet and its physical development in accordance with age, namely:

1. You should exercise your dog regularly to strengthen its muscle corset.
2. It is imperative to give the animal timely rest. Active games, training and training sessions should be dosed.
3. It is important to feed your dog properly. The diet must be balanced and enriched with essential nutrients.
4. It is necessary to avoid hypothermia and colds, and monitor the state of the immune system.

A pinched nerve in a dog is treatable. A huge role in successful therapy is played by the attention of the owner and strict implementation of the recommendations of the attending physician. To avoid relapses, it is recommended to periodically conduct courses of maintenance therapy.