SignDiseases4WebIf you are searching for information about a specific term, try searching the Glossary by category for definitions and medical articles:

  1. Anatomy
  2. Signs & Problems
  3. Disorders & Diseases
  4. Pharmaceuticals
  5. Miscellaneous

The nervous system is composed of billions of neurons that form a complex network of pathways within the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Disease in any one of these 3 circuits (encephalopathy, myelopathy, and neuropathy, respectively) can cause a pet to experience a lack of sensation and/or motor ability. Neurological diseases that could be affecting a pet can be found in this section by following these steps:

  • Paresis/Paralysis or Weakness of one or more limbs
    • knuckling, dragging leg(s), abnormal gait
    • monopareseis/monoplegia, paraparesis/paraplegia, tetraparesis/tetraplegia
  • Balance Disorders
    • lack of balance, head tilt, circling, nausea, falling/rolling, nystagmus, tremors, ataxia, Horner’s syndrome, hypermetria
  • Vision Disorders
    • blindness, walking into objects
  • Seizures (episodic & stereotyped)
    • sudden/violent shaking, paddling, dilation of pupils, unresponsive/staring, loss of consciousness, salivating/drooling, stiffness, twitching, involuntary urinatination/defecation
  • Pain
    • crying out, holding up limb, low head carriage, tense muscles, decreased/limited mobility, changes in appetite
  • Other Neurological Signs
    • difficulty swallowing or chewing, decreased facial movement, voice changes, muscle atrophy of the head, collapsing, hearing loss, behavior changes (confusion, pacing, wandering), trismus, dropped jaw
  1. Neurological Signs: The main signs a pet may exhibit with a neurological problem are listed in the left menu and other associated signs are listed on the corresponding pages.
  2. Anatomical Region: Each page is divided into the part of the body where the neurological signs could be localized (e.g. head, neck, back).
  3. Type of Disease: The disease process affecting the nervous system and causing the neurological signs must be determined.
  4. Disease: Finally, common neurological diseases will be listed underneath the type of disease.

See the Neurology Overview for basic information that may be helpful in understanding the complex nature of neurological diseases.