Читать книгу Canine and Feline Epilepsy - Luisa De Risio - Страница 272

General physical examination in animals with bacterial CNS infection may be normal or reveal fever and the involvement of other organs such as the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, prostate, skin and ears. Severely systemically affected animals may present with hypovolaemic shock and signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Animals with cerebral abscessation may show signs of a previous bite wound, trauma or surgery on the head.

Neurological signs vary depending on the location and extent of the infection and associated inflammation and include spinal hyper-algesia, behavioural or personality changes, altered mental status, ataxia, paresis, postural reaction deficits, cranial nerve dysfunction and seizures (Radaelli and Platt, 2002). Onset of signs is generally acute and rapidly progressive. Fever and cervical hyperalgesia have been reported in about 40% and 30% of dogs with bacterial meningoencephalomyelitis, respectively (Radaelli and Platt, 2002). Seizures have been reported in 11 to 30% of dogs with bacterial meningoencephalomyelitis (Radaelli and Platt, 2002). Death may occur due to brain herniation and acute respiratory insufficiency in animals with severe brain oedema or mass effect.