Ataxia, Paresis and Paralysis

Definition, causative agents, treatments

SUBMITTED BY:
MOMINA MUNIR
SUBMITTED TO:
SIR FAISAL
22-ARID-
3722
 Ataxia
•Ataxia means incoordination.
•Originates from Greek: a taxis = "without order".
•It is a sensory, not motor, dysfunction.
•Becomes noticeable only during movement.
•Defined as the inability to coordinate the head,
trunk, and limbs in space.
Diagnosis
•Requires a complete neurologic examination, including:
• Mental status
• Gait and posture
• Postural reactions
• Cranial nerves
• Spinal reflexes
• Pain perception
•Special attention should be given to gait and posture.
•The patient should be walked on non-slippery floors, toward and away from the
examiner.
 Systemic Conditions Causing Ataxia

•Although systemic conditions more commonly cause

weakness, some can cause ataxia:

• Hypocalcemia → may cause cerebellar ataxia

• Thiamine deficiency → may cause vestibular
ataxia

Types of Ataxia
1. Proprioceptive Ataxia

2. Cerebellar Ataxia

3. Vestibular Ataxia
1. Proprioceptive Ataxia

Definition:
A result of loss of awareness of limb and body position in
space due to spinal cord or brainstem lesions.
Cause:
Damage to the dorsal columns of the spinal cord or Draging of limbs
sensory tracts in the brainstem.
Clinical Signs:
•Dragging of limbs
•Knuckling (walking on the top of the paws/feet)
•Crossing limbs while walking
•Abnormal limb placement
•Delayed or absent postural reactions
Abnormal limb placement

knucklin
 2. Cerebellar Ataxia
Definition
Cerebellar ataxia is a type of incoordination caused by dysfunction of the cerebellum,
the part of the brain responsible for balance, coordination, and fine motor control.

Clinical Signs
•Wide-based stance
•Hypermetria (overreaching limb movements)
•Intention tremors (shaking during purposeful movement)
•Loss of balance
•Swaying or unsteady gait
•Normal strength (no weakness, just poor coordination)
•Head tremors
Causes
•Congenital cerebellar defects
•Cerebellar hypoplasia (underdeveloped cerebellum)
•Tumors affecting the cerebellum
•Inflammatory or infectious diseases (e.g., distemper in dogs)
•Toxins or drugs
•Trauma to the cerebellum
3. Vestibular Ataxia
Definition:
Results from dysfunction of the vestibular system, which maintains balance and spatial orientation.
The vestibular system includes parts of the inner ear and brainstem that help detect head movement
and position
Key Sign:
• Head tilt (usually toward the side of the lesion)
Clinical Signs:
• Leaning, falling, or rolling to one side
• Circling
• Nystagmus (eye movement)
• Peripheral disease: horizontal or rotatory nystagmus (consistent direction)
• Central disease: vertical or positional nystagmus
• Strabismus (abnormal eye position)
• Motion sickness signs: nausea, vomiting
Diseases Highlighted:
• Idiopathic vestibular disease (peripheral)
• Encephalitis, tumors (central)
 Paresis
Partial loss of motor function; manifests as weakness.

Clinical Signs
• Weak gait or difficulty walking
• Dragging of limbs (more pronounced during
• movement)
• Fatigue or collapsing with exercise
• Inability to support body weight
• Reduced muscle strength or tone
 •Types Based on Limb Involvement:
• Tetraparesis: All four limbs
• Paraparesis: Pelvic limbs
• Hemiparesis: Limbs on one side Tetraparesis
• Monoparesis: One limb

Paraparesis

Hemiparesis Monoparesis
Diagnostic Tests
✅ When Available:
•Neurologic exam: Assess reflexes, tone, and localize
lesion (UMN vs LMN)
•Blood tests:
• CBC, biochemistry, electrolytes (calcium,
potassium)
• Thyroid profile
• Creatine kinase (CK for muscle damage)
•Imaging:
• MRI or CT (brain/spinal cord)
• X-rays (for spinal trauma or abnormalities)
•CSF analysis: Detects inflammation/infection
•EMG/NCS: Assess muscle and nerve function
If Tests Unavailable

History & Physical Clues:

•Recent trauma or collapse
•Exposure to toxins or infections
•Widespread weakness with no ataxia = likely peripheral
cause
 Treatment Options

Treatment Options
•Supportive care:
• Rest, padded bedding, bladder management
• Assist with mobility (slings, carts)
•Address underlying cause:
• Infection: Antibiotics, antivirals
• Inflammation: Steroids or immunosuppressives
• Deficiencies: Vitamin/mineral supplements
• Metabolic: Hormone or electrolyte correction
• Surgical: Decompression for herniated discs
•Rehabilitation:
• Physical therapy to improve strength and prevent
atrophy (decrease in size or wasting away of
a body part, tissue or organ )
• Electrical stimulation (for LMN cases)
 PARALYSIS
Paralysis
Complete loss of voluntary motor
function.
•No ability to move affected limb(s).

Types

• Monoplegia: One limb

• Hemiplegia: One side of body
• Paraplegia: Both pelvic limbs
• Tetraplegia: All four limbs
 Clinical Signs

•Inability to initiate or complete voluntary movement

in affected limb(s)
•No weight-bearing ability
•No response to command
• Muscle atrophy muscles wasting away or thinning
out.
•Loss of pain perception
CAUSES
•Stroke – sudden brain damage
•Infection – e.g., viruses affecting nerves
•Tumor – growth pressing on brain or spine
•Bleeding – inside the brain or spine
•Clot – blocked blood flow
•Nerve – damaged or pinched nerves
•Brain – disease or damage in brain
•Spine – damage to the spinal cord
•Weakness – muscle diseases causing loss of power
•Autoimmune – body attacking its own nerves
•Toxin – poisons or chemicals
•Injury – e.g., accidents or trauma
•Genetic – inherited conditions
•Deficiency – lack of vitamins (e.g., B12)
•Pressure – something pushing on brain/spine
Diagnostic Tests
✅ When Available:
•Neurologic examination: Localize lesion (UMN vs LMN
signs)
•Bloodwork:
• CBC, serum biochemistry (check electrolytes,
glucose, CK)
• Endocrine tests (thyroid, adrenal)
•Imaging:
• X-rays: Spinal fractures, luxations
• MRI/CT: Detailed spinal cord and brain imaging
•CSF analysis: Detect inflammation or infection
•EMG/NCS: Evaluate electrical activity in muscles and
nerves
•Tensilon test: For myasthenia gravis
 If Tests Unavailable
The vet pinches the animal’s toes or nails (usually with forceps or their
fingers) to see how the animal reacts.
What the reactions mean:
1.Pulls the leg away AND makes a sound (like a yelp or cry):
The animal can feel pain. The brain is working. This is a good sign.
2.Pulls the leg away but does NOT make a sound:
This is just a spinal reflex, like when your knee kicks out if the doctor
taps it.
It does not mean the animal feels pain. The brain may not be involved.
This is not a good sign
3.No pulling back, no sound at all:
The animal does not feel anything. This means there might be a
serious spinal cord injury.
This is a very bad sign and usually means a poor chance of recovery.
Treatment Options
•Stabilization and Supportive Care:
• Prevent pressure sores, maintain bladder
function
• Pain management (if indicated)
• Soft bedding, passive range-of-motion
therapy
•Targeted Therapy:
• Surgical: Spinal decompression (IVDD,
trauma)
• Immunosuppressives: If
inflammatory/autoimmune
• Antibiotics/Antivirals: If infectious
• Antitoxins: (e.g., botulism antitoxin)
• Nutritional support: B-complex vitamins,
especially thiamine
•Rehabilitation:
• Physical therapy, hydrotherapy
• Electrical stimulation for LMN cases
REFERENCES

Veterinary Medicine 11 th Edition (2)

THANKS
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