Menace response (CN II, CN VII) The normal response is retraction of the globe, closure/blinking of the eye. Cover one eye while menacing the other to test each independently and compare for asymmetry. This is a learned response and may not be present until around 10 to 12 weeks of age in kittens.
The menace reflex is elicited by advancing a closed fist quickly toward the eye and observing a blink, globe retraction, head retraction, or all of these. The menace response is learned and is therefore not present in newborn crias. Observation of how the animal navigates in its environment is also helpful.
The presence or absence of the menace reflex, in combination with other reflexes, indicates a locus of damage. For example, an animal with polioencephalomalacia will lack the menace reflex, but will still have the pupillary light reflex.
Unlike the menace response, the PLR is a subcortical reflex. Therefore, it does NOT test vision, and may be normal in a cortically blind animal. Furthermore, the PLR is usually present (though it may be diminished or slow) in animals suffering from PRA, cataracts, and other causes of subcortical blindness.
Knuckling the toes over whilst supporting the body can be done to evaluate how long it takes for the animal to correct. Alternatively, a piece of paper may be placed under each foot and slowly moved sideways, to see if the animal returns its foot to the standing position.
What Is Ataxia in Cats? Ataxia is the word used to describe a loss of coordination and balance that affects your cat's head, limbs, and/or torso. Ataxia is caused by decreased sensory function of the nervous system, which in turn can be caused by a wide range of diseases.
The disease can affect one or multiple feet, and is characterized by thickening and roughening of the surface of the paw pads. The underlying cause is unknown but pillow foot is thought to be a form of autoimmune disease. Other possible causes include food or environmental allergies, and bacterial and viral infections.
The menace reflex (blink reflex to visual threat) tests visual processing at the bedside in patients who cannot participate in normal visual field testing.
Assessment of the pupillary light reflex (PLR) has long been used to assist in disease diagnosis in both human and veterinary medicine.
The pupillary light reflex (PLR) is initiated by RGCs. Therefore, the PLR should be reduced in eyes with glaucoma. Asymmetric damage between eyes with glaucoma often results in different pupillary responses to light, creating a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD).
a) Menace Response: This involves making a sudden threatening gesture which is supposed to elicit a blink response. The afferent arm of the response consists of the retina, optic nerve axons, and the optic tract and radiations.
A blink is considered a positive menace response. If a reponse is not elicited the intactness of palpebral responses are tested by palpation of the face. It is important to note that the menace response is a learned response that is not consistently present in dogs and cats under 3 to 4 months in age.
Menace uses cranial nerve 7 for motor effect.
It is important to note that the menace response is a learned response and not a reflex. Note the pattern of decussation of the optic nerve fibers at the level of the optic chiasm.
Healthcare providers use the deep tendon reflex (DTR) examination to check for hyporeflexia or hyperreflexia as part of a neurological exam. The best known of the reflexes is the patellar, or knee-jerk, reflex.
RR: respiratory rate. Rx: prescription. S/R: suture removal.
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Different types of reflexes can be signs of serious disorders related to the nervous system. Spinal cord injuries are most likely to cause these unusual reflexes, but other disorders that can result in abnormal reflexes include brain tumors, brain trauma, stroke, meningitis, or spinal cord injuries.
Swimmer syndrome is a congenital condition that can occur in young kittens, causing the legs (typically the hind limbs) to splay laterally. The kitten may have a frog-like posture, with the hips jutting out to the side of the body and the feet facing sideways, rather than placed underneath the body.
In the early stages of pododermatitis, soft, non-uncomfortable swelling of the footpads develops. More than one pad on more than one foot is typically involved. Pads may look purple and appear streaky, with white scaly material on the surface. Later, the pads can become bloody and uncomfortable.
Panniculitis is a localized inflammation of the tissues under the skin, causing a firm swelling (nodule) that may ulcerate and drain fluid. It is a common problem in cats and is less common in dogs.
More specifically, dysmetria is characterized by a cat's inability to judge the rate, range, and force of its movements -- literally, an inability to measure space. Hypermetria, meanwhile, describes the action of overreaching, or high stepping, the intended location.
Their pupils may become dilated, their skin may ripple, and they may drool. You may notice intensive scratching and digging at that or other spots, and some affected cats may chase their own tails. Some cats may vocalize or urinate.
The most typical symptoms are jerky or uncoordinated walking, swaying from side to side when trying to walk, a goose-stepping gait called hypermetria, mild head tremors, and/or intention tremors. Intention tremors are tremors that occur when the kitten intends to make some sort of movement.