Pets are a very important part of the modern family, and therefore it’s understandable to worry when they aren’t acting like themselves. We strongly recommend contacting your pet’s primary veterinarian anytime you notice something out of the ordinary, but here we list some common symptoms that might indicate a neurologic problem with your dog or cat.
Neck Pain
Common signs of neck pain include holding the head low and being reluctant to turn it side to side, spontaneous muscle contractions (fasciculations) involving the neck, yelping when trying to move or when the head or neck are touched. Some pets may turn their entire body to look at something rather than turn their head and neck.
Back Pain
Common signs of back pain include a hunched posture (kyphosis), a tucked tail or even a limp tail, yelping when they get up or are touched along the back.
Proprioceptive Deficits
If you notice your pet standing on the top surface of their paw, or scuffing the tops of their toes when walking, a neurologic problem may be present.
Ataxia
Ataxia means an uncoordinated gait. There are three types of ataxia: cerebellar, vestibular, and spinal ataxia. The thing that all three have in common is a goofy, uncoordinated gait. You may notice your pet falling to the side, crossing their legs when they walk, or even falling down.
Intracranial Disease
When there is a problem involving the brain, there are characteristic behaviors that we may notice at home. This includes: starring off into space, pressing the head into a wall or other structures, circling in one direction repeatedly, neck pain, seizures, vision problems, a head tilt, nystagmus (eyes darting back and forth), among others.
Seizures
Seizures are a common reason that pets see the neurologist. Some seizures are considered generalized seizures where the pet loses consciousness and displays involuntary movements involving the whole body. Seizures may not involve the whole body or loss of consciousness; these are called partial seizures and may involve involuntary movements of just a small group of muscles (i.e. holding a leg up in the air, chomping at the air and drooling, etc.). Another common feature of seizures involve autonomic signs like drooling, urinating, defecating, or vomiting.
After a seizure is done, many patients will be abnormal (tired, wobbly, blind, etc.) for minutes to hours during the “post-ictal” phase. This is expected and will pass with time.
