Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Motor Neuron Disease in Australian Dogs and Cats

Table 1

Summary of abnormal findings on a clinical neurological exam and whether these findings are consistent with lower motor neuron disease.

Neurological Exam Abnormality	Typical of LMND
Seizures	NO
Altered mentation
Pacing
Head pressing
Head tilt
Head turn
Gait abnormalities
Short gait, stilted gait, sits frequently	YES
Ataxia
Normal muscle tone, abnormal movement	NO
Hypermetria	NO
Lameness	NO
Tires easily/weakness after exercise	YES
Proprioception/Postural reactions are ABNORMAL or ABSENT	NO
Only evaluate when patient is PROPERLY SUPPORTED when reactions are tested.
Decreased muscle tone and/or muscle atrophy	YES
Spinal Reflexes
patellar, triceps, perineal, sciatic DIMINISHED or EXHAUSTABLE with repetition	YES, although perineal reflexes and motor function to tail may be preserved
Reflexes clonic or exaggerated	NO
Nociception diminished or absent	NO
Dysphonia	YES
Dysphagia
Spinal pain	NO (rare with acute PRN)
Cranial nerves
Bilateral abnormalities in PLR, facial nerve weakness, diminished swallow or gag	Not typical of ALL LMND, but common with tick paralysis
UNILATERAL abnormalities?	NO
Megaoesophagus	Not typical of all LMND, but frequently seen with MG and tick paralysis