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Peripheral neuropathies in small animals
Author(s) -
Jeffery Nick
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inpract.21.1.10
Subject(s) - medicine , peripheral , peripheral neuropathy , etiology , peripheral nervous system , disease , pathology , central nervous system , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology
THE usual perception of peripheral neuropathies in small animals is that they are uncommon, difficult to diagnose or treat and have a poor prognosis. However, although it is relatively rare to see cases of peripheral neuropathy that have dramatic signs, such as tetraplegia, a large number of animals are presented at small animal practices with a variety of other clinical signs caused by disease of the peripheral nervous system. In common with other neurological disorders, a systematic approach is required to categorise each case of peripheral neuropathy so that appropriate tests or treatment can be carried out. A complete aetiological diagnosis is not always possible because the cause of some of the most common peripheral neuropathies is not known. Furthermore, treatment options are limited. Nevertheless, for many animals affected by this group of diseases the prognosis is good.