Diagnosis and Treatment of an Animal with
Severe Intracranial Disease—Discussion

Laurent Cauzinille France

Moderator          R. Bagley 
Introduction       R. Bagley                           

Presentation of the case—animal presents in a coma.

First question

Recommendations for initial evaluation and management.

                                             Dr. Cauzinille                    response

Discuss clinical exam findings. What examination features are important when presented with a comatose animal? what differential diagnosis?

                                             Dr. Bagley                        response

Discuss intracranial pathophysiological and ICP considerations.

Second question

What diagnostic tests would be important to perform in this animal?

                                             Dr. Cauzinille                    response                                            

Animal’s respiration becomes irregular.

Third question

How would we manage the respiratory aspects of this animal?
Discuss respiration and respirator management.

                                             Dr. Haskins                        response
                                             Dr. Hughes                        response

Fourth question

Discuss the role of blood pressure and vascular volume management.
Discuss fluid choice, administration rates, etc.

                                             Dr. Hughes                         response
                                             Dr. Haskins                         response

Further evaluation reveals that the animal is severely hypernatremia.

Fifth question

What would be your considerations at this point? How would you treat this situation?

                                             Dr. Hughes                         response

Discuss differentials and pathophysiology.

                                             Dr. Haskins                        response

Discuss fluid therapy.

Sixth question

The animal’s pupils become ansiocoric.

                                             Dr. Cauzinille                     response
                                             Dr. Bagley                        response

Final discussion of the important aspects of this case.

                                             Dr. Cauzinille                    response

Discuss importance of the clinical exam.

                                             Dr. Haskins                       response

Discuss importance of CO2 in intracranial disease.                                       

                                             Dr. Hughes                        response

Discuss role of fluid therapy in intracranial disease patient.

Notes