ABSTRACT
136 A 7-month-old male Miniature Poodle presents with a history of progressive lethargy and dull mentation (Figure 136.1). He is up-to-date on all appropriate vaccinations and has had a good appetite until the last 4 days. He is an indoor/outdoor dog and lives with 3 other dogs, all of whom are apparently healthy. His recent history also includes the onset of coughing 5 days earlier and “wobbliness.” On physical examination, you note that the dog is apparently blind, with an absence of menace reflex but palpebral reflex present. He has a reduced gag reflex. The dog has mild ataxia of all four limbs, but proprioception is normal. There is a head tilt to the right and, if allowed to walk, the dog circles to the right. The dog is tachypnoeic at rest, with harsh crackling sounds auscultated, particularly in the cranioventral thorax; heart sounds and peripheral pulses are normal. Temperature and pulse are within normal limits. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429401725/9d69b4ae-80d1-4f44-9dcb-659cda134065/content/fig136_1_C.jpg"/>
i. What problems can you identify from the history and physical examination findings? Select two of these problems to generate a differential diagnosis list.
ii. Generate differential diagnosis lists for the two main problems you have selected.
iii. Based on your differential diagnosis lists, what diagnostic steps or tests would you recommend?
iv. Can you account for BOTH of your primary problems with a single diagnosis or disorder?
