{"id":4738,"date":"2020-12-30T16:05:50","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T16:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/demo-sa-orthopedics\/?page_id=4738"},"modified":"2021-01-04T21:11:04","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T21:11:04","slug":"postural-exam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/demo-sa-orthopedics\/postural-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"Overall Evaluation and Postural Exam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Postural reflexes are complex reponses that maintain an animal’s normal upright postion. Abnormal postural reflexes may indicate neurologic disease. Proprioception<\/strong> loss is one of the earliest abnormal postural reflexes indicating neurologic disease.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>General Exam and Proprioceptive<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>

The purpose of a systematic neurologic examination<\/strong> is to establish the presence of neurological disease and to localize the lesion.<\/p>\n

First, visualize the animal overall visualization \u2013 does the dog exhibit ataxia, paresis, or paralysis, and are the forelimb and\/or rear limbs involved. Then evaluate postural reflexes, followed by spinal reflexes and finally, pain perception.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Neurological<\/span><\/div>
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You should observe the mental status, the posture of the animal, its gait, including forward, backward and in tight circles. Palpation of the spine is important.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Palpate<\/span><\/div>
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Proprioception loss<\/strong> is the earliest indicator of spinal disease and should be performed in every physical and orthopedic examination. Proprioceptive positioning is performed by flexing the paw so the dorsal surface is on the floor. The animal should immediately return the paw to a normal position.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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