The brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves all make up the nervous system. The peripheral nerves relay information between the brain and the rest of the body. The brain is responsible for coordinating with all body part functions. The brain consists of several parts that serve different functions. The cerebral hemispheres are where conscious thought and memory lie. The cerebellum is responsible for fine control and coordination of movement.
The thalamus and hypothalamus control sleeping, hormone release, thirst, appetite, sex and, it is thought, our emotions. The pons and the medulla control the vital functions of the body such as heart rate and breathing.
The brains of all mammals have the same basic components, however, the size differs depending on the species. The canine species for example has a bigger olfactory bulb (the olfactory bulb is an essential structure devoted to the sense of smell) than the human because they use their sharp sense of smell to hunt for food. Humans have terribly giant cerebral hemispheres which suggest that humans have a greater enchant and capacity for thought compared to other species.
There are no blood vessels in the brain – it is separated from the rest of the body by the blood brain barrier. The function of the blood brain barrier is to prevent it from common bacterial infections. Viruses can pass through the blood brain barrier but antibodies cannot which is why brain disease in dogs are so serious.
What are neurological disorders?
Neurological disorders in canines refer to disease in dogs that affect the nervous system i.e., the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The brain is consisted of two types of cells: neurons and glial cells. Neurons are of three types: motor neurons that control muscles and glands, sensory neurons and interneurons that connect neurons to other neurons.
What are the symptoms?
Pet owners need to be very observant and alert as they most likely will be the first to notice critical signs signaling that all might not be well. These warning signs are, but are not limited to, the following: neck and/or back pain, balance issues, abnormal eye movements, disorientation, confusion, mobility issues, particularly in the hind legs. phantom scratching, i.e., scratching the air, often near the ear, neck, or shoulder region, without making contact with the body, and seizures.
Should your pet exhibit one or more other warning signs – even occasionally — or something else that seems unusual, it is recommended to contact your primary veterinarian as soon as possible for advice regarding the further steps. The severity of the situation and the time of day it occurs will most likely determine what the next step will be.
Next steps may include scheduling an exam with your primary veterinarian, an evaluation by a veterinary neurologist and/or an emergency visit to renowned and top-notch veterinary clinics such as Veterinary wellness center, Animal wellness clinic, Houston animal hospital, and Houston veterinary hospital may be the best options to get the best veterinarian in Houston, Texas.
Brain tumors in dogs
Tumors of the nervous system occur in 1 – 2 % of dogs. Tumors occur more frequently in the brain than in the spinal cord or peripheral nerves. The funny thing about brain tumors is that they can exhibit almost any symptom: changes in behavior, ataxia, weakness, circling, head pressing, blindness, hormone disorders, or no signs at all. Brain tumors are diagnosed with CT or MRI scans.
