Neurological Condition Rehabilitation Flashcards
7 cards from real CCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Neurological Condition Rehabilitation flashcards as text
Which gait pattern is most commonly observed in a dog with a T3-L3 spinal cord lesion?
Answer: Upper motor neuron paraparesis with intact thoracic limb function
A T3-L3 lesion produces UMN signs in the pelvic limbs (spastic paresis/paralysis) while thoracic limbs remain normal.
When performing underwater treadmill therapy with a dog recovering from degenerative myelopathy, which water level best facilitates ambulation while reducing weight-bearing?
Answer: At the level of the greater trochanter
Water at the greater trochanter level reduces body weight by approximately 40%, supporting ambulation without eliminating proprioceptive challenge.
A cat presents with acute onset cervical pain and right forelimb lameness following a jump. MRI reveals a Hansen Type I disc herniation at C5-C6. Which rehabilitation goal is MOST appropriate in the acute phase?
Answer: Pain management and activity restriction
In the acute phase of disc herniation, pain control and strict rest are prioritized to prevent further spinal cord compression.
Which proprioceptive exercise is MOST appropriate for early-stage rehabilitation of a dog with mild cerebellar ataxia?
Answer: Slow rhythmic weight shifting on a firm surface
Slow, controlled weight-shifting exercises on firm surfaces help retrain proprioceptive pathways without overwhelming a patient with impaired cerebellar modulation.
Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon is characterized by which clinical presentation?
Answer: Flaccid pelvic limb paralysis with rigid thoracic limb extension
Schiff-Sherrington occurs with acute severe thoracolumbar lesions; release of border cells causes extensor rigidity of the thoracic limbs with pelvic limb paralysis.
Which modality is CONTRAINDICATED directly over the spine in a dog with an active spinal cord injury?
Answer: Therapeutic ultrasound at high intensity settings
Therapeutic ultrasound over the spine or laminectomy site is contraindicated due to risk of heating spinal cord tissue and worsening injury.
A dog with fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) typically shows which clinical feature that helps differentiate it from disc herniation?
Answer: Acute non-progressive signs with minimal pain after onset
FCE classically presents as peracute non-progressive asymmetric signs with little to no spinal pain after the initial event.